Bowers & Wilkins have just announced the upgrade of their 800 series Diamond speakers with the release of the B&W Diamond 802 D3, B&W Diamond 803 D3, B&W Diamond 804 D3, B&W Diamond 805 D3, B&W Diamond HTM1 D3, B&W Diamond HTM2 D3 and B&W Diamond DB1 D3. As their name suggests, these speakers use a diamond dome tweeter in their design, like that of the Nautilus. Remember that B&W 800 Series Diamond speakers are used by prestigious recording studios such as the world famous Abbey Road Studios in London.
Acknowledged for its extremely solid structure, the diamond tweeter offers exceptional transient phase, minimum distortion and a sensational rise in frequencies ? optimal features in the design of a high frequency driver. The tweeter in the B&W 800 Series is attached to a Nautilus tube in order to get rid of any unwanted echo from sound waves delivered from the rear.
Each midrange driver benefits from Continuum cone technology, developed over an 8 year period by the British brand. Its excellent mechanical properties during wide-ranging sound variations ensure extremely high fidelity in delivery of the audio signal. This proves that this driver was designed solely for the delivery of this part of the audio range. With no surround, it cannot deliver low frequencies.
In the B&W 802 D3 and B&W 803 D3 speakers, this mid-range driver is reinforced with a steel column and turbine head structure which allows a harmonious distribution of the back sound wave
The lower range is entrusted to Aerofoil drivers which are made of Kevlar and benefit from an optimised cone shape. Thickness varies between the centre and surround in order to offer appropriate mechanical resistance to all low frequencies.
The inner structure of each of the new 800 Series Diamond D3 speaker has been enhanced with internal reinforcements and finished off with a high-quality multi-layer lacquered finish.
Bowers & Wilkins 805 D3
The B&W 805 D3 is the most recent model in the B&W 800 Diamond range. Marketed with its own dedicated stand, it is fitted with a 6.5″ Aerofoil driver and a Nautilus diamond dome tweeter. Its bandwidth ranges from 34 Hz to 35 kHz with a response ranging from 42 Hz to 28 kHz at + / – 3 dB. The distortion for a volume of 90 dB at 1 m (which corresponds to a listening experience at a highly comfortable level) is lower than 1 % from 70 Hz and up to high frequencies. Gripping performances to say the least.
Bowers & Wilkins 804 D3
The B&W 804 D3 is a 3-way and 4 driver floor-standing model (two 7″ bass drivers). Its frequency response in +/- 3 dB ranges from 24 Hz to 28 kHz with an amount of distortion identical to the compact model.
Bowers & Wilkins 803 D3
The B&W 803 D3 is the most compact high-end model ever developed by Bowers & Wilkins. In spite of this, it measures 33 cm wide for a height of 1.16 m and weight of 65 kg. Its performances are articulate ? 18 Hz to 28 kHz (+/- 3 dB) and a sensitivity of 90 dB for 1 W at 1 m. The distortion rate of 70 Hz to 20 kHz for 90 dB of volume is under one percent.
Bowers & Wilkins 802 D3
The flagship of the Diamond D3 range is the B&W 802 D3, equipped with a pair of 8″ diameter Duofoil drivers, a 15 cm diameter Continuum cone and a Nautilus diamond dome tweeter. The bass range gains an extra hertz compared to the 803 D3, which is not the staggering difference announced by the manufacturer. Each B&W 802 D3 weighs almost 95 kg, demonstrating the large scale of the integrated materials.
Bowers & Wilkins HTM1 D3
The B&W HTM1 D3 centre speaker features the same drivers as the 802 D3. Although it is aimed at mainly home cinema use, this prestigious centre speaker offers quality performances adapted to high fidelity multichannel sound. Its frequency response ranges from 28 Hz to 28 kHz (+/- 3 dB).
Bowers & Wilkins HTM2 D3
The B&W HTM2 D3 was developed for use with other speakers in the B&W 800 Series Diamond D3 range. This centre speaker is equipped with two 6.5″ Airfoil bass drivers, a 13 cm Continuum cone and a Nautilus diamond dome tweeter.
Bowers & Wilkins Diamond 800 DB1 D3
The B&W DB1 D3 subwoofer is fitted with a pair of 12″ diameter push-pull mounted drivers in a sealed enclosure and powered by a built-in 1000 W amplification system. Its frequency response ranges from 17 Hz to 145 Hz (+/- 3 dB). It also features a graphic equalizer to adapt better to its surroundings.
Here is a short video presentation of the new B&W 800 Diamond D3 range:
I’m a b&w lover, but this is not a review, it’s a copy and paste from b&w marketing department depliant….sorry.