Напольная акустика — B&W (Bowers & Wilkins) 801 D4

The 801 D4 is a stereo floorstander of the 800 Series Diamond range from Bowers & Wilkins, a three-way reflex design that the brand says brings back one of its best-known model names. It carries every technology the D4 generation of the range offers, including the Turbine Head midrange enclosure.

Key specs that matter

A 25 mm diamond dome tweeter sits on top, a 150 mm Continuum cone FST midrange works in its own head enclosure, and a pair of 250 mm Aerofoil cone bass units fill the main cabinet. Frequency range is 13 Hz to 35 kHz, while the response within +/-3 dB of the reference axis runs from 15 Hz to 28 kHz. Sensitivity reads 90 dB at 2.83 Vrms and 1 m on axis. Impedance is 8 ohm nominal and falls to 3.0 ohm at its lowest. Bowers & Wilkins recommends 50 W to 1000 W into 8 ohm on unclipped programme. Measured at 90 dB and 1 m, the combined second and third harmonics remain below 1 percent from 30 Hz to 20 kHz and below 0.3 percent from 100 Hz to 20 kHz. Each speaker measures 1221 mm high, 451 mm wide and 600 mm deep and weighs 100.60 kg net.

Engineering and use context

The Turbine Head is an all-aluminium housing for the midrange cone, damped against resonance and decoupled from both the bass cabinet and the tweeter body. The tweeter housing is carved out of a solid aluminium billet and has an elongated shape with a longer tube-loading system. The cabinet uses a reverse-wrap form, with the front and sides made as one continuous curve held together by a solid aluminium spine, so there are fewer joins and less baffle area around the drivers. Inside, Matrix bracing of interlocking plywood panels is reinforced with aluminium at key stress points. The crossover is mounted at the rear on an aluminium spine, protecting the capacitors from pressure changes in the box and letting the spine act as a heatsink. An aluminium top plate stiffens the cabinet and carries Leather by Connolly trim. The speakers are assembled in the UK factory of Bowers & Wilkins in Gloss Black, Satin Rosenut, Satin Walnut and White.

Pairing

Given the wide recommended power span and the deep impedance dip, a sturdy amplifier that drives difficult loads without strain is the logical partner. Speaker cable impedance should not exceed 0.1 ohm. Bowers & Wilkins designed the HTM81 D4 centre channel to partner the 801 D4 in a home theatre system.

Alternatives

The Bowers & Wilkins 802 D4 is a three-way floorstander of similar proportions that uses two 200 mm bass units.