The 800 series from Bowers & Wilkins started more than 40 years ago, and Diamond - version of this top series was launched in 2004. Our former reviewer Trond tested the top models 802D  in 2005. He found out that it was the best speaker he had heard ever, and ushered into a prolonged romance as a result of this. In 2010 a new upgraded version of the 800 - series arrived, which got the suffix "Diamond" in replacement for its predecessor`s "d"

Now five years later there is time for a new 800-series, and the new range consists of floor models 800 D3 (coming in 2016), 802  D3, 803 D3 and 804 D3. In addition, we have the standmount speakers 805 D3, and the two center speakers HTM1 D3 and HTM2 D3.

D3 version of the 800 series seems to be a far more fundamental upgrade than previous upgrades. This applies to design, where especially the two provisional biggest newcomers 802 D3 and D3 803 differs markedly from its predecessors. Perhaps most of all the B&W 803 D3, which unlike its predecessor has received midrange placed in a separate "ball" at the top, the same concept as 802 and 800 had.

But also on the parts list there is very much new - manufacturer claims that most of the components have changed since the previous diamond - series.

One of the quite fundamental changes is that Kevlar cones in the midrange that has been a trademark for 800 - series - and eventually the lower  series - now is replaced by an entirely new membrane in Continuum. B&W claims that Continuum further develop the good qualities that a Kevlar diaphragm has given.

The new Aerofoil membranes in the bass should also provide better bass with less distortion, due to better profile and more sophisticated sandwich structure. Also matrix structure in the cabinet should be greatly improved.

We take a look at the presentation videos from Bowers & Wilkins before we immerse ourselves in the specifications of each speaker.

The distributor`s data given for the different models:

B & W 802 D3:

• Category: Floor Speakers
• Tweeter: 1 "Nautilus diamond dome
• Midrange: 6 "FST - Continuum - element
• Woofer: 2 x 8 "Aerofoil
• Frequency Response (-3dB): 17 to 28,000 Hz
• Frequency Response (-6dB): 14-35000 Hz
• Impedance: 8 ohms (minimum 3 ohms)
• Sensitivity: 90 dB
• Bi-wire Yes
• Spikes included: Yes
• Colour: Rosewood, white lacquer, black gloss piano lacquer
• Size: 39.0 x 121.2 x 58.3 cm (WxHxD)
• Weight: 94.5 kg
• 3-way bass reflex construction
• Separate Nautilus tweeter head turned in one piece aluminum
• FST midrange Continuum in separate Turbine-head
• High efficiency neodymium - magnet systems in all items
• Matrix enclosure
• FlowPort

NOK Price 199.800, -

B & W 803 D3:

• Category: Floor Speakers
• Tweeter: 1 "Nautilus diamond dome
• Midrange: 5 "FST - Continuum Always keep the chime
• Woofer: 2 x 7 "Aerofoil
• Frequency Response (-3dB): 19 to 28,000 Hz
• Frequency Response (-6dB): 16-35000 Hz
• Impedance: 8 ohms (minimum 3 ohms)
• Sensitivity: 90 dB
• Bi-wire Yes
• Spikes included: Yes
• Colour: Rosewood, white lacquer, black gloss piano lacquer
• Size: 33.4 x 116.0 x 49.8 cm (WxHxD)
• Weight: 65.5 kg
• 3 vejs bass reflex construction
• Separate Nautilus tweeter head turned in one piece aluminum
• FST midrange Continuum in separate Turbine-head
• High efficiency neodymium - magnet systems in all items
• "Reverse wrap" Matrix enclosure
• FlowPort

Price 157.800, - NOK

B & W 804 D3:

• Category: Floor Speakers
• Tweeter: 1 "Nautilus diamond dome
• Midrange: 5 "FST - Continuum Unit
• Woofer: 2 x 6.5 "Aerofoil
• Frequency Response (-3dB): 24 to 28,000 Hz
• Frequency Response (-6dB): 20-35000 Hz
• Impedance: 8 ohms (minimum 3 ohms)
• Sensitivity: 89 dB
• Bi-wire Yes
• Spikes included: Yes
• Colour: Rosewood, white lacquer, black gloss piano lacquer
• Size: 23.8 x 101.9 x 34.5 cm (HxWxD)
• Weight: 33 kg
• 3-way bass reflex construction
• Separate Nautilus tweeter head turned in one piece aluminum
• FST midrange Continuum
• High efficiency neodymium - magnet systems in all items
• Matrix enclosure
• FlowPort

Price 79.800, - NOK

B & W 805 D3:

• Category: Compact Speakers
• Tweeter: 1 "Nautilus diamond dome
• Bass / midrange: 6.5 " with woven Continuum - membrane
• Frequency Response (-3dB): 42 to 28,000 Hz
• Frequency Response (-6dB): 34-35000 Hz
• Impedance: 8 ohms (minimum 3 ohms)
• Sensitivity: 88 dB
• Bi-wire Yes
• Spikes included: No
• Colour: Rosewood, white lacquer, black gloss piano lacquer
• Size: 23.8 x 42.4 x 34.5 cm (HxWxD)
• Weight: 12.6 kg
• 2-way bass reflex construction
• Separate Nautilus tweeter head turned in one piece aluminum
• High efficiency neodymium - magnet systems in all items
• Matrix enclosure
• FlowPort

Price 47.800, - NOK

B & W HTM1 D3:

• Category: Center Speaker
• Tweeter: 1 "Nautilus - charged diamond dome
• Midrange: 6 "FST - Continuum
• Woofer: 2 x 8 "Aerofoil
• Frequency Response (-3dB): 28-28-000 Hz
• Frequency Response (-6dB): 20-35000 Hz
• Impedance: 8 ohms (minimum 3 ohms)
• Sensitivity: 91 dB
• Bi-wire Yes
• Spikes included: No
• Colour: Rosewood, white lacquer, black gloss piano lacquer
• Size: 85.0 x 33.0 x 34.2 cm (WxHxD)
• Weight: 30.4 kg
• 3-way bass reflex construction
• Matrix enclosure
• FlowPort

Price 54.900, - NOK

B & W HTM2 D3:

• Category: Center Speaker
• Tweeter: 1 "Nautilus - charged diamond dome
• Midrange: 5 "FST - Continuum
• Woofer: 2 x 6.5 "Aerofoil
• Frequency Response (-3dB): 45 to 28,000 Hz
• Frequency Response (-6dB): 33-35000 Hz
• Impedance: 8 ohms (minimum 3 ohms)
• Sensitivity: 90 dB
• Bi-wire Yes
• Spikes included: No
• Colour: Rosewood, white lacquer, black gloss piano lacquer
• Size: 72.0 x 30.2 x 32.6 cm (WxHxD)
• Weight: 20.0 kg
• 3-way bass reflex construction
• Matrix enclosure
• FlowPort

Price 35.900, - NOK

Bowers & Wilkins  is imported to Norway by Hi-fi klubben