Studio sound comes home.
The engineers at Abbey Road Studios chose B&W as their reference monitors. The engineers at the world’s most acclaimed recording studios trust these speakers to tell them the truth about what they’ve recorded. That’s the standard Bowers & Wilkins holds itself to. And it’s why we carry them.
B&W has been at the forefront of loudspeaker innovation since 1966, and their pursuit of acoustic truth has never wavered. The 800 Series Diamond represents B&W at their absolute and uncompromising best — diamond dome tweeters, Continuum cone midrange drivers, and Aerofoil profile bass cones that together deliver a level of clarity, dynamics, and musical honesty that has made them the professional monitor of choice for top recording and mastering studios worldwide. When you hear music through 800 Series speakers, you’re hearing exactly what the artist and engineer intended — nothing added, nothing subtracted, nothing hidden.
The 700 Series brings much of the 800 Series’ proprietary technology into more room-friendly and accessible designs at a more approachable price point — genuine reference-quality sound for a much wider audience of music lovers. And the Formation wireless range delivers authentic B&W sound quality with the modern convenience of true wireless streaming — exceptional, uncompromised music in every room of your home without a single visible cable.
What we value most about B&W is their relentless, decades-long pursuit of acoustic truth. Every detail, every nuance, every emotional intention in the music — B&W delivers it with remarkable consistency across every model in their lineup.
At our Seattle Experience Center, B&W speakers are set up in purpose-built listening rooms. Come hear them properly, and discover why Bowers & Wilkins has earned the trust of music professionals and enthusiasts alike for nearly 60 years.
801 D5 Loudspeakers
Model #: 801 D5
Coming This September, Notify me when available.
The 801 D5 is B&W's reference statement — the standard against which everything else is measured. Diamond dome tweeter, Continuum FST midrange in a Turbine Head, and two 10-inch Aerofoil bass drivers in a Matrix-braced cabinet. There is no higher aspiration in the 800 Series.
A History of Audio Excellence
1960
The Beginning
Bowers & Wilkins' story begins with a friendship formed during World War II between John Bowers and Roy Wilkins, who both served in the Royal Corps of Signals. After the war, they opened a small radio and TV shop in Worthing, England, catering to amateur radio enthusiasts. Over time, the shop expanded its offerings, including audio components and public address systems.
1966
The Turning Point: A Generous Bequest
In 1966, a satisfied customer, Miss Knight, a former opera singer and wealthy resident of Worthing, left John Bowers a £10,000 bequest in her will to pursue his passion for loudspeaker design. This generous gift allowed Bowers to leave the shop and fully dedicate himself to his speaker business, leading to the formation of Bowers & Wilkins as a full-time venture. With the help of Peter Hayward, Bowers started to focus on crafting high-quality loudspeakers, beginning a journey that would later lead to the company's global recognition.
1967
The P1 and P2 Speakers
Bowers & Wilkins' first speaker, the P1, was followed by the improved P2, which featured an ionophone tweeter for high frequencies up to 50kHz. The company invested profits into audio test equipment, leading to better understanding and refinement of their designs. Despite its innovation, the P2’s modulator caused interference with TV pictures, limiting its success.
1973-1978
Expansion and Recognition
By 1973, Bowers & Wilkins had grown significantly, with 60% of its production being exported globally. The company earned its first Queen’s Award for Industry for export achievement that year, followed by a second in 1978 when exports rose to 90%. By this time, Bowers & Wilkins had moved from its original garages to purpose-designed premises, complete with anechoic chambers and advanced measuring equipment for speaker development.
1993-2000
Nautilus Series and Abbey Road Studios Partnership
In 1993, Bowers & Wilkins introduced the Nautilus speaker, featuring a revolutionary tapered tube design that reduced resonance and set a new standard for high-end audio. This innovation was followed by a significant partnership in 2000, when Bowers & Wilkins supplied Abbey Road Studios with high-end audio equipment, further cementing the brand’s reputation for excellence in both professional and consumer audio markets.
2019
Launch of the 700 Series
In 2019, Bowers & Wilkins introduced the 700 Series, bringing professional-level sound to home audio. The series incorporated advanced technologies from the flagship 800 Series, such as the Continuum cone and Carbon Dome tweeter, delivering exceptional accuracy and clarity at a more accessible price. By combining cutting-edge performance with a refined design, the 700 Series offered audiophile-quality sound without the premium price tag, expanding Bowers & Wilkins' reach to a broader audience.
2022
Launch of the 800 Series Diamond Anniversary Edition
To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the 800 Series, Bowers & Wilkins released the Diamond Anniversary Edition in 2022. This special edition featured updated components for improved performance, such as refined drive units and crossovers, along with new aesthetic enhancements to highlight the series’ legacy. The Anniversary Edition honored the 800 Series' history of innovation while elevating both its sound quality and visual appeal, ensuring its continued status as a benchmark in high-end audio.