Bowers & Wilkins 800 D5 Series

[gene]

After hearing the Bowers & Wilkins 801 D4 Signature at the Maximum AV listening event, I came away genuinely impressed by just how refined and effortless they sounded. The new 800 Series Diamond D5 builds on that foundation, carrying over many of the Signature model's engineering advancements while introducing additional refinements across the entire lineup. In this overview, we examine what's new, what has trickled down from the Signature series, and why the D5 represents a meaningful evolution of one of high-end audio's most iconic loudspeaker families.

Read: Bowers & Wilkins 800 D5 Series Loudspeaker Overview

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Wow. 801D4 (dual 10" woofers) was $46K. Now the 801D5 is $65K?

802D4 (dual 8" woofers) was $34K. Now the 802D5 is $45K?

What the heck is Harman doing jacking up the prices that much?

 

[TLS Guy]

Wow. 801D4 (dual 10" woofers) was $46K. Now the 801D5 is $65K?

802D4 (dual 8" woofers) was $34K. Now the 802D5 is $45K?

What the heck is Harman doing jacking up the prices that much?

This is is just another issue that will hurt audio and home theater in the home. The cost of the 801 D5 is $15,000 higher than the average cost of new automobile in the US. Even the cheapest car is probably at least thousand fold more complex than that speaker.

This just turns people off and shop for their gear in Walmart.

Designing and building a really good speakers is not an overwhelming task and more should seriously consider it. If you can design a good plan a local C & C shop will cut your parts in minutes and assemble at as well if you want, for a very reasonable price.

 

[shadyJ]

This is is just another issue that will hurt audio and home theater in the home. The cost of the 801 D5 is $15,000 higher than the average cost of new automobile in the US. Even the cheapest car is probably at least thousand fold more complex than that speaker.

This just turns people off and shop for their gear in Walmart.

Designing and building a really good speakers is not an overwhelming task and more should seriously consider it. If you can design a good plan a local C & C shop will cut your parts in minutes and assemble at as well if you want, for a very reasonable price.

Designing and building a really good loudspeaker is very much an overwhelming task for any normal person. Hell, designing a really good loudspeaker is is tough enough for professionals.

Wow. 801D4 (dual 10" woofers) was $46K. Now the 801D5 is $65K?

802D4 (dual 8" woofers) was $34K. Now the 802D5 is $45K?

What the heck is Harman doing jacking up the prices that much?

They are not going after the bargain crowd with these. The people who buy these aren't buying them because they are a great value; they are buying them because they are expensive.

B&W does have offerings for much lower budgets. Maybe their very best shouldn't be all that accessible. Some companies want a product that shows what they can do when cost is less of an object.

 

[Jeepers]

Wow. 801D4 (dual 10" woofers) was $46K. Now the 801D5 is $65K?

802D4 (dual 8" woofers) was $34K. Now the 802D5 is $45K?

What the heck is Harman doing jacking up the prices that much?

In the Final Thoughts the following was mentioned : "The D5 range is only marginally more expensive than the D4 Signature models, and these new speakers include even more performance-enhancing upgrades."

 

[Jeepers]

Designing and building a really good loudspeaker is very much an overwhelming task for any normal person. Hell, designing a really good loudspeaker is is tough enough for professionals.

They are not going after the bargain crowd with these. The people who buy these aren't buying them because they are a great value; they are buying them because they are expensive.

B&W does have offerings for much lower budgets. Maybe their very best shouldn't be all that accessible. Some companies want a product that shows what they can do when cost is less of an object.

I am sure the Abbey Road studio's will purchase several of these or even receive these for free for promotional purposes.