Bowers & Wilkins 804 D5 Review: Reference 800 Series Diamond Sound in a Room-Friendly Floorstander

Welcome to our Bowers & Wilkins 804 D5 Review. If you have ever stood in front of a pair of 800 Series Diamond loudspeakers and felt the room simply disappear, you already understand the appeal. The question many listeners ask is whether that reference-grade clarity, imaging and bass control can fit comfortably into a real living space without the heft of the flagship models. The 804 D5 answers that question emphatically. It is a three-way, reverse-wrap, Diamond-tweeter floorstander that brings the core DNA of the 800 Series into a slimmer, more conventional cabinet, and it may be the most room-friendly route into genuine reference performance that Bowers & Wilkins currently offers.

Bowers & Wilkins 804 D5 at a Glance

Before we dive into the engineering, here is the headline summary. The 804 D5 is a three-way vented-box design combining a 25 mm Diamond dome tweeter, a 130 mm Continuum cone FST midrange driver and dual 165 mm Aerofoil bass cones. It stands 1,101 mm tall including the tweeter and plinth, with a cabinet width of just 238 mm, and weighs in at a substantial 40.3 kg. Frequency response is quoted at 19 Hz to 24 kHz (±3 dB), with a frequency range of 20 Hz to 35 kHz at -6 dB. Sensitivity is 89 dB, with an 8 ohm nominal and 3.0 ohm minimum impedance.

That 19 Hz figure deserves a second look. From a cabinet under a quarter of a metre wide, that is genuinely remarkable low-frequency extension, and it tells you a great deal about the level of engineering packed into this enclosure.

The 25 mm Diamond Dome Tweeter: Air, Openness and Effortless Detail

The Diamond dome tweeter is the calling card of the 800 Series, and it is present here in full. Diamond offers a rare combination of extremely low mass and exceptional stiffness, which pushes the tweeter's break-up frequency to approximately 70 kHz. In practical terms, the unwanted resonant behaviour that colours lesser tweeters is shifted far beyond the audible band.

What you hear is treble that is extended and revealing but never brittle. The decay of a ride cymbal, the rosin texture on a violin bow, the faint reverb tail of a recording venue: these micro-details emerge with an ease that makes long listening sessions a pleasure rather than a chore. Crucially, that resolution is delivered without the etched, forward presentation that can make some high-resolution speakers fatiguing.

Solid Body Tweeter-on-Top

Rather than bolting the tweeter into the main baffle, Bowers & Wilkins houses it in a rigid Solid Body Tweeter-on-Top enclosure. This mechanically decouples the tweeter from the vibration generated by the larger drivers, while the elongated shape minimises diffraction around the dome. The benefit is sharper stereo imaging and a more natural, three-dimensional sense of space, with instruments locked in position and the speakers themselves fading from view.

The Midrange: Where the 804 D5 Truly Sings

For many audiophiles, the midrange is where a loudspeaker lives or dies. It is the band occupied by the human voice and the fundamental tones of most instruments, and it is where the 804 D5 makes one of its strongest cases.

130 mm Continuum Cone FST Driver

The dedicated 130 mm Continuum cone FST midrange is engineered to behave smoothly across its operating range, avoiding the abrupt resonance characteristics associated with some traditional cone materials. The result is vocals that sound natural and unforced, instruments that retain their correct timbre, and dense, complex mixes that remain clear and well organised rather than collapsing into congestion.

Biomimetic Suspension and Anti-Resonance Plug

Behind the midrange cone, Bowers & Wilkins replaces the conventional fabric spider with its Biomimetic Suspension. This open design reduces trapped air pressure and mechanical noise behind the diaphragm, which in turn lowers the noise floor through the midrange and lets finer details surface. An Anti-Resonance plug further tames the driver's behaviour for more consistent reproduction. It is the kind of refinement you may not consciously notice at first, but you will certainly miss it when you return to a lesser speaker.

Dedicated Aluminium Midrange Enclosure

The Continuum driver sits within its own rigid aluminium enclosure inside the cabinet, isolating it from the pressure and vibration generated by the bass drivers. This gives the midrange a stable mounting platform, so vocals and instruments are more focused, better controlled and more precisely placed within the soundstage.

If midrange purity is your priority, whether you listen predominantly to jazz vocalists, chamber music or well-recorded singer-songwriters, this is a conversation worth having with our team. Give us a call on 1300 308 711 and we can talk through how the 804 D5 will suit your listening habits.

Dual 165 mm Aerofoil Bass Drivers: Weight, Pace and Definition

A slim floorstander that extends to 19 Hz (±3 dB) is not something you see every day. The 804 D5 achieves this with two 165 mm Aerofoil bass drivers, whose variable-thickness cone profile is engineered to maintain rigidity as the driver moves. This reduces distortion during demanding passages, so bass retains its pace, texture and definition rather than becoming bloated.

Orchestral bass drums gain real physical weight, electronic sub-bass lines carry authority, and film soundtracks deliver a convincing sense of scale. Importantly, the bass remains tuneful and articulate, integrating seamlessly with the midrange rather than sitting apart from it.

Flowport Bass Reflex Technology

Supporting the bass drivers is Bowers & Wilkins' Flowport bass-reflex system. Its dimpled surface, inspired by aerodynamic principles, reduces turbulence as air moves through the port. This minimises chuffing and port compression, which is particularly beneficial at higher playback levels and with bass-heavy material.

Cabinet Engineering: The Silent Foundation

A loudspeaker cabinet should ideally contribute nothing to the sound. The 804 D5 employs a comprehensive suite of techniques to get as close to that ideal as possible.

• Reverse-Wrap Cabinet: A continuous curved structure replaces the flat-fronted box, reducing reflections around the drive units and moving the cabinet join to the rear.
• Solid Aluminium Spine: Locks the reverse-wrap structure in place, adding rigidity while contributing to the speaker's elegant appearance.
• Enhanced Matrix Bracing: Interlocking internal panels limit cabinet movement that would otherwise colour the sound.
• Aluminium Space Frame Bracing and Aluminium Top Section: Further improve stiffness for clearer detail and a more believable soundstage.
• Upgraded Plinth with Tuned-Mass Damping: Reduces unwanted vibration and improves the mechanical connection to the floor, delivering tighter bass and clearer imaging across a variety of rooms.

The cumulative effect of all this is a remarkably low level of cabinet-borne colouration. Notes start and stop cleanly, the background is inky black, and the music is presented with a sense of calm authority. The published distortion figures support this, with harmonic distortion under 1% from 90 Hz to 20 kHz and under 0.3% from 120 Hz to 8 kHz.

Amplification: Partnering the 804 D5

With 89 dB sensitivity, an 8 ohm nominal impedance and a 3.0 ohm minimum, the 804 D5 is not an especially difficult load, but it rewards quality. Bowers & Wilkins recommends amplifier power between 50 and 1,000 watts into 8 ohms on unclipped programme material, along with a maximum recommended cable impedance of 0.1 ohm.

The key here is stable current delivery. The dual Aerofoil bass drivers respond beautifully to an amplifier with a robust power supply and good control, unlocking the speaker's full dynamic capability and that impressive low-frequency extension. Whether you are considering a muscular integrated amplifier, a pre/power combination or a high-end AV receiver for theatre duties, system matching is where expert advice truly pays off. Our team has years of experience pairing Bowers & Wilkins speakers with amplification across a wide range of budgets, so reach out on 1300 308 711 or sales@theaudiotailor.com.au and we can help you build the right system.

Stereo Reference or Home Theatre Powerhouse

The 804 D5 is ideally suited to premium two-channel systems where reference-level performance is required in a narrower cabinet. Its slim 238 mm cabinet width makes it far easier to accommodate in a living room or dedicated listening space than the larger flagship models, without surrendering the qualities that define the 800 Series.

It is equally at home as the front left and right channels in an 800 Series Diamond home theatre. Precise imaging, wide frequency response and controlled dynamics mean it handles music, film and television soundtracks with equal conviction. Dialogue is clear and anchored, effects pan with precision, and big cinematic moments arrive with genuine impact.

Finishes and Craftsmanship

The 804 D5 is available in four premium finishes: Stealth Black, Warm White, Dark Walnut and Light Walnut. Stealth Black and Dark Walnut are supplied with black grilles, while Warm White and Light Walnut include grey grilles. Every cabinet is completed with matching Leather by Connolly trim, a luxurious detail that reinforces the sense that this is a genuinely special piece of equipment.

The curved reverse-wrap form, tweeter-on-top pod and aluminium spine combine to create a speaker that looks as refined as it sounds. It is a design that sits comfortably in a contemporary interior while announcing its reference credentials to anyone who knows what they are looking at.

Who Is the Bowers & Wilkins 804 D5 For?

• The discerning music lover who wants authentic 800 Series Diamond performance but has a room that suits a more compact footprint.
• The upgrader moving up from a quality standmount or entry-level floorstander who wants a significant leap in resolution, imaging and bass extension.
• The home theatre enthusiast building an 800 Series Diamond system who needs front speakers with precision, dynamics and tonal consistency.
• The design-conscious listener who values premium materials, elegant finishes and craftsmanship alongside sound quality.

Technical Specifications

Product Type	Reference floorstanding loudspeaker
Enclosure Design	Three-way vented-box system
High-Frequency Driver	1 × 25 mm Diamond dome tweeter
Midrange Driver	1 × 130 mm Continuum cone FST driver
Bass Drivers	2 × 165 mm Aerofoil bass cones
Frequency Range	20 Hz – 35 kHz at -6 dB
Frequency Response	19 Hz – 24 kHz, ±3 dB
Sensitivity	89 dB
Nominal Impedance	8 ohms
Minimum Impedance	3.0 ohms
Recommended Amplifier Power	50 – 1,000 W into 8 ohms on unclipped programme
Maximum Recommended Cable Impedance	0.1 ohm
Harmonic Distortion	<1% from 90 Hz – 20 kHz; <0.3% from 120 Hz – 8 kHz
Height	1,101 mm including tweeter and plinth
Cabinet Width	238 mm (308 mm including plinth)
Cabinet Depth	337 mm (392 mm including grille and terminals)
Net Weight	40.3 kg
Finishes	Stealth Black, Warm White, Dark Walnut, Light Walnut
Grille Finishes	Black or grey, depending on cabinet finish

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Genuine 800 Series Diamond performance in a slimmer, room-friendly cabinet
• 25 mm Diamond dome tweeter with break-up pushed to approximately 70 kHz for extended, grain-free treble
• Solid Body Tweeter-on-Top delivers pinpoint imaging and a vast, natural soundstage
• Continuum cone FST midrange with Biomimetic Suspension for exceptionally natural, transparent vocals
• Dual 165 mm Aerofoil bass drivers reaching down to 19 Hz (±3 dB) with pace and control
• Extensive cabinet engineering including reverse-wrap design, Matrix bracing and tuned-mass damped plinth
• Low published distortion across the critical midband
• Flexible amplifier compatibility from 50 to 1,000 watts
• Four luxurious finishes with Leather by Connolly trim
• Equally accomplished in stereo and home theatre systems

Cons

• Reveals the quality of upstream electronics, so it deserves a capable amplifier to show its best
• At 40.3 kg per speaker, you will want a second pair of hands for setup
• Once you have heard it, going back to lesser speakers is very difficult

The Verdict: The Smartest Way Into 800 Series Diamond Ownership

The Bowers & Wilkins 804 D5 is a masterclass in distilling flagship technology into a more livable form. The Diamond tweeter delivers breathtaking openness, the Continuum midrange with Biomimetic Suspension brings voices and instruments to life with uncanny realism, and the dual Aerofoil bass drivers produce extension and authority that belie the slim cabinet. Wrapped in a meticulously engineered reverse-wrap enclosure and finished to an exquisite standard, it is a loudspeaker that rewards everything from late-night vinyl sessions to full-scale cinematic adventures.

For listeners who have long admired the 800 Series but assumed their room could not accommodate it, the 804 D5 changes the equation entirely. This is reference sound, tailored for real homes.

Ready to explore the 804 D5 further? Visit the Bowers & Wilkins 804 D5 Floorstanding Speaker product page, or better yet, have a chat with Stuart, Gabby, Nathan or Vaughan. As Sound+Image's HiFi Retailer of the Year in 2021 and 2022, our team is here to help you with amplifier matching, room considerations, finish selection and system design. Call us on 1300 308 711, email sales@theaudiotailor.com.au, or visit us at Unit 9/20 Rivergate Place, Murarrie, Qld 4172. We ship nationwide across Australia.