Continuing the legacy with Bowers & Wilkins new Signature lineup

Bowers & Wilkins has earned a reputation for reserving its prestigious Signature name for only the most exceptional and upgraded versions of its conventional loudspeakers and technologies. Throughout its history since its establishment in 1966, the brand has bestowed the Signature mark upon only seven series of loudspeakers, signifying their prestige and exclusivity.

Introducing the latest additions to the Signature lineup, the Bowers & Wilkins 801 D4 Signature and 805 D4 Signature continue the legacy that traces back to the highly acclaimed Silver Signature loudspeaker of 1991. Originally developed as a posthumous tribute to the company’s founder, John Bowers, these new models build upon the outstanding performance and aesthetic benchmarks set by the 801 D4 and 805 D4, incorporating carefully upgraded components and luxurious, beautiful finishes.

The 801 D4 Signature and 805 D4 Signature represent the epitome of Bowers & Wilkins’ current thinking and design, deserving the distinction of being the new flagships in the brand’s impressive loudspeaker portfolio.

Unveiling the Statement in Floorstanding Loudspeakers

The larger model in the new Signature range is the 801 D4 Signature, a formidable three-way floor-standing loudspeaker that expands upon the specifications of the iconic 801 D4, renowned for its presence at Abbey Road Studios. Building upon the brand’s Diamond Dome tweeter and Continuum™ Cone FST™ midrange drive unit, the 801 D4 Signature introduces powerful twin 250mm (10″) Aerofoil Cone bass drivers with upgraded magnets in their motor systems compared to the 801 D4 model. Additionally, it features a significantly enhanced aluminium top plate beneath its Turbine Head midrange enclosure. This new design incorporates an optimized skeletal structure and strategically placed damping material to effectively reduce unwanted resonance from the enclosure’s top. The result is even greater midrange transparency and openness, augmenting the already exceptional performance of the 801 D4.

The port output on the 801 D4 Signature has also received substantial improvements, now cast from aluminium to create a sturdier and quieter structure that minimizes unwanted port noise. Combined with the updated Aerofoil Cone bass drivers, this enhancement delivers cleaner, lower distortion, and more accurate bass reproduction.

As with all Signature models throughout the years, the 801 D4 Signature benefits from meticulous upgrades to its crossover, aimed at enhancing transparency. Every element of the assembly incorporates new and upgraded bypass capacitors, further refining the speaker’s performance. Lastly, the 801 D4 Signature introduces a newly designed tweeter grille mesh, optimized through finite element analysis (FEA), which builds upon the impressive transparency already offered by existing Bowers & Wilkins loudspeakers. The mesh strikes a superior balance between transparency and stiffness, allowing even more energy from the Diamond Dome tweeter to fill the room while protecting the diaphragm from potential damage.

Unveiling the Pinnacle of Standmount Loudspeakers

The 805 D4 Signature sets new standards of performance and capability within a smaller, more space-friendly form factor than its larger counterpart. Similar to the 801 D4 Signature, the 805 D4 Signature also features an entirely new grille mesh for improved openness and transparency, along with an upgraded crossover that incorporates new bypass capacitors. Furthermore, it showcases a revamped bass/midrange motor system, which delivers enhanced performance from its 165mm (6.5″) drive unit, resulting in cleaner midrange delivery and extended bass response. The aluminium top plate of the 805 D4 Signature has also undergone mechanical revisions to further reduce unwanted noise and vibrations from the structure.

Celebrating Exclusivity

To underscore their prestigious position within the Bowers & Wilkins portfolio, both the 801 D4 Signature and 805 D4 Signature are exclusively available in two exceptional new finishes. The Midnight Blue Metallic paint option, reminiscent of the iconic Nautilus loudspeaker, involves an intricate process of applying eleven coats of paint and lacquer, which are then meticulously machine polished to achieve a gleaming, lustrous finish. The application of paint alone, excluding curing times, requires more than 18 hours of labour. The Midnight Blue Metallic loudspeakers are further adorned with a bespoke blue Leather by Connolly trim on the top plate.

Alternatively, both models can be purchased in an extraordinary California Burl Gloss wood veneer, showcasing unique wood figuring and a luxurious high gloss finish accented with black Leather by Connolly. The wood veneer is sourced sustainably from engineered wood by Italian specialist ALPI. With no less than fourteen coats of lacquer and multiple sanding processes, the total finishing time for a single 801 D4 Signature in California Burl Gloss exceeds 24 hours.

In line with the tradition of Signature loudspeakers throughout the decades, both the new 800 Series Signature models embody Bowers & Wilkins’ product philosophy and stand as proud additions to the brand’s heritage in this category. The company remains dedicated to delivering the best and most authentic listening experiences possible, and the 800 Series Signature models mark the next significant step toward realizing this goal. It represents the absolute best of what we offer.

Commenting on the launch, Dave Sheen, Brand President of Bowers & Wilkins, expressed his pride in the collective effort put forth by the manufacturing colleagues and world-class engineering teams in research and development to create the best loudspeakers the company has ever made. He eagerly awaits feedback from both reviewers and customers regarding the new 800 Series Signature models.

Starting from June 28th, the 800 Series Signature will be available through selected dealers, offering two special finishes: Midnight Blue Metallic and California Burl Gloss