B&W 801 D4 FLOORSTANDING SPEAKER

The loudspeaker that sets the standard other high-end designs will be judged by for years to come. Endowed with every new technology the 800 Series Diamond™ has to offer, the reference-quality 801 D4 is an instant icon.

801 D4 is defined by it. In each of its incarnations over the decades, 801 has always been the most advanced loudspeaker that we know to make at that particular point in time, a showcase of all our newest technologies and most original thinking. Small wonder it has become an icon.

Matrix bracing uses interlocking panels to reinforce loudspeaker cabinet walls in all directions internally, reducing resonance and creating a more believable soundstage. The Matrix assembly in 801 D4 is our best yet, upgraded with extensive aluminium bracing to reinforce key stress points.

The all-aluminium Turbine Head houses our Continuum™ midrange cone in a stiff and critically damped enclosure to eliminate unwanted resonances. At the same time, it’s decoupled from both the bass enclosure and the tweeter body. The result? The most realistic midrange sound yet.

Sometimes, making a big difference takes unconventional thinking. Our new Biomimetic Suspension revolutionises midrange performance by greatly reducing the unwanted air pressure and coloration that a traditional fabric spider can generate. The result? Midrange transparency you wouldn’t believe.

Innovation is at the heart of everything we do. We question, we examine, we understand and then we evolve. We use computer modelling to explore and reimagine every aspect of loudspeaker design. Learn more about all the technologies that combine to make 800 Series Diamond so special here.

801 D4 is our flagship and the most powerful model in the new 800 Series Diamond range. Its no-compromise design includes all our most advanced technologies in their purest, most optimised form alongside crossover components of the highest quality. You want our reference loudspeaker? This is it…

Technical features
Diamond tweeter
Solid body Tweeter-on-Top
Continuum™ cone FST
Anti-Resonance plug
Biomimetic Suspension
Turbine™ Head
Matrix™
Aerofoil™ cone bass units
Flowport

Description
3-way vented-box system

Drive units
1x ø25mm (1in) diamond dome high-frequency
1x ø150mm (6in) Continuum cone FST midrange
2x ø250mm (10in) Aerofoil cone bass units

Frequency range
13Hz to 35kHz

Frequency response
15Hz to 28kHz (+/-3dB from reference axis)

Sensitivity
90dB (on axis at 2.83Vrms at 1m)

Harmonic distortion
2nd and 3rd harmonics (90dB,1m on axis)
<1% 30Hz – 20kHz
<0.3% 100Hz – 20kHz

Nominal impedance
8Ω (minimum 3.0Ω)

Recommended amplifier power
50W – 1000W into 8Ω on unclipped programme

Max. recommended cable impedance
0.1Ω

Dimensions
Height: 1221mm
Width: 451mm
Depth: 600mm

Net weight
100.60kg

Finishes
Cabinet:
Gloss Black
White
Satin Rosenut
Satin Walnut

Grille:
Black
Grey
Black
Grey

NB: Priced per pair.