• 4 months ago
Bowers & Wilkins 801 D4 Signature Review: The Ultimate Flagship Floorstanding Speaker!

https://youtu.be/yn63_46oRe4

Today, I’m thrilled to share with you an in-depth review of a truly remarkable piece of audio engineering: the BOWERS & WILKINS 801 D4 SIGNATURE 3-WAY FLOORSTANDING SPEAKER. This flagship model from Bowers & Wilkins’ 800 Series Signature line promises to deliver an unparalleled listening experience. We’ll dive into its design, features, and most importantly, its performance.

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Transcript
00:00Hey everyone, welcome back to the channel.
00:03Today, I'm thrilled to share with you an in-depth review of a truly remarkable piece
00:08of audio engineering.
00:09The Bowers & Wilkins 801D4 Signature 3-Way Floor Standing Speaker.
00:15This flagship model from Bowers & Wilkins 800 Series Signature Line Promises to deliver
00:20an unparalleled listening experience.
00:23We'll dive into its design, features, and most importantly, its performance.
00:29So, let's get started.
00:34Let's kick things off with one of the standout features of the 801D4 Signature.
00:39The turbine head.
00:40This isn't just any mid-range housing.
00:43It's crafted entirely from aluminum, providing exceptional rigidity and resistance to resonance.
00:49The turbine head is crucial because it houses the mid-range cone, a vital component for
00:54accurate sound reproduction.
00:56By decoupling it from both the bass enclosure and the tweeter body, Bowers & Wilkins has
01:01ensured that you hear the music as it was intended, free from the colorations introduced
01:06by cabinet vibrations.
01:08This results in the most realistic mid-range sound you can experience.
01:13Moving up the frequency spectrum, we have the solid body tweeter.
01:17This is not just a tweeter, it's an icon of precision engineering.
01:21The elongated form and longer tube loading system are designed to produce an incredibly
01:26free and open sound.
01:28The all-new tweeter grill further enhances high-frequency performance.
01:32The housing, meticulously milled from a single block of aluminum, provides superb resistance
01:38to resonance.
01:39This means you get crystal clear, high-frequency sounds that are detailed and free from distortion.
01:45Next, let's talk about the cabinet design.
01:48Bowers & Wilkins has taken a unique approach with their reverse-wrap cabinet.
01:53Unlike traditional flat-fronted speakers, this cabinet is formed from one continuous
01:58curve with a solid aluminum spine.
02:01This design minimizes cabinet resonances and reduces sound reflection.
02:06The result?
02:07Improved sound dispersion and a more accurate soundstage.
02:10The aesthetics are equally impressive, with finishes that are both luxurious and unique,
02:16making these speakers a stunning addition to any room.
02:19Inside the cabinet, the 801D4 signature employs matrix bracing.
02:24This involves interlocking panels that reinforce the cabinet walls in all directions.
02:29By combining solid plywood construction with aluminum bracing, Bowers & Wilkins has significantly
02:35reduced resonance and improved the structural integrity of the speaker.
02:40This advanced design contributes to a more believable and immersive soundstage, bringing
02:45your music to life.
02:46A groundbreaking innovation in the 801D4 signature is the biomimetic suspension.
02:52Traditional fabric spiders in loudspeaker cones can create unwanted air pressure and
02:57coloration.
02:58Bowers & Wilkins has revolutionized this aspect by developing the biomimetic suspension, which
03:04minimizes these issues and enhances midrange transparency.
03:08This technology ensures that the midrange performance is as pure and accurate as possible,
03:13allowing you to hear details you might have previously missed.
03:16Every detail of the 801D4 signature has been optimized, including the cabinet's top section.
03:23The aluminum top plate adds significant stiffness and serves as a perfect mounting point for
03:28the luxurious leather by Connelly Trim.
03:31Depending on the finish, you get full-grain blue leather for the Midnight Blue Metallic
03:34models or full-grain black leather for the California Burl Gloss models.
03:38This combination of materials not only looks stunning but also contributes to the overall
03:43structural integrity of the speaker.
03:45The crossover design is another area where Bowers & Wilkins has paid meticulous attention.
03:51The rear-mounted crossovers are affixed to stiff aluminum spines, isolating the sensitive
03:56capacitors from unwanted air pressure inside the enclosure.
04:00This setup also acts as an effective heat sink, ensuring optimal performance even during
04:05extended listening sessions.
04:08The result is a seamless integration of the speaker's drivers, delivering a cohesive and
04:13natural sound.
04:14Adding a touch of luxury, the top section of the speakers features leather by Connelly Trim.
04:20Known for their high-quality leather, Connelly's full-grain materials enhance the aesthetic
04:25appeal and tactile experience of the 801D4 signature.
04:29Whether you choose the Midnight Blue Metallic or the California Burl Gloss finish, this
04:34attention to detail elevates the speaker to a work of art.
04:38Let's take a closer look at the drive units.
04:41The 801D4 signature features 1x 25mm Diamond Dome High Frequency Driver, 1x 150mm Continuum
04:51Cone FST Midrange Driver, 2x 250mm Aerofoil Profile Bass Drivers.
04:58These components work together to deliver an impressive frequency range of minus 6 decibel
05:03at 13 Hz to 35 kHz and a frequency response of 15 Hz to 28 kHz plus or minus 3 decibel.
05:10With a sensitivity of 90 decibel and a nominal impedance of 8 ohms, these speakers are designed
05:15to work with a wide range of amplifiers, recommended between 50W and 1000W.
05:21Lastly, let's talk about the physical aspects.
05:24The dimensions of the 801D4 signature are 17.8 x 48.1 x 23.6 inches, and they weigh
05:33in at a substantial 221.8 pounds.
05:37These are not just speakers, they are a statement piece, both visually and sonically.
05:42Now, let's get to the heart of the matter.
05:45How do these speakers perform?
05:47I had the opportunity to test the 801D4 signature with various music genres, from classical
05:53to rock, and even some high-resolution audio tracks.
05:57Here's what I found.
05:58One of the most striking aspects of the 801D4 signature is the clarity and detail it delivers.
06:05The diamond dome tweeter and solid body tweeter-on-top design ensure that high frequencies are crisp
06:10and clear without being harsh.
06:12The midrange, thanks to the turbine head and biomimetic suspension, is incredibly transparent.
06:18The vocals and instruments sound lifelike, as if the performers are right in front of
06:23you.
06:24The dual-aerofoil profile bass drivers provide a deep and controlled bass response.
06:29Even at high volumes, the bass remains tight and accurate, without any muddiness.
06:34The speakers handle complex bass lines with ease, making them ideal for genres like electronic
06:40music and rock.
06:41The matrix bracing and reverse-wrap cabinet design contribute to an expansive soundstage.
06:47The 801D4 signature creates a three-dimensional listening experience, with precise imaging
06:53and a believable sense of space.
06:55Whether you're listening to a live recording or a studio track, the speakers place you
06:59right in the middle of the action.
07:02With a recommended amplifier power range of 50W-1000W, the 801D4 signature is capable
07:08of handling a wide range of dynamics.
07:11From the quietest passages in a classical piece to the thunderous crescendos of a rock
07:16These speakers deliver with authority and finesse.
07:19The rear-mounted crossovers ensure that the drivers work seamlessly together, providing
07:24a coherent and powerful sound.
07:26In conclusion, the Bowers & Wilkins 801D4 Signature 3-Way Floorstanding Speaker is a
07:32masterpiece of audio engineering.
07:34Its meticulous design, advanced technologies, and luxurious finishes make it the pinnacle
07:40of performance in the 800 Series Signature line.
07:43Whether you're an audiophile seeking the ultimate listening experience or a discerning
07:48listener looking for a statement piece, the 801D4 Signature delivers on all fronts.
07:54If you enjoyed this review, please give it a thumbs up, and don't forget to subscribe
07:58to the channel for more in-depth reviews and audio content.
08:02Let me know in the comments what you think of the Bowers & Wilkins 801D4 Signature, and
08:07if there are any other products you'd like me to review.
08:10Thanks for watching, and I'll see you in the next video.

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