Bowers & Wilkins 802 D5 Floorstanding Speaker

Description

Overview

The 802 D5 sits just below the flagship 801 D5 in the Bowers & Wilkins 800 Series Diamond D5, the newest generation of the range. Bowers & Wilkins says it delivers much of the quality of the 801 D5 in a more affordable design, and engineered it for reference-grade stereo listening and for home theatre.

Design & build

It uses the same Diamond dome tweeter in a solid-body Tweeter-on-Top as the 801 D5, and the same decoupled Turbine Head for its midrange, with its two 200 mm bass units rigidly mounted in the reverse-wrap cabinet. Every D5 model gains aluminium Space Frame Bracing and an aluminium top section within the cabinet. It stands 1,218 mm tall and weighs 91.4 kg. Finishes are Stealth Black, Warm White, Light Walnut and Dark Walnut, each with matching Leather by Connolly trim.

Key features

A 25 mm Diamond dome tweeter, which Bowers & Wilkins says pushes its break-up frequency to 70 kHz, a 150 mm Continuum cone FST midrange in the Turbine Head and two 200 mm Aerofoil bass units in a vented cabinet with Flowport. Bowers & Wilkins also lists Biomimetic Suspension, the Anti-Resonance plug and an upgraded Matrix bracing.

Specifications

Type: three-way vented-box floorstanding loudspeaker. Drive units: 25 mm Diamond dome tweeter; 150 mm Continuum cone FST midrange; 2 × 200 mm Aerofoil bass. Frequency range: 14 Hz to 35 kHz (-6 dB). Frequency response: 17 Hz to 28 kHz (±3 dB). Sensitivity: 90 dB. Harmonic distortion (2nd and 3rd harmonics, 90 dB, 1 m on axis): below 1% from 70 Hz to 20 kHz, below 0.3% from 100 Hz to 8 kHz. Nominal impedance: 8 ohms (minimum 3.3 ohms). Recommended amplifier power: 50 to 500 W into 8 ohms on unclipped programme. Maximum recommended cable impedance: 0.1 ohm. Dimensions: height 1,218 mm including tweeter and plinth; width 345 mm cabinet only, 413 mm including plinth; depth 556 mm including grille and terminals, 589 mm including plinth. Weight: 91.4 kg each. Finishes: Stealth Black, Warm White, Light Walnut, Dark Walnut; grilles black (Stealth Black, Dark Walnut) or grey (Warm White, Light Walnut). Priced per pair.

Who it’s for

The 802 D5 is the point in the range where a serious two-channel system and a cinema front stage meet: for a large room that does not need the full size of the 801 D5. We hear Bowers & Wilkins as insightful and transparent, and undeniably capable.

What we would pair it with

Bowers & Wilkins recommends 50 to 500 watts into 8 ohms. For music we would look at McIntosh MC462 or McIntosh MC611 monoblocs, or a Gryphon Essence power amplifier, with a McIntosh C55 or Gryphon Essence preamplifier ahead of it.

Room and setup notes

Each speaker weighs 91.4 kg and stands 1,218 mm tall, so delivery, floor loading and access need planning. We survey the route in and set the speakers up in the room they will live in.

Also worth considering

The 801 D5 above it adds larger bass units; the 803 D5 below is the most compact model with the Turbine Head. Bowers & Wilkins still lists the 802 D4 beside the D5. See the full range on our Bowers & Wilkins page.

Why buy from Hidden Home Technology

The 802 D5 is available to order through us. We can advise on amplification and the room, and handle delivery, installation and set-up across the South. Speak to our team to talk it through.