Bowers & Wilkins 803 D5 – Floorstanding Tower Speaker

Bowers & Wilkins 803 D5 – Floorstanding Loudspeaker

An elegantly proportioned headed loudspeaker, the 803 D5 makes the benefits of a headed loudspeaker more widely accessible thanks to its smaller footprint. Part of the new 800 Series Diamond, it cascades technology from the flagship models into a three-way vented-box design built around an all-new transducer complement: a Diamond dome tweeter housed in the Solid Body Tweeter-on-Top, a Continuum cone FST midrange carried in the Turbine Head, and a pair of Aerofoil bass cones in a stiff, curved Matrix-braced cabinet.

• 1× ø25mm (1in) Diamond dome high-frequency
• 1× ø130mm (5in) Continuum™ cone FST™ midrange
• 2× ø180mm (7in) Aerofoil™ bass
• 3-way vented-box system
• 8Ω nominal impedance (minimum 3.0Ω)
• 3-way crossover
• Bi-wire terminals
• 19Hz – 28kHz ±3dB Frequency Response
• 90dB Sensitivity
• Net weight: 63.7kg (140.3lbs)
• Made in UK
• 5 Year Warranty

Highlights & Key Technologies

Diamond Dome Tweeter & Solid Body Tweeter-on-Top
The 803 D5 carries a 25mm (1in) Diamond dome high-frequency unit, decoupled from the cabinet in the Solid Body Tweeter-on-Top. The tweeter housing features the new metal grille mesh design first debuted on the 800 D4 Signature, which significantly improves acoustic performance. A new trim ring design improves perceived quality by moving the sight lines to the side of the pod.

Continuum Cone FST Midrange & Turbine Head
Midrange is handled by a 130mm (5in) Continuum cone FST unit fitted with an Anti-Resonance plug and Biomimetic Suspension, carried in the Turbine Head. The new mid and bass cloth grille design adopts a subtler aesthetic with lighter weight for easier handling.

Aerofoil Bass Cones & Flowport
Low frequencies are produced by two 180mm (7in) Aerofoil bass cones loaded by Flowport in a three-way vented-box system. The cabinet detailing has been refined across the D5 generation: a new fluted spine softly curves to meet the cabinet and a newly curved top cap, while a new terminal tray and model and branding badges conceal more substantial spine fixings, significantly improving acoustic performance and removing the eight visible fixing holes from the spine.

Matrix Cabinet & Plinth
The drive units are mounted in a stiff, curved Matrix-braced cabinet. A refined top plate with smaller, more subtle edges derives its improved acoustic performance from the 800 D4 Signature. A new leg design introduces higher-value finishes, and a new plinth design emphasises the contours of the cabinet and no longer features visible fixing for the stabilisers, which are now accessed from underneath.

Details & Specifications

TECHNICAL FEATURES
Diamond dome tweeter
Solid Body Tweeter-on-Top
Continuum™ cone FST™ midrange
Anti-Resonance plug
Biomimetic Suspension
Turbine Head
Matrix™
Aerofoil™ bass cones
Flowport™

DESCRIPTION
3-way vented-box system

DRIVE UNITS
1× ø25mm (1in) Diamond dome high-frequency
1× ø130mm (5in) Continuum™ cone FST™ midrange
2× ø180mm (7in) Aerofoil™ bass

CROSSOVER
3-way

PERFORMANCE
Frequency range: –6dB at 16Hz – 35kHz
Frequency response: 19Hz – 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% 80Hz – 20kHz; <0.3% 100Hz – 8kHz
Nominal impedance: 8Ω (minimum 3.0Ω)
Recommended amplifier power: 50W – 1000W into 8Ω on unclipped programme
Max. recommended cable impedance: 0.1Ω

CONNECTIVITY
Bi-wire terminals

DIMENSIONS
Height: 1165mm (45.8in) including tweeter and plinth
Width: 301mm (11.9in) cabinet only; 359mm (14.1in) including plinth
Depth: 473mm (18.6in) including grille and terminals; 499mm (19.6in) including plinth
Net weight: 63.7kg (140.3lbs)

FINISHES
Cabinet: Stealth Black, Warm White, Light Walnut, Dark Walnut
Grille: Black (Stealth Black and Dark Walnut); Grey (Warm White and Light Walnut)

MANUFACTURING & WARRANTY
Made in UK
5 Year Warranty