JUST when you thought you had about the best speakers Bowers & Wilkins had to offer, the UK manufacturer introduces two specials. Based on the much vaunted 800 Series D4, the 801 and 805 Signature D4 are touted as “the ultimate version” of the 800 Series.
“Bowers & Wilkins only uses the Signature name sparingly, reserving it for the rare and radically upgraded versions of its conventional loudspeakers and technologies. Since the brand was founded in 1966, only seven series of loudspeaker have carried the prestigious Signature mark – a reflection of its prestige and exclusivity,” the company informs us.
“The 801 D4 Signature and 805 D4 Signature build on a heritage that stretches back to the acclaimed Silver Signature loudspeaker of 1991, originally developed as a posthumous tribute to the founder of the company, John Bowers. The new models build on the already exceptional performance and aesthetic benchmarks of the 801 D4 and 805 D4 models that form the basis of their respective designs,
featuring carefully upgraded componentry plus luxurious and beautiful new finishes.”
The larger 801 D4 Signature is a three-way floorstander with similar specifications as the 801 D4. Based on the brand’s Diamond Dome tweeter and Continuum Cone FS midrange drive unit, the 801 D4 Signature adds powerful twin 250mm aerofoil zone bass drivers with upgraded and improved magnets to the motor systems.
The 805 D4 Signature is “designed to bring category-defining levels of transparency and accuracy to a more compact loudspeaker footprint.”
“As with the larger 801 D4 Signature model, the 805 D4 Signature also includes an all-new grille mesh for more openness and transparency plus an upgraded crossover with new bypass capacitors. In addition, an all-new bass/midrange motor system features upgraded performance from its 165mm drive unit, ensuring both a cleaner delivery through the midrange plus more extended bass.”
Mechanical revisions to its aluminium top plate IS aimed at further reducing unwanted noise and vibration from the structure.
Both models feature no-holds-barred performance upgrades based on unique, proprietary Signature technologies not found in other 800 Series Diamond loudspeakers and offer exclusive new finishes and luxurious detailing.
The 801 D4 Signature and 805 D4 Signature are only available in two exclusive new finishes. Midnight Blue Metallic uses 11 coats of paint and lacquer that are machine polished to a gleaming and lustrous finish.
“Excluding curing times, the paint application process alone is in excess of 18 hours of labour. Midnight Blue Metallic loudspeakers are further celebrated with a bespoke blue Leather by Connolly trim on the top plate.”
The other option is California Burl Gloss wood veneer, featuring unique wood figuring and a luxurious high gloss finish trimmed in black leather by Connolly. The wood veneer is sustainably sourced engineered wood from Italian specialist, ALPI. With 14 coats of lacquer and multiple sanding processes, the total finishing time for a single 801 D4 Signature in California Burl Gloss is in excess of 24 hours.
The 801 D4 Signature will retail at £45,00/€50,000/US$50,000 per pair, and the 805 D4 Signature at £10,000/€12,000/US$12,000.
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