Bowers & Wilkins Loudspeakers

Bowers & Wilkins (B&W) has long been revered for its commitment to high-performance audio, pushing the boundaries of design and technology in the speaker industry. With a rich legacy of over 50 years, Bowers & Wilkins has consistently delivered speakers that stand at the forefront of sound quality, innovation, and craftsmanship.

In this post, we’ll explore some of Bowers & Wilkins' most iconic and highly regarded loudspeaker series: the 600, 700, and 800 Series, along with their ultra-luxury Signature and Nautilus models. Each of these lines represents a unique approach to speaker design and performance, offering audiophiles and home theater enthusiasts an array of options depending on their needs and preferences.

1. Bowers & Wilkins 600 Series

The 600 Series is Bowers & Wilkins' entry-level line that doesn’t compromise on performance. These speakers are designed for people who want high-quality sound at a more affordable price point. Despite their more accessible price tag, the 600 Series speakers share many of the design philosophies and technologies found in Bowers & Wilkins' more expensive models.

Key Models:

603: A floor-standing speaker offering excellent bass response, clarity, and room-filling sound, making it an ideal choice for home theaters and larger rooms.

606: A compact bookshelf speaker that offers remarkable performance for its size. It’s a great option for smaller rooms or as part of a surround system.

607: Even more compact, this model is perfect for tight spaces but still delivers a highly detailed, balanced sound.

HTM6: A center channel speaker designed to complement the 600 Series in home theater setups, delivering clear dialogue and a wide soundstage.

Technology Highlights:

Continuum Cone: Like the higher-end models, the 600 Series uses Bowers & Wilkins’ Continuum cone technology in its midrange drivers. This ensures smooth, natural sound reproduction and an accurate midrange.

Carbon Dome Tweeter: The 600 Series utilizes Bowers & Wilkins’ Carbon Dome tweeters, which are lightweight yet incredibly stiff, providing improved high-frequency clarity.

Flowport Technology: This design minimizes airflow turbulence, reducing port noise and enhancing bass performance.

Why Choose the 600 Series?

The 600 Series is perfect for people who want premium sound without paying a premium price. It’s a great entry point for those looking to experience the Bowers & Wilkins sound without sacrificing too much on quality.

2. Bowers & Wilkins 700 Series

The 700 Series is a step up from the 600 Series and brings even more advanced technology to the table. These speakers offer a richer sound with enhanced dynamics, better imaging, and more precise bass. The 700 Series is ideal for audiophiles who are looking for a higher level of detail and performance in both music and home theater applications.

Key Models:

702 S3: A floor-standing speaker that delivers dynamic bass and exceptional clarity, making it a favorite for both music lovers and home theater enthusiasts.

703 S3: Slightly more compact than the 702, this floorstanding speaker offers excellent imaging and great all-around performance.

705 S3: A bookshelf speaker that punches well above its weight, offering pristine highs and accurate midrange detail.

HTM72 S3: A center channel speaker with remarkable clarity, designed to work seamlessly with the 700 Series for superior dialogue and soundstage.

Technology Highlights:

Carbon Dome Tweeter: The 700 Series upgrades the carbon dome tweeter, providing even greater stiffness and improved high-frequency response.

Continuum Cone Drivers: Just like the 600 Series, the 700 Series features the Continuum cone, but here it’s paired with an improved suspension system for even better midrange clarity.

FST Midrange Technology: The 700 Series uses Bowers & Wilkins' FST (Fixed Suspension Transducer) technology in its midrange drivers, allowing for more open, detailed, and natural sound reproduction.



Why Choose the 700 Series?

For those who want superior sound quality and a more refined listening experience, the 700 Series offers exceptional value. It’s a great choice for listeners who demand greater precision and definition in their music or movie soundtracks.

3. Bowers & Wilkins 800 Series Diamond

The 800 Series Diamond is the crown jewel of Bowers & Wilkins’ speaker lineup, offering unparalleled performance and sound fidelity. This series is often considered the ultimate expression of Bowers & Wilkins' design and engineering capabilities. Featuring advanced materials, cutting-edge technologies, and immaculate attention to detail, the 800 Series is a favorite among audiophiles, professional sound engineers, and anyone seeking a world-class audio experience.

Key Models:

800 D4: The flagship model of the 800 Series, delivering an expansive soundstage, impeccable bass, and breathtaking clarity across the entire frequency range.

802 D4: A slightly smaller model than the 800 D4, but still offering phenomenal performance, especially in mid-sized rooms.

804 D4: A more compact floorstanding speaker that delivers extraordinary imaging, balance, and depth for audiophiles with smaller spaces.

805 D4: A reference-class bookshelf speaker that offers remarkable detail and high-end sound in a more compact form.

Technology Highlights:

Diamond Dome Tweeter: The 800 Series is renowned for its diamond dome tweeters, which are incredibly rigid and lightweight. This allows for incredibly precise and accurate high-frequency reproduction.

Continuum Cone Midrange: Bowers & Wilkins' Continuum cone is used in the midrange drivers, ensuring smooth, natural sound reproduction and reducing distortion.

Turbine Head Technology: A unique design that eliminates unwanted resonance and improves the dispersion of sound, ensuring that the speakers perform optimally in any room.

Why Choose the 800 Series?

The 800 Series is for those who demand the absolute best in sound quality. Whether for critical listening, high-end home theater setups, or professional audio applications, the 800 Series is a benchmark for audiophile-level performance.

4. Bowers & Wilkins Signature Series

The Signature Series represents Bowers & Wilkins’ commitment to offering a truly luxury experience in speaker design. These limited-edition speakers are hand-crafted, utilizing rare materials and advanced technology to produce a sound signature that is as exclusive as it is remarkable. The Signature Series is not just about performance; it’s about creating an heirloom-quality product with a timeless design.

Key Models:

802 D3 Signature: A highly refined version of the 802 D3, incorporating premium materials and finishing touches like hand-crafted wood veneers, gold accents, and a unique paint finish.

803 D3 Signature: A limited-edition version of the 803 D3, offering the same world-class sound but with a luxurious design and performance enhancements.

Technology Highlights:

Specialized Finishes: The Signature Series features exclusive materials and finishes, such as fine woods, brushed gold, and matte finishes, making these speakers as much a work of art as a piece of technology.

Diamond Tweeters and Continuum Cones: The core technologies found in the 800 Series are included in the Signature Series, but with enhanced materials and refinements.

Why Choose the Signature Series?

The Signature Series is for the audiophile who values not only world-class sound but also a sense of exclusivity and luxury. These speakers are often limited-edition models, offering collectors and enthusiasts a rare, elevated audio experience.

5. Bowers & Wilkins Nautilus

The Nautilus speaker is perhaps Bowers & Wilkins' most iconic and audacious design. A true work of art, the Nautilus has become synonymous with ultimate performance and jaw-dropping aesthetics. With its futuristic look, including its distinctive snail-shaped, tapering design, the Nautilus is not only a speaker but a statement of innovation.

Key Features:

Exquisite Design: The Nautilus speaker features an open-ended, spiral tube design that allows for ideal acoustics, reducing distortion and internal reflections.

Turbine Technology: The Nautilus uses a massive, precision-engineered turbine housing that improves midrange clarity and reduces resonance.

Outstanding Precision: The Nautilus is capable of rendering every nuance of music with breathtaking detail, offering a listening experience that is truly unique.



Why Choose the Nautilus?

The Bowers & Wilkins Nautilus is the pinnacle of speaker design. It’s for audiophiles who want to experience sound as it’s meant to be heard, with an unparalleled level of precision and beauty. With its extraordinary design and exceptional acoustic performance, the Nautilus is often considered the ultimate speaker for critical listening.

Conclusion

Bowers & Wilkins’ 600, 700, 800, Signature, and Nautilus Series represent the pinnacle of speaker engineering, catering to a variety of audio enthusiasts, from those just starting their audiophile journey to those seeking the ultimate in sound performance and design. Whether you're looking for high-quality, affordable options like the 600 Series, something more refined with the 700 Series, or the absolute best with the 800 Series, Signature, or Nautilus, Bowers & Wilkins offers something for every listener who values precision, quality, and design.

Each of these series showcases the brand’s commitment to delivering exceptional sound, and all are backed by decades of expertise in speaker technology