Bowers & Wilkins 804 D4 Floorstanding Speakers
In the world of high‑end audio, few names carry the weight and reverence of Bowers & Wilkins. The 804 D4, part of the brand’s flagship 800 Series Diamond range, is more than just a floorstanding loudspeaker — it’s a statement of engineering artistry and sonic precision. With its diamond‑dome tweeter, sculpted cabinet, and gloss black finish, the 804 D4 promises not only technical excellence but also an immersive listening experience that blurs the line between performance and presence. This review explores how the 804 D4 transforms music and film into living, breathing soundscapes, rewarding those who demand both fidelity and beauty from their system.
Introduction
The Bowers & Wilkins 804 D4 is a high-end floorstanding speaker from Bowers & Wilkins’ flagship 800 Series Diamond range. Built for serious listening, the 804 D4 aims to deliver reference-quality performance for stereo music systems and front-channel applications in premium home theater setups. With a diamond-dome tweeter, a dedicated midrange driver and a dual-woofer bass section, the 804 D4 is designed for audiophiles who prioritize detail, imaging and refined tonal balance.
Overview
Manufacturer: Bowers & Wilkins (B&W).
Product category: High-end floorstanding loudspeaker (800 Series Diamond family).
Intended use: Main speakers for high-resolution stereo listening and left/right/front-channel use in high-end home theater systems; best suited to medium-to-large listening rooms and attentive listeners.
Appearance, Materials and Design
The 804 D4 is finished here in a high-gloss black lacquer that emphasizes its premium positioning — the finish is deep and reflective, and requires care to keep fingerprint and dust-free. The cabinet retains the sculpted, modern aesthetic associated with B&W’s 800 Series: refined curves, a relatively narrow footprint for a floorstander of this capability, and a solid-looking base with integrated spikes or adjustable feet.
Notable design elements include the small, high-rigidity housing for the diamond tweeter (mounted separately from the main cabinet), a distinct midrange assembly, and two 6.5″ woofers arranged to produce controlled, articulate bass. The cabinet and driver assemblies are engineered to minimize resonances and unwanted coloration — the overall presentation is unmistakably premium and technical in character.
Key Features & Specifications
- Tweeter: 1″ diamond dome tweeter — B&W’s signature high-frequency device for extended, low-distortion treble.
- Midrange: 5″ dedicated midrange driver for clear, focused midband reproduction.
- Woofers: Dual 6.5″ woofers for mid/bass extension and controlled dynamics.
- Configuration: Floorstanding, multi-way design intended for high-resolution audio and demanding playback.
- Finish: Gloss Black (high-gloss lacquer); other finishes may be available from B&W.
- Price (listed): $8,000 — check retailer for whether this is per speaker or per pair (the product listing indicates “(each)”).
- Build: Heavy, solid cabinets and premium driver materials; engineered to minimize resonance and coloration.
Using the 804 D4 — Listening Experience in Different Scenarios
Stereo Music (acoustic, classical, jazz, vocal)
This is where the 804 D4 shines. The diamond tweeter delivers extremely crisp and extended high frequencies without sounding “etched” or sibilant. Imaging and soundstage width are exceptional — instruments and voices position precisely across the soundstage with a three-dimensional sense of space. The midrange is very natural and authoritative: acoustic guitars, pianos and voices come across with convincing tone and texture. For critical listening, the 804 D4 rewards high-resolution recordings and modestly sized to large listening rooms.
Rock, Pop and Electronic Music
Dynamics are strong: the 804 D4 can convey punch and transient impact very effectively when driven by capable amplification. Electric guitars and synth details are rendered with clarity and bite without becoming fatiguing. Electronic music benefits from the resolving treble and tight mid-bass, though for very deep, subsonic bass-heavy tracks a subwoofer may be preferred to augment the lowest octaves.
Home Theater
As front left/right speakers in a high-end home theater, the 804 D4 performs exceptionally well for dialogue clarity, detail and dynamic swings. The combination of precise imaging and crystalline highs helps anchor on-screen action and effects. For cinephiles expecting very deep LFE output, pairing with a good subwoofer is advisable — the 804 D4 will handle a lot, but most music and movie fans will appreciate a dedicated sub for the bottom octave.
Room Size, Placement and Amplification
The 804 D4 is best in medium to large rooms. Positioning a few feet from the rear and side walls and experimenting with toe-in will help optimize imaging and bass balance. These speakers are built for high performance and will reveal limitations in upstream components; they pair best with high-quality amplifiers and electronics. While reasonably efficient, they benefit from amps that have good current delivery and headroom to reproduce dynamics effortlessly.
Break-in and Longevity
As with most premium speakers, a break-in period of several dozen to a few hundred hours will let the drivers settle and deliver their final character. The build quality suggests long-term reliability when treated carefully — including protecting the glossy finish and ensuring stable, vibration-free placement.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Extraordinary treble resolution and air from the diamond tweeter — detail retrieval is superb.
- Natural, authoritative midrange gives excellent timbral accuracy for voices and acoustic instruments.
- Precise imaging and soundstaging — instruments and voices locate with great specificity.
- Premium build quality and finish; engineering focused on low cabinet coloration.
- Versatile: performs well for critical stereo listening and as front channels in high-end home theaters.
Cons
- High price — positioned for serious audiophiles or buyers with dedicated budgets; the listing price should be verified (per speaker vs pair).
- Large, heavy cabinets require a substantial room and stable placement; not ideal for very small spaces.
- May require a subwoofer if you want the very lowest frequencies felt rather than only heard.
- Gloss black finish, while attractive, shows fingerprints and dust easily and requires careful handling.
- To fully realize their potential you should pair them with high-quality amplification and source components, adding to the system cost.
Conclusion
The Bowers & Wilkins 804 D4 is a top-tier floorstanding speaker that delivers reference-level treble extension, exceptional imaging and a natural midrange — characteristics that make it a compelling choice for serious listeners and those building a high-end stereo or home theater system. The finish, build and engineering reflect its premium positioning.
The main caveats are cost and system requirements: the 804 D4 is an investment and it will show the strengths and weaknesses of the electronics, room and recordings it’s paired with. If you want a stage-like presentation, pristine detail, and tonal accuracy — and you have the room and supporting components — the 804 D4 is difficult to beat at this level. If deep, visceral bass or a limited budget are your priorities, consider augmenting with a subwoofer or exploring alternatives lower in the product line.
Overall impression: A technically superb, beautifully finished floorstander that rewards careful system matching and focused listening. Exceptional for audiophiles who value detail, imaging and tonal fidelity; expensive but class-leading in its strengths.
Note: The price shown above ($8,000) is taken from the product listing provided. The product title indicates “(each)”; confirm with the retailer whether the listed price is for a single speaker or for a pair before purchasing.
