Bowers & Wilkins 801 D5 vs Bowers & Wilkins 802 D5

Last updated: October 11, 2026

Short answer: the Bowers & Wilkins 801 D5. It ranks #160 of 226 floorstanding speakers by sound quality, rated 3.8/5, at $65,000. The Bowers & Wilkins 802 D5 ranks #167, rated 3.7/5, at $45,000, $20,000 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.

Bowers & Wilkins 801 D5 vs Bowers & Wilkins 802 D5

Why pick the Bowers & Wilkins 801 D5: The flagship of the 800 Series Diamond D5: a 1” diamond dome tweeter, a 6” Continuum FST midrange in a turbine head and two 10” Aerofoil bass drivers. The catch: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared directly with measured speakers; the rating is estimated from the 800 D4 models it replaces.

What the Bowers & Wilkins 802 D5 does well: A 3-way tower with a 1” diamond dome tweeter, a 6” Continuum FST midrange in a turbine head and two 8” Aerofoil bass drivers. The catch: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared directly with measured speakers; the rating is estimated from the 800 D4 models it replaces.

Buy the Bowers & Wilkins 801 D5. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $20,000 saving on the Bowers & Wilkins 802 D5 is not enough to make up the difference.

About the ratings: neither speaker has been measured yet, so both ratings are estimated from measured siblings and predecessors (likely ranges: Bowers & Wilkins 801 D5 3.5 to 4.1; Bowers & Wilkins 802 D5 3.4 to 4.0). Treat this verdict as provisional.

Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.

Specifications Side By Side

Bowers & Wilkins 801 D5 Bowers & Wilkins 802 D5
Price$65,000 per pair$45,000 per pair
Ranked#160 of 226 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers Estimated#167 of 226 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers Estimated
Bass Extension (-3dB)15Hz (manufacturer specified)17Hz (manufacturer specified)
Drivers1” (25mm) Diamond dome tweeter, 6” (150mm) Continuum cone FST midrange, 2 x 10” (250mm) Aerofoil bass1” (25mm) Diamond dome tweeter, 6” (150mm) Continuum cone FST midrange, 2 x 8” (200mm) Aerofoil bass
Frequency Response15Hz - 28kHz ±3dB (manufacturer specified)17Hz - 28kHz ±3dB (manufacturer specified)
Sensitivity90dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified)90dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified)
Impedance8 ohms nominal, 3.0 ohms minimum (manufacturer specified)8 ohms nominal, 3.3 ohms minimum (manufacturer specified)
Woofer Cabinetportedported
Dimensions48.1”H x 14.6”W x 21.9”D (1221 x 372 x 556 mm)48”H x 13.6”W x 21.9”D (1218 x 345 x 556 mm)
Weight234.6 lbs (106.4 kg) each201.5 lbs (91.4 kg) each
DIY KitNoNo

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The Two Speakers In Full

Bowers & Wilkins 801 D5: $65,000 per pair Estimated Bowers & Wilkins eBay

Bowers & Wilkins 801 D5 ranking card

Older model: the Bowers & Wilkins 801 D4 (ranked lower, estimated 3.7/5). See every Bowers & Wilkins 800 Series generation.

Same family: the Bowers & Wilkins 805 D5 (bookshelf, estimated 3.3/5), the Bowers & Wilkins 804 D5 (smaller floorstanding, ranked lower, estimated 3.5/5), the Bowers & Wilkins 803 D5 (smaller floorstanding, ranked lower, estimated 3.6/5), the Bowers & Wilkins 802 D5 (smaller floorstanding, ranked lower, estimated 3.7/5), the Bowers & Wilkins HTM82 D5 (smaller center, estimated 3.3/5) and the Bowers & Wilkins HTM81 D5 (larger center, estimated 3.4/5).

Pros: The flagship of the 800 Series Diamond D5: a 1” diamond dome tweeter, a 6” Continuum FST midrange in a turbine head and two 10” Aerofoil bass drivers. B&W rates it to 15Hz (±3dB) with 90dB sensitivity and accepts amplifiers up to 1000W, so it can play very loud with deep bass in a large room.

Cons: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared directly with measured speakers; the rating is estimated from the 800 D4 models it replaces. Bowers & Wilkins’ house voicing, which the measured Bowers & Wilkins HTM81 D4 showed as a 4.9dB spread across the listening window, is likely to carry over, so expect a less neutral balance than similarly priced Revel or KEF models. At $65000 and 106.4kg each it is a statement purchase, and the impedance falls to 3.0 ohms.

ReleasedJun 2026 (4 months ago)
Bass Extension (-3dB)15Hz (manufacturer specified)
DIY KitNo
Dimensions48.1”H x 14.6”W x 21.9”D (1221 x 372 x 556 mm)
Drivers1” (25mm) Diamond dome tweeter, 6” (150mm) Continuum cone FST midrange, 2 x 10” (250mm) Aerofoil bass
Frequency Response15Hz - 28kHz ±3dB (manufacturer specified)
Impedance8 ohms nominal, 3.0 ohms minimum (manufacturer specified)
Sensitivity90dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified)
Weight234.6 lbs (106.4 kg) each
Woofer Cabinetported

Bowers & Wilkins 802 D5: $45,000 per pair Estimated Bowers & Wilkins eBay

Bowers & Wilkins 802 D5 ranking card

Older models: the Bowers & Wilkins Nautilus 802 (ranked higher, rated 4/5), the Bowers & Wilkins 802 Diamond (ranked higher, estimated 3.8/5) and the Bowers & Wilkins 802 D4 (ranked lower, estimated 3.6/5). See every Bowers & Wilkins 800 Series generation.

Same family: the Bowers & Wilkins 805 D5 (bookshelf, estimated 3.3/5), the Bowers & Wilkins 804 D5 (smaller floorstanding, ranked lower, estimated 3.5/5), the Bowers & Wilkins 803 D5 (smaller floorstanding, ranked lower, estimated 3.6/5), the Bowers & Wilkins 801 D5 (larger floorstanding, ranked higher, estimated 3.8/5), the Bowers & Wilkins HTM82 D5 (smaller center, estimated 3.3/5) and the Bowers & Wilkins HTM81 D5 (larger center, estimated 3.4/5).

Pros: A 3-way tower with a 1” diamond dome tweeter, a 6” Continuum FST midrange in a turbine head and two 8” Aerofoil bass drivers. B&W rates it to 17Hz (±3dB) with 90dB sensitivity, enough bass and output for large rooms without a subwoofer.

Cons: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared directly with measured speakers; the rating is estimated from the 800 D4 models it replaces. Bowers & Wilkins’ house voicing, which the measured Bowers & Wilkins HTM81 D4 showed as a 4.9dB spread across the listening window, is likely to carry over, so expect a less neutral balance than similarly priced Revel or KEF models. Each speaker weighs 91.4kg and the impedance falls to 3.3 ohms.

ReleasedJun 2026 (4 months ago)
Bass Extension (-3dB)17Hz (manufacturer specified)
DIY KitNo
Dimensions48”H x 13.6”W x 21.9”D (1218 x 345 x 556 mm)
Drivers1” (25mm) Diamond dome tweeter, 6” (150mm) Continuum cone FST midrange, 2 x 8” (200mm) Aerofoil bass
Frequency Response17Hz - 28kHz ±3dB (manufacturer specified)
Impedance8 ohms nominal, 3.3 ohms minimum (manufacturer specified)
Sensitivity90dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified)
Weight201.5 lbs (91.4 kg) each
Woofer Cabinetported