Short answer: the Bowers & Wilkins 803 D5. It ranks #175 of 226 floorstanding speakers by sound quality, rated 3.6/5, at $35,000. The Bowers & Wilkins 803 D4 ranks #180, rated 3.5/5, at $25,000, $10,000 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
Why pick the Bowers & Wilkins 803 D5: The first 800 D5 model with the separate turbine head midrange enclosure: a 1” diamond dome tweeter on top, a 5” Continuum FST midrange in its own head, and two 7” Aerofoil bass drivers. Watch for: 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 803 D4 does well: Incorporates the iconic all-aluminum Turbine Head dedicated midrange enclosure, isolating the 5-inch Continuum driver from cabinet resonances. Watch for: Pronounced treble elevation imparts a distinctly bright character that can fatigue ears on hot recordings.
Buy the Bowers & Wilkins 803 D5. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $10,000 you would save on the Bowers & Wilkins 803 D4 does not close the gap.
About the ratings: neither speaker has been measured yet, so both ratings are estimated from measured siblings and predecessors (likely ranges: Bowers & Wilkins 803 D5 3.3 to 3.9; Bowers & Wilkins 803 D4 3.3 to 3.7). Treat this verdict as provisional.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Bowers & Wilkins 803 D5 | Bowers & Wilkins 803 D4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $35,000 per pair | $25,000 per pair |
| Ranked | #175 of 226 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers Estimated | #180 of 226 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers Estimated |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 19Hz (manufacturer specified) | 19Hz (manufacturer specified) |
| Drivers | 1” (25mm) Diamond dome tweeter, 5” (130mm) Continuum cone FST midrange, 2 x 7” (180mm) Aerofoil bass | 1” (25mm) Diamond dome tweeter, 5” (130mm) Continuum cone FST midrange in Turbine Head, 2 x 7” (180mm) Aerofoil bass units |
| Frequency Response | 19Hz - 28kHz ±3dB (manufacturer specified) | 19Hz - 28kHz (+/- 3dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 90dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) | 90dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal, 3.0 ohms minimum (manufacturer specified) | 8 ohms nominal, 3.0 ohms minimum (manufacturer specified) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported | ported, down-firing Flowport |
| Dimensions | 45.9”H x 11.9”W x 18.6”D (1165 x 301 x 473 mm) | 45.9”H x 14.1”W x 20.1”D (1165 x 357 x 511 mm) |
| Weight | 140.4 lbs (63.7 kg) each | 137 lbs (62.15 kg) each |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Bowers & Wilkins 803 D5 compares with other leading options:
- Bowers & Wilkins 801 D5 vs Bowers & Wilkins 803 D5
- Bowers & Wilkins 801 D4 vs Bowers & Wilkins 803 D5
- Bowers & Wilkins 802 D5 vs Bowers & Wilkins 803 D5
- Bowers & Wilkins 803 D5 vs Bowers & Wilkins 802 D4
- Bowers & Wilkins 803 D5 vs Bowers & Wilkins 804 D5
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Bowers & Wilkins 803 D5: $35,000 per pair Estimated Bowers & Wilkins eBay
Older models: the Bowers & Wilkins 803 D4 (ranked lower, estimated 3.5/5) and the Bowers & Wilkins 803 D3 (ranked lower, estimated 3.4/5). 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 802 D5 (larger floorstanding, ranked higher, estimated 3.7/5), 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: The first 800 D5 model with the separate turbine head midrange enclosure: a 1” diamond dome tweeter on top, a 5” Continuum FST midrange in its own head, and two 7” Aerofoil bass drivers. B&W rates it to 19Hz (±3dB) with 90dB sensitivity, so it plays loud from modest amplifier power.
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. The impedance dips to 3.0 ohms and each speaker weighs 63.7kg.
Full Bowers & Wilkins 803 D5 review and specifications →
| Released | Jul 2026 (3 months ago) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 19Hz (manufacturer specified) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 45.9”H x 11.9”W x 18.6”D (1165 x 301 x 473 mm) |
| Drivers | 1” (25mm) Diamond dome tweeter, 5” (130mm) Continuum cone FST midrange, 2 x 7” (180mm) Aerofoil bass |
| Frequency Response | 19Hz - 28kHz ±3dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal, 3.0 ohms minimum (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 90dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 140.4 lbs (63.7 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Bowers & Wilkins 803 D4: $25,000 per pair Estimated Bowers & Wilkins eBay
Newer model: the Bowers & Wilkins 803 D5, ranked higher, estimated 3.6/5, released Jul 2026.
Older model: the Bowers & Wilkins 803 D3 (ranked lower, estimated 3.4/5). See every Bowers & Wilkins 800 Series generation.
Same family: the Bowers & Wilkins 805 D4 (bookshelf, estimated 3.2/5), the Bowers & Wilkins 804 D4 (smaller floorstanding, ranked lower, estimated 3.4/5), the Bowers & Wilkins 802 D4 (larger floorstanding, ranked higher, estimated 3.6/5), the Bowers & Wilkins 801 D4 (larger floorstanding, ranked higher, estimated 3.7/5) and the Bowers & Wilkins HTM81 D4 (center, rated 3.3/5).
Pros: Incorporates the iconic all-aluminum Turbine Head dedicated midrange enclosure, isolating the 5-inch Continuum driver from cabinet resonances. Dual 7-inch Aerofoil drivers achieve true sub-20Hz in-room extension (19Hz -3dB).
Cons: Pronounced treble elevation imparts a distinctly bright character that can fatigue ears on hot recordings. Heavy 137-lb cabinet and 3.0-ohm minimum impedance require high-current amplification.
Full Bowers & Wilkins 803 D4 review and specifications →
| Released | Aug 2021 (5 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 19Hz (manufacturer specified) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 45.9”H x 14.1”W x 20.1”D (1165 x 357 x 511 mm) |
| Drivers | 1” (25mm) Diamond dome tweeter, 5” (130mm) Continuum cone FST midrange in Turbine Head, 2 x 7” (180mm) Aerofoil bass units |
| Frequency Response | 19Hz - 28kHz (+/- 3dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal, 3.0 ohms minimum (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 90dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 137 lbs (62.15 kg) each |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported, down-firing Flowport |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons