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 804 D5 ranks #184, rated 3.5/5, at $25,000, $10,000 cheaper, a saving that is not big enough to make up the sound-quality gap.
The case for 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.
The case for the Bowers & Wilkins 804 D5: The smallest tower in the 800 Series Diamond D5: a 3-way with a 1” diamond dome tweeter, a 5” Continuum cone FST midrange and two 6.5” 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 803 D5. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $10,000 saving on the Bowers & Wilkins 804 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 803 D5 3.3 to 3.9; Bowers & Wilkins 804 D5 3.2 to 3.8). Treat this verdict as provisional.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Bowers & Wilkins 803 D5 | Bowers & Wilkins 804 D5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $35,000 per pair | $25,000 per pair |
| Ranked | #175 of 226 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers Estimated | #184 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, 2 x 6.5” (165mm) Aerofoil bass |
| Frequency Response | 19Hz - 28kHz ±3dB (manufacturer specified) | 19Hz - 24kHz ±3dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 90dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) | 89dB (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 |
| Dimensions | 45.9”H x 11.9”W x 18.6”D (1165 x 301 x 473 mm) | 43.3”H x 9.4”W x 13.3”D (1101 x 238 x 337 mm) |
| Weight | 140.4 lbs (63.7 kg) each | 88.8 lbs (40.3 kg) each |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More worthwhile head-to-heads for Bowers & Wilkins 803 D5:
- 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 803 D4
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 804 D5: $25,000 per pair Estimated Bowers & Wilkins eBay
Older model: the Bowers & Wilkins 804 D4 (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 803 D5 (larger floorstanding, ranked higher, estimated 3.6/5), 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 smallest tower in the 800 Series Diamond D5: a 3-way with a 1” diamond dome tweeter, a 5” Continuum cone FST midrange and two 6.5” Aerofoil bass drivers. B&W rates it down to 19Hz (±3dB) in-room and 89dB sensitivity, so it fills a medium room 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. The impedance falls to 3.0 ohms, which needs an amplifier that can deliver current.
Full Bowers & Wilkins 804 D5 review and specifications →
| Released | Jul 2026 (3 months ago) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 19Hz (manufacturer specified) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 43.3”H x 9.4”W x 13.3”D (1101 x 238 x 337 mm) |
| Drivers | 1” (25mm) Diamond dome tweeter, 5” (130mm) Continuum cone FST midrange, 2 x 6.5” (165mm) Aerofoil bass |
| Frequency Response | 19Hz - 24kHz ±3dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal, 3.0 ohms minimum (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 89dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 88.8 lbs (40.3 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