Short answer: the Bowers & Wilkins HTM81 D4. Both are rated 3.3/5 for sound quality (#107 and #110 of 131 center channel speakers), and the Bowers & Wilkins HTM81 D4 costs $10,500 against $12,000 for the Bowers & Wilkins HTM82 D5, so with nothing between them on sound quality, price settles it.
What the Bowers & Wilkins HTM81 D4 does well: The largest 800 Series Diamond center: a 1” diamond dome tweeter in a separate pod on top, a 6” Continuum cone FST midrange and two 8” Aerofoil bass units. Watch for: The listening window spans 4.9dB from 300Hz to 5kHz and the predicted in-room response is not smooth (0.47), so off-axis seats and room reflections hear a different balance than the main seat.
Why pick the Bowers & Wilkins HTM82 D5: The smaller 800 D5 center: a 3-way with a 1” diamond tweeter on top, a 5” Continuum FST midrange and two 6.5” Aerofoil bass drivers. The tradeoff: 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 HTM81 D4. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $1,500 less than the Bowers & Wilkins HTM82 D5.
Worth knowing: the Bowers & Wilkins HTM82 D5 has not been measured yet. Its rating is estimated from related models, with a likely range of 3.0 to 3.6, so treat this verdict as provisional.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Bowers & Wilkins HTM81 D4 | Bowers & Wilkins HTM82 D5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $10,500 each | $12,000 each |
| Ranked | #107 of 131 in Center Channel Speakers | #110 of 131 in Center Channel Speakers Estimated |
| Drivers | 1” diamond dome tweeter, 6” Continuum cone FST midrange, 2x 8” Aerofoil cone bass units | 1” (25mm) Diamond dome tweeter, 5” (130mm) Continuum cone FST midrange, 2 x 6.5” (165mm) Aerofoil bass |
| Frequency Response | 28Hz-28kHz ±3dB (manufacturer specified) | 45Hz - 28kHz ±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) |
| Dimensions | 13.1”H x 33.3”W x 14.6”D (334 x 847 x 371 mm) | 11.4”H x 28.1”W x 14.3”D (289 x 715 x 363 mm) |
| Weight | 71 lbs (32.2 kg) | 57.5 lbs (26.1 kg) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 52.7Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 45Hz (manufacturer specified) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 34.4Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.93 | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.78 | - |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Woofer Cabinet | - | ported |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Bowers & Wilkins HTM81 D4 compares with other leading options:
- KEF Reference 4 Meta vs Bowers & Wilkins HTM81 D4
- Bowers & Wilkins HTM81 D5 vs Bowers & Wilkins HTM81 D4
- Bowers & Wilkins HTM81 D5 vs Bowers & Wilkins HTM82 D5
- Paradigm Persona C vs Bowers & Wilkins HTM82 D5
- Atlantic Technology 8600eC vs Atlantic Technology 8600eLR
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 HTM81 D4: $10,500 each Bowers & Wilkins eBay
Newer model: the Bowers & Wilkins HTM81 D5, ranked higher, estimated 3.4/5, released Sep 2026. See every Bowers & Wilkins 800 Series generation.
Same family: the Bowers & Wilkins 805 D4 (bookshelf, estimated 3.2/5), the Bowers & Wilkins 804 D4 (smallest floorstanding, estimated 3.4/5), the Bowers & Wilkins 803 D4 (floorstanding, estimated 3.5/5), the Bowers & Wilkins 802 D4 (floorstanding, estimated 3.6/5) and the Bowers & Wilkins 801 D4 (largest floorstanding, estimated 3.7/5).
Pros: The largest 800 Series Diamond center: a 1” diamond dome tweeter in a separate pod on top, a 6” Continuum cone FST midrange and two 8” Aerofoil bass units. Erin’s Audio Corner measured deep bass for a center, 52.7Hz (-3dB) and about 34Hz (-10dB), and a fairly flat on-axis response (0.49 average deviation). 90dB sensitivity. Measured bass extension of 52.7Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The listening window spans 4.9dB from 300Hz to 5kHz and the predicted in-room response is not smooth (0.47), so off-axis seats and room reflections hear a different balance than the main seat. Preference score 3.93 without a subwoofer. At $10500 it is the most expensive center here, and the impedance dips to 3 ohms.
Full Bowers & Wilkins HTM81 D4 review and specifications →
| Released | Aug 2021 (5 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | about 34.4Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 52.7Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 13.1”H x 33.3”W x 14.6”D (334 x 847 x 371 mm) |
| Drivers | 1” diamond dome tweeter, 6” Continuum cone FST midrange, 2x 8” Aerofoil cone bass units |
| Frequency Response | 28Hz-28kHz ±3dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal, 3.0 ohms minimum (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 90dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.93 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.78 |
| Weight | 71 lbs (32.2 kg) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Bowers & Wilkins HTM82 D5: $12,000 each Estimated Bowers & Wilkins eBay
Same family: the Bowers & Wilkins 805 D5 (bookshelf, estimated 3.3/5), the Bowers & Wilkins 804 D5 (smallest floorstanding, estimated 3.5/5), the Bowers & Wilkins 803 D5 (floorstanding, estimated 3.6/5), the Bowers & Wilkins 802 D5 (floorstanding, estimated 3.7/5), the Bowers & Wilkins 801 D5 (largest floorstanding, estimated 3.8/5) and the Bowers & Wilkins HTM81 D5 (larger center, ranked higher, estimated 3.4/5). See every Bowers & Wilkins 800 Series generation.
Pros: The smaller 800 D5 center: a 3-way with a 1” diamond tweeter on top, a 5” Continuum FST midrange and two 6.5” Aerofoil bass drivers. The dedicated midrange keeps voices clear across a wider seating area than a 2-way center, and it is rated to 45Hz (±3dB) with 89dB sensitivity.
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 drops to 3.0 ohms, and at 715mm wide it needs a deep, wide shelf or the matching stand.
Full Bowers & Wilkins HTM82 D5 review and specifications →
| Released | Sep 2026 (new) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 45Hz (manufacturer specified) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 11.4”H x 28.1”W x 14.3”D (289 x 715 x 363 mm) |
| Drivers | 1” (25mm) Diamond dome tweeter, 5” (130mm) Continuum cone FST midrange, 2 x 6.5” (165mm) Aerofoil bass |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz - 28kHz ±3dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal, 3.0 ohms minimum (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 89dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 57.5 lbs (26.1 kg) |
| 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