Short answer: the Bowers & Wilkins HTM81 D5. It ranks #104 of 131 center channel speakers by sound quality, rated 3.4/5, at $15,000. The Bowers & Wilkins HTM81 D4 ranks #107, rated 3.3/5, at $10,500, $4,500 cheaper, which does not close the gap in sound quality.
Why pick the Bowers & Wilkins HTM81 D5: The flagship 800 D5 center, with a 1” diamond tweeter, a 6” Continuum FST midrange and two 8” 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 HTM81 D4: 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. The tradeoff: 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.
Buy the Bowers & Wilkins HTM81 D5. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $4,500 saving on the Bowers & Wilkins HTM81 D4 is not enough to make up the difference.
Worth knowing: the Bowers & Wilkins HTM81 D5 has not been measured yet. Its rating is estimated from related models, with a likely range of 3.1 to 3.7, so treat this verdict as provisional.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Bowers & Wilkins HTM81 D5 | Bowers & Wilkins HTM81 D4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $15,000 each | $10,500 each |
| Ranked | #104 of 131 in Center Channel Speakers Estimated | #107 of 131 in Center Channel Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 28Hz (manufacturer specified) | 52.7Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Drivers | 1” (25mm) Diamond dome tweeter, 6” (150mm) Continuum cone FST midrange, 2 x 8” (200mm) Aerofoil bass | 1” diamond dome tweeter, 6” Continuum cone FST midrange, 2x 8” Aerofoil cone bass units |
| Frequency Response | 28Hz - 28kHz ±3dB (manufacturer specified) | 28Hz-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 | - |
| Dimensions | 13.1”H x 33.3”W x 14.3”D (334 x 846 x 363 mm) | 13.1”H x 33.3”W x 14.6”D (334 x 847 x 371 mm) |
| Weight | 73.6 lbs (33.4 kg) | 71 lbs (32.2 kg) |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | about 34.4Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | - | 3.93 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | - | 5.78 |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Bowers & Wilkins HTM81 D5 compares with other leading options:
- Bowers & Wilkins HTM81 D5 vs Vandersteen VCC-5
- Bowers & Wilkins HTM81 D5 vs Bowers & Wilkins HTM82 D5
- Bowers & Wilkins HTM81 D4 vs Bowers & Wilkins HTM82 D5
- KEF Reference 4 Meta vs Bowers & Wilkins HTM81 D4
- 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 D5: $15,000 each Estimated Bowers & Wilkins eBay
Older model: the Bowers & Wilkins HTM81 D4 (ranked lower, rated 3.3/5). See every Bowers & Wilkins 800 Series generation.
Same family: the Bowers & Wilkins 805 D5 (bookshelf, estimated 3.3/5), the Bowers & Wilkins 804 D5 (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 HTM82 D5 (smaller center, ranked lower, estimated 3.3/5).
Pros: The flagship 800 D5 center, with a 1” diamond tweeter, a 6” Continuum FST midrange and two 8” Aerofoil bass drivers. It is rated to 28Hz (±3dB) with 90dB sensitivity, so it keeps up with the Bowers & Wilkins 801 D5 and Bowers & Wilkins 802 D5 towers on dialogue and effects.
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. It is 846mm wide and weighs 33.4kg, and the impedance falls to 3.0 ohms.
Full Bowers & Wilkins HTM81 D5 review and specifications →
| Released | Sep 2026 (new) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 28Hz (manufacturer specified) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 13.1”H x 33.3”W x 14.3”D (334 x 846 x 363 mm) |
| Drivers | 1” (25mm) Diamond dome tweeter, 6” (150mm) Continuum cone FST midrange, 2 x 8” (200mm) Aerofoil bass |
| Frequency Response | 28Hz - 28kHz ±3dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal, 3.0 ohms minimum (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 90dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 73.6 lbs (33.4 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
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