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 HTM82 D5 ranks #110, rated 3.3/5, at $12,000, $3,000 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
What the Bowers & Wilkins HTM81 D5 does well: The flagship 800 D5 center, with a 1” diamond tweeter, a 6” Continuum FST midrange 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.
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 D5. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $3,000 you would save on the Bowers & Wilkins HTM82 D5 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 HTM81 D5 3.1 to 3.7; Bowers & Wilkins HTM82 D5 3.0 to 3.6). Treat this verdict as provisional.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Bowers & Wilkins HTM81 D5 | Bowers & Wilkins HTM82 D5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $15,000 each | $12,000 each |
| Ranked | #104 of 131 in Center Channel Speakers Estimated | #110 of 131 in Center Channel Speakers Estimated |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 28Hz (manufacturer specified) | 45Hz (manufacturer specified) |
| Drivers | 1” (25mm) Diamond dome tweeter, 6” (150mm) Continuum cone FST midrange, 2 x 8” (200mm) Aerofoil bass | 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) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported | ported |
| Dimensions | 13.1”H x 33.3”W x 14.3”D (334 x 846 x 363 mm) | 11.4”H x 28.1”W x 14.3”D (289 x 715 x 363 mm) |
| Weight | 73.6 lbs (33.4 kg) | 57.5 lbs (26.1 kg) |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
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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 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