B&W 805S Review: Ranked #111 of 131

Last updated: September 10, 2026

The B&W 805S ranks #111 out of 131 total Large Size Bookshelf Speakers for sound quality. See Top Recommended Speakers By Attribute for all the top speaker suggestions.

Brand: B&W

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B&W 805S - ranked #111 of 131 Large Size Bookshelf Speakers · Editor's rating 2.8/5

#111 B&W 805S: $2500 Discontinued eBay

Pros: Bass and dynamic performance are strong for the cabinet size, playing very loud with well-controlled bass distortion. Horizontal beamwidth stays reasonably smooth through -6dB. Build quality has enough of a “quality feel” that the reviewer said it kept the speaker from the lowest possible rating.

Cons: CEA2034 spinorama shows directivity breaking down badly starting around 1kHz and staying poor to 3kHz - a wide crossover-region flaw the reviewer called “clearly flawed execution” that leaves vocals sounding recessed and masked without EQ correction. A high 4kHz crossover point appears to leave the tweeter’s small sub-enclosure resonating audibly during playback. Discontinued, superseded by the 805 Diamond/805 D4 series. Discontinued.

How it compares: Just above it: Triangle Borea BR03 - $2181 cheaper, 1Hz higher bass extension (-3dB). Just below it: HUMAN Speakers 81 DK - $1103 cheaper, 2.5Hz higher bass extension (-3dB).

Bass Extension (-10dB)62Hz (measured, Audio Science Review)
Bass Extension (-3dB)80Hz (measured, Audio Science Review)
Dimensions16.5H x 9.4W x 13.8D in
DiscontinuedYes
Drivers1" aluminum dome tweeter, 6.5" woven Kevlar cone mid/bass
Frequency Response49Hz - 22kHz +/-3dB (-6dB at 42Hz and 50kHz) (Manufacturer specified)
Impedance8 ohms nominal (3.7 ohms minimum)
Power Handling50-120W
Sensitivity86.5dB (2.83V/1m, measured, Audio Science Review)
Weight25.4 lbs / 11.5 kg each
Woofer Cabinetported, rear

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