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# Bowers and Wilkins 801 D5 - The Abbey Road Reference, Fifth Generation
- URL: https://beaumondejournal.com/bowers-and-wilkins-801-d5-the-abbey-road-reference-fifth-generation/
- Published: 2026-11-05T11:00:47.000Z
- Updated: 2026-11-05T11:00:47.000Z
- Author: Brandon Mina
- Tags: Tech, Bowers & Wilkins

![](https://beaumondejournal.com/content/images/2026/11/01-4.png)

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The Bowers and Wilkins 801 D5 is the flagship of the 800 Series Diamond D5, the fifth generation of the loudspeaker line that has served as a reference at Abbey Road Studios for decades. It arrives in the company's 60th year, handmade in Worthing, England, and it is positioned without apology: this is the speaker the rest of the range is measured against.

It made the cut because the D5 changes are structural rather than cosmetic. The tweeter remains a diamond dome, now pushing its break-up frequency to 70kHz, housed in the solid-body Tweeter-on-Top assembly above a Turbine Head containing the Continuum cone midrange driver. Below sit two 250mm Aerofoil bass cones in a cabinet formed from a single continuous curve, locked by an aluminium spine, with an enhanced Matrix internal bracing design, aluminium Space Frame Bracing and an upgraded plinth. Leather by Connolly trim and four finishes, Stealth Black, Warm White, Light Walnut and Dark Walnut, finish a cabinet that stands 1221mm tall and weighs 106.4kg per speaker.

The published figures match the ambition: a three-way vented design with a frequency range of 13Hz to 35kHz, a response of 15Hz to 28kHz within plus or minus 3dB, 90dB sensitivity and recommended amplifier power from 50 to 1000 watts. Bowers and Wilkins US lists the 801 D5 at US$65,000 per pair, in stock at check, with the D5 range starting at US$15,000\. Verdict: a reference loudspeaker in the literal studio sense, and the definitive statement of what this company thinks a speaker should be