B&W 805 Diamond

Data

General

• Manufacturer: B&W Bowers & Wilkins
• Model: 805 (D2) Diamond
• Years of manufacture: 2010 - 2015
• Made in: England
• Colour: Black piano lacquer, cherry wood, rose nut
• Dimensions: 418 x 238 x 351 mm (H x W x D)
• Weight: 12 kg
• Original price approx.: € 4.500,- (RRP pair)

Technical data

• Type: 2-way bass reflex, shelf speaker
• drivers:
  • woofer: 1x 165 mm (Kevlar fabric cone)
  • tweeter: 1x 25 mm (D2-diamond dome)

Power handling (nominal/music):

• Recommended amplifier power: 50 - 120 W
• Efficiency: 88 dB (2.83 V, 1 m)
• Frequency response: 49 - 28,000 Hz (±3 dB)
• Crossover frequency: 4,000 Hz
• Impedance: 8 Ohm (minimum 4.7 Ohm, thus the nominal impedance according to DIN/IEC = 4 Ohm)

Special Features

• list here

Remarks

Other models in the same series:

• 800 Diamond
• 802 Diamond
• 803 Diamond
• 804 Diamond
• 805 Diamond

Pictures

Reviews

• Stereoplay issue 12/2011
  • Rank 2 of 5: "good - very good" (76 points)
  • Price/Performance: "outstanding", "highlight".

"Compact speaker with a dignified finish, a unique diamond tweeter and fine surfaces in piano lacquer or real wood. The 805 combines unagitated joy of playing with great homogeneity. A small masterpiece!"

• image Hifi issue 6/2010;

Single test: without final score

"... this speaker is indeed so 'permeable' that you simply hear everything on it. You immediately get a sense for the right sound proportions and I really had the feeling to feel no 'curtain' between the music and me anymore.

• Hifi Test TV Audio issue 5/2010
  • Single test: 1,1; Reference class
  • Price/Performance: "very good", "best product".

"A dream come true: finally the 805 is available with a diamond tweeter! The 805 is rewarded with a fantastically sublime and always sovereign sound. Added to this is the perfect workmanship of the elegant cabinet. Not cheap this 805 Diamond, but really worth every penny."

• hifi & records issue 3/2010

Single test: without final score

"It was predictable: The 805 has benefited the most from B&W's recent revamp to the new Diamond series. The biggest gain of B&W's noble compact speaker is undoubtedly the new diamond tweeter, but also the exclusive piano lacquer finish makes a big impression. 4,500 Euros is a lot of money for a two-way speaker. The 805 Diamond, however, is worth it."

• Stereo Heft 7/2010

Single test: sound level: 100%. Price/Performance: "excellent" (4 out of 5 stars)

"The new 805 is a compact loudspeaker of the top class, extremely refined and sonically superb, balanced, but with once again significantly increased energy and sovereignty compared to its predecessor. We are impressed."

• Audio Heft 4/2010

Single test: Sound rating: 91 points

"Personally, the small 805 has always been my favourite 'Nautilus'. For a long time, the only thing missing for a purist concept and homogeneous sound was a diamond tweeter - this dream has now come true. The small B&W passed the endurance test brilliantly. The price isn't cheap, but it's fair: other manufacturers are already asking 5000 euros just for a pair of 'retrofit diamonds'."

• Eisa 6/2010
  • Single test: without final score

"Indulge in music without remorse is the order of the day with the new 800 Series Diamond. This offers no more and no less than the arguably perfect synthesis of analytics and euphony - a quality that is rarely offered, even in many years of listening practice. ...“