Bowers & Wilkins 803 D5 Floorstanding Speakers

Reference three-way floorstanding loudspeakers featuring Diamond Dome Tweeter-on-Top technology, Turbine Head midrange isolation, and dual 7-inch Aerofoil bass drivers.

The Bowers & Wilkins 803 D5 brings the engineering of the flagship 800 Series Diamond into a more compact reference floorstanding speaker. Combining a 1-inch Diamond Dome tweeter, 5-inch Continuum Cone FST midrange driver, and two 7-inch Aerofoil bass drivers, the 803 D5 delivers exceptional resolution, powerful low-frequency extension, and precise stereo imaging.

The latest D5 generation introduces enhanced Matrix cabinet bracing with aluminum Space Frame reinforcement, an upgraded aluminum top plate with damping collar, and refined mechanical isolation. Its distinctive Turbine Head and Solid Body Tweeter-on-Top architecture physically separate the critical midrange and high-frequency drivers from the main bass enclosure.

With 90dB sensitivity, bass extension to 16Hz (-6dB), and recommended amplification of 50–500 watts, the 803 D5 is designed for serious two-channel listening and reference home audio systems.

Diamond Dome Tweeter-on-Top

The 803 D5 uses Bowers & Wilkins' renowned 1-inch Diamond Dome tweeter, housed in a mechanically isolated Solid Body Tweeter-on-Top assembly.

Diamond's exceptional stiffness pushes the dome's breakup frequency to approximately 70kHz, far beyond the audible spectrum. This allows the tweeter to reproduce high-frequency information with exceptional precision and minimal unwanted resonance.

The separate tweeter housing also reduces mechanical interference from the main loudspeaker cabinet, supporting a stable soundstage and finely resolved detail.

Turbine Head Midrange Isolation

The 803 D5 is the most compact model in the 800 Series Diamond lineup to incorporate Bowers & Wilkins' distinctive Turbine Head.

This acoustically optimized enclosure houses the dedicated 5-inch Continuum Cone FST midrange driver, isolating it from the pressure and vibration generated by the bass drivers.

The result is greater midrange clarity, natural vocal reproduction, and improved separation between instruments.

Continuum Cone FST Midrange

The 5-inch Continuum Cone FST driver is engineered to minimize abrupt transitions between piston-like movement and cone breakup.

Its advanced composite diaphragm works with Bowers & Wilkins' Biomimetic Suspension and Anti-Resonance Plug technologies to reduce unwanted coloration and preserve low-level musical information.

This dedicated midrange architecture allows the 803 D5 to reproduce vocals, strings, piano, and complex instrumental passages with exceptional transparency.

Dual 7-Inch Aerofoil Bass Drivers

Two 7-inch Aerofoil Profile bass drivers provide the low-frequency foundation of the 803 D5.

The Aerofoil cone uses a variable-thickness profile engineered for stiffness and controlled movement. Its lightweight construction allows the drivers to respond quickly while maintaining composure during demanding bass passages.

Combined with the vented enclosure and Flowport system, the 803 D5 delivers a specified 19Hz–28kHz frequency response (±3dB) and low-frequency extension to 16Hz (-6dB).

Enhanced Matrix Cabinet with Space Frame Bracing

The 803 D5 features Bowers & Wilkins' upgraded Matrix cabinet architecture, reinforced with aluminum Space Frame Bracing.

Internal bracing increases enclosure rigidity and reduces unwanted cabinet vibration. An aluminum top plate with damping collar adds further mechanical control.

The cabinet itself uses a continuous curved construction secured by a substantial aluminum spine, helping reduce internal reflections and standing waves.

Together, these technologies allow the drivers to operate within an exceptionally stable acoustic structure.

Flowport Bass-Reflex System

Bowers & Wilkins' Flowport technology uses a carefully engineered port surface to reduce turbulence as air moves through the enclosure.

This supports clean, controlled low-frequency reproduction while minimizing unwanted port noise.

The 803 D5's three-way vented-box architecture is designed to deliver substantial bass output without sacrificing midrange definition or transient accuracy.

Reference-Level Performance in a More Compact Cabinet

At approximately 45.8 inches tall, the 803 D5 offers the advanced driver technology and distinctive architecture of the larger 800 Series Diamond loudspeakers in a comparatively manageable footprint.

Its 90dB sensitivity and 8-ohm nominal impedance allow integration with a wide range of premium amplification, while the 3-ohm minimum impedance makes amplifier current capability an important consideration.

For reference systems, pairing the 803 D5 with a high-current integrated amplifier or separate preamplifier and power amplifier can help realize its full dynamic capability.

Premium Cabinet Finishes

The Bowers & Wilkins 803 D5 is available in four finishes:

• Stealth Black

• Warm White

• Light Walnut

• Dark Walnut

Each finish incorporates coordinated Leather by Connolly trim, combining reference loudspeaker engineering with exceptional material quality.

Technical Specifications

Specification	Details
Speaker Type	Three-way vented-box floorstanding loudspeaker
Series	800 Series Diamond D5
Tweeter	1 × 1" Diamond Dome
Midrange	1 × 5" Continuum Cone FST
Bass Drivers	2 × 7" Aerofoil Profile
Tweeter Architecture	Solid Body Tweeter-on-Top
Midrange Enclosure	Turbine Head
Midrange Technologies	Biomimetic Suspension, Anti-Resonance Plug
Cabinet Construction	Enhanced Matrix with aluminum Space Frame Bracing
Bass-Reflex Technology	Flowport
Frequency Range (-6dB)	16Hz–35kHz
Frequency Response (±3dB)	19Hz–28kHz
Sensitivity	90dB
Nominal Impedance	8Ω
Minimum Impedance	3.0Ω
Recommended Amplifier Power	50–500W into 8Ω
Maximum Recommended Cable Impedance	0.1Ω
Harmonic Distortion	Less than 1% from 80Hz–20kHz
Harmonic Distortion	Less than 0.3% from 100Hz–8kHz
Height	45.8" / 1165mm, including tweeter and plinth
Cabinet Width	11.9" / 301mm
Width Including Plinth	14.1" / 359mm
Depth Including Grille and Terminals	18.6" / 473mm
Depth Including Plinth	19.6" / 499mm
Weight	140.3 lbs / 63.7kg each
Finishes	Stealth Black, Warm White, Light Walnut, Dark Walnut
Grille Colors	Black or Grey, depending on finish
Packaging	Sold as a pair

Bowers & Wilkins 803 D5 at The Grid HiFi

The Bowers & Wilkins 803 D5 Floorstanding Speakers combine Diamond Dome tweeter technology, Turbine Head midrange isolation, dual Aerofoil bass drivers, and advanced Matrix cabinet engineering in a sophisticated reference loudspeaker.

The Grid HiFi can help build a complete system around the 803 D5, including carefully matched amplification, reference source components, cabling, power management, and professional loudspeaker placement.

Considering the Bowers & Wilkins 803 D5? Let's build the system around it.

Contact The Grid HiFi at (713) 218-8120 for availability, showroom audition arrangements, and reference-system consultation.