Bowers & Wilkins 804 D4 Floorstanding Speaker
12 500,00 €
Bowers & Wilkins 804 D4 is a passive three-way floorstanding speaker for a demanding home audio system. Diamond, Continuum FST and two Aerofoil drivers divide reproduction across three frequency bands. Its curved cabinet with an aluminum spine reduces cabinet reflections. The downward-firing Flowport operates above an aluminum plinth fitted with a steel damping sheet. The minimum order quantity is two units.
Bowers & Wilkins 804 D4 is a passive three-way floorstanding speaker designed for a demanding home audio system. It is the smallest floorstanding model in the 800 Series Diamond D4 range and sits below the larger 803 D4.
Each speaker uses four drive units and a downward-firing bass reflex port. As each unit weighs 36.85 kg, it is worth planning its position before final installation.
Cabinet construction
The continuously curved reverse-wrap cabinet is reinforced by a single-piece aluminum spine. This construction improves sound dispersion and reduces reflections from the cabinet.
The downward-firing Flowport opens above a solid aluminum plinth. A constrained-layer damping steel sheet within the plinth helps control unwanted resonance. Adjustable floor spikes allow the heavy speaker to be levelled and positioned securely.
Three-way driver system
A 25 mm Diamond dome handles high frequencies. The midrange is reproduced by a 130 mm Continuum FST cone driver, while two 165 mm Aerofoil cone drivers handle the bass frequencies.
The vented-box system covers a frequency range of 20 Hz-35 kHz. Its frequency response is 24 Hz-28 kHz, ±3 dB on the reference axis. These two figures describe different performance limits and should be considered separately when assessing the speaker.
Connection and amplifier selection
This is a passive speaker, so it requires an external amplifier and speaker cable. Volume and other system settings are controlled through the connected amplifier.
Nominal impedance is 8 ohms, but the minimum impedance falls to 3.0 ohms. Choose an amplifier that remains stable at lower impedances and can provide the required current.
The recommended amplifier power is 50-200 W into 8 ohms with an unclipped programme. The maximum recommended speaker-cable impedance is 0.1 ohm.
Positioning and levelling
Each speaker weighs 36.85 kg, so moving it with two people is safer. At the final location, adjust the spikes until the plinth is stable and does not rock. Separate protective supports may be used on delicate flooring.
Do not obstruct the space between the cabinet and the aluminum plinth, as this is where the Flowport operates. Begin with both speakers positioned at equal distances from the listening position. Fine-tune their placement in small steps while keeping their alignment consistent.
The minimum order quantity is two units. This does not mean that the speakers are supplied as a factory-matched pair.
Technical specifications
| Model | Bowers & Wilkins 804 D4 |
|---|---|
| Type | Passive floorstanding speaker |
| System | Three-way vented-box system |
| Tweeter | 1 × 25 mm Diamond dome |
| Midrange driver | 1 × 130 mm Continuum cone FST |
| Bass drivers | 2 × 165 mm Aerofoil cone |
| Frequency range | 20 Hz-35 kHz |
| Frequency response | 24 Hz-28 kHz (±3 dB on the reference axis) |
| Sensitivity | 89 dB on axis at 2.83 Vrms and 1 m |
| Nominal impedance | 8 ohms |
| Minimum impedance | 3.0 ohms |
| Recommended amplifier power | 50-200 W into 8 ohms on an unclipped programme |
| Maximum recommended cable impedance | 0.1 ohm |
| Harmonic distortion | Second and third harmonics: less than 1% from 90 Hz to 20 kHz |
| Harmonic distortion | Second and third harmonics: less than 0.3% from 120 Hz to 20 kHz |
| Distortion measurement conditions | 90 dB, 1 m, measured on axis |
| Cabinet construction | Continuously curved reverse-wrap cabinet with a single-piece aluminum spine |
| Bass reflex port | Downward-firing Flowport |
| Plinth | Solid aluminum with a constrained-layer damping steel sheet |
| Supports | Adjustable floor spikes |
| Dimensions | 1071 × 306 × 391 mm (height × width × depth) |
| Net weight | 36.85 kg per speaker |
| Minimum order quantity | 2 units |
FAQ
Which amplifier should I choose?
Follow the recommendation of 50-200 W into 8 ohms. The amplifier should also remain stable when the speaker reaches its minimum impedance of 3.0 ohms.
How does the speaker connect to an audio system?
It requires an external amplifier and speaker cable. Cable impedance should not exceed the recommended limit of 0.1 ohm.
Does the speaker have a built-in amplifier and controls?
No. This is a passive model. Volume and other playback settings are adjusted on the connected amplifier or another system component.
What should I consider when choosing its position?
Keep the space around the lower plinth unobstructed and level the spikes precisely. Because of the speaker’s substantial weight, plan its position in advance.
Are two units supplied as a factory-matched pair?
The minimum order quantity is two speakers. This requirement alone does not confirm that they are supplied as a factory-matched pair.
