Does the Bowers & Wilkins 804 D4 Live Up to the Abbey Road Legacy?

For over four decades, the Bowers & Wilkins 800 Series has been the benchmark for reference sound. As the trusted monitor of choice at legendary studios like Abbey Road, these speakers are synonymous with the most accurate and transparent audio reproduction on the planet.

But what does that legacy sound like in a real-world home? The Bowers & Wilkins 804 D4 is designed to answer that question. It distills the flagship 800 Series D4 technology into a more practical floorstanding form. This review explores whether it truly delivers that coveted reference-level performance in a dedicated listening room.

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A Masterclass in Cabinet Engineering

From the moment you see it, the B&W 804 D4 signals it’s something special. Its iconic reverse-curve cabinet isn’t just a design flourish; it’s a feat of functional engineering. This shape dramatically increases structural rigidity, while the aluminum top plate and extensive internal bracing work in harmony to create a virtually inert enclosure.

• The Result: The cabinet itself is silent. It adds no color or resonance of its own.
• Why It Matters: You hear only the pure, uncolored output of the drivers, forming the pristine foundation of the renowned 800 Series D4 sound quality.

The Purity of the Diamond Tweeter

Perched atop the cabinet in its own solid aluminum housing, the iconic diamond tweeter remains a defining feature. This “tweeter-on-top” design physically isolates the high-frequency driver from the vibrations of the main cabinet.

The sonic payoff is immediate. High frequencies are not just detailed; they are breathtakingly open, extended, and refined. There is zero trace of harshness or artificial brightness. Cymbals shimmer, strings resonate with air, and vocals are imbued with a delicate realism that remains fatigue-free, even after hours of listening.

Midrange Magic: The Soul of the 804 D4

The heart of the Bowers and Wilkins 804 D4 sound signature lies in its Continuum cone midrange driver. Enhanced with a new biomimetic suspension, this driver achieves a level of neutrality and low distortion that surpasses previous generations.

Listening to a vocalist like Andrea Bocelli is a transformative experience. His voice is rendered with striking realism, fully formed in the space between the speakers, possessing a natural warmth, texture, and palpable presence. This is where the 804 D4 unequivocally demonstrates its reference pedigree.

Controlled Power: The Bass Performance

Don’t let its relatively slender profile fool you. The dual Aerofoil bass drivers deliver low frequencies with impressive depth and speed. The bass is not there to impress with exaggeration, but to serve the music with precision and control.

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Compared to its predecessor, bass integration is noticeably superior. This tight, articulate low-end allows the speaker to perform convincingly across any genre, from the complex lines of acoustic jazz to the driving force of electronic music.

The Soundstage: A Window, Not a Wall

One of the most captivating strengths of the B&W 804 D4 is its ability to create a holographic soundstage. The speakers seemingly vanish, leaving behind a wide, deep, and three-dimensional acoustic image.

• Pinpoint Accuracy: Instruments are locked in precise positions within the soundscape.
• Spatial Realism: The air and space around each performer are reproduced with remarkable fidelity.

This ability to conjure a believable and immersive soundstage is a hallmark of true reference loudspeakers.

System Synergy: Unlocking Full Potential

Our review system, featuring high-end Michi S5 monoblock amplifiers and a Luxman turntable, revealed the 804 D4’s true performance ceiling. This speaker is a transparent window into the quality of the electronics driving it. It scales effortlessly with better equipment, confirming its status as a true high-end component.

Conclusion:

The Bowers & Wilkins 804 D4 succeeds not by shouting for your attention, but by delivering a masterclass in balance. It doesn’t rely on exaggerated bass or artificial detail. Instead, it offers accuracy, refinement, and stunning realism.

For the serious listener seeking reference-level performance in a manageable floorstanding speaker, the B&W 804 D4 is not just an option; it’s the new standard. It is a clear demonstration of how engineering refinement can bring you closer to the music, making it one of the best floorstanding speakers in its class and a truly worthy successor to the legendary 800 Series.