B&W had offered Stereophile the first US review of both products-look for John Atkinson's review of the 805 D4 Signature in the coming months-and Jim thought the big 801s would be "right up my alley." Indeed! The voice of my full-range system in the living room is a pair of B&W 808 speakers, ca late 1980s. The smaller-scale system at our house upstate features a pair of B&W 805 D2s. So, outside of my mastering studio, most of the music I listen to is through Bowers & Wilkins speakers. I am accustomed to and enjoy B&W sound and styling.
A whole lotta speaker, with a heritage
Before the introduction of the Signature, the standard 801 was B&W's top-line offering; "D4" indicates the design's fourth generation. The Signature Editions are occasional special releases featuring upgrades both functional and aesthetic. B&W describes Signature speakers as "the culmination of Bowers & Wilkins's enduring dedication to performance and elegance."
Compared to the standard 801 D4, the Signature Edition uses heavier bracing, upgraded bass motor systems, a flared metal, downfiring port, and extra high-quality parts in the crossover networks. On the aesthetic side, there's a choice of two high-end finishes: "Midnight Blue Metallic" and "California Burl Gloss." The pair I enjoyed in my living room for two months were the former: a rich, deep, dark blue. They scored high with the Wife Acceptance Factor (WAF), though most importantly, she really dug the sound.
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