Bowers And Wilkins 805 D3 and DB3D Subwoofer

803 D3

The smallest speaker in the 800 Series Diamond range is also one of the most groundbreaking. Packed with cutting-edge technologies never seen before in a speaker of its class, it's the only stand-mounted speaker in the world to feature a diamond dome tweeter. For lifelike spaciousness and detail, no other small speaker comes close.

That elegant cabinet retains the previous 805's proportions but is subtly reshaped, and the internal bracing known as Matrix is revised to improve rigidity and resistance to vibration.

Improvements in simulation software mean that the engineers were able to fine-tune cabinet performance to an even higher degree than before, trying different iterations before settling on a specific design.

Overall build quality is excellent. B&W is no stranger to fine cabinets, and this one upholds that admirable tradition. The cabinet edges are crisp and everything fits together with well-engineered precision.

It feels immensely rigid while the quality of finish is excellent. There are three standard finishes; the gloss black of our review sample, a satin white and rosenut.

As before there is a dedicated stand a smart combination of aluminium and MDF that suits the speaker well. Ours were mass-loaded to add stability, which proves worthwhile.

DB3D

Astonishing performance from a compact subwoofer, powered by a 1000 Watt Class D amplifier to deliver punchy, deep bass. Completely belying its compact dimensions, the DB3D is a miniature powerhouse and plumbs depths of LF that no box of these dimensions has any right to. The performance is super-tight, very fast and carries a weighty punch with LFE and two-channel stereo music alike.

Previous Next

Klik op de afbeelding voor een vergroting
Click picture for magnification

805 D3

Diamond tweeter
Anti-resonance plug
Continuum cone bass mid
Solid body tweeter
Tweeter on top
Optimised matrix
2-way vented-box system
1x 25mm (1 in) diamond dome high-frequency
1x 165mm (6.5 in) Continuum cone bass midrange
Frequency range 34Hz to 35kHz
Frequency range +/- 3dB 42Hz to 28kHz
88dB SPL (2.83Vrms at 1m)
2nd and 3rd harmonics (90dB, 1m on axis)
THD <1 % 70Hz - 20kHz
THD <0.6% 120Hz - 20kHz
8 Ohm (minimum 4.6 Ohm)
50W - 120W into 8 Ohm on unclipped programme
424mm (16.7 in)
238mm (9.4 in)
345mm (13.6 in)
12.6kg (28lb)

DB3D

Net weight 25kg
Dimensions:
Height: 360mm (14.1 in)
Width: 320mm (12.6 in)
Depth: 300mm (11.8 in)

Drive units
2 x 200mm (8 in) Aerofoil cone drive units in a balanced configuration
Frequency response 10Hz - 350 Hz -3dB (centered on level at 100Hz)
Technical features
1000w Class D Hypex amplifier
2 x 200mm (8 in) Aerofoil cone drive units in a balanced configuration
Digital preamplifier with Dynamic EQ
App-based set-up and BT-LE control
Frequency range -6dB at 8.5Hz - 500Hz
Max power output 1000W
Inputs 2 x XLR, 2 x RCA, 2 x 3.5mm 12V trigger, RS-232 - 9-pin D connector