According to Bowers & Wilkins, its new 800 Series Diamonds “massively elevates loudspeaker performance,” even compared with its highly regarded previous efforts.
The new 800 Series Diamond is the result of an intensive seven-year project. The fundamental evolution of the range is such that almost all of the component parts are different from the outgoing 800 Series Diamond.
“This is not an update. This is a completely re-imagined design,” stated Bowers & Wilkins head of research Martial Rousseau. “One of the few remaining elements is the Diamond tweeter. We found it impossible to improve on the performance offered by diamond, although behind the diamond dome, the motor system was improved considerably.”
The rest of the loudspeaker, however, has been thoroughly over-hauled, including a vast number of technological, engineering, and acoustic changes. Most striking, the company says, is the transformation of the midrange drive units. A new Continuum cone, developed in-house by Bowers & Wilkins engineers, replaces the Kevlar cones that have long been a major factor of the 800 Series’ famously realistic midrange performance. The Continuum cone takes, what Bowers & Wilkins considers the best acoustic aspects of Kevlar further. Bass performance has also been improved by the introduction of the Aerofoil cone, which considerably reduces distortion thanks to a new variable profile cone geometry more advanced sandwich construction.
These innovations, when teamed with dramatically improved cabinets, more robust Matrix bracing system, a new solid body tweeter assembly and an improved Turbine head midrange enclosure means distortion has been reduced dramatically in every regard, revealing a level of clarity that seems inconceivable, the company says.
