Bowers & Wilkins (Baohua Weijian) 805 D4: exquisite shape and tone

2021/10/0910:47:03 digitals 1483

Recently, in my enthusiast WeChat group, I found that someone had posted screenshots of the 800 D4 series webpage, which indirectly revealed the news that Bowers & Wilkins (hereinafter referred to as "B&W") will release the new generation of 800 Diamond series. Just after the magazine was published at the end of last month, B&W gave me an unexpected surprise, that is a pair of 805 D4 bookshelf speakers . Seeing such a fresh and hot product, my natural reaction was to unpack it and listen to it. While listening, I took some photos and uploaded them to the Moments of Friends and WeChat groups to post them, so that everyone would be envious. I remember listening to the previous generation of 805 D3 in 2019, when I was listening to the 805 D3 premium version, the cabinet was made of Santos mahogany. But when I saw the craftsmanship of the 805 D4, my first feeling was "it’s more noble!" The board design is almost integrated with the color of the nameplate and the terminal block

brand new 800 D4 series

brand new 800 D4 series includes four floor-standing speakers 801 D4, 802 D4, 803 D4, 804D4, HTM81 D4 and HTM82 D4 has two center speakers, and the 805 D4 is the only bookshelf speaker in the entire series. The entire series can be used as a two-channel stereo sound or as a home theater audio system. The 800 series speakers are B&W's outstanding representative works all the time, and they are updated from generation to generation. Today's new 800 D4 series, its overall design must be further improved on the basis of the previous generation 800 D3. I read the introduction sent by the official, 800 D4 still inherited the speaker unit used in 800 D3, and then continued to optimize the cabinet design, including acoustics and appearance, the purpose is to give customers visual and auditory aspects Improve again. Since the model in this review is 805 D4,So let's focus on the 805 D4!

800 D4 full series, there are a total of 7 models

focus on appearance decoration, pay more attention to the rigidity of the cabinet

from 805 D3 to 805 D4, the appearance has really changed a lot, more Pay attention to decoration, and the visual effect is more beautiful. The front panel of the 805 D4 is curved. The top is an aluminum top plate and a wallet is attached. It looks more high-end, and the 805 D4 I received is a black piano lacquer version, with a shiny black appearance. It is a strong taste of luxury. Compared with the previous generation, the back plate of the 805 D4 is flat. The entire back plate is a gray metal plate, decorated with uneven strips. This back plate can be combined with four mirror-like metals. The binding posts and the nameplate with the words "805 D4" printed on it look quite coordinated. Although the back panel of the speaker is not seen by the user during normal use, B&W also handles it. So meticulous.

805 D4 changes not only in appearance and decoration, but the arc-shaped box is actually made by bending a whole piece of wood. The purpose is to reduce the diffraction of sound waves on the front panel and edges, which can make the sense of hearing better. The focus of the sound image becomes clear. In addition, the internal structure of the box adopts an improved Matrix™ structure as a support to strengthen the rigidity of the box to reduce the impact of the vibration of the box, and to better reduce the sound dye , which can directly affect the midrange and The clarity of the bass is reproduced.

800 The D4 series cabinet is made by bending a whole piece of wood, coupled with aluminum beam support, very strong

frequency divider is installed on the metal back plate, what I have to say is , 805 D4 frequency divider is designed very simple, connect a capacitor and an inductor in series in the treble and bass parts respectively. The design of the frequency divider is simple, on the one hand, the advantage is that the power consumption of the power amplifier is smaller, and the power amplifier can give more power to the speaker unit, which is high in efficiency and easy to drive. When I auditioned, I used a combined power amplifier with an output power of 75W to push the 805 D4 into a look.The bass speed, control, and the spread of the sound field are all excellent. On the other hand, the unit's own characteristics are good, the performance in the usable frequency band is smooth, and the other parts can drop quickly, which can simplify the design of the frequency divider.

Continue the diamond tweeter

805 D4, as the name implies, the new product still uses the diamond tweeter. One day, driven by curiosity, I took out the macro lens and shot the details of the speaker unit with external auxiliary light. After the picture was enlarged, it can be observed that the surface of the 805 D4's tweeter diaphragm is grainy, like powder. Same. This diamond diaphragm of B&W is a CVD diamond, which is a kind of man-made diamond. B&W company has been using it since 2005, and it still uses 800 D4 today. As for what CVD diamond is, you will know it by searching on Baidu. The purpose of using CVD diamond diaphragm is because of its hardness, which can push the divided vibration frequency of the tweeter to the high frequency range, and push it up to the human ear's perception of high frequency.

805 D4 CVD diamond diaphragm tweeter shot with macro lens, the surface of the diaphragm can be observed through the mesh cover is grainy

Continuum™ mid-woofer

Continuum ™ mid-woofer is used from 800 D3 to replace the "Caveron" diaphragm mid-woofer that has been used for many years. The 805 D4 uses a 6.5-inch caliber specification for mid- and low-frequency replay, while other floor-standing speaker models with three-way design use a 5-inch caliber, which is only used for mid-frequency replay. Look at the Continuum™ diaphragm under the macro lens. It is also a woven diaphragm. However, B&W did not elaborate on the technical points of this unit.

However, from the official distortion index data, the 805 D4 is a 6.5-inch 2-way 2-unit bookshelf speaker with a mid-woofer specification. The performance is indeed quite powerful. On the premise of 1 meter distance and 90dB sound pressure level output, the frequency response range of 90Hz～20kHz is <1%,the>

6.5-inch Continuum™ mid-woofer

clean, fresh and delicate

I remember that I have had a long history since I knew B&W speakers for a long time I feel that B&W’s bass sounds a sense of swelling, and need to be matched with a bass "slim" power amplifier or player to neutralize the B&W’s sound characteristics, but this characteristic has undergone huge changes since the 800 D3 series, mainly because The bass became clean and clear, and the clarity of the sound sounded greatly increased, which suddenly changed everyone's subjective impression of B&W, which can be described as a successful weight loss.

Since the first day of the arrival of the 805 D4, I have used it to listen to different music, regardless of the quality of the production, I will listen to it on the 805 D4. Its sound gives me the first feeling that it is clean, fresh and delicate. The treble sounds very distinctive, with fresh and bright lines, wide and thorough, especially after listening to the Spendor SA1 and then listening to the 805 D4, the difference in style is the difference of one ear. SA1 emphasizes the warm and soft tone, which can be easily adapted to the feeling of one ear, while the 805 D4 pursues clarity, refreshment, and power, attracting your attention with details and speed, and the sound resolution and sound field of the 805 D4 The degree of expansion is quite high, the 6.5-inch caliber can also hear the bass slamming deep, and the full range sounds unambiguous.

Play Baroque music in a meticulously crafted way

After listening to the 805 D4 for a few days, I adjusted it a bit and replaced it with the old AudioQuest CV-6 speaker cable. Under the influence of the wire, when listening to the 805 D4 at the same volume setting, the treble will be more stable, the brightness of the sound in the sense of hearing will be reduced, and the midrange will become relatively dense. Listening to those magnificent baroque music works, the 805 D4 can be described with great care,Listening to the Hogwood version of "Vivaldi "Four Seasons"" and the Pinnock version of " water music", the performance of the sound effects is really top-notch level, the sound characteristics between the records are quite distinct, the former is exquisite and gorgeous , The latter is neutral and atmospheric, and the excellent resolution of the 805 D4 allows the sound and image of each instrument to be presented very, very clearly in front of you, especially the sound of the string is particularly transparent and gorgeous under the rendering of the 805 D4. , With a noble temperament, the line sense of string music is fully visible, and the line sense of this sound is very beautiful, very beautiful, or high-definition, which can give people an amazing feeling. The ears are attracted. At the same time, the sound of the 805 D4 is clean, fast, compact, and smooth, and the fast and slow rhythm of the music is accurately grasped under its replay.

satisfied me with "Viniavsky's first violin concerto"

What impressed me most was listening to Shaham's "Viniavsky's first violin concerto" , The recording is very good, and the performance is also one of Shaham’s outstanding performances. I found this record on a whim from the record cabinet. I have also put it on some speakers before. The equipment with insufficient resolution is not only messy when the band is playing in unison, but also if the low frequency is not clean enough, the bass part of the cello basically sounds like a crowded feeling, and the 805 D4 is a bookshelf speaker that makes me feel satisfied. The reason lies in the excellent resolution and openness of the 805 D4. The key is that when the band plays in unison, the level and resolution are very clear, especially the part of the cello group that is the easiest to blur. The texture and texture are also heard on the 805 D4. level. And when I listen in the near field, I can still feel the depth of the sound field, which is a depth that extends to the back of the speaker.

Summary

The new generation of 805 D4, it has made more detailed improvements in appearance, the visual effect is more refined, noble, more beautiful, and more luxurious. But the appearance is one of them. The 805 D4 is further optimized from the cabinet design.The shape of the box body is further optimized, and the internal structure of the box body is further optimized. The purpose is to give customers a further visual and auditory enjoyment. And its sound reproduction effect, just like its appearance, is meticulously crafted, has excellent details and transparency, the sound field is highly open, and the full frequency is clear, clean, and easy to drive. It can be said to be a kind of look. Progress you can see and hear.