Bowers & Wilkins Model 801 Series 80 Speakers on Sound Anchor Stands

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General:
Vintage Bowers & Wilkins speakers are a favorite for audiophiles and sound engineers due to their accurate uncolored sound, their reliably, and overall quality. 

This particular set of 801 Series 80 speakers are living proof of that statement as they recently arrived in our shop from a professional classical recording studio. 

There were several iterations of the 801's over the years, with the biggest difference being the porting of the massive woofer. This particular model is the sealed cabinet edition.

In my opinion, these sound more natural and more musical than the modern equivalent which tend to be hyper-realistic and a bit fatiguing. I can listen to this model for hours without a hint of fatigue.

Best of all, many studio recordings were mixed using this model, which gives you the most honest and accurate representation of what the recording engineer was shooting for.

This set of 801 speakers will come will come mounted on Sound Anchor stands made specifically for the 801 Series 80. They are shown in our listing photos.

Also this listing comes with an option to install a pair of upgraded crossovers from "Crossover Chef". From the drop-down menu on the top of this listing you can choose to leave the original B&W crossovers installed, or upgrade to the Crossover Chef version for $1,000.00 extra. Included in this extra cost in our labor to installed these upgraded crossovers.

We will ship these anywhere within the lower 48 US States for a flat $1,000.00. This figure includes reusable packing materials, packing and palletizing, and the actual truck freight cost with door to door delivery.

We also ship worldwide so please contact us if you're outside of this area for a quote. Local Courier service is also available within about 50 miles from our zip 07452 for a fee.

From Crossover Chef:

"In return you will hear a more powerful and better extended low frequency output, a more dynamic and cleaner midrange, and smoother, higher resolution highs. The speaker will come to life with new levels of detail and dimension."

SkyFi Cosmetic Notes:
Some marks visible near the bottom of both cabinets. Light scratches are seen on the sides. They present well for their age.

Brand Background:
Excellence, uncompromised and uncompromising. The world’s most famous recording studios demand Bowers & Wilkins 800 Series loudspeakers, for no other reason than they represent the pinnacle of sonic supremacy.

Ownership:
Single Owner

Connections:
Speaker binding posts

General Sound:
Accurate to the recording

Cosmetic Condition:
8/10 = Very Good. Excellent front faceplate, one minor flaw on chassis side or top. See our detailed rating description here.

Working Condition:
Working perfectly and tested in our lab and listening room.

Included:
Speakers, Stands and Optional Crossovers.

Packing:
Will be packed using our highly developed in-house process and custom packing materials.Reviews:
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Specs:
Type: 3-way, 3 driver loudspeaker system
Frequency Response: 45 Hz to 20 kHz
Impedance: 8Ω
Sensitivity: 85 dB
Bass: 1 x 270mm cone
Midrange: 1 x 100mm cone
Tweeter: 1 x 26mm dome
Enclosure: closed box
Available Finishes: black ash, rosewood, teak or walnut

Dimensions - Each Speaker:
39-11/16" H x 17" W x  22" D

Weight - Each Speaker
110 lbs.

Recommended Cables:
Kimber Kable - Speaker Cables - Good

Kimber Kable - Speaker Cables - Better

Testing Process:
Our speaker evaluation process starts with a visual inspection of all drivers. We are looking for damaged or deteriorating woofer surrounds, dented tweeter domes, and cone damage. We also inspect the speaker connection points for loose or broken connectors.

After the initial visual inspection we connect the speakers to a reference amplifier with our preferred test tracks. With the speakers placed with proper distance we listen to each driver to make sure that they are producing the intended frequencies with no signs of distortion or rattle.

During listening tests with test tracks we check for proper stereo imaging and bass response at various listening levels. If there are any audible signs of issues, the speakers are taken to the bench where we perform a frequency sweep to isolate the issue so that it can be resolved by component repair or replacement.

Our subwoofer evaluation process starts with a visual inspection of all drivers. We are looking for damaged or deteriorating woofer surrounds, cone damage, or rubbing voice coils. We also inspect the input connections for damage.

After the initial visual inspection we connect the sub at our bench and perform a sine wave sweep from about 200 Hz down to around 10 Hz. During this sweep we are listening for excessive rattle or other signs of improper function.

If the sweep passes we then increase the input level to evaluate how the woofer performs at high output levels. If the woofer has built-in crossover adjustments or multiple connection options these features are tested at this time.

We complete the subwoofer evaluation by feeding the unit with an audio signal in conjunction with our house music system to see how it responds to low frequency content in real world conditions while paired with a full range system.