When a recording is mixed at Abbey Road Studios, it is very likely being heard through Bowers & Wilkins speakers. The same is true at Skywalker Sound. That is not a marketing line, it is the reason this brand matters: if the people who make the music and the films trust these speakers to tell them the truth, you can trust them to play it back to you the way it was meant to be heard.
Bowers & Wilkins was founded in 1966 by John Bowers in Worthing, England, with a single ambition that has not shifted since: reproduce sound faithfully, without adding to it or taking anything away. Nearly sixty years later, B&W is one of the most respected names in audio anywhere in the world, and the brand people move to when they want music to sound real rather than merely loud.
The technology behind the sound
B&W engineering is unusually inventive, and the names on the spec sheet all correspond to something you can actually hear. Diamond dome tweeters, used in the flagship range, are extraordinarily rigid, which keeps high frequencies clean and detailed rather than harsh. The distinctive tweeter-on-top design isolates that driver from cabinet vibration for a more open, spacious top end. Continuum cone midrange drivers deliver vocals and instruments with a naturalness that is hard to overstate, and Aerofoil profile bass drivers move air with control rather than bloat. In listening terms, all of that adds up to a sound that is detailed, spacious, dynamic and genuinely lifelike, the audio equivalent of stepping closer to the stage.
Understanding the range
The B&W speaker range is best understood as a ladder, and knowing what each step gives you makes the decision far easier.
The 600 Series brings genuine B&W engineering, including technologies trickled down from the reference range, to a price a lot of people can reach. It is the honest way into the brand, and it embarrasses most speakers near it.
The 700 Series steps up with more advanced drivers, better cabinets and the iconic tweeter-on-top configuration. This is where B&W starts to sound properly special, and it is where many people happily stop.
The 800 Series Diamond is the one used in the world's great studios, including Abbey Road. Diamond dome tweeters, exceptional cabinets, and the kind of resolution that reveals things in records you have known for decades. It demands a serious system and a serious room, and it rewards both.
Beyond the passive speaker range, B&W also makes active subwoofers to anchor the low end, wireless speakers that bring the same sound quality to effortless streaming, award-winning headphones, and custom install speakers designed to disappear into ceilings and walls. Whatever form you want it in, the sound signature carries across.
Which one is right for you? That depends on your room, your amplifier and how far you want to take it, and it is exactly the kind of question we are here to answer.
Why buy Bowers & Wilkins from Living Entertainment
B&W speakers reveal what you feed them, which means matching them well matters more than it does with most brands. Pair them properly and they are breathtaking. Pair them poorly and you will not hear what you paid for. We know this range and what it needs, and we will help you get the amplifier, the series and the setup right, whether you are buying your first pair or building a reference system. You get genuine advice before you buy and real support after, plus fast free shipping anywhere in Australia.
Bowers & Wilkins frequently asked questions
Which Bowers & Wilkins series should I buy?
It depends on your room, your system and your budget. The 600 Series suits most rooms and most systems beautifully. The 700 Series is the step up for listeners chasing more resolution and scale. The 800 Series Diamond is for serious systems in serious rooms. Tell us what you have and we will point you to the right rung.
Are Bowers & Wilkins speakers good for home theatre?
Very. The range includes dedicated centre channels, surrounds and subwoofers, and B&W speakers are used in professional film sound facilities for exactly this reason. A matched B&W system is one of the most convincing home cinema setups you can build.
Do Bowers & Wilkins speakers need a powerful amplifier?
They benefit from good amplification more than most. It is less about raw watts and more about quality: a well-matched amplifier will let them show you what they can do. We can help you match one properly.
What makes Bowers & Wilkins different from other premium speakers?
The engineering is genuinely proprietary rather than off-the-shelf, and the brand's studio heritage means the speakers are voiced for accuracy rather than flattery. They tell you the truth about a recording, which is why professionals use them.
Where can I buy Bowers & Wilkins in Australia?
Right here. We ship the B&W range free anywhere in Australia, with expert advice before and after your purchase.