Audio Systems
Bowers & Wilkins
British Audio Engineering for the World's Finest Listening Environments
Request System DesignOverview
Bowers & Wilkins is the most respected name in high-fidelity loudspeaker design — a British audio company whose 800 Series Diamond monitors are the reference standard at Abbey Road Studios, Skywalker Sound, and the world's premier recording facilities.
Founded in 1966 in Worthing, England by John Bowers, B&W has spent nearly six decades pursuing acoustic perfection. Their proprietary technologies — Continuum cone, Diamond tweeter, and Turbine Head — represent the pinnacle of transducer engineering.
At Peters Audio Video, we specify Bowers & Wilkins for clients who demand audiophile-grade sound quality in both dedicated listening rooms and architectural whole-home applications. From the iconic 800 D4 to discreet CI 800 in-wall speakers, B&W delivers a level of sonic refinement that no other manufacturer matches across such a broad product range.
Why We Specify
Why Peters Audio Video Installs Bowers & Wilkins
800 Series Diamond is the reference monitor at Abbey Road Studios — if it's good enough for the world's most iconic recording studio, it's good enough for your home
Continuum cone technology eliminates the 'breakup modes' that cause distortion in conventional driver materials — cleaner, more transparent midrange reproduction
Diamond dome tweeters extend high-frequency response to 28kHz+ with zero resonance, delivering detail that conventional tweeters simply cannot resolve
CI 800 architectural speakers bring 800 Series technology into walls and ceilings without compromising the speaker's acoustic design
Formation wireless speakers integrate B&W sound quality into multi-room audio systems with minimal installation complexity
Every B&W product is designed in Steyning, England with an obsessive focus on acoustic accuracy that audiophiles and music professionals universally respect
Product Categories
800 Series Diamond
The flagship floorstanding series — 801 D4, 802 D4, 803 D4, and 804 D4 — featuring Diamond dome tweeters, Continuum cones, and Turbine Head enclosures. The reference standard for luxury listening rooms.
700 Series
The performance sweet spot — delivering much of 800 Series technology in more compact, room-friendly enclosures. Ideal for living rooms and media rooms where floorstanding speakers fit architecturally.
CI 800 In-Wall/In-Ceiling
Architectural speakers that bring 800 Series technology into walls and ceilings. Designed for luxury environments where visual discretion is essential but sonic compromise is unacceptable.
DB Series Subwoofers
Sealed-box and ported subwoofers with DSP room correction. The DB1 is one of the most refined subwoofers available for music-focused systems.
HTM Centre Channels
Dedicated center channel speakers matching the tonal character of each B&W series — critical for dialog clarity and theater coherence.
Formation Wireless
B&W's wireless multi-room audio system — Formation Duo, Bar, Wedge, and Flex deliver B&W sound quality with minimal installation complexity.
Smart Home Integration
Bowers & Wilkins & Whole-Home Automation
B&W speakers integrate with all major amplification brands — McIntosh, Classe, Bryston, and Pass Labs — and are driven by Savant, Crestron, or Control4 automation for volume, source selection, and scene management.
The CI 800 series integrates into standard construction with New Construction Brackets and Retrofit Brackets — we pre-wire during framing and install trim after painting.
Formation wireless products connect to Savant and Control4 for multi-room audio control without dedicated amplifier racks — ideal for guest rooms and secondary spaces.
Luxury Home Applications
Dedicated Listening Rooms
800 Series Diamond floorstanding speakers with McIntosh amplification — the ultimate two-channel audiophile environment with acoustic treatment and optimized room geometry.
Home Theater Surrounds
800 or 700 Series front stage with CI architectural surrounds and overhead Atmos channels — maintaining B&W's tonal coherence across all channels in a Dolby Atmos theater.
Architectural Whole-Home Audio
CI 800 in-ceiling speakers throughout the home deliver audiophile-grade distributed audio that disappears into the architecture while filling rooms with reference-quality sound.
Living Room Stereo Systems
700 Series floorstanding or bookshelf speakers in living environments where the speakers serve as both a design element and a high-performance audio system.
Specification Review
Choosing Bowers & Wilkins for Your Home
Compare the specific equipment proposed for your rooms, not the brand name alone. Bowers & Wilkins families discussed on this page include 800 Series Diamond, 700 Series, CI 800 In-Wall/In-Ceiling, DB Series Subwoofers, HTM Centre Channels, Formation Wireless. Availability, model specifications, firmware and third-party integration support need confirmation before a final design.
- Room fit: Request a model-level schedule showing where each component will be used, its mounting and power requirements, and any architectural compromises.
- Integration evidence: Identify the supported connection or driver for each required function. Separate physical compatibility from actual command support and test behavior when internet access is unavailable.
- Complete scope: Compare equipment, infrastructure, configuration, commissioning and documentation together. Confirm subscriptions, licenses, warranty terms and ongoing support separately in the proposal.
Useful project details: Your listening areas, preferred music services, ceiling details and whether speakers should be visible or concealed.
Request System DesignOur Process
How We Install Bowers & Wilkins
Discovery & Design
Every Bowers & Wilkins installation begins with a comprehensive consultation. We evaluate your home's architecture, existing infrastructure, and lifestyle needs to develop a detailed system proposal with room-by-room specifications and control interface design.
Architectural Coordination
For new builds and renovations, our team coordinates directly with architects and builders during the design phase — ensuring Bowers & Wilkins infrastructure (conduit runs, power, equipment closets) is properly planned before walls close.
Professional Installation
Installation requirements depend on the selected Bowers & Wilkins equipment: mounting, cabling, ventilation, power and configuration are coordinated with the project scope. Documentation records the installed components and relevant connections.
Calibration & Commissioning
After installation, we verify the specified Bowers & Wilkins functions and system connections. Applicable audio, video or control settings are commissioned for the room, with owner orientation and documentation appropriate to the equipment.
Why Choose Peters Audio Video for Bowers & Wilkins
Design-Led Specification
We recommend Bowers & Wilkins only where it suits the room, the architecture and how you live — and explain the alternatives we considered, so the choice is yours.
Long-Term Stewardship
Ongoing care for your Bowers & Wilkins system can include applicable updates, monitoring and planned changes. Services, response arrangements and eligibility depend on the written support agreement.
Charlotte-Based Expertise
Based in Charlotte and focused on luxury residential technology. Consultations and on-site work are scheduled around the agreed project scope; select larger projects are considered nationwide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Bowers & Wilkins speakers cost?
B&W pricing spans from $1,000/pair for entry-level 600 Series to $38,000/pair for the flagship 801 D4. For luxury home installations, most clients invest $5,000–$30,000 in front-stage speakers and $3,000–$15,000 in architectural speakers for distributed audio.
Are B&W speakers worth the price?
For clients who value music reproduction, the answer is emphatically yes. The 800 Series Diamond is the speaker of choice at Abbey Road Studios and major film studios worldwide — there is no higher endorsement of sonic accuracy. The CI 800 architectural line brings that DNA into luxury walls and ceilings.
What amplifier should I pair with B&W?
McIntosh, Classe (B&W's sister company), and Bryston are our most common pairings. McIntosh + B&W is the classic luxury combination — both brands share a commitment to build quality, performance, and timeless design.
Can B&W speakers be used for home theater?
Absolutely. B&W speakers are used in mastering studios for film soundtracks. A 5.1.4 Dolby Atmos theater with 800 Series front stage and CI 800 surrounds/overheads delivers cinematic sound quality that rivals commercial post-production facilities.
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Design Your Bowers & Wilkins System
Every Bowers & Wilkins installation begins with a conversation about your home, your lifestyle, and the experience you want technology to deliver.