Skim through the spec sheet for these B&W speakers and the 90dB/w/m sensitivity and 8 ohm nominal impedance won't give much of a clue to the 804Ss' thirst for watts.
However, drive them with anything less than a 150-watt amplifier and you'll find the sonic results rather flat. Get things right though by using something like our 300 watts per channel reference Brystons, and they really come to life. And we mean really…
Favour the low frequencies
In certain areas these B&Ws are outstanding: their midrange is wonderfully fluid and transparent, while all kinds of music is delivered in a fast, detailed and incredibly articulate fashion.These 804S floorstanders also deliver an impressive amount of bass, and their treble is alluring.
To criticise, we'd like greater midrange bite and better cohesion between the bass, mid and treble. However, they're still a lot of fun.
B&W 804S review
Exceptional in certain areas, but not as rounded as the very best under £3000 Tested at £2700.00
What Hi-Fi? Verdict
Exceptional in certain areas, but not as rounded as the very best under £3000
Pros
- +
Deliver an impressive amount of bass
Cons
- -
Not as cohesive as we would like between the bass, mid and treble
Why you can trust What Hi-Fi? Our expert team reviews products in dedicated test rooms, to help you make the best choice for your budget. Find out more about how we test.
