Bowers & Wilkins
Bowers and Wilkins B&W 802 Series 3N
Best floorstanding speakers for dedicated audiophiles seeking uncompromising sound quality.
Immerse yourself in unparalleled audio fidelity with the Bowers and Wilkins B&W 802 Series 3N speakers. These premium floorstanding loudspeakers are meticulously engineered for discerning audiophiles, delivering exceptional clarity and dynamic range for a truly captivating listening experience. Designed for serious listening setups, they represent a significant investment in superior sound reproduction. For detailed product information or to arrange local pickup, please contact HiFi Sound directly.
$2999.00
Owner Satisfaction
4.7
/ 5
Category Rank
510
/ 6903
#510 in Speakers
Price vs Category Average
+105%
Above average
Brand
Bowers and Wilkins
/ Bowers and Wilkins
Who it's for
- Listeners with large rooms needing authoritative, deep bass response
- Audiophiles prioritizing vocal realism and intricate instrumental detail
- Design enthusiasts seeking an iconic, high-end aesthetic statement
Who should skip it
- Budget-conscious buyers avoiding expensive, high-current amplification requirements
- Apartment dwellers lacking the space for massive, heavy cabinets
- Shoppers preferring modern gear over vintage maintenance responsibilities
Performance breakdown
Sonic Transparency
Reveals subtle textures in recordings that lesser speakers simply gloss over.
Soundstage Depth
Creates a wide, three-dimensional image that places instruments with pinpoint accuracy.
Dynamic Range
Handles sudden orchestral swells and quiet passages with effortless, natural poise.
Build Integrity
Robust cabinet construction minimizes resonance for a clean, undistorted output.
Connectivity Precision
XLR inputs ensure a balanced, interference-free signal path for professional-grade setups.
Placement Versatility
Requires careful room positioning to unlock its full acoustic potential.
Key Specs
Brand
Bowers and Wilkins
Model
802 Series 3N
Category
Speakers
Speaker Type
Floorstanding
Mounting Type
Freestanding
Audio Input Type
XLR
Wireless Capability
No
Features
- Premium audio reproduction
- High-clarity sound staging
- Dynamic performance engineering
- Exceptional clarity and range
- Designed for serious listening
- Superior sound reproduction
What customers say
Owners revere the B&W 802 Series 3N for its exceptional sonic detail and transparency. The iconic Kevlar midrange driver delivers vocals and instruments with stunning realism, creating an expansive, three-dimensional soundstage for immersive listening. Reviewers consistently praise the robust, timeless build quality, noting the speaker's ability to maintain composure and separation even with complex music at high volumes. The core satisfaction centers on its revealing accuracy, making it a true reference monitor. A key consideration is that these speakers demand high-current amplification for optimal performance. Despite this requirement, the consensus is that the 802 Series 3N offers performance rivaling modern flagships, representing a deeply satisfying investment for serious audiophiles.
Know before you buy
The 802 Series 3N are high-performance floorstanding speakers that thrive with a powerful, high-current amplifier. Because they feature XLR inputs, they are best paired with a dedicated pre-amplifier or a high-end integrated amp that can handle the demands of a serious audiophile setup.
No, these are strictly wired, passive loudspeakers. They do not have built-in wireless capabilities, Bluetooth, or Wi-Fi, which is standard for this caliber of high-fidelity equipment.
As large floorstanding speakers, they perform best in medium-to-large listening rooms where they have enough space to breathe. You should allow for some distance from the walls to ensure the soundstage remains open and the low-end frequencies don't become muddy.
The XLR input allows for a balanced connection, which is excellent for reducing noise and interference in your signal chain. This is particularly beneficial if you are running longer cable lengths from your amplifier to the speakers.
The 802 Series 3N are designed to provide a full-range, dynamic sound profile on their own. While some listeners may choose to add a subwoofer for extreme low-end reinforcement in home theater applications, most will find the natural range and clarity of these speakers sufficient for high-end music listening.
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