Bowers & Wilkins (B&W) is a prestigious British consumer and professional loudspeaker and headphone manufacturer founded in 1966 in Worthing, West Sussex, by John Bowers and Roy Wilkins after meeting in the Royal Corps of Signals during WWII. The breakthrough came when wealthy opera singer Miss Knight left Bowers £10,000 in her 1966 will, enabling full-time speaker development. B&W's first commercial speaker, the 1967 P1, used EMI woofers and Celestion tweeters, leading to the revolutionary 1993 'Nautilus' flagship with tapered tube design that remains their premium product. The company has maintained its commitment to innovation for over 50 years, partnering with Abbey Road Studios, Aston Martin, BMW, McLaren, and Volvo. Currently owned by Masimo (acquired via Sound United in 2020), with May 2025 plans to sell to Samsung's Harman International for $350 million, B&W continues manufacturing speakers, wireless audio systems, headphones, and soundbars from their Netherlands headquarters while preserving John Bowers' original culture and excellence standards.
Founded: 1966
The "Potafes 2025 Nagoya" portable audio event will be held on October 4 in Chūnichi Hall, Nagoya. Admission is free.
Notable exhibits include Ultimate Ears' "UE6+Pro", featuring a hybrid driver setup, and Jomo Audio's "Nautic Stellar" with 8-driver configurations.
Commemorating Nagoya Ōsu store's 10th anniversary, a special OSU10 earphone priced at ¥11,000 will be released, showcasing a unique design.
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Bowers & Wilkins has launched the PX8 S2, a redesigned flagship wireless headphone featuring premium materials like Nappa leather and aluminum arms for enhanced comfort and durability.
The PX8 S2 introduces upgraded carbon cone drivers optimized for high-resolution audio (96kHz/24bit), delivering improved sound clarity, precision, and dynamic range.
Design enhancements include slimmer earcups for better ergonomics, exposed cabling inspired by previous models, and refined aesthetics that emphasize luxury.
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Harman, a subsidiary of Samsung, acquired Sound United from Masimo for $350 million, integrating brands like Bowers & Wilkins, Denon, and Marantz.
Masimo, originally in medical technology, sold Sound United as part of restructuring to focus exclusively on healthcare solutions.
Harman's acquisition expands its audio portfolio, adding to brands like JBL and Harman Kardon, and aims to leverage synergies among their technologies.
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HiFi.De
Enhanced Audio Performance:** The Bowers & Wilkins 707 Prestige Edition introduces cutting-edge technology for unparalleled sound clarity, building on the 707 S3 model.
Premium Materials:** Featuring Santos Rosewood veneer with 12-layer lacquer finish, the speaker exudes luxury and robust acoustic properties.
Advanced Tweeter Design:** Incorporates optimized tweeter mesh from the D4 Signature series, enhancing resolution and spatial representation.
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The 3rd B&W Summer Festival occurred at Villa Schellbach in Baden-Baden on August 25, 2025, featuring audio and automotive highlights.
Showcased were Bowers & Wilkins' new 700 Signature series, the 800 series, and the iconic Nautilus speakers, among others.
Attendees experienced the exclusive Abbey Road edition of the 801 D4 speakers paired with Marantz 10 series components.
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lowbeats
MartinLogan Neolith Loudspeakers**: Renowned for massive dynamics and resolution, delivering transparency and soundstage excellence, priced at $119,999.
Bowers & Wilkins 801 Abbey Road Limited Edition**: Exclusive design inspired by Abbey Road Studios, limited to 140 pairs, priced at $70,000 per pair.
Kaleidescape Strato E Movie Player**: Features lossless audio and reference video quality, redefining home theater luxury, priced at $2,995.
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Ecoustics
Technics EAH-AZ100TWS headphones feature 10mm aluminum diaphragm drivers with magnetic fluid technology, delivering balanced sound and adaptive noise cancellation using feed-forward and feedback microphones.
Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones utilize HD Noise Cancelling Processor QN3 with 12 microphones for comprehensive noise reduction, offering 30-hour battery life and LDAC codec support for detailed audio reproduction.
Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 headphones combine aptX Lossless codec, advanced DSP and DAC circuits, and eight microphones for immersive audio and effective noise cancellation.
The Focal Bathys MG headphones feature magnesium drivers, achieving audiophile-grade sound quality in wireless active noise-canceling headphones.
Bowers & Wilkins' Px7 S2e and Px8 models stand out for their luxurious design and warm, detailed soundstage performance.
Sony's WH-1000XM6 and WF-1000XM5 models offer advanced noise cancellation, dynamic sound tuning, and improved ergonomic designs.
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Ecoustics
This high-fidelity haven showcases a McIntosh MC352 amplifier's sheer power coupled with the detailed clarity of B&W 803D3 speakers, presenting an audio experience that’s as pure as it is powerful.
Nestled within a carefully arranged space, this home theater setup strikes a remarkable balance between aesthetic elegance and auditory excellence. Central to the experience is a state-of-the-art flat