• AddThis Social Bookmark Button

B&W Signature Diamond Loudspeakers Reviewed


  • December 4, 2008

| Print Page | Adjust Font Size:

Free Home Theater Review Weekly Newsletter.

Enter your e-mail below to get Home Theater Review's weekly newsletter with the latest equipment reviews and home theater news sent directly to your inbox.


*Required

bandw-signature-diamond.jpgA sea-change is affecting high-end speakers. It's a result of manufacturers realizing that the only way they're going to get decent sound into rooms where aesthetics matter is to design pretty speakers. In a nutshell, custom installation and hidden speakers have taken over an entire world ignored by and unknown to audiophiles: wealthy customers who can actually afford the stuff we dream about. They simply don't want to see the stuff.

But we, the hobbyists, know that the instant a speaker goes in the wall, the sound is compromised beyond recovery. So this admirable action from commercially savvy manufacturers is about the survival of standalone primary speakers in serious sound systems not owned by audio enthusiasts.

Briefly, we all know that brands like Sonus faber, MartinLogan and a couple of others are default recommendations when someone asks about "speakers that won't make my wife/interior decorator throw a hissy fit." Even more exciting of late to the house-proud, moneyed gadget lover are visual "statements" in which the looks have been as much a reason for purchase as the sound; these include the original, snail-shaped B&W Nautilus and the new KEF Muon. But something else has been added to the recipe, an idea borrowed or inspired by other luxury goods, such as watches and cars: limited edition status and the inherent status of cost-based exclusivity.

This preamble is necessary if you're to put the Bowers & Wilkins Signature Diamond into the correct context. While at no time am I suggesting that performance has been regarded as secondary by B&W at any stage in its creation, there is no doubt that much of the appeal - and justification for the outrageous price - will be a direct result of the limited production of 1000 pairs, 500 each in white or Wakame wood, and intrinsic exclusivity of a price that serves no other purpose than to affirm said prestige. And it doesn't hurt if a well-known industrial designer, in this case Kenneth Grange, has his or her hands all over the form.

B&W developed the Signature Diamond to mark its fortieth anniversary. Some brilliant copywriter came up with this statement, which you just have to love for its delightful cheek: "Yes, we know; diamonds should be reserved for sixtieth anniversaries. But then, were it not ahead of its time, it wouldn't be a B&W speaker."

So, regardless of the effort lavished on the form, the stunning finish, the materials and the pleasing shape, this boasts enough of the right stuff to tempt audiophiles: a diamond vapor deposit on the dome tweeter, the seven-inch woven Kevlar bass/midrange driver, the signature detail of an utterly inert, solid sculptured marble, free-standing housing for the tweeter. Make no mistake: this is far more than a cosmetics job.

In addition to the tweeter housing, which stands like a car mascot from the days before the health 'n' safety nannies made them illegal, the most distinctive and eye-pleasing element of the Signature Diamond is the non-boxy enclosure. While hardly radical - the shape has an egg-like cross section, tapering to the back - the compact dimensions and exquisite finish transform it into what a speaker of this elevated cost must suggest: sculpture.

It is made of formed plywood, it employs B&W's trademark Matrix innards and it is finished as nicely as anything I've seen - at least, the white ones are. I've not yet viewed the Wakame finish in person, but if it's anything like the woodwork on B&W's other upscale offerings, then none can fault it.

If anything jars about its physical presence, it has to be the size. I know, I know: we should focus on quality, not quantity. But a system of
eight 930 x 230 x 375mm (H/W/D) falls into the small floor-stander category. Whatever way you judge it, that simply doesn't sound like an £11,000 per pair speaker, and it's an observation that can be leveled at many of the Signature Diamond's rivals.

(Note from a worried Ken Kessler: The matter of "perceived value" is contentious and always will be. I'm just trying to address the way consumers respond to price tags. Someone who wouldn't balk at paying £75 for a mere mouthful of foie gras would freak out at spending £45 on a burger, even if made from Kobe beef. So, it's my belief that normal people would expect an £11,000 speaker to be massive. Not that normal people would even accept the mere notion of an £11,000 speaker ...)

Dr John Dibb, who designed anniversary models for the company's twenty-fifth and thirtieth, made sure that the sound was commensurate with the styling, and he visited my listening room to ensure that I would hear what he heard in his laboratory. Dibb is responsible for the use here of a newly-designed silver wire, hardwired in the crossover to match the silver/gold foil crossover components. He oversaw the shaping of all components, including the flow of the port in this two-way design, and it's clear he "voiced" the system. You've just gotta listen to a man who recognizes Billy Cotton in under a single revolution of the LP.

On paper? No knowledgeable audio enthusiast would show shock at a frequency response stated as -6dB at 32Hz and 33kHz, or 40-28kHz ±3dB on axis. Power shouldn't be an issue for someone shopping in this sector, so sensitivity of 88dB - what is now deemed low to medium - is no cause for fear.

Dr. Dibb set up the speakers with medium toe-in, and they were driven at various times by the Quad II-eighty and the McIntosh MC2102, with the Quad 99CDP II CD player/preamp, the McIntosh C2200 preamp and an analog front end of SME 30/Series V arm, with an Air-Tight moving coil cartridge, into the Audio Research PH5 phono stage. Wiring was Yter throughout.

If a single trait can endow a speaker with enough credibility to render it truly noteworthy, then - for me, at least - the B&W's portrayal of sheer scale is the standout element. No kidding: you'd be forgiven for thinking that the wall-to-wall/floor-to-ceiling span of the soundstage was coming from a well-developed dipole. The issue of free-standing tweeters and their superior dispersion finds an inarguable exponent here. With the gloriously huge-sounding performance of the aforementioned Billy Cotton spreading across the room, you could hear the hall in which it was recorded in all of its cavernous glory.

As with other high-end B&Ws I've heard, the detail and speed of the treble reproduction was ideally suited to producing convincing applause in this live recording. Equally, a bout of Nils Lofgren in full-on string-torturing mode exposed attack that I have no hesitation in regarding as utterly world-class. Impact, body, controlled decay, no overhang - seriously cutting-edge.

Indeed, the only concern I have is strictly personal: I found it at times a bit too sharp and too edgy, though neither more nor less sibilant than I would accept at this level. Well-recorded voices, as much as electric guitar, revealed this tendency, injecting just enough over-etched artifice into the soaring vocals of Jackie Wilson's "Doggin' Around" to suggest some sort of lift in the upper reaches.

This, however, is to me a B&W trait which endears the speakers to its more vehement supporters (who would argue that it's more accurate than everything else, and I am deaf). Conversely, the bass is so rich and full and solid that I can only marvel at such sheer scale and quantity from such a small enclosure. The way it handled the opening bass and drum component of the Four Season's "Walk Like a Man" thrills and delights. And yet ... for half the money, the prettier Sonus Faber Cremona M outperforms it in every parameter.

But these are not issues that will concern the target consumer, any more than fuel consumption figures cross the lips of the potential owner of a Bentley, nor worries of cancer affect the buyer of a big, fat Cohiba. What we see here is a terrific speaker wrapped in a gorgeous enclosure, the potential client having to accept that things like marble tweeter housings add to overall cost.

With any speaker where cosmetics are as important as sound, there are invariably compromises between the two. Sonically, scale and detail are world-class, bass is generous, but there's an identifiable trace of edgy "hi-fi" artifice, even with tubes. By loony audio standards, this is a £6000 speaker in a £5000 frock ... albeit a limited-edition, name-designer 'objet.' But for those to whom status matters, the sound/looks balance isn't an issue.

Style Vs. Substance
It's easy for audiophiles to be snobby about the need for gorgeous cabinets to seduce customers not impressed solely by sound. But that's why high-end audio has always struggled in the face of other luxury goods. Even allowing for the most extreme examples of odd personal taste, there is no such thing as an ugly Ferrari or a cheap-looking high-end watch. But cars are on the road, watches go on the wrist: speakers take over the room they're filling with sound.

I speak from personal experience of well-heeled music lovers torn between sound and looks. In my opinion, B&W has, with this speaker, tipped the balance of the two in favor of the speaker as an objet d'art. But it still qualifies as a serious high-end speaker. You just have to accept that good looks cost money, and that means using name designers. Kenneth Grange for B&W, Ross Lovegrove for KEF - wise choices. But God forbid someone calls on Tracey Emin or Damien Hirst.
Subscribe to the Newsletter
Subscribe to HomeTheaterReview.com's Weekly Newsletter to get the latest news, reviews and insight on the world of home theater, HDTV and audiophile equipment. Subscription is 100% FREE!
*Required
Email Marketing by VerticalResponse
subscribe to rss Subscribe with RSS
Follow home theater equipment reviews and daily news via our RSS feed.
Related Floor-Standing Speaker Reviews:
  • Comment on this article

    1
  • By greg

For me, equipment is made to reproduce music. You have the lower end products, then you have the all out top of the line products. These speakers fall into a category that says, you`ll have something different and unique, will sound good, maybe very good, but price performance per dollar value is not in the equation here.

In my opinion, these B&W`s are for those who are looking to make a statement. And the manufacturer, the same. So, this speaker is not for everybody.

Post a Comment

Please answer the following question (required) before posting to help us prevent Spam.


Featured Audio-Video News

Experiencing Your Dream Home Theater While On Vacation

Experiencing Your Dream Home Theater While On Vacation -

It isn't any news that the economy is in the dumps. Morphing your living room, garage or basement into the...

Latest Floor-Standing Speaker Reviews

Parker Audio 95MK II Loudspeakers Reviewed -

Chances are you've never heard of or seen a pair of Parker Audio 95MK II loudspeakers. Because of that fact, you're probably thinking they're some sort of uber-esoteric, high-end, ultra-expensive loudspeakers from some designer's garage in Munich. Well, you'd be... Click for more...

Vienna Acoustics Beethoven Baby Grand Loudspeaker Reviewed -

The Beethoven Baby Grand from Vienna Acoustics sits just below the Beethoven Grand in the Grand lineup of loudspeakers. The Baby Grand starts at $3,995 a pair for Maple, Cherry and Piano Black finishes and jumps to $4,400 a pair... Click for more...

Vienna Acoustics Schonberg Loudspeaker Reviewed -

Vienna Acoustics makes some of the finest looking loudspeakers available today and the Schonberg Loudspeaker, reviewed here, is no exception. Retailing for $1,495 a pair, clad in either silver or piano black lacquer, the Schonberg's are a design tour de... Click for more...

Magnepan MG 3.6 Planar-Magnetic Loudspeaker Reviewed -

There are good speakers. There are great speakers. However, few speakers are able to surpass mere greatness and cement themselves as the stuff of legend. Unless you're talking about the Magnepan MG 3.6 of course, which I am, and yes,... Click for more...

Klipsch RF-52 Floorstanding Loudspeakers Reviewed -

Part of its diverse Reference Series of slightly upmarket loudspeakers featuring a staggering twenty models, the Klipsch RF-52 Floorstanding Loudspeaker sits second from the bottom in its six-model floorstanding class (RF-83, RF-63, RF-82, RF-62, RF-52, RF-10). The $658.00 per pair... Click for more...

Home Theater Review 2009 Best of Awards -

For the first time, Home Theater Review com's editors have picked a select list of the best gear from many of our AV equipment categories. The winners are picked subjectively by our staff. In today's economy, value matters - this... Click for more...

Canton Chrono SL 580 DC Loudspeaker Reviewed -

OK, I admit it. I am attracted to tall, slim and beautiful...loudspeakers. No surprise, then, that the new Canton Chrono SL 580 DC floorstanding loudspeaker recently caught my eye. (Actually, I've also gotten attached to petite and plus-size models--of loudspeakers,... Click for more...

Totem Acoustic Wind Design Loudspeaker Reviewed -

The Totem Acoustic Wind Design is a unique-looking floor-standing loudspeaker that combines a rakish appearance with extremely high-quality drivers and construction. At $13,995 per pair suggested retail, the made-in-Canada Totem Wind Design is clearly a high-end loudspeaker - and looks... Click for more...

Dynaudio Sapphire Loudspeaker Reviewed -

Danish loudspeaker company Dynaudio is one of the few manufacturers that is both a supplier of raw drivers, and a provider of complete, high-end loudspeakers for consumer and professional audio. (They also supply drivers and systems for automobiles.) As such,... Click for more...

Meridian DSP5200 Digital Active Loudspeaker -

Meridian is well known among audiophiles and music lovers as a company offering audio components and loudspeakers that aspire to the highest of high-end performance. The company created something of a sensation in the audiophile world with the introduction of... Click for more...

Latest Floor-Standing Speaker Reviews

Parker Audio 95MK II Loudspeakers Reviewed -

Chances are you've never heard of or seen a pair of Parker Audio 95MK II loudspeakers. Because of that fact, you're probably thinking they're some sort of uber-esoteric, high-end, ultra-expensive loudspeakers from some designer's garage in Munich. Well, you'd be... Click for more...

Vienna Acoustics Beethoven Baby Grand Loudspeaker Reviewed -

The Beethoven Baby Grand from Vienna Acoustics sits just below the Beethoven Grand in the Grand lineup of loudspeakers. The Baby Grand starts at $3,995 a pair for Maple, Cherry and Piano Black finishes and jumps to $4,400 a pair... Click for more...

Vienna Acoustics Schonberg Loudspeaker Reviewed -

Vienna Acoustics makes some of the finest looking loudspeakers available today and the Schonberg Loudspeaker, reviewed here, is no exception. Retailing for $1,495 a pair, clad in either silver or piano black lacquer, the Schonberg's are a design tour de... Click for more...

Magnepan MG 3.6 Planar-Magnetic Loudspeaker Reviewed -

There are good speakers. There are great speakers. However, few speakers are able to surpass mere greatness and cement themselves as the stuff of legend. Unless you're talking about the Magnepan MG 3.6 of course, which I am, and yes,... Click for more...

Klipsch RF-52 Floorstanding Loudspeakers Reviewed -

Part of its diverse Reference Series of slightly upmarket loudspeakers featuring a staggering twenty models, the Klipsch RF-52 Floorstanding Loudspeaker sits second from the bottom in its six-model floorstanding class (RF-83, RF-63, RF-82, RF-62, RF-52, RF-10). The $658.00 per pair... Click for more...

Home Theater Review 2009 Best of Awards -

For the first time, Home Theater Review com's editors have picked a select list of the best gear from many of our AV equipment categories. The winners are picked subjectively by our staff. In today's economy, value matters - this... Click for more...

Canton Chrono SL 580 DC Loudspeaker Reviewed -

OK, I admit it. I am attracted to tall, slim and beautiful...loudspeakers. No surprise, then, that the new Canton Chrono SL 580 DC floorstanding loudspeaker recently caught my eye. (Actually, I've also gotten attached to petite and plus-size models--of loudspeakers,... Click for more...

Totem Acoustic Wind Design Loudspeaker Reviewed -

The Totem Acoustic Wind Design is a unique-looking floor-standing loudspeaker that combines a rakish appearance with extremely high-quality drivers and construction. At $13,995 per pair suggested retail, the made-in-Canada Totem Wind Design is clearly a high-end loudspeaker - and looks... Click for more...

Dynaudio Sapphire Loudspeaker Reviewed -

Danish loudspeaker company Dynaudio is one of the few manufacturers that is both a supplier of raw drivers, and a provider of complete, high-end loudspeakers for consumer and professional audio. (They also supply drivers and systems for automobiles.) As such,... Click for more...

Meridian DSP5200 Digital Active Loudspeaker -

Meridian is well known among audiophiles and music lovers as a company offering audio components and loudspeakers that aspire to the highest of high-end performance. The company created something of a sensation in the audiophile world with the introduction of... Click for more...

All Floor-Standing Speaker Reviews

Latest Equipment Reviews

Mapleshade Time-Correcting Maple Bedrock Speaker Stands Reviewed -

For ages the adage with bookshelf and/or monitor speakers has always been getting the tweeter or tweeter/midrange as close to ear height will yield the best results. Of course proper placement in a room as well as in relation to... Click for more...

Mapleshade Samson V.1 Equipment Rack Reviewed -

Seemingly everyone makes an equipment rack of some form or another these days with varying degrees of success, however for best results you're better off going with a third party or specialty equipment rack. The problem with going with an... Click for more...

Oppo BDP-83 Special Edition Universal Player Reviewed -

Oppo Digital's first Blu-ray player the BDP-83 entered the market in mid 2009 to numerous accolades. A mere half year later, Oppo Digital, not satisfied with the untapped performance potential of the player, released the BDP-83 Special Edition reviewed here.... Click for more...

Parker Audio 95MK II Loudspeakers Reviewed -

Chances are you've never heard of or seen a pair of Parker Audio 95MK II loudspeakers. Because of that fact, you're probably thinking they're some sort of uber-esoteric, high-end, ultra-expensive loudspeakers from some designer's garage in Munich. Well, you'd be... Click for more...

Bel Canto e. One S300iu Integrated Amplifier Reviewed -

Integrated amplifiers have always been an effective and affordable way to get into two-channel audio. However, in recent years, integrated amplifiers have come into their own, offering performance and simplicity that even high-end separate systems have trouble matching. Case in... Click for more...

Bel Canto e.One S300 Power Amplifier Reviewed -

Stereo amplifiers have been a staple since music went from single speakers to two-way back in the day. Over the years, we've seen stereo amplifiers go from simple, manageable black boxes to over-the-top, larger-than-thou space heaters for the home and... Click for more...

OmniMount Link Series A/V Stands Reviewed -

As its name suggests, OmniMount's Link Series is a modular line of A/V stands that you can mix and match to craft the exact entertainment solution you need. You can also add on as your system grows. The Link Series,... Click for more...

Paradigm Reference Studio 20 v.5 Bookshelf Speaker Reviewed -

I've been a fan of Paradigm for years, owning and enjoying seemingly every speaker in their product line from the awesome and affordable Atoms to their flagship Signature S8s. Over the years there have been two Paradigm speaker designs that... Click for more...

Bel Canto REF 1000M Mono Amplifier Reviewed -

When one thinks of a 500-Watt mono amplifier you probably picture a large, heat sink clad hunk of steel that weighs more than the car you drove it home in and probably costs more too. What if I told you... Click for more...

OmniMount VideoBasics TV Mounts Reviewed -

You've spent the extra money to buy an ultra-thin HDTV. The last thing you want to do is hinder the minimalist look by mating the TV with a bulky wall-mount. OmniMount designed the VideoBasics line of flat-panel TV mounts with... Click for more...

Read All Reviews