Bowers & Wilkins CWM8.5 D

Martins Hi-Fi is the second oldest Bowers & Wilkins dealer in the world — and the CWM8.5 D stands as one of the most technically accomplished two-way in-wall loudspeakers available at any price. Drawing directly on technologies developed for the celebrated 800 Series Diamond loudspeakers, the CWM8.5 D delivers a performance that redefines what is possible from an architectural speaker — combining a Diamond dome tweeter with a Continuum cone bass/midrange driver in a fully Matrix braced enclosure that sets a new standard for in-wall audio.

Diamond Dome Tweeter with Nautilus Tube Loading

The CWM8.5 D's 25mm tweeter employs a diaphragm machined from synthetic diamond — the hardest material available for loudspeaker construction, and the same technology found in Bowers & Wilkins' flagship 800 Series Diamond speakers. Diamond is so extraordinarily stiff that its first breakup mode lies far beyond the limits of human hearing, ensuring that the tweeter reproduces high frequencies with a purity and freedom from distortion that no conventional metal or fabric dome can approach. The tweeter is loaded by a Nautilus tube — the tapered rear absorber first developed for the iconic Bowers & Wilkins Nautilus — which eliminates rear-wave reflection entirely, removing a significant source of coloration from the signal path.

Continuum Cone Bass/Midrange Driver

The 180mm bass/midrange driver is built around Bowers & Wilkins' proprietary Continuum cone — a woven material developed through years of research to combine exceptional stiffness with controlled internal damping. Continuum delivers a midrange transparency and tonal accuracy that sets it apart from conventional driver materials, reproducing voices and instruments with a naturalness and low-level detail that is immediately apparent on careful listening. An anti-resonance plug is fitted to the rear of the driver, further suppressing unwanted resonances in the critical midrange frequencies.

Matrix Braced Enclosure

The CWM8.5 D's back box is fully Matrix braced — a network of internal bracing panels, borrowed from the 800 Series, that dramatically increases enclosure rigidity and eliminates the cabinet coloration that undermines lesser in-wall designs. Bi-wirable cables are routed through tubes to a dedicated terminal panel and connect to the baffle via a multi-pin connector, ensuring a clean and secure signal path. The CWM8.5 D has also been engineered to fit directly into existing BB CWM8.5 back boxes, making it a straightforward upgrade path for those who invested in the original CWM8.5.

Technical Specifications

Who Is It For?

The CWM8.5 D is for listeners who demand the very best from an in-wall loudspeaker — those who want their music to sound extraordinary without any visible evidence of a speaker in the room. It is equally at home as the primary stereo pair in a high-quality music system or as the main front channels in a sophisticated home cinema installation. Those building a complete architectural system should also consider the Bowers & Wilkins CCM8.5D ceiling speaker for surround channels, or the CWM8.3D for a three-way flagship alternative. A quality subwoofer such as the Bowers & Wilkins DB2D will complete the system to devastating effect.

Buying from Martins Hi-Fi

Martins Hi-Fi has been in Norwich since 1968. Elizabeth Gould runs the business today, and we stock only brands we have heard properly and stand behind. As the second oldest Bowers & Wilkins dealer in the world, we have a depth of knowledge and experience with the brand that very few retailers can match. Tim or Dave will be happy to discuss the CWM8.5 D in detail — advising on back box requirements, amplification, and full system integration to ensure this exceptional loudspeaker performs at its absolute best in your home.

Contact us at info@martinshifi.co.uk, call 01603 627010, or WhatsApp on 07554 687137. You can read more about how we work on our Why Martins Hi-Fi page. We are at 85–91 Ber Street, Norwich, NR1 3EY.