In this review, we will be comparing HTM81 D5 and HTM82 D5, two Passive Center Channel speakers by Bowers Wilkins
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Bowers & Wilkins HTM81 D5 and Bowers & Wilkins HTM82 D5 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
Bowers & Wilkins HTM81 D5 Key Specs
- 3-way Design
- 1" Diamond dome Tweeter
- 6" Midrange
- 2 x 8" Aerofoil Woofer
- 28-28k Hz Frequency Response
- 90 dB Sensitivity
- Impedance: 8ohms
- Power Range:50-1000watts
- Weight:33.40kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 13-1/8" x 33-5/16" x 14-5/16" ( 334.0 x 846.0 x 363.0mm )
Bowers & Wilkins HTM82 D5 Key Specs
- 3-way Design
- 1" Diamond dome Tweeter
- 5" Midrange
- 2 x 6.5" Aerofoil Woofer
- 5" Midrange
- 45-28k Hz Frequency Response
- 89 dB Sensitivity
- Impedance: 8ohms
- Power Range:50-1000watts
- Weight:26.10kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 11-3/8" x 28-1/8" x 14-5/16" ( 289.0 x 715.0 x 363.0mm )
HTM81 D5 and HTM82 D5 are members of Bowers Wilkins's 800 D5 series of speakers. Below you can find the loudspeakers from this series.
Bowers Wilkins 800 D5 Series
History
What size room are the Bowers & Wilkins HTM81 D5 and Bowers & Wilkins HTM82 D5 speakers good for?
The size of the room in which you are planning to use these loudspeakers is an important decision
factor. Here we have compared their suitability to various sizes of environments considering their size
and max power parameters:
| Listening Environment* |
Bowers & Wilkins HTM81 D5 |
Bowers & Wilkins HTM82 D5 |
| Near-field |
Bad |
Poor |
| Small Room |
Poor |
Average |
| Mid-size Room |
Average |
Good |
| Large Room |
Good |
Average |
| Very Large Room |
Average |
Poor |
(* Approximate Room sizes: Small < 100sq. ft / 9 m2,
Mid-size: 100-220 sq. ft / 9-20 m2, Large 220-400 sq. ft / 20-36 m2, Very Large: >
400 sq. ft / 36 m2.
Average Floor Height: 9" / 2.7m. Typical room sizes differ from country to country, and the actual
listening experience changes depending on floor height, room shape, surface materials, listening
position, speaker locations, etc.)
In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the Bowers & Wilkins HTM81 D5 and Bowers & Wilkins HTM82 D5 compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these loudspeakers is the better choice for you.
**This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking
through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Drivers
Both HTM81 D5 and HTM82 D5 are 3-way speakers.
| Driver |
Bowers & Wilkins HTM81 D5 |
Bowers & Wilkins HTM82 D5 |
|
Driver Setup
|
3-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
1 x 6-inch |
1 x 5-inch |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 8-inch
|
2 x 6.5-inch
|
HTM81 D5 features a 1" Diamond Diamond dome Tweeter , a 6" Midrange and 2 x 8" Aerofoil Woofer . On the other hand, the HTM82 D5 features a 1" Diamond Diamond dome Tweeter , a 5" Midrange and 2 x 6.5" Aerofoil Woofer .
Frequency Response
HTM81 D5 has a frequency range of 28-28k Hz whereas HTM82 D5 has a frequency range of 45-28k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 28Hz, the HTM81 D5 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the HTM82 D5's min frequency of 45Hz.
Below graphs depict how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average values of the Min and Max Frequencies of other speakers in the Center Channel class in our database.
Low Frequency
Center Channel Speakers
High Frequency
Center Channel Speakers
Bowers & Wilkins HTM81 D5
Bowers & Wilkins HTM82 D5
None of these speakers achieves full range experience which is commonly agreed as 20Hz-20kHz. In order to achieve lower lows / deeper bass, we recommend you pair these with a subwoofer. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
HTM81 D5 and HTM82 D5 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. HTM81 D5 sensitivity is rated at 90 dB and the HTM82 D5's is at 89 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the Bowers & Wilkins HTM81 D5 a more sensitive speaker compared to Bowers & Wilkins HTM82 D5, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Center Channel Speakers
Power Range
Power
range is the range of input power in watts RMS that a loudspeaker is designed to handle. While using
an amplifier within this range ensures the nominal performance , inputting a power that is higher than the
max wattage can result in a damaged speaker.
HTM81 D5 and HTM82 D5 has the same power range of 50-1000 watts.
Keep in mind that a higher max power handling value doesn't necessarily make that a louder speaker
compared to a lower max handling speaker. Loudness or the sound level is also impacted by parameters
such as Impedance, sensitivity and system efficiencies.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Both HTM81 D5 and HTM82 D5 features dual binding post speaker terminals for bi-amping or bi-wiring.
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both HTM81 D5 and HTM82 D5 have rear firing ports. Rear ported speakers generally need more room between the backside of the speaker and the wall compared to sealed and front/bottom ported speakers. Placing the speakers too close to the walls may cause the bass to sound boomy.
If you are limited in space and can't get the speakers away from the backwall, check our Speakers with Front Firing Ports page.
Physical Specs
Size of a speaker can sometimes become an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare Bowers & Wilkins HTM81 D5's and Bowers & Wilkins HTM82 D5's external dimensions. Bowers & Wilkins HTM81 D5 has external dimensions of 334.0 x 846.0 x 363.0mm ( 13-1/8 x 33-5/16 x 14-5/16inch) whereas Bowers & Wilkins HTM82 D5 has external dimensions of 289.0 x 715.0 x 363.0mm ( 11-3/8 x 28-1/8 x 14-5/16inch) .
Bowers & Wilkins HTM82 D5 is 131mm narrower and 45mm shorter than Bowers & Wilkins HTM81 D5 but they have the same thickness of 363.0mm.
Base Surface Area Comparison
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base surface area of the Bowers & Wilkins HTM81 D5 is approximately 3071.0cm2 / 476.0inch2 and base area of the Bowers & Wilkins HTM82 D5 is approximately 2595.5cm2 / 402.3inch2. The HTM81 D5 requires 18% more surface area than the HTM82 D5 which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.
Weight Comparison The weight of a loudspeaker can become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often. Weight of a speaker can also "sometimes" be an indicator of the rigidity of the enclosure and the quality of the internal components used. The Bowers & Wilkins HTM81 D5 weighs 33.40kg / 73.5lbs and the Bowers & Wilkins HTM82 D5 weighs 26.10kg / 57.4lbs. This makes the HTM81 D5 28% heavier than the HTM82 D5.
Here is a comparison of how HTM81 D5 and HTM82 D5's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Center Channel class.
Weight
All Center Channel Speakers
Bowers & Wilkins HTM81 D5
Bowers & Wilkins HTM82 D5
 Sensitivity |
90 dB
vs
89 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Woofer Size |
8 inches
vs
6.5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
28 Hz
vs
45 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Height |
289mm
vs
334mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
2595cm2
vs
3071cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
12000USD
vs
15000USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Bowers & Wilkins HTM81 D5 |
Bowers & Wilkins HTM82 D5 |
| Brand |
Bowers Wilkins |
Bowers Wilkins |
| Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker |
Center channel speaker |
| Power Range |
50-1000 watts |
50-1000 watts |
| Sensitivity |
90 dB |
89 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Impedance |
3.0 ohms |
3.0 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
28-28k Hz |
45-28k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
8" |
6.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
Aerofoil |
Aerofoil |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Diamond dome |
Diamond dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
6" |
5" |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
334.0mm (13.1") |
289.0mm (11.4") |
| Width |
846.0mm (33.3") |
715.0mm (28.1") |
| Depth |
363.0mm (14.3") |
363.0mm (14.3") |
| Weight |
33.40kg (73.5lbs) |
26.10kg (57.4lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
Yes |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |