Bowers & Wilkins Unveils 801 Abbey Road Limited Edition Speaker

In a landmark collaboration celebrating their 45-year partnership, Bowers & Wilkins has announced the launch of the 801 Abbey Road Limited Edition loudspeaker. This announcement was made on June 18, 2025, and marks a significant milestone for both the audio company and the iconic Abbey Road Studios, known for its pivotal role in the evolution of popular music since its establishment in 1931.

Bowers & Wilkins, founded in Worthing, UK, in 1966, has a storied history rooted in high-fidelity sound design, a philosophy introduced by its founder, John Bowers. He believed that a loudspeaker should provide an experience akin to viewing through a flawless pane of glass, delivering sound that is uncorrupted and true to the original recording. This principle, referred to as 'True Sound,' has driven the company's innovation and commitment to quality.

Jeremy Huffelmann, General Manager of Abbey Road Studios, commented on the collaboration, stating, "Abbey Road’s relationship with Bowers & Wilkins is a decades-long celebration of sound and technology. I’m delighted we have collaborated to create the 801 Abbey Road Limited Edition together, honoring our shared history with an outstanding representation of the values, heritage and credibility of both our brands."

The 801 Abbey Road Limited Edition speaker draws upon the internals of Bowers & Wilkins' flagship 801 D4 Signature model. It is framed in a vintage walnut cabinet, inspired by the studio's rich interiors and the diverse musical instruments that have been part of countless recordings at Abbey Road. Additionally, a bespoke red leather trim, sourced from Connolly, pays homage to the aesthetic of Studio Two’s control room, as well as the red leather chairs that have been a staple for generations of artists.

Only 140 pairs of these limited edition speakers will be produced, each bearing a unique identifying plate on the rear panel. Buyers will also receive a specially commissioned book detailing the history of the collaboration and featuring previously unpublished photographs. This exclusiveness is complemented by the price tag of $70,000, positioning the speaker within the luxury audio segment.

The partnership between Bowers & Wilkins and Abbey Road Studios has seen the 801 series loudspeakers used as reference monitors in the studio’s control rooms since the 1980s, illustrating the trust placed in the brand by industry professionals. The 801 series has undergone six iterations, consistently recognized for its fidelity and design.

The announcement of the 801 Abbey Road Limited Edition speaker not only underscores the enduring legacy of both brands but also highlights their commitment to excellence in sound reproduction. Giles Pocock, Vice President of Brand Marketing for Bowers & Wilkins, expressed his excitement about the product, stating, "I couldn’t be more thrilled to bring this story to the market. We’re immensely proud of our partnership with our friends at Abbey Road and we think the 801 Abbey Road Limited Edition is the perfect way to celebrate that."

As the luxury audio market continues to evolve, collaborations such as this reflect a growing trend of merging high-fidelity sound with cultural touchstones, further bridging the gap between technology and artistry in music production. The 801 Abbey Road Limited Edition stands as a testament to this convergence, promising to deliver an unparalleled auditory experience to its exclusive owners.