Technology

Bowers & Wilkins 801 Abbey Road Limited edition celebrates 45 Years of studio excellence

Bowers Wilkins 801 Abbey Road Limited Edition in Studio One

In celebration of a partnership that has shaped recording history, Bowers & Wilkins and Abbey Road Studios have unveiled the 801 Abbey Road Limited Edition. Based on Bowers & Wilkins acclaimed 801 D4 Signature loudspeaker, this eye-catching iteration features a number of bespoke touches that illustrate the brand’s connection to the world’s most famous recording studio. 

The model is limited to 140 pairs worldwide. 

Each cabinet is finished in Vintage Walnut, evoking the warm panelling of the studios, and trimmed in deep red Connolly leather, mirroring the iconic upholstery of Studio Two’s control room. A unique rear plate series-numbers each set, while every purchase includes a commissioned book tracing 45 years of sonic and technological collaboration.

Abbey Road is arguably best known as the creative home of The Beatles, who recorded 190 of their 210 songs there…

Founded in 1931, Abbey Road is arguably best known as the creative home of The Beatles, who recorded 190 of their 210 songs there. However it’s also a technology powerhouse and has become a cultural nexus for musicians and filmmakers. Studio One is one of the largest in the world and has hosted scores for numerous blockbuster movies, including Raiders of the Lost Ark, The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Skyfall, and Harry Potter. It’s also where Pink Floyd crafted The Dark Side of the Moon in 1973, and where Radiohead recorded The Bends,  in 1995.  

The 801 story began in 1980 when founder John Bowers introduced his first-generation 801 to Abbey Road engineers. They recognised its studio-grade clarity immediately and adopted it as their reference monitor, marking the beginning of a revered collaboration. Since then, six generations of the 800 Series have been continually refined through professional studio use.

Giles Pocock, Vice-President of Brand Marketing at Bowers & Wilkins, emphasises the momentous nature of the release: “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.”

Abbey Road’s General Manager, Jeremy Huffelmann, adds: “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… honouring our shared history with an outstanding representation of… our brands.”

We say, for the discerning listener who values both sonic purity and the mythology of music recording, the 801 Abbey Road Limited Edition is more than a speaker, it’s emblematic of recording studio history.

With its reference-quality sound, limited production, and meticulously curated aesthetic, it stands as a compelling option for those seeking both performance and provenance in their home AV setup 

Bowers & Wilkins 801 Abbey Road Limited Edition is priced at £55,000 (€60,000 / $70,000) per pair, however all 140 pairs are reportedly pre-sold.

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