In celebration of their unique 45-year relationship that’s helped shape some of the most iconic audio experiences, Bowers & Wilkins and Abbey Road Studios have come together to create an equally iconic rendition of the legendary 801 D4 Signature loudspeaker. The 801 Abbey Road Limited Edition will be offered in an exclusive production run limited to just 140 pairs, each finished and trimmed with exquisite detail that’s meant to be reflective of the unique studio spaces and legendary instruments that have played an integral role in defining Abbey Road’s role in the recording industry.
“I couldn’t be more thrilled to bring this story to the market,” Giles Pocock, Vice President of Brand Marketing for Bowers & Wilkins, said in a statement. “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.”
The 801 has been the monitor loudspeaker of choice at Abbey Road Studios ever since John Bowers first brought the then-new unit to their location in 1980 for a demonstration. At the time, they were the first recording studio to adopt the 801 full time. Since then, six successive generations of the 800 series loudspeakers have made their way into the control rooms at Abbey Road Studios to support the work of their engineering team.
“Abbey Road’s relationship with Bowers & Wilkins is a decades-long celebration of sound and technology,” Jeremy Huffelmann, General Manager for Abbey Road, said in the statement. “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.”
Attention to every detail is, of course, expected in a collaboration featuring these two iconic brands. But even still, running through the unique design characteristics of the 801 Abbey Road LE’s is still impressive. The carefully crafted Walnut cabinet of the loudspeaker is meant to represent the studios’ interiors and the musical instruments that have produced some of the greatest tracks of all time within their walls. The red leather by Connolly is a reference to the aesthetic of the control room in Studio Two as well as the red leather chairs used by generations of performers throughout Abbey Road. And, as a limited run, each pair will feature a unique identifying plate on the rear panel.
In addition to the loudspeakers, owners of each of the 140 pairs will receive a specially commissioned book that details the history of the two brands and their collaboration, which will feature never-before published photography.
The Bowers & Wilkins 801 Abbey Road Limited Edition loudspeakers are available to order now and carry a $70,000 price tag.
