Resolved, B&W 800 Series Not Made in China

[Matt Lan]

Originally Posted by Chicago

Why is the question of country of manufacture coming up? The dealer network and trade publications know where the 800's are made - England. All the other lines - China.

As above - the 800 series is still UK made. I am sure that if the day comes that it is not, it won't be ambiguous or up for debate. They make a LOT of speakers, I dare say more than many other speaker manufacturers combined. Can't exactly fly below the radar with that footprint...



Best,

Matt

[RebelMan]

Originally Posted by Chicago

I don't see anything on the speakers except Bowers & Wilkins.

It's on the bottom.

Why is the question of country of manufacture coming up? The dealer network and trade publications know where the 800's are made - England. All the other lines - China.

I am not questioning the fact that the 800 Series Diamond are made in the UK. But there seems to be some documentation discrepancies that could lead some to suspect that maybe they are not. The apparent labeling differences between the 804D2 and 803D2 boxes could be an example of that.

[HiFiGuy528]

if this is true, it should cost half the original street price.

[thxthx]

I now have a reply from B&W...

Hi Trevor

Thanks for your email.

800 Series is manufactured exclusively in the B&W factory in Worthing, England.

[redm]

Originally Posted by thxthx

I now have a reply from B&W...

Hi Trevor

Thanks for your email.

800 Series is manufactured exclusively in the B&W factory in Worthing, England.

That settles that.

[doggiehowser]

It's a common misconception that it's cheaper to manufacture in China though it can be with the right conditions in place.

You'll need a large volume of orders for instance so the factory can run at full capacity for the entire day and not have wasted hours. For something like the 800 series I honestly do not see they would have the volumes required.

That said, if there are aluminium and wooden cabinets involved, it may make sense to have them built in China where the factories have the necessary CNC gear along with access to raw materials, then ship them back to UK for final assembly.

[HiFiCrossFit]

Is there a thread dedicated to American made equipment like Zu and Mcintosh? And since I'm new to all this are there individuals who purchase all their audio equipment American made? Just curious.

[Still-One]

Originally Posted by doggiehowser

It's a common misconception that it's cheaper to manufacture in China though it can be with the right conditions in place.

You'll need a large volume of orders for instance so the factory can run at full capacity for the entire day and not have wasted hours. For something like the 800 series I honestly do not see they would have the volumes required.

That said, if there are aluminium and wooden cabinets involved, it may make sense to have them built in China where the factories have the necessary CNC gear along with access to raw materials, then ship them back to UK for final assembly.

You are absolutely correct about misconceptions of manufacturing comparisons. Parts localization is almost a must otherwise shipping costs (to and from) will offset potential labor savings. High labor content products with low weight/mass are often easiest to import.

[HedgeHog]

For those who don't like the fact things may be made elsewhere, just make it yourself! Solves geographic dilemma...

[ame=http://youtu.be/Re7rfVk-bHA]B&W 800D DIY Speaker - YouTube[/ame]

[doggiehowser]

WOW. It looks like he's building them in a factory!