Key Features
- Original B&W DW200/4 drive unit – A genuine vintage Bowers & Wilkins bass/midrange driver rather than a modern substitute.
- Bextrene cone – The critically contoured Bextrene diaphragm was chosen by B&W for its controlled behaviour and was treated with damping compounds as part of the original design.
- Long-throw suspension – The rear suspension and flexible PVC front suspension were designed to maintain controlled cone movement over a useful excursion range, helping the driver handle bass frequencies with relatively low distortion.
- 26mm voice coil – The voice coil is wound on an aluminium former and was designed to provide the excursion and thermal stability required of a bass/midrange unit.
- Die-cast alloy chassis – The rigid pressure die-cast frame provides a solid mounting structure for the motor and cone assembly.
- High-flux ceramic magnet – The substantial ceramic magnet assembly provides the magnetic field required to control the voice coil and cone.
- Useful restoration component – Particularly relevant to owners restoring classic B&W loudspeakers where maintaining the original drive-unit complement is important.
Design Highlights
The DW200/4 reflects an important period in B&W’s development, when the company was making extensive use of Bextrene for controlled-cone loudspeaker designs. Rather than treating the driver simply as a large woofer, B&W designed the DW200/4 to operate as a combined bass and lower/midrange unit, allowing the DM4’s three-way system to divide its workload between dedicated drive units.
The 143mm effective piston diameter quoted by B&W is notably smaller than the overall nominal 200mm frame size. The relatively compact radiating area, long-throw suspension and 26mm voice coil were part of the design approach that allowed the unit to cover a useful frequency range while integrating with the dedicated midrange and tweeter units used in the DM4.
Technical Specifications
Sources: Original Bowers & Wilkins DM4 documentation; contemporary B&W/DM4 technical material.
Driver
- Model: DW200/4
- Type: Bass/midrange drive unit
- Nominal frame size: 200mm
- Effective piston/cone diameter: 143mm
- Cone material: Bextrene
- Voice coil diameter: 26mm
- Voice coil former: Aluminium
- Front suspension: Flexible PVC
- Magnet: High-flux ceramic
- Chassis: Pressure die-cast alloy
Compatibility
- B&W DM4
- Also documented as being used in other B&W loudspeaker models, including the DM11.
Important Note
Please check the photographs, mounting arrangement and model markings carefully against your existing driver before purchase. Vintage B&W loudspeakers can have model-specific variations, and we do not want to imply compatibility with a particular cabinet unless it has been confirmed.
Why Buy From Us
With over 40 years of experience in the hi-fi trade, we understand the importance of accurately identifying genuine vintage components and describing their condition honestly.
This B&W DW200/4 is offered in great condition for its age, making it a useful original component for a suitable restoration or replacement project.
We package delicate loudspeaker drive units carefully to protect the cone, suspension and chassis during transit.
Summary
The B&W DW200/4 is a distinctive original Bowers & Wilkins bass/midrange driver, notable for its Bextrene cone, long-throw suspension and substantial die-cast chassis. It is particularly associated with the classic DM4 and is an increasingly useful component for owners undertaking sympathetic restoration of vintage B&W loudspeakers.
This listing is for a single B&W DW200/4 driver, in great condition for its age.
Please feel free to get in touch with any questions prior to purchase.
