Bowers & Wilkins Audio Systems

Bowers & Wilkins (B&W) is a premier British audio brand recognized globally for its high-performance loudspeakers and headphones. Founded in 1966 by John Bowers in Worthing, West Sussex, England, the company began as a small business behind a radio and electronics shop. It eventually became an industry standard, with its legendary 800 Series speakers used in world-famous recording studios like Abbey Road. The brand is synonymous with acoustic innovation, famously developing the use of Kevlar and synthetic diamonds in speaker driver technology.

While the company's prestigious high-end Nautilus and 801 series speakers are still meticulously handcrafted at its facility in Worthing, UK, the majority of the brand's larger-scale production—including headphones, wireless speakers, and entry-level hi-fi ranges—has moved to dedicated manufacturing facilities in China. This move allowed the brand to scale globally while maintaining strict quality control standards.

The brand's ownership history has seen significant changes in recent years. In 2016, B&W was acquired by Silicon Valley-based startup EVA Automation. However, in 2020, the brand was acquired by Sound United LLC, a major American holding company. As of 2022, the ultimate ownership transitioned to Masimo Corporation, a global medical technology and consumer electronics firm. This acquisition integrates Bowers & Wilkins into a diverse portfolio alongside other storied audio brands like Denon and Marantz, focusing on the intersection of healthcare, wearables, and high-fidelity sound.