Bowers & Wilkins has a long history of technological innovation in its pursuit of the perfect loudspeaker. Whether it’s through the innovative use of materials such as Aramid fiber and Diamond, new solutions to complex engineering conundrums, or ‘eureka moments’ of brilliance, Bowers & Wilkins engineers constantly strive to produce the best possible sound.

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Nautilus™ symbolises all the qualities of innovation, dedication and love of music which have inspired Bowers & Wilkins engineers, designers and production teams ever since our company was established over 40 years ago. The Nautilus offers a unique chance to hear music exactly as recorded: detailed, vibrantly alive, full of power and unhindered by speaker distortion or cabinet diffraction.

Aramid fiber has been Bowers & Wilkins’ cone material of choice since 1974, and with good reason. Not only does it deliver a cleaner sound, it can do so to a wider group of listeners. The distinctive yellow cones are found on almost all Bowers & Wilkins loudspeakers.
 
FST™ mid-range drive units maximises the effects of Aramid fiber by improving cone response times and integrity of sound transmission. As the mid-range diaphragm only moves a little, Bowers & Wilkins has improved outer edge cone termination by means of ‘surroundless’ suspension, for the cleanest mid-range performance in the business.
 
For speed, stiffness and unshakable bass, this cone material, normally used for aircraft, rockets and performance cars bodies, is the bottom line. We found Rohacell® being used extensively in the high performance automotive and aerospace industries, where its unusual combination of very low weight and very high resistance to bending stress make it the ideal choice for a multitude of applications. Those very same characteristics also make it an ideal material for the structural heart of a bass driver.

Crossover
We carry out exhaustive listening tests rigorously assessing the performance of each component until we find the optimum component for each position in the circuit. Fine-tuning by ear is only possible if the crossover is simple and the section of the crossover that perhaps benefits most from our policy of listen-and-learn is the part handling the signal for the tweeter. In most Bowers & Wilkins speakers, it is carried by a single, ear-chosen component that preserves the very finest detail.

Bowers & Wilkins’s Flowport™ minimises turbulence in the same way as a golf ball. Dimples on the surface generate tiny eddy currents over which air can flow smoothly, reducing turbulence, and improving performance. This is because if turbulence occurs as the air moves in and out of the port, you’ll hear extraneous noise and, as you turn the volume up, the bass won’t be as tight and well timed as it should be.