Diamond and Continuum within the wall
CWM8.5D is the two-way Reference in-wall design in a vertical frame.
The single Bowers & Wilkins CWM8.5D fits a 395 × 231 mm cut-out beneath a 411 × 247 mm frame. Speaker body depth is 99 mm; BB CWM8.5 back box brings total depth to 347 mm and occupies a 1088 × 347 mm area in the wall plane. Check that complete space well before cutting, especially where studs are close together.
Key features
- Cut-out 395 × 231 mm; frame 411 × 247 mm; depth 99 mm.
- 180 mm Continuum bass/midrange and 25 mm Diamond Dome.
- 8-ohm nominal impedance; recommended 120 W amplification.
- Flowport and BB CWM8.5 back box.
A defined two-way system
The 25 mm Diamond Dome tweeter is decoupled and Nautilus tube loaded. A 180 mm Continuum bass/midrange driver has an anti-resonance plug, and Flowport completes the system. Unlike CWM8.3D, this model has a single bass/midrange unit and no rotating mini-baffle to change to horizontal alignment. Frame shape and cut-out position therefore matter alongside driver count.
Figures for the installation
Nominal impedance is 8 ohms, sensitivity 89 dB and recommended amplifier power 120 W, with a -6 dB range of 35 Hz to 35 kHz. Front protrusion is 8 mm and speaker net weight 3.5 kg. Cut-out width describes only part of the space needed: allow for the full back-box envelope, cable route and a wall structure that can support the completed installation.
CWM8.5D does not specify the 90-degree mini-baffle rotation of CWM8.3D. Do not assume the same flexibility for a horizontal location: design opening and system direction for this particular speaker. The comparatively compact face conceals a much larger back box, whose whole volume needs to be reserved. Check the visible 8 mm projection as well as the enclosure clearance.
