In 1966, a satisfied customer, Miss Knight, a former opera singer and wealthy resident of Worthing, left John Bowers a £10,000 bequest in her will to pursue his passion for loudspeaker design. This generous gift allowed Bowers to leave the shop and fully dedicate himself to his speaker business, leading to the formation of Bowers & Wilkins as a full-time venture. With the help of Peter Hayward, Bowers started to focus on crafting high-quality loudspeakers, beginning a journey that would later lead to the company's global recognition.

Bowers & Wilkins' first speaker, the P1, was followed by the improved P2, which featured an ionophone tweeter for high frequencies up to 50kHz. The company invested profits into audio test equipment, leading to better understanding and refinement of their designs. Despite its innovation, the P2’s modulator caused interference with TV pictures, limiting its success.

By 1973, Bowers & Wilkins had grown significantly, with 60% of its production being exported globally. The company earned its first Queen’s Award for Industry for export achievement that year, followed by a second in 1978 when exports rose to 90%. By this time, Bowers & Wilkins had moved from its original garages to purpose-designed premises, complete with anechoic chambers and advanced measuring equipment for speaker development.

In 1993, Bowers & Wilkins introduced the Nautilus speaker, featuring a revolutionary tapered tube design that reduced resonance and set a new standard for high-end audio. This innovation was followed by a significant partnership in 2000, when Bowers & Wilkins supplied Abbey Road Studios with high-end audio equipment, further cementing the brand’s reputation for excellence in both professional and consumer audio markets.

In 2019, Bowers & Wilkins introduced the 700 Series, bringing professional-level sound to home audio. The series incorporated advanced technologies from the flagship 800 Series, such as the Continuum cone and Carbon Dome tweeter, delivering exceptional accuracy and clarity at a more accessible price. By combining cutting-edge performance with a refined design, the 700 Series offered audiophile-quality sound without the premium price tag, expanding Bowers & Wilkins' reach to a broader audience.

To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the 800 Series, Bowers & Wilkins released the Diamond Anniversary Edition in 2022. This special edition featured updated components for improved performance, such as refined drive units and crossovers, along with new aesthetic enhancements to highlight the series’ legacy. The Anniversary Edition honored the 800 Series' history of innovation while elevating both its sound quality and visual appeal, ensuring its continued status as a benchmark in high-end audio.