Floorstanding speakers Bowers & Wilkins 703 S3 White

The 700 Series continues Bowers & Wilkins' policy of incorporating concepts and technologies inherited from its flagship line. An extensive, three-year research program has transformed nearly every element of the new series, from cabinet design, driver design and finishes to key acoustic and mechanical enhancements.

Beautiful design, premium details

In a first for the 700 Series, the new line features slimmer cabinets with a smoothly curved front panel and speakers mounted in external “pods” that form a direct visual and technical parallel to the 800 Series Diamond line. This shape significantly reduces the impact of the front panel on sound quality, minimizing the effect of sound diffraction on the cabinet, and as a result, the new series is better than ever, acoustically literally “disappearing”, so you can focus only on the music, not on overtones of the speaker body.

The new cabinet shapes are not only sleeker than before, they also come in an all-new Mocha finish, a beautiful wood-grain finish that perfectly complements the updated proportions and premium detailing of the new 700 Series speaker cabinets. Mocha joins to the previously offered Gloss Black and Satin White finishes, forming a three-piece range for most markets worldwide.

Improved speakers, new acoustic shapes

Taking a significant step forward in acoustic performance, Bowers & Wilkins now offers its iconic tweeter technology in a massive unibody design across four models in the new 700 Series, representing half of the entire line-up. The 702 S3 and 703 S3 floorstanding speakers, as well as the 705 S3 bookshelf and HTM71 S3 center speaker now feature a tweeter-on-top. This means that for the first time in the 700 series, owners have the opportunity to create a full-fledged home theater system based on models with a tweeter on the top panel.

The tweeter-top shape itself has also been completely redesigned in the new range. The new 700 Series tweeter's housing, as always made from a single block of aluminum, has been significantly lengthened to reduce distortion and provide even clearer sound. This elongated shape is further enhanced by the introduction of a two-point vibration decoupler that better mechanically isolates the tweeter from the speaker cabinet, providing a freer, more open soundstage.

In addition to these mechanical improvements, the tweeter dome retains the characteristics of the Bowers & Wilkins Carbon Dome with a first resonance frequency of 47 kHz, combined with improved vented voice coils and new magnets. Even models equipped with front-mounted tweeters - the 707 S3, 706 S3, 704 S3 and HTM72 S3 - also benefit from all these changes, along with a significantly longer loading tube that, like the tweeter-on-top, works to reduce distortion and provide clearer sound.

Bionic gimbal

Bowers & Wilkins has introduced the revolutionary bionic surround system, first introduced last year with the new 800 Diamond series, across all 3-way loudspeaker systems in the new range. By replacing the centering washer with a conventional fabric suspension, which is used in almost all acoustic systems created over the past decades, with a bionic one, it was possible to significantly reduce unwanted noise during the operation of the mid-range speaker.

When combined with all of Bowers & Wilkins' other proprietary midrange technologies, including vibration decoupling throughout the midrange, an aluminum driver chassis with tuned damper masses to reduce resonances, a fixed FST cone surround and, of course, the famous Continuum material, The result is simply amazing sound transparency at mid frequencies.

Optimization for improved sound quality

To give these drivers the best platform for success, the new 700 Series features redesigned speaker terminals based on the 800 Series, featuring stronger contacts and better suited for use with spade connectors. From these, audio signals are sent to carefully upgraded crossovers, which, as before, continue to use audiophile Mundorf capacitors, supplemented by several bypass capacitors. The heat sinks for dissipating heat from the crossover have also been improved to achieve even cleaner sound.

All models in the line feature updated, larger diameter bass reflex ports that have greater bandwidth, delivering larger, more spacious sound. The 703 S3 is equipped with extra-strong M6 studs.

Specifications:

Are common:

• Name BOWERS & WILKINS 703 S3 Glossy Black
• Manufacturer: BOWERS & WILKINS (UK)
• Series 700 S3
• Device type Floor-standing speaker system
• Number of lanes 3
• Color Glossy Black
• Dimensions, mm 1117 x 290 x 372
• Weight, kg 28.8

Basic:

• Acoustic design Bass reflex
• Recommended power, W 30 - 200
• Sensitivity, dB 90
• Resistance, Ohm 8
• Frequency range, Hz - kHz 46 - 28
• Number of speakers, pcs. 4
• Number of stripes, pcs. 3
• Tweeter 1 x 25 mm, carbon dome
• Midrange driver 1 x 150 mm, Continuum, FST
• Woofer 2 x 165 mm, Aerofoil
• Bass reflex to the floor
• Bi-wiring/ampling connection Yes
• Connector input
• Acoustic 4 pairs