The B&W 700 series speakers use a new midrange decoupling system, which is a simplified version of the solution used in the 800 series speakers. The floorstanding speakers use mass loading and an aluminum chassis. There is also a new tweeter grille and driver surrounds, clearly borrowed from the 800 series models, and which match the overall finish of the speakers. The exterior of the 700 series speakers is available in piano black, matt white, or Rosenut wood. The series includes the 702 S2, 703 S2, and 704 S2 floorstanding speakers, the 705 S2, 706 S2, and 707 S2 bookshelf speakers, and the HTM71 S2 and HTM72 S2 center channel speakers.
The Bowers & Wilkins 703 S2 floor-standing speaker systems are equipped with larger bass speakers compared to the younger model and are capable of fully voicing a fairly large room. These speakers also have a three-way configuration and are equipped with a proprietary Flowport phase inverter with an outlet on the rear panel. This circumstance must be taken into account when placing the speakers in a room, leaving the necessary distance to the wall for their normal operation. In extreme cases, a plug made of porous material supplied with the speaker system can be placed in the phase inverter channel, reducing its output. . Bowers & Wilkins 703 S2 are equipped with a carbon dome tweeter with decoupling, in which an additional aluminum ring is used to increase rigidity and dampen resonances of the main membrane. The tweeter is loaded on a tapering Nautilus tube, which dampens reverse sound waves and makes the sound at high frequencies transparent and detailed. The midrange driver with the Continuum diffuser is equipped with a 150 mm diameter diffuser made of woven Kevlar, which has an FST-mount to the basket (without suspension). Below the midrange driver on the front panel are two woofers with an Aerofoil diffuser profile. The speakers provide reproduction of low frequencies in the room, starting from 30 Hz (at a level of -3 dB), which is a very good indicator for speakers of this size.
The bass is handled by a pair of 165 mm LF emitters. Their diffusers have an Aerofoil profile calculated using modern computer modeling methods. In accordance with Aerofoil technology, the membrane thickness is increased in the most critical places, which reduces the risk of bending and deformation. This increases the strength and rigidity of the diffuser, and provides deeper and more dynamic LF. The Bowers & Wilkins 703 S2 model received an acoustically inert case, made in a classic designer style. The round Flowport bass reflex port, located at the rear of the speaker, eliminates turbulence of the outgoing air flow and reduces noise. To increase stability, a support plate is attached to the case, into which legs with rubber tips or spikes are screwed. Bowers & Wilkins 703 S2 are equipped with a crossover filter on audiophile-grade components and have dual input screw terminals for connection using b-wiring or bi-amping schemes. To increase the stability of the speakers, they are mounted on massive support plates. There are four screw terminals, with which you can organize a two-wire connection. The speakers are available in three finishes to choose from.
Like all speakers in the series, the Bowers & Wilkins 703 S2 are very well made and finished, and they look great with their grilles removed, which is not often seen in Hi-Fi speakers. All the drivers on the front panel have an elegant metal frame that hides the heads of the mounting screws, and the grilles are equipped with invisible magnetic holders. The tweeter is covered with an individual protective grille, reliably protecting it from accidental damage.
Specifications Bowers & Wilkins703 S2
Number of bands 3
Number of drivers 4
Case type bass reflex, Flowport is located on the rear
Tweeter type 25 mm tweeter with a carbon dome membrane Carbon Dome, placed inside the case, has a decoupling with the case, break frequency (first resonance): 47 kHz
Diameter and type of midrange emitter 150 mm (6”) Midrange driver with a Continuum diffuser made of woven composite material with a special coating, suspension with FST technology, rigid aluminum chassis, mechanically decoupled from the case
Diameter and type of woofer 2 x 165 mm (6.5”) woofers, diffusers with an Aerofoil profile, diffuser material: composite “sandwich”, which includes paper, foam, etc., powerful magnetic system
Frequency range 30 Hz – 33 kHz (- 6 dB)
Frequency response 46 Hz – 28 kHz (± 3 dB)
Sensitivity 89 dB (2.83 V/1 m)
Harmonic distortion (2nd and 3rd harmonics, 90 dB, 1 m) less than 1% (90 Hz – 22 kHz), less than 0.5% (120 Hz – 20 kHz)
Impedance 8 ohms, minimum: 3.1 ohms
Recommended amplifier power 30 W – 200 W per channel at 8 ohms
Input connectors 2 pairs of screw terminals
Grill mount magnetic
Dimensions (WxHxD) 320x1025x370 mm
Weight 25 kg
