Bowers & Wilkins 707 S3
Nicely Roasted
Sound Quality
88/100
Build Quality
89/100
Features Connectivity
80/100
Value for Money
75/100
The Bowers & Wilkins 707 S3 pairs a clean, open soundstage with the precision of its Decoupled Carbon Dome tweeter and Continuum mid/bass driver. ecoustics highlights the S3 range’s cleaner output, upgraded motor systems and more expansive Flowport performance, while the compact cabinet promises articulate imaging and lively, room-friendly scale.
Pros
Clean, lower-distortion presentation from the revised tweeter loading, upgraded mid/bass motor system and chassis.
Larger Flowport design is intended to deliver a bigger, more expansive low-frequency output.
The related 707 S2 was praised for a forgiving near-neutral balance, detailed treble without stridency, and surprising punch for its compact size.
Cons
As a compact standmount, deep lowest-octave bass is limited; listeners seeking truly subterranean output may want a subwoofer.
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What Reviewers Are Saying
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 88/100
Bass
88/100
Driver/enclosure: 130mm Continuum mid/bass in a vented (Flowport) cabinet; specs list down to ~45Hz. Review material (Hi-Fi Choice on the 606) describes 'digs half an octave deeper' vs older 700 siblings and 'palpably more potent', supporting strong low-end extension and control for a 5"-class standmount.
Mid
90/100
Continuum cone midrange and reviewer comments (Hi‑Fi Choice on the 606) call the midrange 'open, airy and expressive' and 'positively huge for its size', indicating excellent timbral clarity and presence that the 707 S3's driver and design are likely to reproduce or improve upon.
Treble
85/100
Decoupled Carbon Dome tweeter and quoted high-frequency extension support refinement and air. The 606 review notes occasional sibilance ('a lot of "sss"') on some material compared with silkier 707 variants; expect very good extension and detail but with the potential to sound a touch forward on bright recordings.
Soundstage Imaging
90/100
Review excerpts describe the 700-series baby as 'expansive' and 'huge for its size', with open, airy midrange and ambient detail. The 707 S3's driver/tweeter geometry and time-alignment improvements imply strong width, depth and stable imaging for the class.
Dynamics
88/100
Review notes the 606 'entertains on a scale and with an enthusiasm' and is 'insightful', suggesting lively macro/micro dynamics. Recommended power 30–100W and nominal 84dB sensitivity imply the 707 S3 will deliver punchy dynamics with a suitably capable amplifier.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
89/100
Bowers & Wilkins' Continuum cone, Decoupled Carbon Dome and Flowport are premium components; Hi‑Fi Choice described the 606 as 'sturdy and functional' with neat driver presentation. The 707 S3 finishes and crossover parts in the 700 range suggest very solid cabinetry and assembly.
Features Connectivity
80/100
Passive bookshelf baseline applied: single-post passive speaker. No DSP/app/streaming expected or penalized. Features score set to passive baseline per rules.
Value for Money
75/100
Price listed ~2000 (pair assumed); Hi‑Fi Choice praised the much cheaper 606 (~£550) as a standmount bargain. Given the 707 S3's premium positioning, value is good for those seeking 700-series refinement but less of an outright 'no-brainer' compared with lower-cost 600-series alternatives.
Reviews & Sources
Professional reviews and sources for this product's Watt'n Potatoes analysis.
Online Reviews & Mentions
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Specifications
- Net weight
- 6.16kg (13.6 lb)
- Dimensions
- Height: 300mm (11.8 in) cabinet only Width: 165mm (6.5 in) cabinet only Depth: 247mm (9.7 in) cabinet only 284mm (11.2 in) including grille and terminals
- Drive units
- 1x ø25mm (1 in) Decoupled Carbon Dome high-frequency 1x ø130mm (5 in) Continuum cone bass / midrange
- Frequency range
- 45Hz and 33kHz
- Frequency response
- 50Hz - 28kHz ±3dB
- Harmonic distortion
- 2nd and 3rd harmonics (90dB, 1m on axis) <1% 100Hz - 22kHz <0.5% 150Hz - 20kHz
- Nominal impedance
- 8Ω (minimum 4.0Ω)
- Recommended amplifier power
- 30W - 100W into 8Ω on unclipped programme
- Sensitivity
- 84dB spl (2.83Vrms, 1m)
- Technical features
- Decoupled Carbon Dome tweeter Continuum™ cone bass / midrange Flowport™
- Description
- 2-way vented-box system
- Max recommended cable impedance
- 0.1Ω
- Cabinet finishes
- Gloss Black Satin White Mocha
- Grille finishes
- Black Grey (Satin White only)
Manufacturer's Description — Bowers & Wilkins
707 S3's space friendly design makes it easy to accommodate in smaller spaces, but thanks to its Carbon Dome tweeter, Continuum cone mid-bass and curved baffle, this outstanding loudspeaker provides proof positive than often, size can be deceptive. * Stand(s) not included.
- Decoupled Carbon Dome Tweeter
- Continuum™ Cone Bass / Midrange
- Flowport™
Pure and simple
The 707 S3 is the ideal book-shelf loudspeaker. It’s slimmer than ever, but it’s capable of performance levels above and beyond what its diminutive size may suggest.
Sharper detail
Carbon Dome tweeters are purpose-built for the 700 Series. Delivering a dramatic improvement on the aluminum double dome tweeter, they raise the breakup threshold to 47kHz, for pinpoint imaging accuracy and detail.
Truly amazing sound
Thanks to its composite construction, the Continuum™ cone avoids the abrupt transitions in behavior that can impair the performance of a conventional drive unit. The result is a more open, neutral performance that delivers voices and instruments with precision and transparency.
Inspired by greatness
The new curved cabinet baffle and individual drive unit pods are inspired by the 800 Series Diamond, and greatly reduce cabinet coloration, ensuring a cleaner, more immersive sound.
Verified Dealers
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Authorized dealers for Bowers & Wilkins 707 S3
- Resolution A/V — in-store — New York City, New York, United States (website)
- 3mA Audio — online and in-store — Houston, Texas, United States (website)
- Absolute Audio - Canada — in-store — Calgary, Alberta, Canada (website)
- Abt Electronics — online and in-store — Glenview, Illinois, United States (website)
- Accessories 4 less — online and in-store — Apopka, Florida, United States (website)
- Acoustic Sounds — online and in-store — Salina, Kansas, United States (website)
- Acoustica — online and in-store — Chester, England, United Kingdom (website)
- Acoustipower — online and in-store — Markham, Ontario, Canada (website)
- Acton Gate Audio — online and in-store — Cymru, United Kingdom (website)
- ADVANCE ELECTRONICS — in-store — Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada (website)
and 311 more verified dealers