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Bowers & Wilkins 702 S3
702 S3's Carbon Dome tweeter is housed in an all-new Solid Body Tweeter assembly, while with its new downward-firing port configuration and trio of Aerofoil Profile bass cones, it delivers bass that's both profoundly deep and endlessly articulate.
Goosebumps guaranteed
Our flagship, the 702 S3, is a state-of-the-art tower speaker that defines new standards for performance in its class. If you want the best, this is it.
A house for high frequencies
The 700 Series features the latest generation of our iconic Solid Body Tweeter-on-Top housing. Its new, more elongated form incorporates a longer tube-loading system to produce an even more free and open sound with high frequencies. The carefully decoupled housing is milled from a single solid block of aluminum to better resist resonance.
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.
Clean and clear
Every three-way loudspeaker in the new 700 Series has a dedicated midrange cone using four key Bowers & Wilkins technologies: the Continuum cone, FST™, Biomimetic Suspension and midrange decoupling, the latter ensuring minimal interference from the operation of the loudspeaker’s bass drivers.
A triumph of science
Developed using advanced computer modelling techniques, the Aerofoil™ Profile bass cone has variable thickness, providing stiffness and rigidity where it’s needed most. The result: deep and dynamic bass.
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Remarkable midrange clarity gives the 702 S3 a near-studio neutrality, driven by the Continuum midrange and a decoupled carbon dome tweeter for airy detail. Triple Aerofoil bass cones deliver tight, articulate low end while the extended tweeter-on-top pod widens the soundstage. Reviewers like Edgar Kramer and Jason Kennedy noted its transparency and refined build.
Pros
- Exceptional midrange transparency and vocal clarity driven by the Continuum midrange and decoupled mid assembly.
- Tight, controlled bass with excellent stop/start articulation from the triple Aerofoil bass drivers and revised down-firing port.
- Wide, believable soundstage and precise imaging thanks to the elongated tweeter-on-top pod and pod-mounted drivers.
- High-end build and trickle-down 800-series technologies (machined tweeter pod, biomimetic suspension, Aerofoil cones) give class-leading refinement for the price.
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Cons
- Can sound lean or show a touch of brightness/sibilance on some recordings and setups.
- Requires careful placement and a capable amplifier to reveal its best balance and dynamics.
Sound Quality
94/100
Bass
95/100
Three 6.5" Aerofoil woofers and Flowport deliver authoritative, controlled and highly articulate low end. Multiple reviewers described clean, tuneful bass with excellent stop/start control and more power/depth than smaller models, though some noted limited ultimate deep-sub extension in-room. Overall bass authority and integration with the midrange are repeatedly praised.
Mid
95/100
Continuum 150mm decoupled midrange and biomimetic suspension produce exceptionally true, transparent and well-timed mids. Reviewers consistently highlight superb vocal clarity, timbral accuracy and a near studio-monitor honesty that lifts lyrics and lead instruments without obvious coloration.
Treble
93/100
Decoupled 25mm carbon-dome tweeter in an extended 'tweeter-on-top' pod yields detailed, airy highs with very low breakup. A few listeners noted a touch of edge on sibilants, but timing and refinement keep the presentation coherent and revealing.
Soundstage Imaging
92/100
Narrowed, curved baffle and improved tweeter decoupling produce a wide, open soundstage with stable imaging and good layering. Reviewers reported convincing spatial realism and pinpoint imaging, with the speakers 'disappearing' into the room for immersive playback.
Dynamics
93/100
Excellent transient speed, micro/macro dynamics and attack/decay control; reviewers praised stop/start articulation and slam when driven by a capable amplifier. Requires adequate power to fully exploit headroom, but performs energetically across genres.
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Build Quality
94/100
High-quality construction: machined aluminium tweeter pod, solidly braced cabinets, Aerofoil cones and refined plinth/spike hardware. Fit and finish repeatedly described as first-rate, with thoughtfully reworked ports and driver isolation.
Features Connectivity
80/100
Passive floorstander baseline applied: bi-wire terminals and good mechanical connections present. No DSP/app expected or penalized; passive baseline fixed per rules.
Value for Money
90/100
Reviewers call the 702 S3 a strong value relative to B&W's 800-series DNA and competitors at the price (~$7k/£5.5k), noting trickle-down tech and high performance for the cost. Not inexpensive, but widely regarded as a compelling performance-to-price proposition.
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