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Bowers & Wilkins 704 S3

Name: Bowers & Wilkins 704 S3
Brand: Bowers & Wilkins
SKU: 300521
Rating: 4.6 (15 reviews)

View at Bowers & Wilkins

Bi-Wire Capable

The slimmest tower loudspeaker Bowers & Wilkins makes, 704 S3 still packs a mighty punch. Its twin Aerofoil Profile bass drivers ensure ample extension and scale, while its decoupled Continuum cone FST™ driver delivers crystal clear midrange performance.

Slim design, big sound

This elegant tower loudspeaker is slimmer and easier to accommodate than ever. Perfect for superlative sound in smaller spaces.

A house for high frequencies

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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Overall Score 91/100

Deliciously Crispy

Leading with remarkably natural midrange, the 704 S3 pairs a Continuum midrange and decoupled assembly with a Carbon Dome tweeter and Aerofoil bass cones for pinpoint imaging, airy top end and controlled bass. Reviewers like Brian Mitchell and SoundStage Solo noted its refined resolution and premium build, rewarding capable amplification.

Pros

Very strong, natural midrange clarity and vocal presence thanks to the Continuum mid driver and decoupled mid assembly.
Refined, low-distortion treble from the Decoupled Carbon Dome tweeter delivering extended air and detail.
High-quality construction and thoughtful cabinet engineering (Aerofoil bass cones, Flowport, decoupling) produce coherent imaging and premium fit-and-finish.

Cons

Modest deep-bass extension for a floorstander — tight and controlled but not as deep as larger tower designs.
Moderate sensitivity (88dB) and recommended power range mean the speakers benefit from a capable amplifier to realise their dynamics.

Sound Quality

92/100

Bass

90/100

Dual 130mm Aerofoil bass cones in a vented cabinet give controlled, punchy low end but the specified response (48Hz ±3dB, frequency range to 43Hz) indicates modest extension compared with larger towers. Expect tight, authoritative bass for a small tower rather than deep sub-bass; good port engineering (Flowport) aids control.

Mid

94/100

Continuum cone FST midrange and a decoupled mid assembly point to very strong midrange clarity and natural timbre. The design emphasis on mid-drive technology suggests excellent vocal presence and coherence through the crossover region.

Treble

92/100

Decoupled Carbon Dome tweeter and claimed extension to 28–33kHz support refined, detailed high frequencies with low distortion. Expect good air and resolution without pronounced harshness thanks to the decoupled mounting.

Soundstage Imaging

92/100

3-way layout with dedicated midrange and careful driver decoupling favors precise imaging, stable focus and layered staging. The narrow cabinet and B&W driver integration promote coherent width and depth for typical listening positions.

Dynamics

90/100

Recommended amplifier power (30–150W) and robust Aerofoil bass cones imply strong macro- and micro-dynamic capability. Sensitivity is moderate (88dB), so slam is excellent with adequate amplification but may be limited with low-power amps.

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Build Quality

96/100

High-quality materials (Aerofoil cones, Continuum mid, Carbon Dome tweeter), thoughtful cabinet engineering and finishes indicate top-tier construction. Fit-and-finish and internal engineering (bracing/decoupling) are consistent with B&W's premium standards.

Features Connectivity

80/100

Passive floorstanding design — passive baseline applied. No DSP/app/streaming considered; baseline 80 used per rules.

Value for Money

74/100

At the listed price (~4200), the 704 S3 is a premium product with strong technical execution but competes in a crowded segment; pricing positions it as a high-end purchase rather than a budget value. Score reflects excellent performance relative to many peers but a clear premium price.