Bowers And Wilkins 705 S3 Review
The 700 Series 3 from Bowers & Wilkins truly belongs to the upper class of loudspeakers. The 705 S3 compact model now shows it’s also among the top contenders in its price category. Whether in Mocha, Satin White, or Gloss Black, it performs at a high-end level.
By Lothar Brandt
Long-time 7Review readers know I rarely review loudspeakers, especially passive dynamic models (the typical cone-and-dome type). Even less often do I look at compact versions of these speakers. And it’s almost unheard of for me to shower a compact passive speaker with praise. But this time, I couldn’t help it. Enter the 705 S3 from Bowers & Wilkins, offered at about $3,300 per pair and part of the third generation of the 700 Series. I received it for testing in. Right away, I was captivated by its charm and sleek style—complete with B&W’s familiar Tweeter-on-Top design—and I remained impressed during several weeks of intense listening.
First, let’s look at the facts without emotion: The new 700 Series includes three floorstanding speakers (702 S3, 703 S3—reviewed in 7Review) plus three smaller models: the very compact 707 S3, the slim 706 S3, and the 705 S3 tested here, which is the largest of the smaller models. At 41.3 × 19.2 × 33.7 centimeters, it’s still quite compact, but its “Tweeter on Top” design reveals serious high-end aspirations. That Tweeter on Top concept has been a hallmark of B&W for a long time; in this new 700 Series, it also appears on the pricier 702 S3 and 703 S3.
WITH THE GENES OF THE NOBLE COUSINS
The tapered torpedo-shaped housing is even longer than the previous S2 version, making it more eye-catching, too. The “ToT” (Tweeter on Top) used by the higher-end, aristocratic cousins in the 800 Series D4 looks similar and is built the same way except for the diamond membrane. Here, the upper section houses a tweeter with an aluminum dome coated by an ultra-light carbon layer. Its rearward sound disperses inside a rounded enclosure so it can die away without unwanted effects.
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Both enclosure sections are mechanically decoupled, preventing vibrations from transferring between them. Below, you’ll find a 16.5-centimeter Continuum mid-woofer. These woven silver Continuum cones, which have high internal damping, replaced the bright yellow Kevlar membranes that B&W used for so long. The pod mounting on the curved front holds the cone slightly forward—some might like this look, others might not.
The two drivers are separated by a first-order crossover made of just three high-grade parts, resulting in a gentle 6-dB slope. That means both drivers cover broad frequency ranges. In electroacoustic circles, such crossovers are known for improved phase behavior, so the frequencies they reproduce are better aligned in time and less disorienting to the ear.
Visually, the gently curved 705 S3 looks like a 702 S3 without the bigger bass module. It also shares the subtle curvature of the 805 D4—which was hailed as “possibly the best D4!” The more expensive 805 D4 (about $9,700 per pair) from the top 800 Series is like a high-born cousin that shares some DNA with this top-of-the-line 700 compact speaker. As B&W proudly states, “The 700 models feature technologies originally developed for our flagship 800 Diamond Series.”
Especially for these 700 Series bookshelf models, B&W offers the matching FS-700 S3 stands. They mirror the speaker’s curved shape in a very stylish way. These stands, which provide both height and support, cost about $1,000 per pair and even include a cable channel. The 22–25 mm thick MDF cabinets for the speakers come in three standard colors—Mocha (or Mokka), black, and white—while “Rosewood” is currently sold only in the Asia-Pacific region.
ON TOP, AS IT SHOULD BE: In the higher price ranges, B&W places the tweeter on top in its own, mechanically isolated aluminum enclosure. The backward sound waves can safely dissipate inside.
WITH THE SOUND OF A ROYAL NATURE
Seen here in an elegant Satin White finish, the 705 S3 showed off its equally refined musical performance. It sounded noticeably livelier than its predecessor, the 705 S2. Believe it or not, it came surprisingly close to its pricier cousin, the 805 D4. It rendered voices of all pitches without any trace of colorization. The emotional impact and subtle details made rock vocalist Beth Hart’s take on “Stairway to Heaven” just as moving as soprano Regula Mühlemann’s Vivaldi aria “Squarciami Pure Il Seno.”
The speaker paid royal tribute to these two “queens” of rock and classical music alike, and it also gave their backing musicians—whether a hard-rock band or a lively Baroque ensemble—a wonderful richness in tone and dynamics. Although the speaker offers plenty of upper-range sparkle, it never became harsh, aided by the well-damped listening room, which provides freshness without chill in a parallel setup.
STEREO AND SURROUND: The B&W 700 Series 3—shown here with 705 S3 (rear), 702 S3 (front), and HTM71 S3 (center)—also makes a strong foundation for a sophisticated surround setup.
LAB RESULTS
Measurements show a slight bass lift (3 dB), a moderate boost in the upper midrange and highs (4–6 dB between 4 and 10 kHz), and a broad horizontal dispersion (blue curve). The lower cutoff is 54/43 Hz at -3/-6 dB. Distortions rise gradually from the midrange to the bass. Its maximum SPL is 101 dBSPL, and it calls for an amp that can deliver up to 100 W/4 ohms. On a 10-point scale, AUDIO’s index came in at 7.1.
In short, its performance was quite royal. It treated any accompanying group—be it a powerful rock band or a spirited Baroque orchestra—with lovely tone and dynamics. The 705 S3’s crisp top end never drifted into shrill brightness, helped by the heavily treated demo space.
A quick glance at the test graphs confirmed our listening impressions. Don’t expect a miraculous bass machine in this little powerhouse. The common phrase “amazing bass for its size” doesn’t really apply here. London Grammar’s “Hey Now,” which plunges down to about 32 Hz on big floorstanders, was out of reach; the first harmonic around 64 Hz did the heavy lifting. The engineers favored precise bass over extreme depth—probably a wise choice. Old classics like Stanley Clarke’s “School Days” sounded delightfully tight and detailed, even at impressively high volumes. The tests also showed low distortion above 100 Hz at up to 95 dB. Granted, it does demand a robust amplifier—but that’s part of the deal.
WITH THE MAGIC OF HIGH ART
In my own listening space, powered by a refined tube system, the 705 S3 continued to dazzle. The excellent SACD The Essential Hebrew Violin by violinist Anne Battegay for Ars revealed a stunning range of emotions, from deep sadness to melancholy-tinged joy, while showcasing the musician’s remarkable technique. The speaker reproduced the violin’s nuanced sounds with incredible sensitivity. When Anne Bisson sang “I Wake Up,” it felt almost intrusive to be so close to such an intimate confession.
Many recordings from many genres made me want to bow down—at least metaphorically—before the Bowers & Wilkins 705 S3. For its size and price range, this speaker stands as a true queen.
SOLID AS USUAL: The bi-wiring terminals meet high-end standards, and the flared bass port remains free of “chuffing” noise even at higher volumes.
ACCURATE (ALMOST) LIKE IN THE TOP CLASS: The tweeter, except for its membrane, is the same as in the 800 Series, which uses diamond. In this 700 model, an aluminum/carbon dome replaces the diamond.
Tech Specs
Brand/Model: Bowers & Wilkins 705 S3
Distributor: D&M Germany GmbH, Tel. 02157 1208 0
Website: bowerswilkins.com/de
List Price (per pair): €3000 (approx. $3300)
Warranty: 10 years
Dimensions (W x H x D): 19.2 × 41.3 × 33.7 cm
Weight: 10 kg
Finish: – / –
Colors: Black, White, Mocha
Design Principle: Two-way, Bass Reflex
Room Adaptation: –
Special Features: Tweeter on Top
CONCLUSION
I was able to enjoy this speaker both for the standard test routine in the listening room and for a month at home purely for pleasure. It was love at first sound, and it lasted until I had to give them back. While the B&W 705 S3 didn’t tempt me to give up my electrostats, I’ve never experienced a compact speaker at this price point that thrilled me as much. If you’re looking for a long-term commitment, this could be it.
Pros: Extremely neutral, relaxed, and transparent sound; beautiful styling
Cons: Not a champion of deep bass or huge volumes; needs a sturdy amplifier
| Category | Rating (10‑point) |
|---|---|
| Neutrality | 9.0 |
| Detail Accuracy | 9.5 |
| Localization | 9.0 |
| Spatial Imaging | 9.5 |
| Low-Level Dynamics | 9.5 |
| Max Volume | 9.0 |
| Bass Quality | 8.5 |
| Bass Depth | 8.5 |
| Build Quality | 10.0 (approx.) |
Overall Sound Rating (AUDIO): 91 points → 9.1 (10‑point scale)
Price/Performance: überragend (outstanding)
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