B&W 705 Signature Review – Sign of the times
The saying goes, “The better is the enemy of the good” – this applies to speakers as well. The new 700 Signature series from Bowers & Wilkins proves that an already excellent product can be improved in detail. We tested the new 705 Signature bookshelf speaker at 3,000 euros a pair.
Throughout the 50+ year history of the renowned British speaker brand Bowers & Wilkins, there have been several special Signature models. These special series take the already excellent features of existing products and enhance them with small but significant sonic and aesthetic improvements. Usually, crossover components are meticulously selected and fine-tuned for maximum performance, and the already excellent cabinet quality of the standard series is further refined to create true gems for the eyes and ears.
Specs
PRODUCT B&W 705 Signature
ORIGIN UK/China
TYPE 2-way standmount loudspeaker
WEIGHT 9.3kg
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DIMENSIONS (WxHxD) 200 x 407 x 285mm
FEATURES
• 1x 25mm carbon dome tweeter
• 1x 165mm
Continuum mid/bass driver
• Quoted sensitivity: 88dB/1W/1m (8ohm)
DISTRIBUTOR B&W Group Ltd.
TELEPHONE 0800 2321513
WEBSITE bowers-wilkins.co.uk
700 Signature Series
The latest addition to B&W’s lineup is the Signature variant of the already proven 700 series. Currently available are the full-sized 702 Signature floor-standing speaker and the compact 705 Signature bookshelf speaker, the latter of which we had the opportunity to test.
From the moment you unpack the approximately 340 mm high bookshelf speakers, the perfectly crafted cabinet stands out. A selected real wood veneer called “Dutak” offers an exceptionally high-quality design with its lively grain and nine-layer high-gloss finish. Each speaker is a unique piece, further emphasized by a metal plaque with a serial number, highlighting the special status of the Signature series.
Technology
Regular readers are likely familiar with the B&W specific technologies that primarily appear in the top series and gradually trickle down to the “smaller” series. For example, the Continuum cone material used for the mid-bass driver of the 705 Signature. This mid-grey fabric material from the top 800 Diamond series ensures controlled mid-bass reproduction with minimal distortion in the 705 Signature. Extensive trials and intensive research by the B&W development team have shown that this (secret in detail) material offers a smooth transition from the piston-like movement of the cone to the typical breakup at higher frequencies, ensuring extremely neutral, transparent, and detailed midrange reproduction. The carbon dome tweeter in the separate housing of the 705 Signature is another technological highlight, representing a perfect compromise between the extremely costly diamond domes of the 800 Diamond series and the dual-layer aluminum domes of the 600 series. The carbon dome features a thin and lightweight carbon ring that reinforces the entire structure without adding weight, ensuring clear, low-distortion reproduction well beyond 40 kHz.
Tweeter on Top
A notable feature of the 705 Signature is the separate high-frequency housing, completely isolated spatially and acoustically from the main box. This resonance-free, approximately 1 kg heavy aluminum body houses the carbon dome. It is acoustically isolated from the main speaker cabinet with an effective decoupling mechanism and, thanks to its streamlined design, provides optimal conditions for high-frequency reproduction without disturbing resonances from the woofer or sound diffraction at “sharp” cabinet edges.
The carbon dome tweeter sits in a distinctive solid body tweeter- on-top enclosure
Crossover
Another update in the 705 Signature is the use of extremely high-quality, low-loss capacitors from the German manufacturer Mundorf in the crossover. This small but fine detail contributes to even more detailed, open, and spatial music reproduction. As mentioned earlier, the Signature series is about meticulous fine-tuning of already excellent speakers, where every small detail adds up to a significant sonic improvement. At a pair price of around 3,000 euros, the 705 Signature remains affordable and far from esoteric voodoo. Given its excellent build quality and extensive use of top-series technologies, the 705 Signature is a genuine bargain for ambitious, audiophile music lovers.
No two pairs of 705 Sigs should share the same grain pattern
Practical Use
As is typical for B&W, a maximally linear frequency response was intentionally sacrificed in favor of impulsive, phase- and time-correct reproduction – in other words, musicality. Nonetheless, the 705 Signature delivers remarkably balanced reproduction over the musically important range between 70 Hz and 20 kHz. While not a bass miracle, the “little one” provides precise and dry low-frequency reproduction, delivering sufficient “oomph” in the lower registers. In listening tests, the small B&W felt particularly comfortable freestanding on stands, a placement that perfectly showcases the excellent spatial reproduction of the 705 Signature. The small orchestra in Paul Kuhn’s “As Time Goes By” stood firmly in the listening room, each instrument clearly locatable, yet the overall sound was wonderfully homogeneous and coherent. In terms of detail and microdynamic impulse resolution, the 705 Signature outperforms many other speakers. Even loud tones from the Foo Fighters are reproduced with an astonishingly relaxed ease, making the entire listening experience thoroughly enjoyable.
Test Information
Frequency Response:
The 705 Signature delivers balanced reproduction over the musically important range between 70 Hz and 20 kHz, sacrificing maximum linearity for optimal spatial and impulse response.
Decay Spectrum:
Above 1.5 kHz, practically no disturbing resonances are discernible in the impulse response.
Highlights:
- Placed freely in the room on optional stands, the 705 Signature reveals its true sound potential.
- A special reinforcement ring ensures maximum stability of the tweeter dome, enabling distortion-free, airy high-frequency reproduction.
- The distinctive grey color of the mid-bass driver hints at the use of Continuum cone material from the top 800 Diamond series.
- A true gem: both eyes and ears are equally seduced and flattered.
- The carbon dome tweeter is acoustically completely decoupled from the mid-bass driver housing, achieving peak sonic performance.
HOW IT COMPARES
The Signature is in an ultra-competitive market sector. The bigger, heavier ATC SCM19 is built like a chunky twoway standmount whose rock-solid infinite baffle cabinet confers a punchy and grippy sound that makes the B&W seem softer, looser and a little lighter. It also shows more grace under pressure, sounding more composed at high levels. Yet the ATC is hard to drive loud and lacks the spacious feel of the 705 Signature.
The exquisitely crafted 705 Signature is a triumph in every respect. As a true visual delight with breathtakingly beautiful wood veneer and high-gloss finish, the compact bookshelf speaker also impresses musically without any “ifs or buts.” B&W has undoubtedly achieved a significant success with the 705 Signature, pleasing both the eye and the ear – an absolute highlight with reference-class qualities!
VERDICT
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FIRST REVIEW: Bowers & Wilkins 705 Signature Loudspeaker
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