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When it comes to high-end audio equipment, Bowers & Wilkins is a brand that has earned a reputation for creating some of the most technically advanced and beautiful speakers on the market. Among their many offerings, the Bowers And Wilkins 706 S3 stands out as one of the most popular stand-mounted models in the 700 series. Known for its excellent sound quality, sleek design, and cutting-edge technology, this speaker has captured the attention of audiophiles worldwide. In this review, we’ll break down the various features, performance, design, and overall value of the Bowers And Wilkins 706 S3, helping you decide if it’s the right speaker for your audio setup.
A Closer Look at the Bowers And Wilkins 706 S3
The Bowers And Wilkins 706 S3 is a compact stand-mounted speaker that belongs to the renowned 700 series of Bowers & Wilkins. With a focus on delivering clear, accurate sound reproduction, the 706 S3 is designed to satisfy even the most discerning audiophiles. This speaker incorporates advanced technologies, including Continuum cone drivers and the Carbon Dome tweeter, ensuring optimal sound quality across the entire frequency range.
With its striking appearance and superb craftsmanship, the Bowers And Wilkins 706 S3 is built to deliver exceptional audio performance while complementing modern interiors. Whether you’re an audiophile or simply looking to enhance your home audio experience, the 706 S3 offers remarkable capabilities in a compact package.
Design and Build Quality of the Bowers And Wilkins 706 S3
The Bowers And Wilkins 706 S3 is designed to deliver both visually appealing aesthetics and excellent sound quality. Its construction is solid and carefully engineered to minimize unwanted resonance and vibrations, ensuring clean and accurate sound reproduction. The speaker’s cabinet is built from high-quality materials, which contribute to its durability and longevity. It’s available in a range of finishes, including matte black, satin white, and oak veneer, allowing you to select the finish that best suits your space.
One of the standout features of the Bowers And Wilkins 706 S3 is the tweeter-on-top design. This innovative configuration improves the separation of the high and low frequencies, resulting in a cleaner, more open sound. The 707 S3, for example, benefits from this placement by minimizing interference between drivers and providing better imaging. This design enhancement is particularly evident in the crisp, airy high frequencies and the detailed midrange.
In addition to its elegant appearance, the 706 S3 incorporates a Flowport bass reflex system, which improves airflow to the rear of the speaker, ensuring that low frequencies are delivered without distortion. This means that the 706 S3 is able to provide a rich, full-bodied sound while remaining compact enough to be placed in various room configurations.
Sound Performance of the Bowers And Wilkins 706 S3
The Bowers And Wilkins 706 S3 is a speaker that excels in its audio performance, delivering a sound that is clear, precise, and full of depth. The speaker incorporates a Continuum cone midrange driver that significantly improves sound quality compared to traditional paper cones. The Continuum cone material ensures smooth and natural midrange frequencies, which makes voices and instruments sound more lifelike and accurate.
When it comes to the high frequencies, the Bowers And Wilkins 706 S3 features a Carbon Dome tweeter, which is made from a high-rigidity carbon composite material. This advanced tweeter allows the speaker to reproduce higher frequencies with precision and clarity, providing a crisp, open sound that adds a sense of airiness to your listening experience.
The bass performance of the Bowers And Wilkins 706 S3 is also impressive. Thanks to its Flowport design, the speaker is capable of producing deep, controlled bass without the typical distortion found in other compact speakers. Although the bass is not as heavy as that of a full-sized floorstanding speaker, it is more than sufficient for most listening situations, particularly in smaller to medium-sized rooms.
In terms of imaging, the Bowers And Wilkins 706 S3 offers exceptional soundstage width and depth. The precise placement of the drivers, along with the advanced materials used, creates a listening experience where instruments are clearly positioned across a wide soundstage. Whether you’re sitting directly in front of the speakers or moving around the room, the 706 S3 maintains excellent imaging and an even distribution of sound.
Advanced Features and Technologies in the Bowers And Wilkins 706 S3
Bowers & Wilkins has equipped the 706 S3 with several advanced technologies designed to enhance its performance and provide audiophiles with the highest level of sound quality. One of the key features is the Continuum cone midrange driver. This driver technology, developed by Bowers & Wilkins, improves the clarity and transparency of midrange frequencies. It ensures that vocals and instruments are reproduced with accuracy, minimizing any coloration that can occur with traditional speaker cones.
Another standout technology is the Carbon Dome tweeter. This innovative tweeter design is made from a rigid carbon composite material, which helps reduce distortion in high frequencies. The result is a cleaner, more detailed sound with improved transient response, allowing you to hear every detail in your music or movies.
The Bowers And Wilkins 706 S3 also benefits from the Decoupled Double Dome design for the tweeter. This decoupling isolates the tweeter from the rest of the speaker, preventing unwanted vibrations from affecting the clarity of the high frequencies. This ensures a cleaner, more accurate sound, especially in the higher end of the frequency range.
Room Placement and Acoustic Considerations for the Bowers And Wilkins 706 S3
Although the Bowers And Wilkins 706 S3 is engineered to provide excellent sound in a variety of settings, room acoustics and speaker placement play a significant role in achieving optimal performance. The 706 S3 is designed to be used with speaker stands to achieve the best sound. Positioning the speakers at ear level allows for more precise imaging and ensures that the soundstage is centered in front of you.
Room acoustics are another important consideration when setting up the Bowers And Wilkins 706 S3. In rooms with hard surfaces, you may experience excessive reflections that can affect the clarity of the sound. To combat this, you can use acoustic treatments such as absorptive panels or diffusers to minimize unwanted echoes. Additionally, the placement of the speakers in relation to the walls can influence the bass response. Moving the speakers away from corners can help reduce boominess and provide a more balanced sound.
For those who desire even deeper bass, the Bowers And Wilkins 706 S3 can be paired with a subwoofer. While the 706 S3 provides impressive bass for its size, a subwoofer can extend the low-end performance and give your system more power and presence.
Comparing the Bowers And Wilkins 706 S3 with Other Speakers
When comparing the Bowers And Wilkins 706 S3 with other speakers in the same price range, it’s important to consider its performance in terms of clarity, soundstage, and overall balance. Compared to speakers from brands like KEF, Focal, and Monitor Audio, the Bowers And Wilkins 706 S3 holds its own in terms of delivering a highly detailed and accurate sound. The 706 S3 stands out particularly in the midrange, where vocals and instruments are reproduced with incredible precision.
Additionally, the Bowers And Wilkins 706 S3 provides excellent imaging and soundstage depth, which many other speakers in this category struggle to match. Its high-frequency response, thanks to the Carbon Dome tweeter, is also superior, offering a more refined and open sound that some competitors may lack.
When compared to other Bowers & Wilkins models, such as the 705 S3 or the 707 S3, the 706 S3 delivers a more powerful bass response, making it better suited for those who want a fuller sound. If you’re looking for something more compact or space-conscious, the 705 S3 might be a better fit, but for those who prioritize overall sound performance, the Bowers And Wilkins 706 S3 is an exceptional choice.
Is the Bowers And Wilkins 706 S3 Worth the Investment?
The Bowers And Wilkins 706 S3 is undeniably a premium speaker, and its price tag reflects this. However, for audiophiles and music enthusiasts who demand high-quality sound, the 706 S3 offers incredible value. Its combination of advanced technology, superior sound quality, and beautiful design makes it a standout in its category. If you’re serious about audio performance and want a speaker that will provide clear, detailed, and immersive sound for years to come, the Bowers And Wilkins 706 S3 is definitely worth the investment.
Conclusion
The Bowers And Wilkins 706 S3 is a speaker that delivers exceptional sound quality, cutting-edge technology, and stunning design. Whether you’re looking to upgrade your current audio setup or are starting from scratch, this speaker offers everything you need to create an immersive listening experience. With its advanced Continuum cone drivers, Carbon Dome tweeters, and sleek design, the Bowers And Wilkins 706 S3 is an excellent choice for those who appreciate high-quality sound and craftsmanship.