Полочная акустика — B&W (Bowers & Wilkins) 705 S3 Signature

Bowers & Wilkins places the 705 S3 Signature, a compact two-way design for stands, in its 700 Series Signature range. It takes the standard 705 S3 as its base and adds component changes that the company says were first developed for its 800 Series Signature models. A pair costs USD 5,200 in the American price list.

Key specs that matter

A 25 mm Decoupled Carbon Dome tweeter works above a 165 mm Continuum cone bass/midrange unit in a vented-box enclosure. Bowers & Wilkins quotes 50 Hz to 28 kHz within plus or minus 3 dB and a wider 45 Hz to 33 kHz at the -6 dB points. Sensitivity is 88 dB SPL for 2.83 V at 1 m. Nominal impedance is 8 ohm, with the curve falling to a minimum of 3.7 ohm. Second and third harmonic distortion measured at 90 dB and 1 m on axis stays under 1% from 100 Hz to 22 kHz and under 0.5% from 150 Hz to 20 kHz. The cabinet alone measures 345 mm high, 192 mm wide and 297 mm deep; the tweeter housing lifts total height to 413 mm, and grille plus terminals take depth to 337 mm. Each unit weighs 10.35 kg.

Engineering and use context

Relative to the ordinary 705 S3, this edition gets an upgraded mid-bass motor system, improved capacitors, revised speaker terminals and a more open mesh over the tweeter. The Solid Body Tweeter-on-Top enclosure holding the tweeter is milled from one block of aluminium, which decouples it from the main cabinet, and the assembly may feel loose when unpacked by design. Its 30 micron aluminium dome carries a carbon coating and a carbon outer ring, which moves the breakup frequency to 47 kHz. Continuum material, a woven composite, was chosen for stiffness, low mass and self-damping, and the rear Flowport has a dimpled surface, similar to a golf ball, to reduce turbulence. Buyers choose between Datuk Gloss wood veneer and Midnight Blue Metallic paint, both with a black grille.

Pairing

The maker recommends 30 W to 120 W on unclipped programme and a cable impedance no higher than 0.1 ohm. Two linked pairs of terminals accept 4 mm banana plugs, 6 mm and 8 mm spades or bare wire up to 4 mm, and removing the links allows bi-wiring or bi-amplification. The company designed the speaker primarily for its FS-700 S3 floor stand, with shelf use also permitted; foam port plugs and self-adhesive rubber feet are supplied.

Alternatives

The standard Bowers & Wilkins 705 S3 uses the same driver sizes with Tweeter-on-Top in the regular 700 Series finishes.