Полочная акустика — B&W (Bowers & Wilkins) 706 S3

Bowers & Wilkins describes the 706 S3 as the stand-mount model in its third-generation 700 Series intended for larger rooms. The range counts eight models in total, and this one uses two drivers in a ported cabinet. The US list price is USD 2,500 per pair.

Key specs that matter

Drive units comprise one 25 mm Decoupled Carbon Dome high-frequency unit and one 165 mm Continuum cone bass/midrange. Response is rated at 50 Hz to 28 kHz plus or minus 3 dB, with the -6 dB range reaching from 45 Hz to 33 kHz. The quoted sensitivity is 88 dB SPL at 2.83 V and 1 m. Impedance is 8 ohm nominal and drops to 3.7 ohm at its lowest point. At a level of 90 dB measured 1 m on axis, second and third harmonic distortion remains below 1% between 100 Hz and 22 kHz and below 0.5% between 150 Hz and 20 kHz. The enclosure is 345 mm tall, 192 mm wide and 297 mm deep without grille, or 334 mm deep once grille and terminals are counted. Net weight per speaker is 8.42 kg.

Engineering and use context

Its tweeter dome is made of 30 micron aluminium stiffened with carbon, both as a surface coating and as an outer ring, a hybrid structure that pushes breakup up to 47 kHz. For the bass/midrange cone the company uses Continuum, a woven composite material aimed at high stiffness, low mass and good self-damping, and it states that the cone avoids abrupt transitions in behaviour. Air from the enclosure leaves through a Flowport whose dimpled surface, modelled on a golf ball, is meant to lower turbulence. According to the maker, cabinet design borrowed from its more expensive ranges greatly reduces the part the enclosure itself plays in what the speaker produces. Finish options are Gloss Black, Satin White and Mocha, plus Rosenut in the Asia Pacific region, with a black grille or a grey grille for the Satin White version.

Pairing

Suggested amplifier power runs from 30 W to 120 W on unclipped programme, and total cable impedance should stay under 0.1 ohm. At the back, two linked terminal pairs take 4 mm banana plugs, 6 mm or 8 mm spades and bare wires up to 4 mm across; removing the links opens the way to bi-wire or bi-amp use. The FS-700 S3 is the dedicated floor stand, and foam plugs for the port are packed with each pair for shelf mounting, together with self-adhesive rubber feet for the underside.

Alternatives

The Bowers & Wilkins 705 S3 is a stand-mount sibling with the same bass/midrange size but a decoupled tweeter mounted in a separate aluminium housing on the cabinet top.