Bowers & Wilkins 703 S3 Tower Speaker

Description

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About the Bowers & Wilkins 703 S3 Tower Speaker

The Bowers & Wilkins 703 S3 Tower Speaker features Bowers & Wilkins’ iconic Solid Body Tweeter-on-Top design. It also uses a 25mm Decoupled Carbon Dome tweeter, a 150mm Continuum cone FST midrange driver with Biomimetic Suspension, and twin 165mm Aerofoil Profile bass drivers in a 3-way vented-box cabinet with Flowport.

The result is a speaker that brings many technologies from Bowers & Wilkins’ higher-end ranges into a more accessible floorstanding design. It is ideal for customers who want a refined, detailed, and room-filling loudspeaker for music, movies, and premium everyday listening.

What We Think

At Rapallo, the Bowers & Wilkins 703 S3 is a very strong choice for customers who want a serious floorstanding speaker without moving all the way up to the larger 702 S3.

The biggest upgrade is the Tweeter-on-Top design. This helps the speaker deliver a more open, spacious, and focused high-frequency presentation. Bowers & Wilkins also uses a decoupled solid aluminium tweeter housing to reduce resonance, which helps with imaging and detail.

We also like the dedicated midrange design. The Continuum cone FST driver is decoupled from the cabinet and uses Biomimetic Suspension. That helps vocals and instruments sound cleaner, more precise, and less affected by the movement of the bass drivers.

For NZ customers building a premium stereo or home theatre system, the 703 S3 is best matched with a capable amplifier. It is rated at 90dB sensitivity and Bowers & Wilkins recommends 30W to 200W into 8 ohms. However, its minimum impedance is 3.1 ohms, so good amplifier control is important.

Its available for demo – so don’t take our word, come in for a listen!

 

 

View User Manual >> View Specifications >>

 

The Bowers & Wilkins 703 S3 Is Ideal For

• Premium 2-channel hi-fi systems
• Medium to larger listening rooms
• Customers wanting a serious floorstanding speaker
• Music lovers who value detail, imaging, and scale
• Home theatre front left and right channels
• Systems using quality integrated amplifiers or separate amplification
• Listeners wanting Bowers & Wilkins 700 Series technology below the 702 S3

 

What the Experts Say

• Hi-Fi News noted that the 703 S3 is the first 703 generation to gain Bowers & Wilkins’ Tweeter-on-Top module. It also highlighted the 25mm decoupled carbon dome tweeter, 150mm FST Continuum midrange, and twin 165mm Aerofoil woofers.
• Audiograde described the 703 S3 as a 3-way design with twin 6.5-inch bass drivers, a 6-inch midrange, and a 1-inch tweeter in a top-mounted external enclosure. It also highlighted the trickle-down technology from Bowers & Wilkins’ higher-end ranges.
• Sound & Vision described the 703 S3 as a versatile speaker that justifies its price through performance and appearance, noting its twin 6.5-inch Aerofoil Profile drivers, 90dB sensitivity, 8-ohm nominal impedance, and 30W to 200W recommended amplifier range.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the Bowers & Wilkins 703 S3?
   The Bowers & Wilkins 703 S3 is a premium 3-way floorstanding tower speaker from the 700 Series. It is designed for high-quality stereo music systems and premium home theatre front channels.
2. Does the 703 S3 have Tweeter-on-Top technology?
   Yes, the 703 S3 features Bowers & Wilkins’ Solid Body Tweeter-on-Top design. This is the first 703 generation to include this technology.
3. What drivers does the Bowers & Wilkins 703 S3 use?
   It uses a 25mm Decoupled Carbon Dome tweeter, a 150mm Continuum cone FST midrange driver, and two 165mm Aerofoil Profile bass drivers.
4. What is the frequency response of the 703 S3?
   The 703 S3 has a frequency response of 46Hz to 28kHz, ±3dB. Its full frequency range is listed as 30Hz to 33kHz.
5. How much amplifier power does the 703 S3 need?
   Bowers & Wilkins recommends 30W to 200W into 8 ohms. For best results, use a quality amplifier with good current delivery and control.
6. Is the 703 S3 easy to drive?
   The 703 S3 has 90dB sensitivity, which is reasonably efficient. However, its minimum impedance is 3.1 ohms, so it benefits from a capable amplifier.
7. Can the 703 S3 be used for home theatre?
   Yes, the 703 S3 works very well as front left and right speakers in a premium home theatre system. It can be matched with other Bowers & Wilkins 700 Series centre and surround speakers.
8. How is the 703 S3 different from the 704 S3?
   The 703 S3 is the larger and more advanced model. It uses Tweeter-on-Top, a 150mm Continuum midrange, and twin 165mm bass drivers. The 704 S3 is slimmer, with smaller drivers.
9. How is the 703 S3 different from the 702 S3?
   The 702 S3 is the larger model above the 703 S3. It adds a third 165mm Aerofoil bass driver, giving it more scale and bass output for larger rooms.
10. What finishes are available for the 703 S3?
    The 703 S3 is available in Gloss Black, Satin White, and Mocha cabinet finishes. Grilles are black, except Satin White models, which use grey grilles.
11. Who is the Bowers & Wilkins 703 S3 best suited to?
    It is best for listeners who want a serious floorstanding speaker with detailed treble, clear midrange, strong bass, and premium Bowers & Wilkins 700 Series engineering.

 

Key Features

Solid Body Tweeter-on-Top

The 703 S3 now includes Bowers & Wilkins’ Tweeter-on-Top configuration. The tweeter sits in its own solid aluminium housing above the cabinet, which helps reduce cabinet interaction and supports a more open, spacious treble presentation.

Decoupled Carbon Dome Tweeter

The 25mm Carbon Dome tweeter is designed specifically for the 700 Series. Bowers & Wilkins says it raises the break-up threshold to 47kHz, helping deliver fine detail, clean imaging, and greater high-frequency accuracy.

Continuum Cone FST Midrange

The 150mm Continuum cone FST midrange driver is designed for openness, neutrality, and transparency. It helps voices and instruments sound more natural and precise.

Biomimetic Suspension

The 703 S3 midrange driver uses Bowers & Wilkins’ Biomimetic Suspension, borrowed from higher-end 800 Series development. This replaces a more conventional spider design and helps reduce unwanted air pressure and colouration behind the cone.

Decoupled Midrange Assembly

The midrange driver is decoupled to minimise interference from the bass drivers. This helps the speaker keep vocals, dialogue, and acoustic instruments clean and focused, even when the bass drivers are working hard.

Twin Aerofoil Profile Bass Drivers

Two 165mm Aerofoil Profile bass drivers provide low-frequency weight and control. Bowers & Wilkins developed this variable-thickness cone design using advanced computer modelling to improve stiffness where needed.

Flowport Bass Reflex Design

The 703 S3 uses a 3-way vented-box system with Flowport. This helps support deeper bass while keeping airflow smoother through the rear port.

Premium 700 Series Cabinet Design

The cabinet has a slimmer, gently curved front baffle compared with the previous generation. Hi-Fi News noted that the curved baffle helps reduce diffraction, while the driver pods lift the mid and bass drivers out from the front baffle.

Flexible Stereo or Home Theatre Use

The 703 S3 works beautifully in a premium 2-channel system. It can also be used as front left and right speakers in a larger Bowers & Wilkins 700 Series home theatre system.

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Perfect System Match

The Bowers & Wilkins 703 S3 is a great match with the Marantz MODEL 50 for a refined analogue stereo system. Add the Marantz CD 50n and you also gain CD playback, HEOS streaming, HDMI ARC, and digital inputs.

For a more powerful system, pair the 703 S3 with the Marantz MODEL 30, Marantz MODEL 10, or a strong Musical Fidelity integrated amplifier. The 703 S3 has good sensitivity, but it still benefits from clean current delivery and good amplifier grip.

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Product Comparison Snapshot

Model	Best For	Key Difference
Bowers & Wilkins 704 S3	Slimmer rooms and smaller spaces	Smaller cabinet, smaller midrange and bass drivers
Bowers & Wilkins 703 S3	Premium stereo and home theatre systems	Tweeter-on-Top, 150mm Continuum midrange, twin 165mm Aerofoil bass drivers
Bowers & Wilkins 702 S3	Larger rooms and more scale	Adds a third 165mm Aerofoil bass driver
Bowers & Wilkins 705 S3	Premium standmount systems	Bookshelf design with Tweeter-on-Top

 

 

Specifications

Brand: Bowers & Wilkins

Model: 703 S3

Product Type: Floorstanding Tower Speaker

Speaker Type
3-way vented-box floorstanding loudspeaker

Driver Configuration
1 x 25mm Decoupled Carbon Dome high-frequency driver
1 x 150mm Continuum cone FST midrange driver
2 x 165mm Aerofoil Profile bass drivers

Tweeter Design
Solid Body Tweeter-on-Top
Decoupled Carbon Dome tweeter

Midrange Technology
Continuum cone FST midrange
Decoupled midrange
Biomimetic Suspension

Bass Technology
Aerofoil Profile bass cones

Port Design
Flowport

Frequency Range
30Hz to 33kHz

Frequency Response
46Hz to 28kHz, ±3dB

Sensitivity
90dB SPL, 2.83Vrms, 1m

Nominal Impedance
8 ohms

Minimum Impedance
3.1 ohms

Recommended Amplifier Power
30W to 200W into 8 ohms on unclipped programme

Harmonic Distortion
Less than 1%, 90Hz to 22kHz
Less than 0.5%, 120Hz to 20kHz

Maximum Recommended Cable Impedance
0.1 ohms

Dimensions, Cabinet Only
1010mm (H) x 192mm (W) x 316mm (D)

Dimensions, Including Tweeter and Plinth
1117mm (H) x 290mm (W) x 372mm (D)

Depth Including Grille and Terminals
353mm

Weight
28.81kg each

Cabinet Finishes
Gloss Black
Satin White
Mocha

Grille Finishes
Black
Grey, Satin White only

Rapallo Product Data

MPN: 703 S3

SKU: BW-703-S3

EAN / UPC / GTIN: 0714346339495

 

Why Buy From Rapallo

✔ Expert advice on matching Bowers & Wilkins speakers with the right amplifier
✔ Help building stereo or home theatre systems
✔ NZ support and after-sales service
✔ Trusted hi-fi and home entertainment specialists
✔ Practical guidance for speaker positioning, cabling, subwoofer matching, and room setup