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What Is the 703 S3?
The Bowers & Wilkins 703 S3 is a three-way floorstanding speaker — sometimes called a “tower speaker” — designed for serious two-channel music listening and home theater use. “Three-way” means it uses separate drivers (individual speaker elements) for the highs, midrange, and bass, so each part of the sound is handled by a driver purpose-built for that job.
What makes the 703 S3 special is that it brings technologies previously found only in Bowers & Wilkins’ flagship 800 Series Diamond speakers into a more attainable package. The most obvious of those is the signature “tweeter-on-top” design, where the high-frequency driver sits in its own housing on top of the cabinet rather than inside it. This is the first time the 703 has received this feature, and it makes a real difference in how open and spacious the music sounds.
Inside, you get the same 6-inch Continuum midrange driver found in the much more expensive 802 D4 — complete with Biomimetic Suspension, an innovative system borrowed from nature that replaces the traditional fabric “spider” (the part that holds the driver cone in place). The result is a cleaner, more transparent midrange with less coloration. Twin 6.5-inch Aerofoil bass drivers round things out, delivering deep, controlled low frequencies that can fill even large rooms.
How Will It Improve Your Listening?
The combination of technologies in the 703 S3 adds up to a speaker that does several things very well. The tweeter-on-top housing is machined from a single block of aluminum and sits decoupled (physically separated) from the main cabinet. This means high-frequency sounds aren’t muddied by vibrations from the bass drivers below, giving you a wider, taller soundstage — that sense that instruments and voices are spread out in three-dimensional space in front of you.
The Carbon Dome tweeter pushes its breakup point to 47kHz, well beyond the range of human hearing. In practical terms, this means the treble you can hear sounds clean and effortless, without harshness or distortion creeping in. The Continuum midrange cone avoids the sudden changes in behavior that can make conventional drivers sound colored or unnatural, so vocals come through with real presence and transparency.
Down low, the Aerofoil bass cones use a variable-thickness design — thicker where they need to be stiff, thinner where they need to flex — to produce bass that’s deep and dynamic without getting boomy or loose. A rear-firing port helps extend the low end, and Bowers & Wilkins includes foam plugs so you can fine-tune the bass to suit your room.
The cabinet itself has been redesigned with a narrower, curved front baffle and drivers mounted in individual pod-like housings that protrude from the surface. This approach, adapted from the 800 Series Diamond, reduces the effect of sound bouncing off the cabinet face, creating a cleaner and more immersive presentation.
What Are Reviewers Saying?
The Absolute Sound — Drew Kalbach, January 2024
The 703 S3 has earned strong praise from the audio press for its versatility and refined performance. According to Drew Kalbach at The Absolute Sound, the speakers excel particularly in the upper frequencies and midrange, handling all musical genres convincingly. While noting that the speakers truly come alive and sound their best when provided with generous amplifier power, Kalbach also highlighted their exceptional build quality and elegant styling as standout features.
AVS Forum — Ed Selley, 2023 — Top Choice Award
Reviewers at AVS Forum awarded the 703 S3 their highest recommendation, naming it a "Top Choice" for 2023. Ed Selley described the speaker as a standout performer that exceeded the expectations of even experienced listeners, representing compelling value for the advanced technology on offer at its price point.
ecoustics — Editor’s Choice Award 2023
The 703 S3 also earned an Editor’s Choice award from ecoustics. The reviewer highlighted the speaker's luxurious build quality and provided specific system-matching advice, recommending a pairing with a neutral-to-warm-sounding amplifier to achieve the best sonic results. They called it a compelling reason to upgrade for anyone in the market for high-end floorstanding speakers.
Audiograde — September 2023
The team at Audiograde gave the 703 S3 an unequivocal recommendation, highlighting what they described as a “golden trilogy” of genuine dynamics, finesse in detail retrieval, and effortless musicality. The reviewer specifically noted the impressive amount of flagship technology packed into the speaker at its current price point.
Hi-Fi News - April 2023
Adding to the praise, Hi-Fi News highlighted the 703 S3’s expansive soundstaging and remarkable composure. The reviewer found the speaker equally adept at handling a wide range of musical scales, from intimate jazz sessions to full-scale orchestral recordings.
Sound & Vision — January 2024
The reviewer praised the 703 S3’s exceptional performance in both stereo music and 5.1-channel home theater, noting luxurious craftsmanship and a seamless, immersive soundstage. They recommended adding a subwoofer for demanding movie content.
EISA Award - Best Product 2023-2024 - Floorstanding Speakers
"The impressive bass, treble detail and cohesive soundstage attest to the engineering skill that’s gone into developing the third generation of Bowers & Wilkins’ 700 Series, much of it trickled down from the company’s top-tier 800 D4 models. Nowhere is this more the case than with the 703 S3, a slender tower that gains a tweeter-on-top for the first time, allied to a pair of 165mm Aerofoil bass drivers and a 150mm Continuum cone midrange. This floorstander delivers an engaging and emotional listen and makes B&W’s superior performance accessible to more music lovers. The new Mocha colourway, next to classic white or black options, is also stunning."
- EISA (Expert Imaging and Sound Association)
One consistent note across reviews: these speakers appreciate a good amplifier. While Bowers & Wilkins rates them for 30 to 200 watts, multiple reviewers found they sounded their best with ample power on tap. The nominal impedance is 8 ohms, but it dips to 3.1 ohms at certain frequencies, so a capable amplifier or receiver will bring out the 703 S3’s full potential.
Who Is This Speaker Best For?
The 703 S3 is ideal if:
- ✅ You want flagship Bowers & Wilkins technology — including the iconic tweeter-on-top — without stepping up to the 800 Series Diamond price range.
- ✅ You’re building a high-performance two-channel stereo system and want a speaker that handles every genre with confidence, from jazz vocals to orchestral to rock.
- ✅ You’re putting together a premium home theater and want voice-matched tower speakers that pair seamlessly with the rest of the 700 S3 Series.
- ✅ You have a medium to large listening room and want a speaker that can fill it with powerful, room-filling sound.
- ✅ You already own a quality amplifier (or plan to invest in one) that can drive a demanding speaker to its full potential.
How Does It Connect to Your System?
The 703 S3 features dual gold-plated binding post terminals on the rear panel, which means it supports both bi-wiring and bi-amping. The terminals accept 4mm banana plugs, 6mm and 8mm spades, or bare wire up to 4mm thick. Out of the box, the terminals come with jumper cables connecting the high and low-frequency sections, so you can use a single run of speaker cable without any extra accessories.
Keep in mind, this is a passive speaker — it needs a separate amplifier or AV receiver to drive it. Bowers & Wilkins recommends 30 to 200 watts per channel into 8 ohms. If you need help choosing the right amplifier, give us a call and we’ll point you in the right direction.
Pairs Well With
Building your system? Here are some great companions for the 703 S3:
Amplifiers & Receivers: These speakers love power. Browse our Integrated Amplifiers and Power Amplifiers to find a great match.- Speaker Cables: Quality cabling makes a difference, especially if you plan to bi-wire. Check out our Speaker Cables, including options from AudioQuest and Analysis Plus.
- Matching Home Theater Speakers: The 703 S3 is voice-matched with the rest of the 700 S3 Series. Consider the Bowers & Wilkins HTM71 S3 center channel and 705 S3 surrounds for a complete setup.
- Subwoofers: For home theater or deeper bass extension, pair these with a quality sub. Browse our Subwoofers collection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this sold as a single speaker or a pair?
This listing is for a single speaker (each) at $3,350. Most customers order two for a stereo pair at $6,700. You can also purchase a single unit if you’re adding it to a home theater setup where you need an odd number of towers.
What kind of amplifier do I need?
Bowers & Wilkins recommends 30 to 200 watts per channel into 8 ohms. While they’ll work with a good AV receiver, multiple professional reviewers noted that these speakers truly shine with a dedicated integrated amplifier or separate power amplifier that can deliver ample current. The impedance dips to 3.1 ohms at certain frequencies, so look for an amp that’s stable into lower impedances. Give us a call at 800-942-0220 and we’ll help you find the right match.
How does the 703 S3 compare to the 702 S3?
The 703 S3 and 702 S3 share the same tweeter-on-top design, Carbon Dome tweeter, and Continuum midrange driver with Biomimetic Suspension. The main differences are that the 702 S3 has three Aerofoil bass drivers (versus two in the 703), a down-firing port (versus rear-firing), slightly deeper bass extension (28Hz vs. 30Hz), and higher maximum recommended amplification (300W vs. 200W). The 703 S3 offers most of the 702’s performance in a slightly smaller, more affordable package.
Does it need to be far from the wall?
Because the 703 S3 has a rear-firing bass port, it works best with some space behind it. Bowers & Wilkins suggests about 20 inches (50cm) from the back wall as a good starting point. If you need to place it closer to the wall, the included foam port plugs can help tame any bass buildup. Experiment with positioning to find what sounds best in your space — or call us for setup advice.
Can I use these for home theater?
Yes, and they’re excellent for it. The 703 S3 is voice-matched with every other speaker in the 700 S3 Series, so you can pair it with the HTM71 S3 center channel and 705 S3 bookshelf speakers for surrounds. For movies, reviewers recommend adding a subwoofer for the deepest low-frequency effects, as the 703 S3’s bass, while impressive for music, may not fully satisfy on big action films without sub support.
What does “bi-wire” mean, and do I need to do it?
Bi-wiring means running two separate speaker cables from your amplifier to each speaker — one pair for the high/midrange section and one for the bass section. The 703 S3 supports this with its dual binding posts. That said, bi-wiring is optional. The speakers come with jumper cables connecting both sets of terminals, so you can use a single cable run right out of the box. Some listeners prefer bi-wiring for a slight improvement in clarity, but it’s not required.
How does this compare to the previous 703 S2?
The S3 generation is a significant upgrade. The biggest change is the addition of the tweeter-on-top design, which the S2 did not have — the older model had its tweeter mounted inside the cabinet. The S3 also gains the Biomimetic Suspension in its midrange driver, a narrower cabinet with a curved baffle, improved driver motors and crossover, and an upgraded plinth design. According to Bowers & Wilkins, the S3 represents a substantial step forward in performance.
Are the grilles magnetic? Can I leave them off?
Yes, the grilles attach magnetically with no visible mounting hardware. Many owners choose to leave the grilles off, as the exposed drivers and curved baffle are a striking design element. It’s entirely a matter of personal preference — performance is optimized for use without grilles.
Do I need speaker stands or a special platform?
No. The 703 S3 is a floor-standing speaker that comes with its own plinth (base), M6 stainless steel carpet spikes, and rubber feet. Install the spikes if you have carpet for the most stable, vibration-free footing, or use the rubber feet on hard floors to protect your surface.
What else do I need to get started?
At minimum, you’ll need an amplifier (or AV receiver), speaker cables, and a source component like a streamer, turntable, or CD player. If you’re starting from scratch or upgrading your whole system, we’re happy to help you put together a complete setup. Call us at 800-942-0220 or email us.
See It in Action
Darko Audio — Bowers & Wilkins 703 S3 Video Review
John Darko offers an in-depth look at the 703 S3, highlighting its tall soundstaging and impressive in-room bass extension.
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