Audio T Verdict
The Bowers & Wilkins 704 S3 brings much of the clarity and control of the larger 700 Series floorstanders to a slimmer, more room-friendly cabinet.
Its Carbon Dome tweeter and dedicated Continuum cone FST midrange provide an open and precisely focused presentation, while the twin Aerofoil Profile bass drivers add impressive weight and scale.
The 88dB sensitivity and 3.1-ohm minimum impedance mean amplifier quality matters. Partner the 704 S3 with a capable amplifier and take time over positioning to hear it at its best.
Bowers & Wilkins 704 S3 Floorstanding Speakers
The 704 S3 is the slimmest floorstanding loudspeaker in the Bowers & Wilkins 700 Series.
Its three-way design combines a 25mm Decoupled Carbon Dome tweeter, a dedicated 130mm Continuum cone FST midrange driver and two 130mm Aerofoil Profile bass drivers.
The narrow cabinet makes the 704 S3 easier to accommodate than the larger 702 S3 and 703 S3 while retaining the clarity and separation of a dedicated three-way design.
Decoupled Carbon Dome Tweeter
High frequencies are reproduced by a 25mm Decoupled Carbon Dome tweeter developed specifically for the Bowers & Wilkins 700 Series.
The Carbon Dome construction raises the first break-up frequency to approximately 47kHz, well beyond the audible range.
This allows the tweeter to remain more rigid through the audible frequencies, helping the 704 S3 reveal fine detail, ambience and precise stereo positioning.
Continuum Cone FST Midrange
A dedicated 130mm Continuum cone FST driver handles the midrange frequencies.
The composite Continuum cone is designed to avoid the abrupt changes in behaviour that can affect more conventional cone materials.
Separating the midrange from the bass drivers allows voices and instruments to be reproduced with greater openness, consistency and clarity.
Biomimetic Suspension
The Continuum cone midrange driver uses Bowers & Wilkins’ Biomimetic Suspension instead of a conventional fabric spider.
The open structure is designed to reduce unwanted air pressure and noise generated behind the cone as the driver moves.
This helps uncover low-level information within voices and instruments while preserving the clean, neutral character of the dedicated midrange driver.
Decoupled Midrange Assembly
The complete midrange assembly is mechanically decoupled from the main cabinet.
This helps isolate the Continuum cone from vibration generated by the twin bass drivers and the cabinet itself.
Reducing this interference supports clearer vocals, more precise instrumental positioning and greater separation when recordings become complex.
Twin Aerofoil Profile Bass Drivers
Two 130mm Aerofoil Profile bass drivers provide the low-frequency foundation of the 704 S3.
Each cone uses a variable-thickness profile developed through computer modelling, providing greater rigidity where it is most needed without adding unnecessary mass.
The twin-driver arrangement allows the slim cabinet to produce impressive depth and dynamic impact while retaining bass definition and control.
Flowport Bass-Reflex Design
The 704 S3 uses a three-way vented-box enclosure with Bowers & Wilkins Flowport technology.
The dimpled port surface is designed to manage airflow and reduce unwanted turbulence as bass output increases.
The speaker’s position in relation to rear and side walls will still influence its low-frequency balance, so small placement changes can make a noticeable difference.
Slim Cabinet, Full Three-Way Performance
The main cabinet measures only 165mm wide, making the 704 S3 easier to introduce into a living room than many conventional three-way floorstanding speakers.
Its dedicated midrange driver means the bass cones are not required to reproduce voices and instruments through the central part of the frequency range.
This helps the 704 S3 combine a relatively discreet appearance with the clarity, separation and scale expected from a full three-way loudspeaker.
Allow Space for the Plinth
The main cabinet is 165mm wide and 263mm deep, but the supplied plinth increases the overall footprint to 252mm wide and 321mm deep.
Measure the intended position using the complete plinth dimensions rather than the cabinet dimensions alone.
Speaker Placement
The 704 S3 is designed to stand directly on the floor using its supplied stabilising plinth.
A useful starting point is to:
- Install the supplied plinth correctly
- Position both speakers the same distance from the listening seat
- Leave some space from the rear and side walls
- Avoid placing either speaker tightly into a corner
- Keep both speakers level and stable
- Experiment with small changes in toe-in
- Move the speakers a few centimetres at a time
Moving the speakers closer to surrounding walls will normally increase bass output. Pulling them further into the room will usually improve bass definition, openness and image depth.
Compact Does Not Mean Position-Independent
The slim cabinet makes the 704 S3 easier to accommodate, but it still requires suitable space around it to deliver balanced bass and stable stereo imaging.
A demonstration or home trial will help establish whether the speaker’s dimensions and presentation suit the intended room.
Amplifier Matching
Bowers & Wilkins recommends amplifiers rated between 30 and 150 watts into 8 ohms on unclipped programme material.
The 704 S3 has a sensitivity of 88dB, a nominal impedance of 8 ohms and a minimum impedance of 3.1 ohms.
Its sensitivity allows it to produce useful listening levels with a broad range of good-quality amplifiers. However, the low minimum impedance means capable current delivery and control remain important.
A well-matched amplifier will help the 704 S3 produce tighter bass, clearer dynamics and a more stable stereo image, particularly at higher listening levels.
Amplifier power alone does not determine compatibility. Room size, listening distance, preferred volume and the tonal character of the complete system should also be considered during a demonstration.
A Separate Amplifier Is Required
The 704 S3 is a passive loudspeaker and does not contain built-in amplification, network streaming or Bluetooth.
It must be connected to a suitable stereo amplifier, streaming amplifier, pre-amplifier and power-amplifier combination, or home cinema receiver.
Running In
New loudspeaker drive units can change as their suspensions settle through normal use.
Allow the 704 S3 time to settle before making final decisions about positioning, bass balance or system matching.
Normal listening at sensible volume levels is sufficient. There is no need to play the speakers continuously or at unusually high volume.
Stereo Hi-Fi and Home Cinema
The 704 S3 can provide full-range performance as the main left and right speakers in a high-quality stereo system.
Its relatively slim cabinet also makes it a practical choice for the front channels of a home cinema installation where space is more restricted.
The matching Bowers & Wilkins HTM72 S3 centre speaker can be added to maintain a consistent tonal character across the front soundstage, with 706 S3 or 707 S3 standmount speakers available for surround duties.
Finish Options
Current manufacturer finish options include:
- Gloss Black with a black grille
- Satin White with a grey grille
- Mocha with a black grille
Finish availability should be confirmed when ordering.
Key Features
- Slim three-way passive floorstanding loudspeaker
- Most compact floorstander in the Bowers & Wilkins 700 Series
- 25mm Decoupled Carbon Dome tweeter
- Approximately 47kHz tweeter break-up frequency
- Dedicated 130mm Continuum cone FST midrange driver
- Biomimetic midrange suspension
- Decoupled midrange assembly
- Twin 130mm Aerofoil Profile bass drivers
- Flowport bass-reflex technology
- Three-way vented-box enclosure
- 43Hz–33kHz published frequency range
- 88dB sensitivity
- 8-ohm nominal impedance
- 3.1-ohm minimum impedance
- 30–150-watt amplifier recommendation
- Suitable for stereo Hi-Fi and home cinema systems
- Supplied with a stabilising plinth
- Supplied as a stereo pair
- Five-year limited manufacturer’s warranty
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the Bowers & Wilkins 704 S3 speakers supplied as a pair?
Yes. They are supplied as a stereo pair of passive floorstanding speakers.
Do the 704 S3 speakers need an amplifier?
Yes. They require a separate stereo amplifier, streaming amplifier, pre-amplifier and power-amplifier combination, or home cinema receiver.
What amplifier power is recommended?
Bowers & Wilkins recommends an amplifier rated between 30 and 150 watts into 8 ohms on unclipped programme material.
Are the 704 S3 speakers difficult to drive?
Their 88dB sensitivity is reasonably amplifier-friendly, although the 3.1-ohm minimum impedance means a capable amplifier with good current delivery is recommended.
Does the 704 S3 have Tweeter-on-Top?
No. Its Decoupled Carbon Dome tweeter is mounted in the front baffle. Tweeter-on-Top is used on the larger 702 S3 and 703 S3 floorstanding models.
What is Biomimetic Suspension?
It is the suspension system used behind the dedicated midrange cone. It is designed to reduce unwanted air pressure and noise as the driver moves.
Are the plinths included?
Yes. Stabilising plinths are supplied and should be installed correctly before the speakers are used.
What size room suits the 704 S3?
The slim cabinet makes it particularly suitable for small and medium-sized rooms, although adequate space should still be left around the speakers.
How does the 704 S3 differ from the 703 S3?
The 704 S3 uses a narrower cabinet and smaller 130mm midrange and bass drivers. The larger 703 S3 adds Tweeter-on-Top and 165mm bass drivers for greater scale and low-frequency authority.
Can the 704 S3 be used in a home cinema system?
Yes. A pair can be used as the front left and right speakers alongside the matching HTM72 S3 centre speaker and suitable 700 Series surround speakers.
Will I need a subwoofer?
Not necessarily for stereo listening. A suitable subwoofer may still provide deeper extension and greater physical impact for home cinema systems.
How large is each speaker?
Including its supplied plinth, each speaker measures 964mm high, 252mm wide and 321mm deep.
How much does each speaker weigh?
Each speaker weighs 20.53kg.
What finishes are available?
The 704 S3 is available in Gloss Black, Satin White and Mocha finishes.
What warranty is included?
Bowers & Wilkins provides a five-year limited warranty for passive loudspeakers, subject to its warranty terms and conditions.
Related Bowers & Wilkins Products and Audio T Guides
Why Buy From Audio T?
- In-store Bowers & Wilkins demonstrations
- Amplifier and system-matching advice
- Room positioning and setup guidance
- Stereo and home cinema system planning
- Speaker cable and termination advice
- Delivery and installation guidance
- Part exchange on suitable existing equipment
- Ongoing setup and after-sales support
Contact your local Audio T store to arrange a demonstration of the Bowers & Wilkins 704 S3.