Audio T Verdict
The Bowers & Wilkins 706 S3 combines the manageable dimensions of a standmount speaker with the weight, scale and authority of its substantial 165mm Continuum driver.
Its Carbon Dome tweeter provides a detailed and focused treble, while the carefully designed cabinet and crossover help voices and instruments sound open, precise and well separated.
The 88dB sensitivity and 3.7-ohm minimum impedance make it compatible with a broad range of good-quality amplifiers. Solid speaker stands, careful positioning and capable amplification will help it deliver its best performance.
Bowers & Wilkins 706 S3 Standmount Speakers
The 706 S3 is a high-performance standmount loudspeaker from the Bowers & Wilkins 700 Series.
Its two-way design combines a 25mm Decoupled Carbon Dome tweeter with a 165mm Continuum cone bass and midrange driver.
The larger driver and cabinet give the 706 S3 greater scale and low-frequency authority than the smaller 707 S3, while retaining the placement flexibility of a standmount 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 706 S3 reveal fine detail, ambience and precise stereo positioning.
Continuum Cone Bass and Midrange Driver
A 165mm Continuum cone driver handles the bass and midrange frequencies.
The composite Continuum cone is designed to avoid the abrupt changes in behaviour that can affect more conventional cone materials.
This helps the 706 S3 reproduce voices and instruments with an open, neutral and consistent character while delivering convincing bass weight from its standmount cabinet.
Flowport Bass-Reflex Design
The 706 S3 uses a two-way vented-box enclosure with Bowers & Wilkins Flowport technology.
The dimpled surface of the rear-facing port is designed to manage airflow and reduce unwanted turbulence as bass output increases.
The distance between the cabinet and the rear wall will influence the low-frequency balance, so small changes in speaker position can make a noticeable difference.
Curved Cabinet Baffle
The front baffle uses a curved profile inspired by design ideas developed for the Bowers & Wilkins 800 Series Diamond.
The shape reduces the amount of flat cabinet surface surrounding the drive units and helps provide a cleaner transition between the speakers and the room.
This supports more precise stereo imaging and helps reduce the influence of the cabinet on the sound produced by the drivers.
Individual Drive-Unit Mounting
The tweeter and Continuum cone are mounted within individual surrounds on the curved front baffle.
This creates a more controlled mechanical interface between the drive units and the cabinet while reducing unnecessary surface area around each driver.
The arrangement contributes to the 706 S3’s clean appearance and helps voices and instruments remain focused within the stereo image.
Upgraded Crossover Network
The 706 S3 uses a carefully developed crossover network to divide the incoming signal between the Carbon Dome tweeter and Continuum cone driver.
The crossover determines where each drive unit begins and ends its work, helping the two drivers operate as a coherent loudspeaker rather than as separate sound sources.
Good amplifier and speaker-cable matching will help preserve the clarity, timing and tonal balance intended by the crossover design.
Compact Cabinet, Large-Scale Sound
Each 706 S3 measures 345mm high, 192mm wide and 334mm deep including the grille and rear terminals.
Although it remains a standmount design, its 165mm driver and substantial cabinet allow it to produce greater scale and bass authority than many smaller bookshelf speakers.
The 706 S3 is particularly suitable for small and medium-sized rooms, although it can also work well in some larger spaces when partnered with suitable amplification.
Speaker Stands and Placement
The 706 S3 should be used on rigid, stable speaker stands that position the tweeter close to seated ear height.
A useful starting point is to:
- Position both speakers the same distance from the listening seat
- Place the tweeters close to seated ear height
- Leave some space between the speakers and the rear wall
- Avoid placing either speaker tightly into a corner
- Keep both stands level and stable
- Experiment with small changes in toe-in
- Move the speakers a few centimetres at a time
Moving the speakers closer to the rear wall will normally increase bass output. Pulling them further into the room will usually improve openness, bass definition and image depth.
Speaker Stands Are Not Included
The Bowers & Wilkins FS-700 S3 stands are designed for the standmount speakers in the 700 Series and are sold separately.
They are available in black and silver finishes. Audio T can also advise on stand filling, floor protection, isolation and positioning.
Amplifier Matching
Bowers & Wilkins recommends amplifiers rated between 30 and 120 watts into 8 ohms on unclipped programme material.
The 706 S3 has a sensitivity of 88dB, a nominal impedance of 8 ohms and a minimum impedance of 3.7 ohms.
It can be partnered with a broad range of good-quality integrated, streaming and power amplifiers, although its minimum impedance means capable current delivery and control remain important.
A well-matched amplifier will help the 706 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 706 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 706 S3 time to settle before making final decisions about speaker 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 706 S3 can be used as the main pair in a high-quality two-channel Hi-Fi system.
Its scale, clarity and dynamic ability also make it suitable for the front or surround channels of a premium home cinema installation.
The matching Bowers & Wilkins HTM72 S3 centre speaker can be added to maintain a consistent tonal character across the front soundstage. The larger 704 S3 floorstanders or smaller 707 S3 standmount speakers can also be combined within the same system.
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
- High-performance two-way standmount loudspeaker
- 25mm Decoupled Carbon Dome tweeter
- Approximately 47kHz tweeter break-up frequency
- 165mm Continuum cone bass and midrange driver
- Flowport bass-reflex technology
- Curved cabinet baffle
- Individual drive-unit mounting
- Upgraded crossover network
- Two-way vented-box enclosure
- 45Hz–33kHz published frequency range
- 88dB sensitivity
- 8-ohm nominal impedance
- 3.7-ohm minimum impedance
- 30–120-watt amplifier recommendation
- Suitable for stereo Hi-Fi and home cinema systems
- Compatible with Bowers & Wilkins FS-700 S3 stands
- Supplied as a stereo pair
- Five-year limited manufacturer’s warranty
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the Bowers & Wilkins 706 S3 speakers supplied as a pair?
Yes. They are supplied as a stereo pair of passive standmount speakers.
Are speaker stands included?
No. Suitable speaker stands are required and sold separately.
Which speaker stands are recommended?
The matching Bowers & Wilkins FS-700 S3 stands are designed for the standmount speakers in the 700 Series.
Do the 706 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 120 watts into 8 ohms on unclipped programme material.
Are the 706 S3 speakers difficult to drive?
Their 88dB sensitivity is reasonably amplifier-friendly, although the 3.7-ohm minimum impedance means a capable amplifier with good current delivery is recommended.
Does the 706 S3 have Tweeter-on-Top?
No. Its Decoupled Carbon Dome tweeter is mounted within the curved front baffle. Tweeter-on-Top is used by the 705 S3.
Can the 706 S3 be placed on a bookshelf?
Its size, weight and rear-facing Flowport make dedicated speaker stands the preferred option. Any furniture used would need to be deep, rigid and stable, with suitable space behind the speaker.
Can the 706 S3 be positioned near a wall?
Yes, although the rear-facing Flowport means the final distance should be chosen according to the room’s bass response.
What size room suits the 706 S3?
The 706 S3 is particularly suitable for small and medium-sized rooms, although it can also work in some larger spaces with suitable amplification.
How does the 706 S3 differ from the 705 S3?
Both models use a 165mm Continuum driver, but the 705 S3 adds the separate Solid Body Tweeter-on-Top enclosure for enhanced high-frequency openness and stereo imaging.
How does the 706 S3 differ from the 707 S3?
The 706 S3 uses a larger cabinet and 165mm Continuum driver, giving it greater sensitivity, bass weight and musical scale than the more compact 707 S3.
Can the 706 S3 be used in a home cinema system?
Yes. A pair can be used as front or surround speakers alongside the matching HTM72 S3 centre speaker and other models from the 700 Series.
How large is each speaker?
Each speaker measures 345mm high, 192mm wide and 334mm deep including the grille and rear terminals.
How much does each speaker weigh?
Each speaker weighs 8.42kg.
What finishes are available?
The 706 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
- Speaker stand and isolation guidance
- Room positioning and setup advice
- Stereo and home cinema system planning
- Speaker cable and termination advice
- 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 706 S3.