Audio T Verdict
The Bowers & Wilkins HTM72 S3 brings the clarity and detail of the 700 Series to a compact centre speaker that is considerably easier to accommodate than the larger HTM71 S3.
Its Carbon Dome tweeter delivers a crisp and precisely focused treble, while the twin 130mm Continuum bass and midrange drivers give dialogue natural body, presence and intelligibility.
It is an excellent match for the 704 S3, 706 S3 and 707 S3. Careful placement, suitable amplification and correct AV receiver calibration will help it create a seamless and convincing front soundstage.
Bowers & Wilkins HTM72 S3 Centre Speaker
The HTM72 S3 is the more compact centre-channel loudspeaker in the Bowers & Wilkins 700 Series S3 range.
Its two-way vented-box design combines a 25mm Decoupled Carbon Dome tweeter with two 130mm Continuum cone bass and midrange drivers.
Designed to sit centrally above or below a television or projection screen, the HTM72 S3 anchors dialogue, vocals and on-screen effects to the picture while maintaining a consistent tonal character with matching 700 Series S3 speakers.
Supplied Individually
The HTM72 S3 is supplied and priced as one centre-channel speaker.
It is a passive loudspeaker and requires a separate home cinema receiver, multichannel amplifier or processor and power-amplifier combination.
A Premium Centre Speaker for Smaller Systems
The HTM72 S3 is designed for customers who want the detail and refinement of the 700 Series but do not have the space required for the larger three-way HTM71 S3.
Its 477mm-wide cabinet is easier to accommodate on television furniture, equipment racks and suitable wall shelves.
Despite its compact dimensions, the twin Continuum drivers provide sufficient scale and output for high-quality home cinema systems in small and medium-sized rooms.
The Role of the Centre Channel
In most home cinema soundtracks, the centre channel carries dialogue, vocals and many of the effects positioned directly in the middle of the screen.
A dedicated centre speaker keeps speech anchored to the picture rather than creating a less stable phantom image between the front left and right speakers.
It also helps maintain dialogue clarity for viewers sitting away from the central listening position.
Decoupled Carbon Dome Tweeter
High frequencies are reproduced by a 25mm Decoupled Carbon Dome tweeter developed specifically for the Bowers & Wilkins 700 Series.
The dome’s reinforced construction raises its break-up threshold to 47kHz, well above the audible frequency range.
This helps the HTM72 S3 reproduce fine soundtrack detail, vocal texture and room ambience with clarity and precise positioning.
Mechanically Decoupled Tweeter
The Carbon Dome tweeter is mechanically decoupled from the main cabinet structure.
This helps reduce the transfer of vibration from the bass and midrange drivers into the high-frequency assembly.
Reducing this interference supports a cleaner and more focused treble, particularly during busy soundtrack passages.
Twin Continuum Bass and Midrange Drivers
Two 130mm Continuum cone drivers reproduce the bass and midrange frequencies.
The composite Continuum material is designed to avoid the abrupt changes in behaviour that can affect some conventional cone materials.
This contributes to an open and neutral presentation, helping voices and instruments sound natural rather than coloured by the drive units.
Using two drivers also gives the compact HTM72 S3 greater output capability and vocal weight than would normally be available from one small bass and midrange driver.
Clear and Focused Dialogue
The combination of the Carbon Dome tweeter and Continuum cone drivers is particularly effective through the vocal range.
Speech remains clear and well defined, while subtle differences in tone, expression and recording ambience are easier to follow.
This can be especially valuable when watching quietly, listening from further away or following scenes containing substantial music and effects.
Flowport Bass Reflex System
The HTM72 S3 uses a vented enclosure incorporating Bowers & Wilkins Flowport technology.
The dimpled surface of the port is designed to improve airflow and reduce turbulence as air moves in and out of the cabinet.
This helps the speaker produce useful bass extension from its compact enclosure while reducing unwanted port noise during demanding scenes.
Foam Port Plug Included
A two-piece foam plug is supplied for situations where positioning close to a wall or inside furniture produces excessive bass.
The outer foam ring can be used on its own for moderate bass reduction, while fitting the complete plug provides a greater effect. Placement and AV receiver calibration should be addressed before relying on the plug.
Matching 700 Series S3 Speakers
Bowers & Wilkins identifies the HTM72 S3 as the natural centre-channel partner for systems based around the 704 S3, 706 S3 or 707 S3.
All three models use Carbon Dome and Continuum cone technology, helping maintain a consistent tonal character as voices, music and effects move across the front soundstage.
The HTM72 S3 can also be incorporated into systems using other 700 Series S3 models where its smaller cabinet is a better practical fit.
HTM72 S3 or HTM71 S3?
The HTM72 S3 is a compact two-way design using two Continuum bass and midrange drivers.
The larger HTM71 S3 is a three-way model with a separate Continuum FST midrange driver, twin Aerofoil bass drivers and a Solid Body Tweeter-On-Top enclosure.
The HTM71 S3 offers greater scale, bass weight and output capability, while the HTM72 S3 is considerably easier to position and remains an excellent choice for smaller rooms and systems.
Choose According to the Complete System
Consider the room size, listening distance, front speakers, available furniture space and preferred playback level.
A centre speaker should not be selected solely according to whether it physically fits beneath the television. It must also match the performance and tonal character of the front left and right speakers.
Positioning Above or Below the Screen
The HTM72 S3 should normally be positioned centrally above or below the television or projection screen.
Keep the tweeter as close to seated ear height as the room and furniture allow. Where the speaker must sit significantly above or below the listeners, angle it towards the main seating area.
The front of the cabinet should ideally sit level with, or slightly forward of, the front edge of the supporting furniture.
Placing the speaker far back inside a shelf can create reflections and make dialogue sound coloured or enclosed.
Keep the Speaker Centred
Align the middle of the HTM72 S3 with the centre of the screen wherever possible.
An off-centre speaker can make dialogue appear disconnected from the picture and may create an uneven presentation across the seating area.
Using an Acoustically Transparent Screen
In a projection system using an acoustically transparent screen, the HTM72 S3 can be positioned behind the centre of the picture.
This places dialogue closer to the on-screen performers and can create a particularly convincing visual and sonic connection.
The screen material, speaker clearance, supporting structure and acoustic treatment should be considered before the installation is finalised.
Supporting the Speaker
The HTM72 S3 weighs approximately 9.66kg and should be placed on a rigid, level and suitably strong shelf, cabinet or wall-mounted support.
The supporting surface must safely accommodate its 477mm width and 302mm complete depth.
Four self-adhesive rubber feet are supplied for use when the speaker is placed on a shelf, furniture unit or equipment rack.
The feet provide a degree of vibration isolation and help protect the supporting surface.
Check the Support’s Weight Rating
Do not assume that a floating shelf or television cabinet can safely carry the speaker.
Confirm its load rating and consider the HTM72 S3’s depth, weight distribution, cable clearance and vibration before installation.
Cabinet and Cable Clearance
The cabinet measures 266mm deep, increasing to 302mm when the front grille and rear terminals are included.
Additional space should be allowed behind the speaker for its cable connections, banana plugs or spade terminals and the natural bend radius of the speaker cable.
A tightly enclosed cabinet can reinforce bass and restrict the operation of the Flowport, so leave as much breathing space around the speaker as the installation allows.
Wall-Mounting Considerations
The HTM72 S3 is not supplied with an integrated wall-mounting system.
Any wall shelf or bracket must safely support the speaker’s 9.66kg weight and complete dimensions while providing suitable clearance for its port, terminals and speaker cable.
The bracket and wall fixings must be appropriate for the wall construction. Installation should be completed by a suitably competent person where there is any uncertainty.
AV Receiver and Amplifier Matching
Bowers & Wilkins recommends amplifier power between 30 and 120 watts into 8 ohms on unclipped programme material.
The HTM72 S3 has a sensitivity of 87dB, a nominal impedance of 8 ohms and a minimum impedance of 4.3 ohms.
A good-quality home cinema receiver or power amplifier should therefore provide stable amplification into lower impedances rather than being selected solely according to its headline wattage.
The most appropriate electronics will depend on the room size, listening distance, channel count, required volume and the other speakers in the system.
Consider External Power Amplification
Many AV receivers quote their output with only one or two channels operating.
Where a larger multichannel system is played at high levels, adding a suitable power amplifier may improve control, clarity and consistency across the front channels.
Conventional and Bi-Wired Connections
The HTM72 S3 has two linked pairs of binding posts for its high-frequency and low-frequency sections.
For a conventional single-cable connection, leave the factory-fitted terminal links in place and connect the amplifier to either terminal pair.
For bi-wiring or suitable bi-amplification, remove the terminal links and connect the two sections independently.
All equipment should be switched off before changing connections or removing the terminal links.
Speaker Cable and Polarity
The terminals accept suitable 4mm banana plugs, spade connectors or correctly prepared bare speaker cable.
Connect the positive amplifier terminal to the red positive speaker terminal and the negative amplifier terminal to the black negative terminal.
Incorrect polarity can weaken bass and compromise the integration between the front left, centre and right speakers.
Bowers & Wilkins specifies a maximum recommended cable impedance of 0.1 ohm, making good-quality low-resistance speaker cable particularly important over longer runs.
Home Cinema Calibration
After positioning the HTM72 S3, use the AV receiver’s setup system to establish its distance, channel level, crossover frequency and room-correction settings.
Automatic calibration provides a useful starting point, but the result should still be checked using familiar dialogue and soundtrack material.
Voices should sound clear and naturally centred without the centre speaker appearing noticeably louder, brighter or more distant than the front left and right channels.
Bass Management and Subwoofers
The HTM72 S3 can reproduce useful bass independently, but most home cinema systems will benefit from bass management and a suitable subwoofer.
Directing the deepest frequencies to the subwoofer reduces the demands placed on the centre speaker and amplifier while allowing the HTM72 S3 to concentrate on dialogue, music and directional effects.
The ideal crossover setting will depend on the room, subwoofer, front speakers and AV receiver, so it should be established during calibration rather than selected solely from the published frequency range.
Check the Speaker Size Setting
Many systems will perform best when the HTM72 S3 is configured as a bass-managed or “small” speaker.
This description relates to bass management rather than the physical size or quality of the speaker.
Fine-Tuning the Bass
Moving the HTM72 S3 closer to a wall or the back of a cabinet will normally increase bass output.
Moving it forward and providing more open space around the cabinet will usually improve bass definition and reduce unwanted reinforcement.
If repositioning is not possible, use the supplied foam ring or complete port plug to reduce the low-frequency output.
Small changes in position can produce a noticeable improvement, particularly where furniture and nearby room boundaries create strong resonances.
Running In
The performance of the HTM72 S3 may change subtly during its initial period of use as the drive-unit suspensions and damping materials settle.
Bowers & Wilkins suggests allowing approximately 15 hours of average use for the mechanical parts to approach their intended characteristics.
If the speaker has been stored in a cold environment, it may take longer for its materials to stabilise at normal room temperature.
No special running-in signal is required. Use ordinary music and film material at sensible listening levels.
Using the Grille
The supplied grille protects the drive units and gives the speaker a discreet appearance beneath or above the screen.
The HTM72 S3 can be used with or without the grille according to preference.
Leaving it fitted provides additional protection against accidental contact, particularly in busy family rooms.
Finish Options
The HTM72 S3 is available in:
- Gloss Black with black grille
- Satin White with grey grille
- Mocha with black grille
Matching 700 Series S3 speakers are available in the same cabinet finishes, helping create a visually coordinated home cinema system.
Key Features
- Compact 700 Series S3 centre-channel speaker
- Two-way vented-box design
- 25mm Decoupled Carbon Dome tweeter
- Carbon Dome break-up threshold raised to 47kHz
- Two 130mm Continuum cone bass and midrange drivers
- Bowers & Wilkins Flowport technology
- Designed primarily to match 704 S3, 706 S3 and 707 S3
- Conventional, bi-wire or suitable bi-amplified connection
- Two linked pairs of binding posts
- 48Hz–33kHz published frequency range
- 70Hz–28kHz frequency response within ±3dB
- 87dB sensitivity
- 8-ohm nominal impedance
- 4.3-ohm minimum impedance
- 30–120-watt recommended amplifier power
- 477mm cabinet width
- 165mm cabinet height
- 266mm cabinet depth
- 302mm depth including grille and terminals
- 9.66kg net weight
- Gloss Black, Satin White and Mocha finishes
- Grille, two-piece foam port plug and four rubber feet supplied
- Five-year limited manufacturer’s warranty
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the HTM72 S3 supplied individually?
Yes. The HTM72 S3 is supplied and priced as one passive centre-channel speaker.
Does the HTM72 S3 contain an amplifier?
No. It requires a suitable home cinema receiver, multichannel amplifier or processor and power-amplifier combination.
Which speakers best match the HTM72 S3?
Bowers & Wilkins identifies the 704 S3, 706 S3 and 707 S3 as its primary matching models.
Can it be used with other 700 Series S3 speakers?
Yes. It can be integrated with other models in the range, although the HTM71 S3 may be a more suitable match for larger Tweeter-On-Top systems.
How does the HTM72 S3 differ from the HTM71 S3?
The HTM72 S3 is a compact two-way speaker with twin Continuum bass and midrange drivers. The HTM71 S3 is a larger three-way design with a dedicated Continuum FST midrange, twin Aerofoil bass drivers and Tweeter-On-Top.
Should it be positioned above or below the television?
Either position can work. Keep it centred and as close to seated ear height as practical, angling it towards the main listening area where necessary.
Can it be placed behind a projection screen?
Yes, provided the screen is acoustically transparent and the installation leaves suitable space around the speaker.
Can it be placed inside furniture?
Yes, provided the furniture safely supports its weight and leaves sufficient clearance around the cabinet, Flowport, terminals and speaker cable.
Can the HTM72 S3 be wall mounted?
It has no integrated wall-mounting system. Any shelf or bracket must safely support its 9.66kg weight and complete dimensions.
How large is the speaker?
The cabinet measures 477mm wide, 165mm high and 266mm deep. Its complete depth is 302mm including the grille and terminals.
How much does it weigh?
The HTM72 S3 weighs approximately 9.66kg.
What amplifier power is recommended?
Bowers & Wilkins recommends between 30 and 120 watts into 8 ohms on unclipped programme material.
What is the minimum impedance?
The nominal impedance is 8 ohms and the published minimum is 4.3 ohms.
Can the HTM72 S3 be bi-wired?
Yes. It has two linked terminal pairs and supports conventional single wiring, bi-wiring and suitable bi-amplified arrangements.
Should the terminal links remain fitted?
Leave the links fitted for a conventional single-cable connection. Remove them only when correctly bi-wiring or bi-amplifying the speaker.
Does the HTM72 S3 need a subwoofer?
It can operate without one, but a suitable subwoofer will normally provide greater bass extension and reduce the demands placed on the centre speaker and amplifier.
Should it be configured as a small speaker?
In many home cinema systems, configuring it as a bass-managed or “small” speaker provides the best integration with a subwoofer. The final crossover should be confirmed during calibration.
What is the foam plug for?
The supplied two-piece foam plug can reduce bass output if the speaker must be positioned close to a wall or inside furniture.
Are rubber feet supplied?
Yes. Four self-adhesive rubber feet are supplied for use when the speaker is placed on a shelf, cabinet or equipment rack.
Can the front grille be removed?
Yes. The speaker can be used with or without its grille, although the grille provides additional protection for the drive units.
What finishes are available?
The HTM72 S3 is available in Gloss Black, Satin White and Mocha.
Does it need running in?
The drive-unit suspensions may settle during the first hours of use. Bowers & Wilkins suggests approximately 15 hours of average use as a general guide.
What warranty is included?
Bowers & Wilkins provides a five-year limited warranty for passive loudspeakers, subject to its current terms and conditions.
Related Bowers & Wilkins Products and Audio T Guides
Why Buy From Audio T?
- Bowers & Wilkins 700 Series demonstrations
- Centre-speaker positioning and support advice
- AV receiver and power-amplifier matching
- Complete surround-system planning
- Subwoofer and bass-management guidance
- Speaker cable and bi-wiring advice
- Home cinema calibration and setup support
- Part exchange on suitable existing equipment
- Ongoing after-sales support
Contact your local Audio T store to arrange a demonstration or discuss building a Bowers & Wilkins 700 Series S3 home cinema system.