Audio T Verdict
The Bowers & Wilkins 603 S3 combines the scale and bass authority of a substantial floorstanding speaker with the clarity of a dedicated midrange driver.
Its Titanium Dome tweeter, Continuum cone FST midrange and twin 165mm bass drivers produce a spacious, detailed and powerful presentation that suits music and home cinema systems.
The 90dB sensitivity makes it compatible with a broad range of good-quality amplifiers, although its 3-ohm minimum impedance means an amplifier with capable current delivery is recommended.
Bowers & Wilkins 603 S3 Floorstanding Speakers
The 603 S3 is the largest floorstanding loudspeaker in the Bowers & Wilkins 600 Series.
Its three-way design combines a Titanium Dome tweeter, dedicated Continuum cone FST midrange driver and two 165mm paper-cone bass drivers.
The resulting scale, clarity and low-frequency extension make the 603 S3 particularly suitable for medium-sized and larger rooms.
Titanium Dome Tweeter
High frequencies are reproduced by a 25mm Decoupled Double Dome Titanium tweeter.
The lightweight dome is designed to provide fine detail and resolution while maintaining a smooth and controlled high-frequency response.
Bowers & Wilkins also uses an acoustically transparent protective grille mesh derived from technology developed for its Signature loudspeakers.
Continuum Cone FST Midrange
A dedicated 150mm 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 helps voices and instruments remain clear, open and precisely positioned within the soundstage.
Twin 165mm Bass Drivers
Two 165mm paper-cone bass drivers provide the low-frequency foundation of the 603 S3.
Sharing the bass workload between two dedicated drivers allows the speaker to move more air and deliver greater scale, weight and dynamic impact.
This makes the 603 S3 well suited to rock, electronic music, orchestral recordings and film soundtracks that benefit from convincing low-frequency authority.
Three-Way Vented Cabinet
The 603 S3 uses a three-way vented-box enclosure with Bowers & Wilkins Flowport technology.
The separate tweeter, midrange and bass sections allow each drive unit to concentrate on a more focused part of the frequency range.
Flowport technology is designed to manage airflow through the bass-reflex system and reduce unwanted turbulence at higher listening levels.
Upgraded Speaker Terminals
The rear connection panel uses an improved terminal layout derived from the Bowers & Wilkins 700 Series.
The revised arrangement provides a cleaner signal path between the amplifier and loudspeaker while allowing secure connection of suitable speaker cable.
A Separate Amplifier Is Required
The 603 S3 is a passive loudspeaker and does not contain built-in amplification, streaming or Bluetooth.
It must be connected to a suitable stereo amplifier, streaming amplifier, power amplifier or home cinema receiver.
Speaker Placement and Plinth
The 603 S3 is designed to stand directly on the floor using its supplied 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 between the speakers and surrounding 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 a rear wall will normally increase bass output. Pulling them further into the room will usually improve openness, bass definition and image depth.
Allow Space for the Plinth
The main cabinet is 190mm wide and 340mm deep, but the supplied plinth increases the overall footprint to 260mm wide and 402mm deep.
Measure the intended position using the complete plinth dimensions rather than the cabinet dimensions alone.
Amplifier Matching
Bowers & Wilkins recommends amplifiers rated between 30 and 200 watts into 8 ohms on unclipped programme material.
The 603 S3 has a sensitivity of 90dB, a nominal impedance of 8 ohms and a minimum impedance of 3 ohms.
The relatively high sensitivity allows the speaker to produce useful volume without excessive amplifier power. However, the low minimum impedance means it will benefit from an amplifier with good current delivery and control.
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.
Running In
New loudspeaker drive units can change as their suspensions settle through normal use.
Allow the 603 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 603 S3 can be used as the main left and right speakers in a conventional two-channel Hi-Fi system.
Its scale and dynamic ability also make it suitable for the front channels of a home cinema installation.
The matching Bowers & Wilkins HTM6 S3 centre speaker can be added to maintain a consistent tonal character across the front soundstage, with 606 S3 or 607 S3 speakers available for surround duties.
Finish Options
Current manufacturer finish options include:
- Black with a black grille
- White with a grey grille
- Oak with a grey grille
Finish availability and pricing should be confirmed when ordering.
Key Features
- Three-way passive floorstanding loudspeaker
- Largest model in the Bowers & Wilkins 600 Series
- 25mm Decoupled Double Dome Titanium tweeter
- Acoustically transparent tweeter grille mesh
- 150mm Continuum cone FST midrange driver
- Twin 165mm paper-cone bass drivers
- Flowport bass-reflex technology
- Three-way vented-box enclosure
- Upgraded rear speaker terminals
- 29Hz–33kHz published frequency range
- 90dB sensitivity
- 8-ohm nominal impedance
- 3-ohm minimum impedance
- 30–200-watt amplifier recommendation
- Suitable for stereo Hi-Fi and home cinema
- Supplied with a stabilising plinth
- Supplied as a stereo pair
- Five-year limited manufacturer’s warranty
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the Bowers & Wilkins 603 S3 speakers supplied as a pair?
Yes. They are supplied as a stereo pair of passive floorstanding speakers.
Do the 603 S3 speakers need an amplifier?
Yes. They require a separate stereo amplifier, streaming amplifier, power amplifier or home cinema receiver.
What amplifier power is recommended?
Bowers & Wilkins recommends an amplifier rated between 30 and 200 watts into 8 ohms on unclipped programme material.
Are the 603 S3 speakers difficult to drive?
Their 90dB sensitivity is reasonably amplifier-friendly, although the 3-ohm minimum impedance means a capable amplifier with good current delivery is recommended.
Are they suitable for a small room?
The 603 S3 is primarily suited to medium-sized and larger rooms. The smaller 606 S3 or 607 S3 may be easier to accommodate where space is restricted.
Can they be used in a home cinema system?
Yes. They can be used as the front left and right speakers, with the matching HTM6 S3 centre speaker and suitable 600 Series surround speakers.
Will I need a subwoofer?
Not necessarily for stereo listening. A subwoofer can still provide deeper extension and greater impact for home cinema or particularly large rooms.
What finishes are available?
The 603 S3 is available in Black, White and Oak finishes.
How large is each speaker?
Including its supplied plinth, each speaker measures 1,020mm high, 260mm wide and 402mm deep.
How much does each speaker weigh?
Each speaker weighs 27.5kg.
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
- 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 603 S3.