Audio T Verdict
The Bowers & Wilkins 607 S3 delivers an impressively open, detailed and dynamic presentation from a compact standmount cabinet.
Its Titanium Dome tweeter provides a smooth and revealing treble, while the 130mm Continuum cone bass and midrange driver reproduces voices and instruments with clarity and precision.
The 84dB sensitivity and 3-ohm minimum impedance make amplifier quality important. Partner the 607 S3 with a capable amplifier, solid speaker stands and careful positioning to hear it at its best.
Bowers & Wilkins 607 S3 Standmount Speakers
The 607 S3 is the most compact standmount loudspeaker in the Bowers & Wilkins 600 Series.
Its two-way design combines a 25mm Titanium Dome tweeter with a 130mm Continuum cone bass and midrange driver.
The compact cabinet makes the 607 S3 particularly suitable for smaller listening rooms, secondary systems and home cinema installations where space is limited.
Titanium Dome Tweeter
High frequencies are reproduced by a 25mm Decoupled Double Dome Titanium tweeter.
The lightweight dome is designed to combine fine detail and resolution with a smooth and controlled high-frequency response.
The tweeter is mechanically decoupled from the main cabinet structure, helping reduce the transmission of unwanted vibration from the bass and midrange driver.
Acoustically Transparent Tweeter Grille
The 607 S3 uses an acoustically transparent tweeter grille mesh first developed for Bowers & Wilkins Signature loudspeakers.
The revised mesh protects the delicate tweeter dome while reducing interference between the drive unit and the listener.
Combined with the Titanium Dome tweeter, it helps the 607 S3 reveal fine detail, ambience and the space surrounding voices and instruments.
Continuum Cone Bass and Midrange Driver
A 130mm 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 607 S3 reproduce voices and instruments with an open, neutral and consistent character while delivering useful bass extension from its compact cabinet.
Flowport Bass-Reflex Design
The 607 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 speaker and the rear wall will affect its low-frequency balance, so small positioning changes can make a noticeable difference.
Upgraded Speaker Terminals
The rear connection panel uses an improved terminal layout derived from technology introduced in the Bowers & Wilkins 700 Series.
The revised arrangement is designed to provide a clean signal path between the amplifier and loudspeaker while allowing secure connection of suitable speaker cable.
Compact Cabinet, Room-Filling Sound
Each 607 S3 measures 300mm high, 165mm wide and 235mm deep including the grille and rear terminals.
Its compact dimensions make it easier to accommodate than the larger 606 S3 while still allowing it to produce a spacious and dynamic presentation.
The 607 S3 is particularly well suited to smaller rooms, although the final result will depend on listening distance, speaker placement and preferred volume.
Speaker Stands and Placement
The 607 S3 will perform best on rigid, stable speaker stands that place the tweeters 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
Suitable speaker stands are recommended and sold separately.
The matching Bowers & Wilkins FS-600 S3 stands are designed for the 607 S3 and can be bolted directly to the base of each speaker. Audio T can also advise on stand filling, floor protection and isolation.
Amplifier Matching
Bowers & Wilkins recommends amplifiers rated between 30 and 100 watts into 8 ohms on unclipped programme material.
The 607 S3 has a sensitivity of 84dB, a nominal impedance of 8 ohms and a minimum impedance of 3 ohms.
Its compact size should not be mistaken for an undemanding electrical load. The relatively low sensitivity means more amplifier power is required to achieve a given volume than with the larger 606 S3 or 603 S3.
A capable amplifier with good current delivery will help the 607 S3 produce tighter bass, greater dynamic control and a more stable stereo image.
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 607 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 607 S3 can be used as the main pair in a compact two-channel Hi-Fi system.
Its small cabinet also makes it particularly useful for the surround 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. The larger 606 S3 standmount speakers or 603 S3 floorstanders can be used for the main front channels where greater scale is required.
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
- Compact two-way passive standmount loudspeaker
- Smallest standmount model in the Bowers & Wilkins 600 Series
- 25mm Decoupled Double Dome Titanium tweeter
- Acoustically transparent tweeter grille mesh
- 130mm Continuum cone bass and midrange driver
- Flowport bass-reflex technology
- Two-way vented-box enclosure
- Upgraded rear speaker terminals
- 40Hz–33kHz published frequency range
- 84dB sensitivity
- 8-ohm nominal impedance
- 3-ohm minimum impedance
- 30–100-watt amplifier recommendation
- Suitable for compact stereo Hi-Fi systems
- Suitable for home cinema surround channels
- Compatible with Bowers & Wilkins FS-600 S3 stands
- Supplied as a stereo pair
- Five-year limited manufacturer’s warranty
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the Bowers & Wilkins 607 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 recommended and sold separately.
Which speaker stands are recommended?
The matching Bowers & Wilkins FS-600 S3 stands are designed for use with the 607 S3 and 606 S3.
Can the 607 S3 speakers be placed on a bookshelf?
They can be placed on sufficiently strong and stable furniture, but dedicated stands normally provide better positioning, isolation and stereo imaging. Space should also be left around the rear-facing port.
Do the 607 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 100 watts into 8 ohms on unclipped programme material.
Are the 607 S3 speakers difficult to drive?
Their 84dB sensitivity and 3-ohm minimum impedance mean they benefit from a capable amplifier with good power delivery and control.
Can they 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 607 S3?
The compact cabinet is particularly suitable for smaller rooms, subject to listening distance and preferred volume.
Can they be used in a home cinema system?
Yes. They can be used as front speakers in a compact system or as surround speakers alongside the matching HTM6 S3 centre speaker and other 600 Series models.
How large is each speaker?
Each cabinet measures 300mm high, 165mm wide and 235mm deep including the grille and terminals.
How much does each speaker weigh?
Each speaker weighs 4.65kg.
What finishes are available?
The 607 S3 is available in Black, White and Oak 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 607 S3.