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Can you please please answer a question for me?🙏🏾 Right now I have the Martin Logan 35XTI x 2 on stands and the Cambridge audio CXA61. I have a few problems with this system. I would like to change to a surround sound system and also I do not have a subwoofer so the bass in my system is lacking. I love movies and music but do watch movies more than I listen to music. I listen to a very wide genre of music including classic 60s rock, 90s rock, grunge, old jazz vocals & instrumentals, 90s hip hop, neosoul and classical music. What are your thoughts on switching to the Motion XT F100 with matching center channel, Sony STR-AZ5000ES AV receive and sony SA-RS5 for wireless rear speakers. Or do you have a better setup idea? I would prefer a set up without a lot of wires running to rear speakers.
These along with JBL Synthesis HDI and Polk Legend towers sounded flat. Yes they had good sound-stage(wide) and imaging. But they absolutely lacked the depth of field compared to what KEF R5(Old) and even Focal Kanta had. They were good in creating 2D image but sadly lacked the similar Enveloping effect that KEF had and even Focal had decently more field of depth. I got to listen them all in the same room(treated) with Denon AVR + NAD Amplifier.
Great review. Great editing. And I love the single frame photo of Kristi 😄. I had the opportunity to listen to these. First, the build quality of these speakers was amazing!! (I can't stress that enough). I also enjoyed the 'sound' of the B&W. They have a lot of energy and detail. They tilted towards bright, yes. However, I'd like to hear more with different amp options, music choice and without the in-store Bluetooth set up 🤷♂. I appreciate the comparisons to the R700 and 8000F-II. Thank you guys for allowing me to spend time with you this Sunday morning. 🙂
The B&Ws can go bright, yes. But if you take some time and set them up correctly and your room isn't too lively itself, they can be lively but not shrill. The build quality is second to none, 100% agree!
Happy Birthday Andrew - Another excellent review by you and Kristi. The video quality on the B shots looks even better than it usually does. Did you do anything different?
🎉🎉Happy Birthday Andrew!🎉🎉 Hope you had a marvellous day! And thanks for the marvellous review as always! Another superb speaker and also, the editing on this channel just gets better. 👌👌👌
Fantastic review! Like many, would love more 800 series reviews. B&W strikes such a lovely balance between sound and build quality and design in their 700 and 800 series offerings.
Just wanna say love the video!!! - I recently got the Focal Chora bookshelf w/ Schiit vidar (i know :( ) Wife loved the design and she use it as much as I do! Your old videos helped so much Thank you Kristi and Andrew!
Loved the review!!! (which I'm beginning to realize is what I keep posting on pretty much every one of your reviews, but honestly? you guys really, REALLY do a great job! In terms of comparisons, I keep coming back to how you mention the Klipsch RP8000s are not embarrassed by either these or the KEF R11s or the Martin Logans, and I've got a silly curiosity that I'm still hoping you guys don't mind scratching :D If one were to (hypothetically of course) compare your budget options here (the Klipsch / Polk Audio) to the Samsung Q990B, what if any would one miss to the point they would reconsider going one box?
Great vid and HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY! I own the 702 Signatures in midnight blue and they certainly LOOK stunning and they SOUND stunning. I’m driving them properly with surplus power based on your previous review of them. Based on other videos I am happy with my current setup and gladly feel no reason to upgrade but love seeing BW vids and reviews. I own that S3 center too and it’s super clear and defined. Wife and puppy approved as well. Have a great weekend you two! 🍿🍿🍿🍸🍸🍸🐶
As someone very happy with my Klipsch setup, but with that constant "what if" itch that all of us seem to be plagued with, I really appreciated you including the comparison to the Polks and Klipsch! Someday that itch is gonna get the better of me though, I'm sure... P.S. Looking forward to the eventual room eq for multiple subs video! The first couple REQ videos were extremely educational and eye opening for me.
@@dawaynecleckley8673 Yeah, man. I've watched Andrew for a few years now and his delivery of information has totally reached the top shelf. It's been fun watching him progress. And the videos are exquisitely done. Really happy for him. Andrew should be hosting something like American Idol or like food or travel TV shows. Freakin brilliant.
I really appreciate that Sean! Coming from print and working behind the camera for almost 20 years, the last 3 years have been an adjustment. Kristi has been instrumental in helping push my writing (for UA-cam ) to a more conversational place because, well, it ain't print 😉. In the beginning I used to just ramble and ramble then cut it into something that resembled an organized video. Then I went to scripting and struggled, but now, after about two years, I think we're on the right track.
@@andrewrobinsonreviews It really is. I think you've hit the sweet spot now in the delivery which is very conversational, friendly, easy to follow and inviting. Kudos to Kristi for pushing you! I've always liked hearing Kristi's insight and perspective but it took me a while to get used to the off-camera voice but I've come to like that. I'm trying to think of how the setting would be if you ever both appeared on-camera for Kristi's portion. Right now it's sort of a host and sidekick dynamic, which is cool. And I don't use "sidekick" to imply inferiority in any way. It's almost like Kristi's voice is the off-camera producer giving their perspective after the hosts delivery, works well. She's a huge part of this channel and offers brilliant perspective as well. Anyway, thanks guys!
No comment on a product, this is about the podcast. I love how Andrew approaches and executes his reviews. But I am waiting to hear Kristi's review to round out the whole delivery. You guys balance out the information in a very important way. I, like Kristi, have dialog issues when I'm listening to TV, so I need to hear her perspective. No complaints, just compliments. You guys have created a "cute" show together that appeals to both men and women. Bravo!
Good morning friends! These look really nice, and I love a great value. Great work with the b roll and alll the little bits in your editing on this one.
@@andrewrobinsonreviews I forgot to let you know we picked up a breville per your recommendation. My wife and I love it and use it daily! Thanks so much.
I asked about these speakers several months ago but Andrew had not yet reviewed them. I did buy them and they are paired with a Marantz SR8015 receiver and an SVS PB-1000 Pro sub. I absolutely love them! I listen mostly to vinyl in stereo + sub. They look beautiful in the room - kind of retro-cool with the teardrop tweeter on top. I am really in love with these speakers - they've made my home a place where friends love to come, hang out, have some wine and listen to music.
Now I’m wondering if I made the right choice. LOL. Just bought 802 Diamond’s (not D2’s) for the same price. Can’t beat the beauty of the 800 series though. Really enjoy every video you and Kristi make!
It's so funny that I stopped by my local Best Buy, and I took the time to listen to the 703 S3 speakers by B&W. I was very impressed. I compared them to the other speakers that they had there, and my final determination is that the 703's were far superior of a speaker. BUT, they definitely need a subwoofer or two. Currently, I am working with SVS tower speakers and looking to upgrade. I am looking to see if you agree with my thoughts regarding the need for a sub.
9:42 Love this. Too much dismissal happening based solely on what a NFS says without real world use. People miss out on some really good speakers that they may actually prefer listening to over the "better measuring" competition. I also agree that the chase for perfection can lead to no longer actually enjoying your setup and the music and movies you built it for. Great review as usual. Thank you!
What I find odd is that even when NFS measurements approximate an "in-room" response, those graphs never match or mimic what I've seen from these same speakers in multiple different rooms.
@@andrewrobinsonreviews I've noticed that as well. Case in point; ASR's new review of the Martin Logan B10. Estimated response shows a downward tilt and the actual in-room measurement(shown in the distortion section) is flat.
@@hifihometheater Sooo the million dollar question, which graph is more important or "right"? At the end of the day, you have to go with what works for you and your listening habits. Measurements are good for testing and manufacturing but they mean precisely ZERO in the real world when it comes to peoples' subjective tastes. But boy do they give people stuff to complain about and/or bond over.
Great review, thank you. I live in Australia and checked the price of the KEF's... a tad under AU$12,000 which make the B&W a much better value. The 702's would be a much better match and that's the comparison I'd want to watch!!!
I got the 702 s3 with an advance paris xi-1100 stereo a-a/b class amp and damn what a sound. Every time I turn on the system from rock to classic its so damn crisp clear don’t know how to explain. Now im gonna upgrade my center asswell to the htm71 s3. Can’t wait for the cristal clear voices in movies.
Great reviews as always! I vote for these B&W. I got a pair of 705 s2 that hooks up to marantz sr8012 and SVS sb-4000 sub, thinking these will set me for a long to come?
Excellent review Andrew and Kristi! I cant wait for your Eversolo DMP-A6 review… I saw it peaking there in few shoots. I got the Master edition DMP-A6 last week. But cant seems to connect with it. It sounds very restrained and lacking depth at least with my Marantz AV, Parasound amp and Dynaudio speakers. I also got a MyTek Brooklyn Bridge II which has a much warmer and deeper sound stage but lacks important streaming services such as Spotify Connect and Tidal. Anyhow thanks again for another great Sunday review! And happy birthday!!!
*Good morning everybody! This week was Andrew's birthday. It would mean so much to me if you would give him some extra love today...and a 👍 on the video would be the icing on the proverbial* 🎂!
Hope you guys had fun celebrating on Thursday! HAPPY BDAY ANDREW! It's your birthday, but WE got the gift of a new review. Wooohooo...(OW...wife punched me for being corny).
As a person that sold all of the models, the top model is worth it if you don’t have a perfect room. The downwards port opens up placement options so much compared to a rear port if you can’t have your speakers 3 feet from a wall. All great speakers, great review!
I am STILL rocking my 30 year old Maxtix 801 series-2's!! They are far from perfect, but still have a certain magic to them, and image like crazy. I've tried to replace them, and I do have other speakers that I rotate in, but I just can't bring myself to sell my old 801's.
Great review as always! Would love to have the cash to throw at some high-end B&W’s but for now, I live vicariously through my buddies 802 D3’s running off of a 250wpc Krell amp, and being fed by an SHD. I’ve gotta say, a simply stunning presentation for my taste. R11’s vs 703’s is likely the same as one’s taste in food - some like filet, others ribeye. And that’s really what it comes down to when sonics from speakers are similar. At the risk of being pedantic, your birthday was apparently NOT TODAY, but please accept my well wishes anyway!!! 🎉 😂. Happy Born Day Andrew! Both of you enjoy this day as best possible with this oppressive HEAT!!!
Andrew & Kristy Great Review! Even though these are probably the better speakers, how would you compare these for musical listening enjoyment to the Cornwalls. Happy Birthday!!!
A big thanks to both of you for all your hard work. It looks like the Klipsch 8000f II as tower speakers for me. Unless you guys come up with something better at that price. The fact that they can even hang in there with better and more expensive towers and they are half (or less) the cost, makes them my choice for 2 channel music listening sans subwoofer. Classical music is the majority of my music intake. I'll wait for the next sale since I'm also cheap or frugal depending on your perspective.
I drove 100 miles from BC through WA to grab a pair of Triangle Br08's at a great price... Only to be ghosted by the seller as he forgot about the deal and drove home empty handed. To console myself I stopped by a bestbuy and luckily they had the 703S3 out for audition. OMG. I haven't actually heard the decoupled tweeter in over a decade and THAT is the sound I've been missing. It stood well out over every other speaker in the room from the other 700 series and 600. Perhaps it's blessing. Luckily my boys and dog enjoyed the 6 hours in the car. Even if I did snag those Boreas... Im certain I'd always be chasing that B&W sound. Maybe one day I'll luck out in the used market.
Actually, I would suggest it may make sense to bring in the 702 S3 as comparison for a more complete review. Why? I remember before the S3 came out, amongst the 700 S2 range, people never even mentioned let alone talked about the 703, it was always the 702 and 705. In fact, B&W kind of further confirmed or reaffirmed that if you will when they launched the 702 S2 Signature and 705 S2 Signature. Just ask yourself why did B&W pick the 702 and 705 to apply their Signature "magic" to them? Is simple, they must have felt the 702 and 705 were the standout models in the range. It would make sense, is either you are into standmounts/bookshelves or on the other hand floorstanders in which case the 702 would be the flagship or better of the two between the 702 and 703. Is not dissimilar when you reviewed the Dynaudio Evoke 20 which you loved if I remember right. I was looking for a pair speakers not all that long ago, I ultimately ended up with the Evoke 50 which is a little cheaper than the 702 S3 although the price of the two are almost identical now as the B&W has recently just dropped the price of the 702 S3. I picked the Dynaudio because I was "guessing" with less flamboyance up top it might be better suited for my long-listening habits. But, my point is as far as standmounts go, the Evoke 20 is clearly better than the Evoke 10. And for floorstanders, if you like the Evoke, then I would strongly recommend the Evoke 50 over the Evoke 30 unless your room is really that small. I guess Andrew's point is whether it is "worth it" to pay for that slight premium. I haven't heard the 703, but I have heard the 702 which sounds great. All I can say is based on my experience with the Dynaudio Evoke 30 and 50, I picked what I preferred because the Evoke 50 sounded much bigger than its size and communicated a sense of scale which the Evoke 30 simply didn't have. Once you have paid for that premium, you really don't think about it as you will be enjoying the speakers for a long time. I would argue is better you buy what you prefer than to leave a lingering thought that perhaps you should have paid that little bit extra for the speaker that you really wanted. Just my two cents.
Hi Andrew & Kristi, thank you for a great review, could you please advise if Onkyo RZ50 would be able to drive these speakers or will it struggle? thanks
Great review! I demo’d the 702s3 and was underwhelmed tbh, and came away ordering the 804d4 which are outstanding! May upgrade to the 802d4 in the future once second hand values fall enough and if the finances work, for more weight and those turbine heads …
Great review as usual and happy birthday! These are beautiful speakers and they do indeed sound fantastic. I've got the 705 S3s in my home theater setup and am tempted to upgrade to the 805 D4s, but I don't think it'd be worth the cost of admission apart from knowing I've got B&W's best bookshelf offering. A properly high-end subwoofer really makes these bookshelves shine though! Would love to see your review of some great subwoofers for a combined music and HT setup like those from Perlisten, Rythmik, and perhaps Rel. I've got an F18 from Rythmik and an S/510 from Rel coming in soon to go with the 705s and really cover the whole frequency range including the infrasonic. Can't wait to get them all integrated together!
I have hade my 702 S3 now since december paired with Hegel H190. I allways had the feeling that something was missing. Had to raise the volume to get decent base resulting everything else ending up to loud. Now I bought the Rotel Michi x5 series 2 instead. Man what a difference! Now there is a body to the music. Everything tightens and the high frequencies sounds so much more relaxed. Base is there even in low volumes. Amazing combo actually.
Power is so important despite all the "how much power do you really need" or "it's the first watt that is most important" crowd. Never go below 300wpc whatever speaker you are using
Okay, I totally agree about the grill, but do you think it would look better, if the grills only covered each driver separately? Like a round grill, with cloth style cover ala Klipsch Heritage line? I think that would be pretty cool to see. I do love that mocha finish. It looks absolutely stunning. Great review and video! P.S. 801 D4 signature, aside for the finish to me feels like way too high of a price jump. But that’s just me. It looks damn good in that blue automotive finish for sure.
I think contrasting or slightly contrasting grille colors are always a good idea. Black on black needs to go away. I am not a fan of individual covers though either, so it's a tough nut to crack for sure!
Great review. Bowers are Bowers. I don’t mind the enhanced details in treble but it’s not for everyone. I have the 702 S3 with amplification Anthem M525 and Marantz as pre-amp. I’m sure the 703 S3 are not that far off from the 702 S3. The top bowers demand proper amplification and quality audio. They sound best with a sub as well
Used to love the B&W's a lot. There were a poster speaker for me especially the 802 series. I ended up with a pair of focal 1038 be and couldn't be more happy with them. I think they sound better in areas than the B&W's for sure.
Regarding both pairs of speakers on at the same time: It just goes to show that someone's audio holy grail might be something completely unorthodox. Audiophiles will tell you NEVER have two pairs running two-channel stereo, at least not for "serious" listening, and yet that's where the sound really locked in for Kristi. So don't be afraid to break "the rules" and take unbeaten paths on your personal audio journey.
omg now I still cant decide. I was all 702 S3 (i know this is technically 703), then leaned towards the R11. but I just like the B&W design so much more... I just cant decide :P
I’ve heard them both and I’m pulling the trigger on the 703’s. I just can’t justify the price step. And btw. they are sooo airy and open. Amazing speaker. I’m paring them with a bridged Nad368 +Nad C268
Great review Andrew! I own the 702 S3’s and drive them with a Vincent SP-332 stereo amp and absolutely love the sound of them for both Stereo & HT playback. Paired with a Denon AVR-A110 that handles the rest of my 13.2 system (all bed level speakers are B&W with SVS Prime Elevation & dual SVS PC-13 Ultra subs) the Bowers & Wilkins/SVS set up provides an excellent audio presentation from the most delicate Chamber music to the loudest Rock and Hollywood blockbusters without breaking a sweat.
Cabinet size slightly larger on 702 vs 703, plus extra bass driver and loading into plinth with 100watt RMS spec bump recommendation. IMHO, even more balanced. Worth a listen if the opportunity presents itself.
Agreed, and I'd add specifically that I'm enjoying the digital beeping sound effects. Just quiet enough to not be obtrusive, but they add a lot of slick texture to the proceedings.
I loved the 703 when I heard them at the Audio Show.. one of my favorites in the line up!! Great review A&K. ❤ Really cool to see the EverSolo still getting some love there. 😊😊 Wise man once told me - “We can hear what we measure, but not always measure what we can hear.” Cheers peeps, and coffee is on us this morning. 🎉🎉
@@KristiWright You guys are welcome.. PS, I sent you guys an email a couple days ago. No pressure, just wanted to officially reach out and say thank you for all you guys do and give you a little better idea of how our charity works... :) Cheers and happy sunday.
Once again, thank ya'll for the review and vid! For what it's worth i think that by the looks alone, B&W runs circles around almost any floorstanding speakers. At this price point, looks are definitely one of the priorities. I mean who would spend this kinda money on "just" sound? These thing are audio furniture at the end of the day. I'd take them in any of those colours!
Happy belated birthday 🎉😊!! Hope you had a great day! I LOVED the comparison to the KEFs and Martin Logans, as they are my top speakers right now (with the highest wife acceptance factor). Best greetings from Germany and honestly thank you both for all your great videos!
Great review! I own the B&W 703 speakers driven by a Rotel RA-1592 amplifier (200W/ch). One week ago, I bought the Rotel RB-1590, which provides 350W/ch/8ohm. I must say that the 703 speakers require more power than what Bowers & Wilkins specified (200W/ch) in the specs to truly bring out their potential. Having watched your amplifier gears in the review, I can tell that you haven't experienced the full capabilities of the B&W 703. I was absolutely amazed after listening to them with the RB-1590. The soundstage has significantly expanded in all directions, becoming higher, deeper, and wider, creating a truly holographic listening experience. Since you have reviewed the 1592 MKII, you can imagine my jaw drop when I discovered that ther's a room for such a strong improvement in the sound by providing them with better power (I already gave them 200wats!) One of the most notable differences between the RA-1592 and the RB-1590 is the bass level. With the RA-1592, I had to increase the volume substantially to experience deep bass (around 55). However, with the RB-1590, the bass is powerful and present at any volume level (like 28), filling the room like a fog or something similar. It's a remarkable enhancement in the overall audio experience. And trust me, there's no need for using a subwoofer with the 703 speakers 😁 . They knocked me to the floor when I was listening to Rammstein live in Paris. And I'm still looking for my armchair in the backyard. Keep up the great work with your reviews! I hope more people can explore the true potential of the B&W speakers with higher-powered amplifiers. Happy listening! I need more stable chair.
@martinmbokazi8372, I've tested the RA-1592 as a pre-amp with the RB-1590, and it produces a lesser sound quality compared to the RA-1592 functioning as a standalone integrated amplifier. While the soundstage and low frequencies are impressive, there appears to be a deficiency in the high and mid frequencies when compared to the RA-1592 on its own. I am quite confident that you will discern a discernible difference in sound quality between the right channel (RA-1592 alone, with superior sound) and the left channel (RA-1592 as a pre-amp with RB-1582). In this case, the left speaker will experience a decrease in the quality of the high and mid ranges. The pre-out feature in the RA-1592 is primarily designed for multiroom setups, rather than bi-amp configurations. For optimal audio performance, it is recommended to use the RC-1590 / RC-1572 along with one/two RB-1582 amplifiers or one/two RB-1590 amplifier. It's important to note that RB-1582 and RB-1590 amplifiers _are not_ suitable for use as mono-blocks. RB-1590 have dedicated transofmators for each channel and the whole amp is separated inside.
I have the new Rotel Michi x5 Series 2. Dont have to say more. It is amazing with 702 S3. Did get a special designed firmware for it from their support regarding gain input. A setting that they deleted but after my request reintroduced. The 702 s3 sounds like sitting in a studio and listen to instruments live. To me it is the most honest way of listening. No colorisation.
18:12 when it comes to B&W Speakers I still would love to own the B&W 802's that kingpin a.k.a (Vincent D'Onofrio) had in the Daredevil series! The wood finish (which were vinyl wrapped for the show) and beautifully crafted speaker to me still takes the whole Cake ❤️🔥 not just a slice! Great video guys
Hi Andrew, thank you for your great reviews. I have a couple of questions and hope you can help me with. I have the STR-DN1080 since 2018. And want to go back to two loudspeakers, specifically B&W 702 Signature or 703 S3. Can the Sony cope with the B&W? Which B&W would be your weapon of choice? I want to use the loudspeakers very brought. From listening to very variable music to watching movies. Looking forward to your reply. Thank you in advance!
With either B&W you would need a strong clean amp to get the true potential out of those speakers. Either speaker is a great choice. Look for a discounted 702S3 or the 702 signatures. Don't discount the 702S2 especially if you can find a new pair for a very big discounted price cause they are discontinued. Those are all great speakers and would recommend all of them. Good luck.
@robinsonbrand thanks so much for the informative review! Any chance you've heard the 603s and how would the 703s compare against that? Also any thoughts on what might potentially work better as amp pairings with the 703s?
I still use 702 s2 since 2021 sound is amazing with Hegel h390 and look so beatiful, also have an Arendal 1723 sub now the sound is really fullrange, but even without sub they can kick
The one thing that we are still good at in the UK is designing great speakers. Just a shame that they are no longer made here. Perhaps i have been around too long!
Andrew, non flush drivers/ woofers/ mids cause, frequency, irregularities, as every speaker, designer understands and why you see so many companies going to great lengths to avoid protruding drivers. This is simply a styling gimmick. Just a design thing as you said. Many companies and Diy speaker builders have Measured the difference . 😮
Sweet review. Thanks you two! Also, love how you sneakily slipped in a split second portrait in there 😀👍 I have recently purchased a secondhand set of B&W speakers on the entire opposite end of the "fancy" scale (M1 mk2) after having previously had an even cheaper set of B&W DM308 (still great value for money imo... Would also appreciate some reviews on high end brands' lowest-end products.
I briefly had a pair of the 702 S3 and wound up returning them, despite the reshelving fee, which cost me ~$600. The sound was incredibly, shockingly clear and crisp, but the brightness was a constant issue. It was excessive. I disagree with the claim that the brightness of the 703 S3/702 S3 isn't a flaw, and much, much more strongly that it only reveals problems in bad recordings or punishes excessive volume. The treble was fatiguing and too prominent at nearly any volume, regardless of the quality of the recording. The surgical sharpness stood in the way of organic, holistic musicality. I wound up buying a pair of the Monitor Audio Gold 300, which more often produce the musicality that I had hoped to get from the 702 S3.
Sorry to hear. I hadn't even liked the B&W 800 series at the local Best Buy, and not just because I felt it had an unnaturally tipped up upper treble. The dynamics were behind my Martin Logans. Drums had sounded flabby and not tight. I think it's time I looked at KEF or Wharfedale. The cost alone is enough reason for me to avoid B&W. You get more for your money with other brands. I had liked the timbre and fullness of the midrange with the older 704 S2 towers: it had sounded more natural to me than the cheaper Martin Logan Motion 40s I had compared them to, at the time. I used to have cheaper Monitor Audio Silver 6s, and they had really good dynamics. This is probably the case throughout their whole line.
my 703s3 are too bright with Chord Signature Reference speaker cables. Although its Chord predecessor also sounded great, I ended up with a Naim cable set.
MP3 sounds great on my speakers. Of course lossless does sound a little better. A cable won't "fix" B&W sound signature whether you use 384kHz 32bit audio or not. @@ytjos222
B&W make decent speakers, but they have a certain crossover tuning that really makes or breaks it depending what sound you like. It's not really for me. Some I have preferred more than others. The new ones seem to be less likeable somehow overall imo
Andrew thank you for the nice review. I agree these things are stylish and lovely. They perform great for the footprint. I think the focal aria like 936? Might be their closest though aging competitor?
I love the B&W’s 700 character, the base is nice while the tweeter is full of character yet sweet. The voice is super clear, detailed, and upfront in my room, well I have the center speaker which makes a difference over L&R for movies and TV. KEFs are great too, for people who like it more neutral. It’s like comparing a sportier car with one better tuned for luxury.
this channel is crazy lmao. kristi goes: "i reeealy need to hear the 801d4, or even the nautilus... you know... for science..." you've turned the wife into an audiophile while you yourself are in recovery. im astonished. i look forward to the day when you two have a 5.0 setup of 801s or nautilus in the living room
Amazing speaker. Fell in love with it when the distributor delivered it to the store I work at. I do have a question, what is your opinion on the idea of having multiple ideals of 'natural/realistic'. I'm asking this because dynaudio sounds very real. But b&w, also sounds very real in his own way. Flat frequency response ≠ natural sound.
Listened them on an audio fair last year on a Marantz model 40. Wasn't impressed at all. As i own the cdm7 nt's from b&w i found my old speakers more. But i think it was just the electronics that were keeping the 703 s3's down. Anyhow great review of a speaker that is bang for buck!
Great review as always. I heard the book shelf speakers vs these and 8 must admit I preferred the book shelf model, slightly more bass weirdly. A pair of the 800 book shelf’s from the last generation second hand, now we’re talking.
As someone raised on B&W and owner since the 90's I didn't expect these to disappoint but I can see where budget an use can be a deciding factor when purchasing. Moving from older Matrix 802's to the ML F100's I can say with certainty that those speakers live up to and surpass the older B&W's. Mixed use for HT and Music the ML's price allows more wiggle room for a center channel and sub or two. The 803's only give pause in that coupled with the center channel are about 2k more than the ML's before considering a sub. Were I looking at solely a 2 channel system, I think the 803's would be my choice. The Meta's, at another 1k a pair..I dunno. I'd have to hear them but I'm at a diminishing returns point at price, to where I would possibly consider the 702's without a sub for music listening only.
Great review, just curious,how about the Cornwall? Both about the same price, which do you like better? I have 1980’s La Scala’s with Crites crossovers and two REL Tzero subs, love the sound! But I would love a smaller cabinet. Now if you were me would you replaced them with the 703 S3, would you be happy with the change?
Bob Crites started the Cornscala project. He wanted to combine the midrange and top end of a La Scala with the bass of a Cornwall. You might want to look into their Style D speakers.
It seems they retain a little bit of that excess energy around 1kHz that is so prevalent in our HTM61 S2 and 707 S2's as well. Apart from that and not accounting for room interactions in the bass (the rise between 80 and 140 Hz), it looks quite neutral in your graph, and your praise of its sound falls in line with how I recall other higher-end B&Ws sounding. Happy to see their 600-series didn't deter you from their products and also that they aren't indicative of the general B&W experience.
Awesome review and discussion 👏 Love the B&W speaker range, this one in particular but I recently picked up a Bluesound Powernode... any thoughts on whether it would sufficiently drive this speaker? I love my Polk R500, and have been thinking about upgrading for 2.0 music listening for more bass (bass lover over here)... could the Powernode drive this or the Polk R700 in your opinion Andrew and Kristi? Would the R700 be a better pairing with the Powernode than the B&W if you had to choose?
The Powernode will produce sound, for sure, but it wouldn't be my FIRST choice for THIS speaker. If you went with the 705 S3s the Powernode would likely do better. The Powernode also isn't enough or right for bringing out ALL of the capability of the R700 either. Just my 2 cents.
@@andrewrobinsonreviews appreciate the thoughts, that little powernode box is a beast! But it sounds like I'll find it's limitations very fast with the R700 or the 703 S3... I reckon I'll need to start shopping for power amps soon.
Good review. Enjoy watching them I dont think i could compare the 703S3 to the Kef R11 meta. 702S3 would be a better comparison. I own Kef and B&W. I have grown to like the B&W more, and yes, they can get down and dirty. My system is simple. NAD M17 V2I Processor and multiple musical fidelity power amps. It's clean and powerfull... Front main speakers are 702 signatures Center channel speakers are 2 705 signatures paired together. Rear speakers are 705 signatures. Fr n rr height are the M1,s A completely perfect matched set up.
B&W all the way, baby! Nobody makes speakers like them at their price points. They look so well crafted and beautiful. Work of art. And they have something in their designs that’s MOST manageable manufacturers lack the same price point - TASTE. I will most definitely be getting the flagship B&W at some point (will never pay full retail for it). I don’t need more for my requirements. I have auditioned 801 d4 in a “partially” sound treated set up (no subs, macintosh amps)…. I swear I have never heard soundstage that big…with actual depth and height. I could place instruments distinctly if I closed my eyes. I auditioned speakers from several other brands at the same price point. There is something about the warm laid back coloured sound of b&w that my ears love. B&w does not fatigue my ears.
If only they would sound as good as they look... search a bit around for other reviews and have a listen. These speakers are tuned in the wrong way and you can get better speakers in this price range.
@@stijnvanderlooy5311 was never a fan of anything from B&W other than their flagship (801) tbh. It’s my theoretical cut off. If anything comes close at the price point, well, my ears are open.
@robinsonbrand, I am in love with these speakers. Great review! Btw, I like your light sand color media table but couldn’t find them from the links you provided in this video. I’ve checked the “media benches” and “everything else” link you listed but didn’t find the media table shown in this video. Can you provide more information on where to purchase?
They're tagged in this video - ua-cam.com/video/zpCGk_oYGjU/v-deo.html Click the "View Products" icon shown in the lower left corner and this will open a pop up window or bar beneath the video, depending on your device. You'll find the coffee table, etc there.
I mentioned to you earlier in another review of yours that you should, on occasion, review higher end gear. Like you, I owned a pair of 800 Diamonds (800D not D2) and now I have the 803D4. I downsized do to domestic constraints. I think it would be wonderful if you were to review any of the turbine loaded D4 series. You definitely have the room for them!
Good stuff Andrew ! I have a question... If speakers are sitting on the floor is it better to turn them upside down for the woofer dround out effect ? ? Please reply
If you place speakers on the floor you want to make sure the tweeter is on the top as that will give you the greatest chance for better clarity. If you can angle the speaker slightly upward, so that even from the floor it's pointing up towards your seated listening position, that's even better typically. Though every speaker has unique setup constraints and you should consult the manual whenever possible for best results.
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Can you please please answer a question for me?🙏🏾 Right now I have the Martin Logan 35XTI x 2 on stands and the Cambridge audio CXA61. I have a few problems with this system. I would like to change to a surround sound system and also I do not have a subwoofer so the bass in my system is lacking. I love movies and music but do watch movies more than I listen to music. I listen to a very wide genre of music including classic 60s rock, 90s rock, grunge, old jazz vocals & instrumentals, 90s hip hop, neosoul and classical music. What are your thoughts on switching to the Motion XT F100 with matching center channel, Sony STR-AZ5000ES AV receive and sony SA-RS5 for wireless rear speakers. Or do you have a better setup idea? I would prefer a set up without a lot of wires running to rear speakers.
Just wondering if you will ever review tekton speakers? They are a very interesting product
These along with JBL Synthesis HDI and Polk Legend towers sounded flat. Yes they had good sound-stage(wide) and imaging. But they absolutely lacked the depth of field compared to what KEF R5(Old) and even Focal Kanta had. They were good in creating 2D image but sadly lacked the similar Enveloping effect that KEF had and even Focal had decently more field of depth. I got to listen them all in the same room(treated) with Denon AVR + NAD Amplifier.
Even before I finish watching, I have to say I love the new colorful EQ graph & band segregation! Way to go Andrew & Kristi!
Great review. Great editing. And I love the single frame photo of Kristi 😄. I had the opportunity to listen to these. First, the build quality of these speakers was amazing!! (I can't stress that enough). I also enjoyed the 'sound' of the B&W. They have a lot of energy and detail. They tilted towards bright, yes. However, I'd like to hear more with different amp options, music choice and without the in-store Bluetooth set up 🤷♂. I appreciate the comparisons to the R700 and 8000F-II. Thank you guys for allowing me to spend time with you this Sunday morning. 🙂
The B&Ws can go bright, yes. But if you take some time and set them up correctly and your room isn't too lively itself, they can be lively but not shrill. The build quality is second to none, 100% agree!
Happy Birthday Andrew - Another excellent review by you and Kristi. The video quality on the B shots looks even better than it usually does. Did you do anything different?
Just love your speaker reviews. They are so helpful. And I love when you point to another video the link is actually there!
Thanks!
🎉🎉Happy Birthday Andrew!🎉🎉 Hope you had a marvellous day! And thanks for the marvellous review as always!
Another superb speaker and also, the editing on this channel just gets better. 👌👌👌
as always: fantastic review!!! and I always appreciate your jolly eloquence!! many thanks for your contributions to the Hifi world
Fantastic review! Like many, would love more 800 series reviews. B&W strikes such a lovely balance between sound and build quality and design in their 700 and 800 series offerings.
Just wanna say love the video!!! - I recently got the Focal Chora bookshelf w/ Schiit vidar (i know :( ) Wife loved the design and she use it as much as I do! Your old videos helped so much Thank you Kristi and Andrew!
I am so happy you and your wife are happy with your setup! That is all I want for any of you and I thank you for sharing that with me!
Loved the review!!! (which I'm beginning to realize is what I keep posting on pretty much every one of your reviews, but honestly? you guys really, REALLY do a great job!
In terms of comparisons, I keep coming back to how you mention the Klipsch RP8000s are not embarrassed by either these or the KEF R11s or the Martin Logans, and I've got a silly curiosity that I'm still hoping you guys don't mind scratching :D
If one were to (hypothetically of course) compare your budget options here (the Klipsch / Polk Audio) to the Samsung Q990B, what if any would one miss to the point they would reconsider going one box?
I have no intention of buying most of the speakers you all review. Except for the r700’s one day. It’s just thoroughly enjoyable to watch you two
You have to get what makes sense for you and your needs, nevertheless I sincerely appreciate you watching our videos!
Great vid and HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY! I own the 702 Signatures in midnight blue and they certainly LOOK stunning and they SOUND stunning. I’m driving them properly with surplus power based on your previous review of them. Based on other videos I am happy with my current setup and gladly feel no reason to upgrade but love seeing BW vids and reviews. I own that S3 center too and it’s super clear and defined. Wife and puppy approved as well. Have a great weekend you two! 🍿🍿🍿🍸🍸🍸🐶
❤
As someone very happy with my Klipsch setup, but with that constant "what if" itch that all of us seem to be plagued with, I really appreciated you including the comparison to the Polks and Klipsch! Someday that itch is gonna get the better of me though, I'm sure...
P.S. Looking forward to the eventual room eq for multiple subs video! The first couple REQ videos were extremely educational and eye opening for me.
Brilliant review. Damn, man, your insight and delivery is so good. Have you been hit up to host a TV show or a documentary at all? I'm serious!
I know! Right!?
@@dawaynecleckley8673 Yeah, man. I've watched Andrew for a few years now and his delivery of information has totally reached the top shelf. It's been fun watching him progress. And the videos are exquisitely done. Really happy for him. Andrew should be hosting something like American Idol or like food or travel TV shows. Freakin brilliant.
I really appreciate that Sean! Coming from print and working behind the camera for almost 20 years, the last 3 years have been an adjustment. Kristi has been instrumental in helping push my writing (for UA-cam ) to a more conversational place because, well, it ain't print 😉. In the beginning I used to just ramble and ramble then cut it into something that resembled an organized video. Then I went to scripting and struggled, but now, after about two years, I think we're on the right track.
@@andrewrobinsonreviews It really is. I think you've hit the sweet spot now in the delivery which is very conversational, friendly, easy to follow and inviting. Kudos to Kristi for pushing you! I've always liked hearing Kristi's insight and perspective but it took me a while to get used to the off-camera voice but I've come to like that. I'm trying to think of how the setting would be if you ever both appeared on-camera for Kristi's portion. Right now it's sort of a host and sidekick dynamic, which is cool. And I don't use "sidekick" to imply inferiority in any way. It's almost like Kristi's voice is the off-camera producer giving their perspective after the hosts delivery, works well. She's a huge part of this channel and offers brilliant perspective as well. Anyway, thanks guys!
I really hope you do a review of the B&W 801D4.
No comment on a product, this is about the podcast. I love how Andrew approaches and executes his reviews. But I am waiting to hear Kristi's review to round out the whole delivery. You guys balance out the information in a very important way. I, like Kristi, have dialog issues when I'm listening to TV, so I need to hear her perspective. No complaints, just compliments. You guys have created a "cute" show together that appeals to both men and women. Bravo!
Good morning friends! These look really nice, and I love a great value. Great work with the b roll and alll the little bits in your editing on this one.
Thanks! Appreciate the feedback Ryan!
@@andrewrobinsonreviews I forgot to let you know we picked up a breville per your recommendation. My wife and I love it and use it daily! Thanks so much.
@@umrryan It's such a great coffee machine! We LOVE ours!
I asked about these speakers several months ago but Andrew had not yet reviewed them. I did buy them and they are paired with a Marantz SR8015 receiver and an SVS PB-1000 Pro sub. I absolutely love them! I listen mostly to vinyl in stereo + sub. They look beautiful in the room - kind of retro-cool with the teardrop tweeter on top. I am really in love with these speakers - they've made my home a place where friends love to come, hang out, have some wine and listen to music.
Now I’m wondering if I made the right choice. LOL. Just bought 802 Diamond’s (not D2’s) for the same price. Can’t beat the beauty of the 800 series though. Really enjoy every video you and Kristi make!
The 802s are great speakers!
It's so funny that I stopped by my local Best Buy, and I took the time to listen to the 703 S3 speakers by B&W. I was very impressed. I compared them to the other speakers that they had there, and my final determination is that the 703's were far superior of a speaker. BUT, they definitely need a subwoofer or two. Currently, I am working with SVS tower speakers and looking to upgrade. I am looking to see if you agree with my thoughts regarding the need for a sub.
Happy Sunday Kristi and Andrew 🎉
Thanks for tuning in!
9:42 Love this. Too much dismissal happening based solely on what a NFS says without real world use. People miss out on some really good speakers that they may actually prefer listening to over the "better measuring" competition. I also agree that the chase for perfection can lead to no longer actually enjoying your setup and the music and movies you built it for. Great review as usual. Thank you!
What I find odd is that even when NFS measurements approximate an "in-room" response, those graphs never match or mimic what I've seen from these same speakers in multiple different rooms.
@@andrewrobinsonreviews I've noticed that as well. Case in point; ASR's new review of the Martin Logan B10. Estimated response shows a downward tilt and the actual in-room measurement(shown in the distortion section) is flat.
@@hifihometheater Sooo the million dollar question, which graph is more important or "right"? At the end of the day, you have to go with what works for you and your listening habits. Measurements are good for testing and manufacturing but they mean precisely ZERO in the real world when it comes to peoples' subjective tastes. But boy do they give people stuff to complain about and/or bond over.
@@andrewrobinsonreviews 💯
Great review, thank you. I live in Australia and checked the price of the KEF's... a tad under AU$12,000 which make the B&W a much better value. The 702's would be a much better match and that's the comparison I'd want to watch!!!
I got the 702 s3 with an advance paris xi-1100 stereo a-a/b class amp and damn what a sound. Every time I turn on the system from rock to classic its so damn crisp clear don’t know how to explain. Now im gonna upgrade my center asswell to the htm71 s3.
Can’t wait for the cristal clear voices in movies.
Thanks! I live in Israel, and your reviews get my mind off the harsh reality outside, and replace it with a place of music and beauty.
Thank you for the kind comment and support.
Great reviews as always!
I vote for these B&W. I got a pair of 705 s2 that hooks up to marantz sr8012 and SVS sb-4000 sub, thinking these will set me for a long to come?
I think you're probably good for years my friend!
Excellent review Andrew and Kristi! I cant wait for your Eversolo DMP-A6 review… I saw it peaking there in few shoots. I got the Master edition DMP-A6 last week. But cant seems to connect with it. It sounds very restrained and lacking depth at least with my Marantz AV, Parasound amp and Dynaudio speakers. I also got a MyTek Brooklyn Bridge II which has a much warmer and deeper sound stage but lacks important streaming services such as Spotify Connect and Tidal. Anyhow thanks again for another great Sunday review! And happy birthday!!!
*Good morning everybody! This week was Andrew's birthday. It would mean so much to me if you would give him some extra love today...and a 👍 on the video would be the icing on the proverbial* 🎂!
Hope you guys had fun celebrating on Thursday! HAPPY BDAY ANDREW! It's your birthday, but WE got the gift of a new review. Wooohooo...(OW...wife punched me for being corny).
Happy Birthday Andrew!
Happy birthday Andrew.
🥳🥳🥳😺😺😺
My Brithday is this week also, us Leo's like audio equipment. 😻
Happy birthday Andrew!
I much prefer the design and look of the B&W to the Kef.
I can go either way. I think KEF needs to address the legs on the R Series but overall they're both great looking designs!
@@andrewrobinsonreviews🎉Happy Belated Birthday🎉
@@andrewrobinsonreviewshow does the 805 D4 compare?
Kef is designed by engineering. It's all about how your ears respond. I dont look at my speakers as art pieces, they are machines.
@@stevenoconnor5693he compared the 2 at the end of the video
Kristi I love your segments!! Never change. Also, get the 804's in, for the reactions. Thanks for the great content all!
As a person that sold all of the models, the top model is worth it if you don’t have a perfect room. The downwards port opens up placement options so much compared to a rear port if you can’t have your speakers 3 feet from a wall. All great speakers, great review!
I am STILL rocking my 30 year old Maxtix 801 series-2's!! They are far from perfect, but still have a certain magic to them, and image like crazy. I've tried to replace them, and I do have other speakers that I rotate in, but I just can't bring myself to sell my old 801's.
Great review as always! Would love to have the cash to throw at some high-end B&W’s but for now, I live vicariously through my buddies 802 D3’s running off of a 250wpc Krell amp, and being fed by an SHD. I’ve gotta say, a simply stunning presentation for my taste. R11’s vs 703’s is likely the same as one’s taste in food - some like filet, others ribeye. And that’s really what it comes down to when sonics from speakers are similar.
At the risk of being pedantic, your birthday was apparently NOT TODAY, but please accept my well wishes anyway!!! 🎉 😂. Happy Born Day Andrew! Both of you enjoy this day as best possible with this oppressive HEAT!!!
Andrew & Kristy Great Review!
Even though these are probably the better speakers, how would you compare these for musical listening enjoyment to the Cornwalls.
Happy Birthday!!!
A big thanks to both of you for all your hard work. It looks like the Klipsch 8000f II as tower speakers for me. Unless you guys come up with something better at that price. The fact that they can even hang in there with better and more expensive towers and they are half (or less) the cost, makes them my choice for 2 channel music listening sans subwoofer. Classical music is the majority of my music intake. I'll wait for the next sale since I'm also cheap or frugal depending on your perspective.
Uuuuuh, going 801s would be something I would very much love your opinion on. But careful; you may need to buy them afterwards 😳😝
I drove 100 miles from BC through WA to grab a pair of Triangle Br08's at a great price... Only to be ghosted by the seller as he forgot about the deal and drove home empty handed. To console myself I stopped by a bestbuy and luckily they had the 703S3 out for audition.
OMG. I haven't actually heard the decoupled tweeter in over a decade and THAT is the sound I've been missing. It stood well out over every other speaker in the room from the other 700 series and 600.
Perhaps it's blessing. Luckily my boys and dog enjoyed the 6 hours in the car. Even if I did snag those Boreas... Im certain I'd always be chasing that B&W sound. Maybe one day I'll luck out in the used market.
That's a cool story. Did you get to hear the 703 s3 vs the 702 s3?
Saw the 802 D4s at a local shop. Finally got to appreciate the build quality.
❤ would love to see you review the Monitor Audio Platinum 300 3g and the Paradigm Founder 120h
Maybe the 702S3 would be a better comparison to the R11?
Actually, I would suggest it may make sense to bring in the 702 S3 as comparison for a more complete review. Why? I remember before the S3 came out, amongst the 700 S2 range, people never even mentioned let alone talked about the 703, it was always the 702 and 705. In fact, B&W kind of further confirmed or reaffirmed that if you will when they launched the 702 S2 Signature and 705 S2 Signature. Just ask yourself why did B&W pick the 702 and 705 to apply their Signature "magic" to them? Is simple, they must have felt the 702 and 705 were the standout models in the range. It would make sense, is either you are into standmounts/bookshelves or on the other hand floorstanders in which case the 702 would be the flagship or better of the two between the 702 and 703.
Is not dissimilar when you reviewed the Dynaudio Evoke 20 which you loved if I remember right. I was looking for a pair speakers not all that long ago, I ultimately ended up with the Evoke 50 which is a little cheaper than the 702 S3 although the price of the two are almost identical now as the B&W has recently just dropped the price of the 702 S3. I picked the Dynaudio because I was "guessing" with less flamboyance up top it might be better suited for my long-listening habits. But, my point is as far as standmounts go, the Evoke 20 is clearly better than the Evoke 10. And for floorstanders, if you like the Evoke, then I would strongly recommend the Evoke 50 over the Evoke 30 unless your room is really that small.
I guess Andrew's point is whether it is "worth it" to pay for that slight premium. I haven't heard the 703, but I have heard the 702 which sounds great. All I can say is based on my experience with the Dynaudio Evoke 30 and 50, I picked what I preferred because the Evoke 50 sounded much bigger than its size and communicated a sense of scale which the Evoke 30 simply didn't have. Once you have paid for that premium, you really don't think about it as you will be enjoying the speakers for a long time. I would argue is better you buy what you prefer than to leave a lingering thought that perhaps you should have paid that little bit extra for the speaker that you really wanted. Just my two cents.
B&W is B&W. what more to say. But my really question is? When do we get to enjoy another room development show?
Great video u 2.
Hi Andrew & Kristi, thank you for a great review, could you please advise if Onkyo RZ50 would be able to drive these speakers or will it struggle? thanks
Another video I love from you guys. But no word on the predecessors from the S2 line? I need to figure out if a change would be reasonable.
Great review! I demo’d the 702s3 and was underwhelmed tbh, and came away ordering the 804d4 which are outstanding! May upgrade to the 802d4 in the future once second hand values fall enough and if the finances work, for more weight and those turbine heads …
Great review as usual and happy birthday! These are beautiful speakers and they do indeed sound fantastic. I've got the 705 S3s in my home theater setup and am tempted to upgrade to the 805 D4s, but I don't think it'd be worth the cost of admission apart from knowing I've got B&W's best bookshelf offering. A properly high-end subwoofer really makes these bookshelves shine though! Would love to see your review of some great subwoofers for a combined music and HT setup like those from Perlisten, Rythmik, and perhaps Rel. I've got an F18 from Rythmik and an S/510 from Rel coming in soon to go with the 705s and really cover the whole frequency range including the infrasonic. Can't wait to get them all integrated together!
Thank you Andrew and Kristi, I am considering upgrading my B & W 704 S2's for the 703 S3's and this was most helpful.
Glad it was helpful!
I was just listening to some B&W bookshelf speakers at BB. They sounded so good.
Which ones were you listening to?
They were the new ones. 705 S3. I am updating because you just mentioned them at the end with Kristi!! Love your chats with Kristi!!!
Just prefer the bookshelf format. Also would have to get used to the decoupled tweeters which off the bat I am not in love with.
I have hade my 702 S3 now since december paired with Hegel H190. I allways had the feeling that something was missing. Had to raise the volume to get decent base resulting everything else ending up to loud. Now I bought the Rotel Michi x5 series 2 instead. Man what a difference! Now there is a body to the music. Everything tightens and the high frequencies sounds so much more relaxed. Base is there even in low volumes. Amazing combo actually.
Discovered the same by replacing Rotel RA-1592 with Rotel RC-1590 and RB-1590 (posted about it here a few comments below).
Power is so important despite all the "how much power do you really need" or "it's the first watt that is most important" crowd.
Never go below 300wpc whatever speaker you are using
That's a good looking speaker. Seems like they got this one right. I'm a big fan of KEF though.
Both the B&W and KEF Meta line are GREAT!
Okay, I totally agree about the grill, but do you think it would look better, if the grills only covered each driver separately? Like a round grill, with cloth style cover ala Klipsch Heritage line? I think that would be pretty cool to see. I do love that mocha finish. It looks absolutely stunning.
Great review and video!
P.S. 801 D4 signature, aside for the finish to me feels like way too high of a price jump. But that’s just me. It looks damn good in that blue automotive finish for sure.
I think contrasting or slightly contrasting grille colors are always a good idea. Black on black needs to go away. I am not a fan of individual covers though either, so it's a tough nut to crack for sure!
Great review. Bowers are Bowers. I don’t mind the enhanced details in treble but it’s not for everyone. I have the 702 S3 with amplification Anthem M525 and Marantz as pre-amp. I’m sure the 703 S3 are not that far off from the 702 S3. The top bowers demand proper amplification and quality audio. They sound best with a sub as well
Used to love the B&W's a lot. There were a poster speaker for me especially the 802 series. I ended up with a pair of focal 1038 be and couldn't be more happy with them. I think they sound better in areas than the B&W's for sure.
Agreed
Nice to see Kristi on screen :)
Regarding both pairs of speakers on at the same time: It just goes to show that someone's audio holy grail might be something completely unorthodox. Audiophiles will tell you NEVER have two pairs running two-channel stereo, at least not for "serious" listening, and yet that's where the sound really locked in for Kristi. So don't be afraid to break "the rules" and take unbeaten paths on your personal audio journey.
omg now I still cant decide. I was all 702 S3 (i know this is technically 703), then leaned towards the R11.
but I just like the B&W design so much more... I just cant decide :P
I’ve heard them both and I’m pulling the trigger on the 703’s. I just can’t justify the price step. And btw. they are sooo airy and open. Amazing speaker. I’m paring them with a bridged Nad368 +Nad C268
I’m going for 702’s but only for positioning. These are down-firing allowing for easier placement where 703s need more space, which sadly I don’t have
Great review Andrew!
I own the 702 S3’s and drive them with a Vincent SP-332 stereo amp and absolutely love the sound of them for both Stereo & HT playback. Paired with a Denon AVR-A110 that handles the rest of my 13.2 system (all bed level speakers are B&W with SVS Prime Elevation & dual SVS PC-13 Ultra subs) the Bowers & Wilkins/SVS set up provides an excellent audio presentation from the most delicate Chamber music to the loudest Rock and Hollywood blockbusters without breaking a sweat.
Cabinet size slightly larger on 702 vs 703, plus extra bass driver and loading into plinth with 100watt RMS spec bump recommendation. IMHO, even more balanced. Worth a listen if the opportunity presents itself.
Great video, thanks! I wonder how they would compare to MA Silvers 300 in your opinion? In my area they are almost the same price bracket.
Love the editorial style you're leaning towards with the effects. Gives a tad more soul to what feels like a somewhat plain videos at times.
Much appreciated!
Agreed, and I'd add specifically that I'm enjoying the digital beeping sound effects. Just quiet enough to not be obtrusive, but they add a lot of slick texture to the proceedings.
Hi Andrew, you did a review back in 2020 on the B&W 702 Signature speakers. Any comparison comments with the 703 S3?
I have exact the same question!
I loved the 703 when I heard them at the Audio Show.. one of my favorites in the line up!!
Great review A&K. ❤
Really cool to see the EverSolo still getting some love there. 😊😊
Wise man once told me -
“We can hear what we measure, but not always measure what we can hear.”
Cheers peeps, and coffee is on us this morning. 🎉🎉
Thank you, James!!
@@KristiWright You guys are welcome.. PS, I sent you guys an email a couple days ago. No pressure, just wanted to officially reach out and say thank you for all you guys do and give you a little better idea of how our charity works... :) Cheers and happy sunday.
Once again, thank ya'll for the review and vid! For what it's worth i think that by the looks alone, B&W runs circles around almost any floorstanding speakers. At this price point, looks are definitely one of the priorities. I mean who would spend this kinda money on "just" sound? These thing are audio furniture at the end of the day. I'd take them in any of those colours!
Aesthetically the B & Ws blow away the comparison speakers. Would love to see more of their high end speakers reviewed.
I have always loved the sound of B&W. Any recommendations on listening suggestions to really appreciate the B&Ws?
Happy belated birthday 🎉😊!! Hope you had a great day! I LOVED the comparison to the KEFs and Martin Logans, as they are my top speakers right now (with the highest wife acceptance factor). Best greetings from Germany and honestly thank you both for all your great videos!
The new QUAD REVELA 2 speakers are Giant Killers !
Great review! I own the B&W 703 speakers driven by a Rotel RA-1592 amplifier (200W/ch). One week ago, I bought the Rotel RB-1590, which provides 350W/ch/8ohm. I must say that the 703 speakers require more power than what Bowers & Wilkins specified (200W/ch) in the specs to truly bring out their potential.
Having watched your amplifier gears in the review, I can tell that you haven't experienced the full capabilities of the B&W 703. I was absolutely amazed after listening to them with the RB-1590. The soundstage has significantly expanded in all directions, becoming higher, deeper, and wider, creating a truly holographic listening experience. Since you have reviewed the 1592 MKII, you can imagine my jaw drop when I discovered that ther's a room for such a strong improvement in the sound by providing them with better power (I already gave them 200wats!)
One of the most notable differences between the RA-1592 and the RB-1590 is the bass level. With the RA-1592, I had to increase the volume substantially to experience deep bass (around 55). However, with the RB-1590, the bass is powerful and present at any volume level (like 28), filling the room like a fog or something similar. It's a remarkable enhancement in the overall audio experience. And trust me, there's no need for using a subwoofer with the 703 speakers 😁 . They knocked me to the floor when I was listening to Rammstein live in Paris. And I'm still looking for my armchair in the backyard.
Keep up the great work with your reviews! I hope more people can explore the true potential of the B&W speakers with higher-powered amplifiers. Happy listening! I need more stable chair.
The other option you could have bought the RB1582 and biamp with your RA1592
@martinmbokazi8372, I've tested the RA-1592 as a pre-amp with the RB-1590, and it produces a lesser sound quality compared to the RA-1592 functioning as a standalone integrated amplifier. While the soundstage and low frequencies are impressive, there appears to be a deficiency in the high and mid frequencies when compared to the RA-1592 on its own.
I am quite confident that you will discern a discernible difference in sound quality between the right channel (RA-1592 alone, with superior sound) and the left channel (RA-1592 as a pre-amp with RB-1582). In this case, the left speaker will experience a decrease in the quality of the high and mid ranges.
The pre-out feature in the RA-1592 is primarily designed for multiroom setups, rather than bi-amp configurations. For optimal audio performance, it is recommended to use the RC-1590 / RC-1572 along with one/two RB-1582 amplifiers or one/two RB-1590 amplifier. It's important to note that RB-1582 and RB-1590 amplifiers _are not_ suitable for use as mono-blocks. RB-1590 have dedicated transofmators for each channel and the whole amp is separated inside.
Well explained, thank you @@respectarmor
I have the new Rotel Michi x5 Series 2. Dont have to say more. It is amazing with 702 S3. Did get a special designed firmware for it from their support regarding gain input. A setting that they deleted but after my request reintroduced. The 702 s3 sounds like sitting in a studio and listen to instruments live. To me it is the most honest way of listening. No colorisation.
🐍 ⛽️
18:12 when it comes to B&W Speakers I still would love to own the B&W 802's that kingpin a.k.a (Vincent D'Onofrio) had in the Daredevil series! The wood finish (which were vinyl wrapped for the show) and beautifully crafted speaker to me still takes the whole Cake ❤️🔥 not just a slice! Great video guys
The 802s are beyond iconic!
@@andrewrobinsonreviews 💯%
Hi Andrew, thank you for your great reviews. I have a couple of questions and hope you can help me with. I have the STR-DN1080 since 2018. And want to go back to two loudspeakers, specifically B&W 702 Signature or 703 S3. Can the Sony cope with the B&W? Which B&W would be your weapon of choice? I want to use the loudspeakers very brought. From listening to very variable music to watching movies. Looking forward to your reply. Thank you in advance!
With either B&W you would need a strong clean amp to get the true potential out of those speakers.
Either speaker is a great choice.
Look for a discounted 702S3 or the 702 signatures.
Don't discount the 702S2 especially if you can find a new pair for a very big discounted price cause they are discontinued.
Those are all great speakers and would recommend all of them.
Good luck.
Thank you for your reply. I came across a new discounted 703 s3 and a secondhand 702 Signature offered by a dealer.
@robinsonbrand thanks so much for the informative review! Any chance you've heard the 603s and how would the 703s compare against that? Also any thoughts on what might potentially work better as amp pairings with the 703s?
I still use 702 s2 since 2021 sound is amazing with Hegel h390 and look so beatiful, also have an Arendal 1723 sub now the sound is really fullrange, but even without sub they can kick
The one thing that we are still good at in the UK is designing great speakers.
Just a shame that they are no longer made here.
Perhaps i have been around too long!
Andrew, non flush drivers/ woofers/ mids cause, frequency, irregularities, as every speaker, designer understands and why you see so many companies going to great lengths to avoid protruding drivers. This is simply a styling gimmick. Just a design thing as you said. Many companies and Diy speaker builders have Measured the difference . 😮
How did you find these compared to Polk R700?
Sweet review. Thanks you two! Also, love how you sneakily slipped in a split second portrait in there 😀👍
I have recently purchased a secondhand set of B&W speakers on the entire opposite end of the "fancy" scale (M1 mk2) after having previously had an even cheaper set of B&W DM308 (still great value for money imo... Would also appreciate some reviews on high end brands' lowest-end products.
Appreciate you weighing in and thanks for the note.
I briefly had a pair of the 702 S3 and wound up returning them, despite the reshelving fee, which cost me ~$600. The sound was incredibly, shockingly clear and crisp, but the brightness was a constant issue. It was excessive. I disagree with the claim that the brightness of the 703 S3/702 S3 isn't a flaw, and much, much more strongly that it only reveals problems in bad recordings or punishes excessive volume. The treble was fatiguing and too prominent at nearly any volume, regardless of the quality of the recording. The surgical sharpness stood in the way of organic, holistic musicality. I wound up buying a pair of the Monitor Audio Gold 300, which more often produce the musicality that I had hoped to get from the 702 S3.
Sorry to hear. I hadn't even liked the B&W 800 series at the local Best Buy, and not just because I felt it had an unnaturally tipped up upper treble. The dynamics were behind my Martin Logans. Drums had sounded flabby and not tight. I think it's time I looked at KEF or Wharfedale. The cost alone is enough reason for me to avoid B&W. You get more for your money with other brands. I had liked the timbre and fullness of the midrange with the older 704 S2 towers: it had sounded more natural to me than the cheaper Martin Logan Motion 40s I had compared them to, at the time. I used to have cheaper Monitor Audio Silver 6s, and they had really good dynamics. This is probably the case throughout their whole line.
my 703s3 are too bright with Chord Signature Reference speaker cables. Although its Chord predecessor also sounded great, I ended up with a Naim cable set.
@@dan-qe1tb I suggest you get rid of all your mp3's...
MP3 sounds great on my speakers. Of course lossless does sound a little better. A cable won't "fix" B&W sound signature whether you use 384kHz 32bit audio or not. @@ytjos222
B&W make decent speakers, but they have a certain crossover tuning that really makes or breaks it depending what sound you like.
It's not really for me. Some I have preferred more than others. The new ones seem to be less likeable somehow overall imo
Andrew thank you for the nice review. I agree these things are stylish and lovely. They perform great for the footprint. I think the focal aria like 936? Might be their closest though aging competitor?
Focal Aria 936 or any Focal speakers, mops the floor with other speaker brands, including B&W.
I love the B&W’s 700 character, the base is nice while the tweeter is full of character yet sweet. The voice is super clear, detailed, and upfront in my room, well I have the center speaker which makes a difference over L&R for movies and TV. KEFs are great too, for people who like it more neutral. It’s like comparing a sportier car with one better tuned for luxury.
this channel is crazy lmao. kristi goes: "i reeealy need to hear the 801d4, or even the nautilus... you know... for science..."
you've turned the wife into an audiophile while you yourself are in recovery. im astonished. i look forward to the day when you two have a 5.0 setup of 801s or nautilus in the living room
he's in recovery the way Ben Affleck is in recovery
Amazing speaker. Fell in love with it when the distributor delivered it to the store I work at. I do have a question, what is your opinion on the idea of having multiple ideals of 'natural/realistic'. I'm asking this because dynaudio sounds very real. But b&w, also sounds very real in his own way. Flat frequency response ≠ natural sound.
Listened them on an audio fair last year on a Marantz model 40. Wasn't impressed at all. As i own the cdm7 nt's from b&w i found my old speakers more. But i think it was just the electronics that were keeping the 703 s3's down. Anyhow great review of a speaker that is bang for buck!
Great review.. Have you reviewed Heco Aurora 1000 series ? its specs seem comparable, but at a much lower price point
What do you think about the monitor audio gold 200 5 G any comments thanks. Greetings Danny.
Great review as always. I heard the book shelf speakers vs these and 8 must admit I preferred the book shelf model, slightly more bass weirdly. A pair of the 800 book shelf’s from the last generation second hand, now we’re talking.
As someone raised on B&W and owner since the 90's I didn't expect these to disappoint but I can see where budget an use can be a deciding factor when purchasing. Moving from older Matrix 802's to the ML F100's I can say with certainty that those speakers live up to and surpass the older B&W's. Mixed use for HT and Music the ML's price allows more wiggle room for a center channel and sub or two.
The 803's only give pause in that coupled with the center channel are about 2k more than the ML's before considering a sub. Were I looking at solely a 2 channel system, I think the 803's would be my choice.
The Meta's, at another 1k a pair..I dunno. I'd have to hear them but I'm at a diminishing returns point at price, to where I would possibly consider the 702's without a sub for music listening only.
Great review, just curious,how about the Cornwall? Both about the same price, which do you like better? I have 1980’s La Scala’s with Crites crossovers and two REL Tzero subs, love the sound! But I would love a smaller cabinet. Now if you were me would you replaced them with the 703 S3, would you be happy with the change?
Bob Crites started the Cornscala project. He wanted to combine the midrange and top end of a La Scala with the bass of a Cornwall. You might want to look into their Style D speakers.
It seems they retain a little bit of that excess energy around 1kHz that is so prevalent in our HTM61 S2 and 707 S2's as well. Apart from that and not accounting for room interactions in the bass (the rise between 80 and 140 Hz), it looks quite neutral in your graph, and your praise of its sound falls in line with how I recall other higher-end B&Ws sounding. Happy to see their 600-series didn't deter you from their products and also that they aren't indicative of the general B&W experience.
Awesome review and discussion 👏
Love the B&W speaker range, this one in particular but I recently picked up a Bluesound Powernode... any thoughts on whether it would sufficiently drive this speaker?
I love my Polk R500, and have been thinking about upgrading for 2.0 music listening for more bass (bass lover over here)... could the Powernode drive this or the Polk R700 in your opinion Andrew and Kristi?
Would the R700 be a better pairing with the Powernode than the B&W if you had to choose?
The Powernode will produce sound, for sure, but it wouldn't be my FIRST choice for THIS speaker. If you went with the 705 S3s the Powernode would likely do better. The Powernode also isn't enough or right for bringing out ALL of the capability of the R700 either. Just my 2 cents.
@@andrewrobinsonreviews appreciate the thoughts, that little powernode box is a beast! But it sounds like I'll find it's limitations very fast with the R700 or the 703 S3... I reckon I'll need to start shopping for power amps soon.
LOL... I caught that frame! Light reveal... 😉
Happy happy BIRTHDAY 🥳 from all of us to you, we wish you get your music 🎶 kick and a big ass 🎂 too! 🎉
HAPPY BIRTHDAY 🎈 ANDREW!!
Thanx for all
You tested those speakers with both Marantz 40 and Onkyo 70
Best for 2 channel?
Thanks for sharing. Great review.
Good review.
Enjoy watching them
I dont think i could compare the 703S3 to the Kef R11 meta.
702S3 would be a better comparison.
I own Kef and B&W.
I have grown to like the B&W more, and yes, they can get down and dirty.
My system is simple.
NAD M17 V2I Processor and multiple musical fidelity power amps.
It's clean and powerfull...
Front main speakers are 702 signatures
Center channel speakers are 2 705 signatures paired together.
Rear speakers are 705 signatures.
Fr n rr height are the M1,s
A completely perfect matched set up.
B&W all the way, baby! Nobody makes speakers like them at their price points. They look so well crafted and beautiful. Work of art. And they have something in their designs that’s MOST manageable manufacturers lack the same price point - TASTE.
I will most definitely be getting the flagship B&W at some point (will never pay full retail for it).
I don’t need more for my requirements. I have auditioned 801 d4 in a “partially” sound treated set up (no subs, macintosh amps)…. I swear I have never heard soundstage that big…with actual depth and height. I could place instruments distinctly if I closed my eyes. I auditioned speakers from several other brands at the same price point. There is something about the warm laid back coloured sound of b&w that my ears love. B&w does not fatigue my ears.
If only they would sound as good as they look... search a bit around for other reviews and have a listen. These speakers are tuned in the wrong way and you can get better speakers in this price range.
B&w has one of the best looking speakers easily, i have 702 s2 hand they both look and sound beautiful
Actually Focal does, outperforms them quite easily!
@@ivanfilatov7913 in my limited experience, the really good Focals are prohibitively expensive.
@@stijnvanderlooy5311 was never a fan of anything from B&W other than their flagship (801) tbh. It’s my theoretical cut off. If anything comes close at the price point, well, my ears are open.
@robinsonbrand, I am in love with these speakers. Great review! Btw, I like your light sand color media table but couldn’t find them from the links you provided in this video. I’ve checked the “media benches” and “everything else” link you listed but didn’t find the media table shown in this video. Can you provide more information on where to purchase?
They're tagged in this video - ua-cam.com/video/zpCGk_oYGjU/v-deo.html
Click the "View Products" icon shown in the lower left corner and this will open a pop up window or bar beneath the video, depending on your device. You'll find the coffee table, etc there.
I mentioned to you earlier in another review of yours that you should, on occasion, review higher end gear. Like you, I owned a pair of 800 Diamonds (800D not D2) and now I have the 803D4. I downsized do to domestic constraints. I think it would be wonderful if you were to review any of the turbine loaded D4 series. You definitely have the room for them!
Will you also test the B&W 603 S3 that might fit in the budget of most of us? 😅
Can the cinema 40 drive those speakers? Especially in comparison to the used stereo amps?
Good stuff Andrew ! I have a question... If speakers are sitting on the floor is it better to turn them upside down for the woofer dround out effect ? ? Please reply
If you place speakers on the floor you want to make sure the tweeter is on the top as that will give you the greatest chance for better clarity. If you can angle the speaker slightly upward, so that even from the floor it's pointing up towards your seated listening position, that's even better typically. Though every speaker has unique setup constraints and you should consult the manual whenever possible for best results.