Loudspeakers

B&W quotes a high 90dB sensitivity and deep bass extension for the 703 S3 and while its specified 3.1ohm minimum impedance rather contradicts the brand's '8ohm nominal', owners should expect this twin-woofer floorstander to be reasonably demanding of the partnering amplifier.

Let's Groove
Expressive, sweet highs, fat-bottomed bass and a lucid midband – B&W's 703 S3 has its 'all-rounder' status down pat, and a sound that seems made to suit all genres. Propelled into action by commensurate amplification, these speakers also have an admirably largescale presentation by the standard of relatively slender, moderate cabinet-volume designs. And that scale comes with a feeling of control and focus.

Having lived with a pair, the foam reflex port inserts ended up in the equivalent of the kitchen drawer. Positioned at the suggested 50cm boundary wall distance, and with the cabinets a little over 2m apart, my 703 S3s locked into a groove with a bass performance that was convincingly hefty when needed, yet measured enough to not mar proceedings. For example, on the thunderous title track of AC/DC's Back In Black [Epic 510765 2], these floorstanders' bass drivers shifted tangible air, giving a chest-thumping feel to the rhythm section. Yet on the early verses of Whitney Houston's 'I Will Always Love You' [The Bodyguard OST; Arista 44.1kHz/16-bit], the bass guitar enjoyed a delicate and subtle handling, remaining in the background and never overshadowing the singer.

Turning Heads
Houston gives it both barrels on this Dolly Parton cover. Through the 703 S3s she was a large central presence in the room, her soprano tones reverberant in a spacious acoustic. There was a level of airiness to set her higher notes soaring, but better was the power conveyed by these speakers when she belted out the chorus.

Allied to the 703 S3's impressive sense of soundstage height was a stereo image that frequently ranged far beyond the cabinets themselves. 'Tender', by Blur [13; Food FOODCD29] is a deceptively detailed composition, with plucked country-style guitars, shaker percussion, upright bass, two vocalists (Damon Albarn and Graham Coxon) and a gospel choir for good measure. While I enjoyed the gentle depth the speakers brought to the monotonous rhythm track, my ears were caught by the guitar licks off to the far right and left, and the way the speaker would position the remaining instruments in-between.

The 703 S3's soundstaging was even more of a head-turner with The Doors' 'Waiting For The Sun' [Morrison Hotel; Rhino Records 96kHz/24-bit], where Moog synthesiser and electric guitar weave melodies from the wings, dancing around Jim Morrison's nicely recessed vocal. Contributing to this precise presentation was the resolving ability of the speakers. Our own tests confirm that B&W's carbon dome tweeter is 'clean' to over 40kHz and, certainly, there's an open, smooth nature to the 703 S3's high frequencies that encourages you to listen intently.

Of all the tracks I played, it was this one that left a lasting impression – the production and tone seemed to fit the 703 S3s like a glove. At other times, B&W's mid-priced floorstander might appear a little too poised and grown-up in its delivery. There are certainly rivals at and below this price that have a more aggressive, vociferous approach when it comes to the low-end, but perhaps also more of an up-front nature overall.

Real Steal
Play to its strengths, with the quiet, string motifs of 'Winter 2' from Max Richter [Recomposed… Vivaldi: The Four Seasons; Deutsche Grammophon 4862769], or the aforementioned Doors tracks, and the 703 S3 appears to be the steal of the century. With the more congested midrange mania of Motörhead's 'Killed By Death' [No Remorse; Sanctuary Records 2748857], however, you might seek a little more snarl and edge.

A counter to this minor quibble is the ability of the 703 S3s to respond to a serious push. Fed the massed strings, thrilling woodwind and forceful brass of Beethoven's Symphony No 9, performed by the Berlin Philharmoniker/Herbert Von Karajan [9 Symphonies; Deutsche Grammophon 96kHz/24-bit], the speakers punched back with a big, detailed but composed performance as I dialled up the volume. Evidently B&W's 703s S3s are themselves something of an ode to joy...

Hi-Fi News Verdict
A genuine upgrade over the S2, and not a mere polish, B&W's 703 S3 is no giant as floorstanders go, but it certainly doesn't sound 'slimmed-down'. It's an expertly engineered speaker that delivers a full-range performance where bass depth, treble sweetness and wide soundstaging are among the highlights. Of course, the gorgeous new Mocha finish and smart styling just elevate these new 703s further up the shortlist.