Bowers and Wilkins 706 S3

[Rdm3000]

I recently came across a pair for 1400 dollars new and bought them, I had the 685 s2 before, and now a little worried because I saw some review on YouTube,

, saying they aren’t as good as the previous generations- 706 S2. I could always return them and get the previous generation for a good amount discount. Do any of you guys have experience with these speakers ? Thanks for your time. Also, my first time posting sorry if I broke any of the rules here

If anyone has any recommendations on any other speakers in that price range that are better I would appreciate it . I have a marantz PM6006 Amp

 

[norman bates]

Can you listen to them and make a decision then ?

I listened to the 603 s3. That is a step down. I liked the very clear midrange, just couldn’t live with the lack of bass Far field, especially after hearing the klipsch rp8000f ii. With the whopping 2 songs I heard, the dip at 2khz I didn’t hear, but time could expose it.

To me, I would go for their speakers with rounded edges. Many report that speakers “disappear” more without edge reflections, and they can measure flatter also.

Good luck.

 

[Rdm3000]

Thanks I just heard paradyme founders 40 speakers today and I was blown away. I thought they sounded better than the B/W 700 S3 tower speakers. However, it was hooked up to a Mac Amp but so were the B/W

 

[Doenerkunde]

If anyone has any recommendations on any other speakers in that price range that are better I would appreciate it . I have a marantz PM6006 Amp

To list a few bookshelf speakers with 6.5 inch bass drivers under 1400$:

Elac DBR62:

Elac Debut Reference DBR-62 Speaker Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Elac Debut Reference DBR-62 bookshelf speaker. It was kindly purchased new and drop shipped to me for testing. The DBR-62 costs US $600 a pair from multiple sources/dealers. The DBR-62 comes in black and walnut finish or the distressed Oak and...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Focal Aria 906:

Focal Aria 906 Speaker Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Focal Aria 906 Bookshelf/stand-mount speaker. It was kindly purchased by a member and drop shipped to me. I think it costs US $2000 for a pair but I see it on Amazon including Prime shipping for half that at US $999. Better yet, they have a...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Kef Concerto Q Meta:

KEF Concerto Q META Bookshelf Speaker Review

KEF Concerto Q META

www.erinsaudiocorner.com

Revel M16:

Revel M16 Speaker Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Revel M16 stand-mount/bookshelf speaker. I purchased this through my company and it arrived a few days ago. Can't tell you my cost :), but retail price is US $900 (sold $450 each). As you can expect, when you pay more, you do get more as far...

www.audiosciencereview.com

With a slight stretch in budget to 1550$/1700$ the Ascend Acoustics Sierra series 6.5 Inch bookshelves would be well regarded options:

Sierra Series Pairs

World-Renowned Performance And Exceptional Accuracy Our Sierra line of speakers represent the highest performance we offer, featuring low-resonance layered bamboo cabinets and best-in-class custom made drivers. These speakers best represent our commitment to our own standards. This will be...

ascendacoustics.com

Or the Revel M106:

Revel M106 Bookshelf Speaker Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Revel M106 bookshelf speaker. It was kindly purchased and drop shipped to me. It is not a new sample but came to me with full packaging and protective wrapper. The M106 costs US $1,000 each or $2,000 for a pair. It is only sold through dealer...

www.audiosciencereview.com

A bigger bookshelf format would allow for the well regarded Wharfedale Lintons:
https://www.erinsaudiocorner.com/loudspeakers/wharfedale_linton_85/

Every listed speaker would likely outperform the B&Ws by this messageboards standards regardless of price.

Video tutorial on understanding loudspeaker measurements:

 

[Chaconne]

If I recall correctly (not saying that I do!), that reviewer has said much the same thing about every new generation of B&W 700 Series speakers. Also, someone saying one generation of speakers "aren't as good" as another has absolutely no meaning to anyone but that person. Is there some reason you didn't mention how they sound to you? Also, welcome to ASR!

 

[Rdm3000]

If I recall correctly (not saying that I do!), that reviewer has said much the same thing about every new generation of B&W 700 Series speakers. Also, someone saying one generation of speakers "aren't as good" as another has absolutely no meaning to anyone but that person. Is there some reason you didn't mention how they sound to you? Also, welcome to ASR!

I haven’t received them yet. I just saw them for an incredible price online and I had B/W 6 series and I loved them in the past. I didn’t know they changed the sound up that drastically until now. I will test them when I get them at my house.

Thinking about getting the paradyme founders 40B. I heard them today and I was really happy with the sound. However it was hooked up to a 8k Mac amp but so were the tower B/W 700 3 series and I thought the Paradymes were better. Maybe my ears needed to hear better music.

 

[Rdm3000]

To list a few bookshelf speakers with 6.5 inch bass drivers under 1400$:

Elac DBR62:

Elac Debut Reference DBR-62 Speaker Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Elac Debut Reference DBR-62 bookshelf speaker. It was kindly purchased new and drop shipped to me for testing. The DBR-62 costs US $600 a pair from multiple sources/dealers. The DBR-62 comes in black and walnut finish or the distressed Oak and...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Focal Aria 906:

Focal Aria 906 Speaker Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Focal Aria 906 Bookshelf/stand-mount speaker. It was kindly purchased by a member and drop shipped to me. I think it costs US $2000 for a pair but I see it on Amazon including Prime shipping for half that at US $999. Better yet, they have a...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Kef Concerto Q Meta:

KEF Concerto Q META Bookshelf Speaker Review

KEF Concerto Q META

www.erinsaudiocorner.com

Revel M16:

Revel M16 Speaker Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Revel M16 stand-mount/bookshelf speaker. I purchased this through my company and it arrived a few days ago. Can't tell you my cost :), but retail price is US $900 (sold $450 each). As you can expect, when you pay more, you do get more as far...

www.audiosciencereview.com

With a slight stretch in budget to 1550$/1700$ the Ascend Acoustics Sierra series 6.5 Inch bookshelves would be well regarded options:

Sierra Series Pairs

World-Renowned Performance And Exceptional Accuracy Our Sierra line of speakers represent the highest performance we offer, featuring low-resonance layered bamboo cabinets and best-in-class custom made drivers. These speakers best represent our commitment to our own standards. This will be...

ascendacoustics.com

Or the Revel M106:

Revel M106 Bookshelf Speaker Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the Revel M106 bookshelf speaker. It was kindly purchased and drop shipped to me. It is not a new sample but came to me with full packaging and protective wrapper. The M106 costs US $1,000 each or $2,000 for a pair. It is only sold through dealer...

www.audiosciencereview.com

A bigger bookshelf format would allow for the well regarded Wharfedale Lintons:
https://www.erinsaudiocorner.com/loudspeakers/wharfedale_linton_85/

Every listed speaker would likely outperform the B&Ws by this messageboards standards regardless of price.

Video tutorial on understanding loudspeaker measurements:

Thank you for this. This is very helpful

 

[vinodk69]

Have B&W 706 S3 & KEF Q Concerto meta in my setup. To me in my setup B&W sounded very shrill & bright on top end with lean bass whereas KEF Q Concert meta sounded more well rounded & smooth with decent & punchy bass. Female vocals such as Norah Jones & Katie Melua sounded too bright on B&W but some of that may also have to do with recording. Listened to them both in direct mode without sub. In the end I am leaning towards keeping KEF.