Bowers & Wilkins 603 S2 Anniversary Edition Floorstanding Loudspeaker
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Product Overview
Bowers & Wilkins 603 S2 Anniversary Edition is the lone floorstander in the 7th iteration of B&W's 600-series loudspeakers. Unsurprisingly, it uses a 3-way, bass-reflex construction with B&W's signature Flowport design.
Like other loudspeakers in this generation, the 603 S2 uses a decoupled 1" aluminum dome tweeter found in all non-diamond Bowers & Wilkins speakers as well as Continuum midrange driver. Continuum was first introduced in B&W's 800 Diamond series: It is a refinement over the yellow Kevlar cone.
Unique in the 603 S2 Anniversary Edition are the dual 6.5" paper cone woofers, though they are carried over from the last generation.
This generation of B&W's 600-series loudspeakers also include two bookshelf speakers (606 S2 and 607 S2), a center channel (HTM6 S2), and matching subwoofers. They are targeted towards home entertainment use, though the 603 S2 lends unique credence to the series as a HiFi stereo option.
Ratings
What we found**
Pros
- Greatly improved resolution and transparency
- Mild performance tuning
Cons
- Nothing in particular
What external reviewers found***
External score 83% (not directly comparable across industries)
Pros
- Fantastic build quality
- Gorgeous, detailed sound
- Powerful amp and clean recordings
- Clean, balanced sound
- Vibrant, dynamic sound
Cons
- Bass can be a bit thick
- Bass can sound bloated and over-cooked
- U-shaped tuning isn’t the first word in driver integration
Price Comparison
Specifications
Construction
Colors
Black, White, Oak body + Black, Grey grille
Drivers | Midrange
1x 150mm (6 in) Continuum cone FST
Drivers | Tweeter
1x 25mm (1 in) Decoupled Double Dome aluminum tweeter
Drivers | Woofer
2x 165mm (6.5 in) Paper cone
Form Factor
Floorstanding loudspeaker
Loudspeaker Type
3-way bass-reflex
Dimensions
Size | Depth
340mm (13.4 in) cabinet only / 370mm (14.6 in) with plinth
Size | Height
985mm (38.8 in) cabinet only / 1055mm (41.5 in) with plinth
Size | Width
190mm (7.5 in) cabinet only / 320mm (12.6 in) with plinth
Weight
24.1 kg / 53.1 lbs
Performance
Frequency Response
48Hz - 28kHz ±3dB
Impedance
8Ω (minimum 3.0Ω)
Power Input
30W - 200W into 8Ω
Sensitivity
88.5dB spl (2.83V, 1m)
Total Harmonic Distortion
1% 90Hz - 22kHz / 0.5% 120Hz - 20kH
Production
Debut
2020-09
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Launch Comparison
Clear List
3rd-Party Review Videos
External Reviews
parttimeaudiophile[1]
Reviewer score 89%The Bowers & Wilkins 603 S2 Anniversary speakers remind me of what it’s like to date a Las Vegas showgirl and see them in their stage makeup. This speaker, in the right hands, is addicting. It adds dimensions to the already present beauty and makes it uber apparent from the room. I expect them to remain relevant for many decades to come.
Find the original article here.
Pros
- Vibrant, dynamic sound
- Gorgeous, sculpted build
- Fantastic build quality
Cons
- U-shaped tuning isn’t the first word in driver integration
hifinews[2]
Reviewer score 76%The Flowport speakers can deliver a rich, well-layered and involving sound. They may not be an ideal choice for those just wanting'something big' to put on the end of a budget amp. Stick to clear, crisp recordings, take care about positioning to keep that heavy bass under control, listen at decent levels, and you won't go far wrong.
Find the original article here.
Pros
- Powerful amp and clean recordings
- Powerful bass
- Clean, balanced sound
Cons
- Bass can be a bit thick
theear[3]
Reviewer score 83%The Bowers & Wilkins 603 S2 have been specially treated by components specialist Mundorf. Anniversaries feature upgraded crossovers, as well as what's claimed to be ‘greatly improved’ bypass capacitors. Low-frequency performance can be tweaked using the supplied foam bungs that come as a two-piece set.
Find the original article here.
Pros
- Gorgeous, detailed sound
- Impressive treble and mijwiz-like sounds
- Excellent build quality
Cons
- Bass can sound bloated and over-cooked
User Reviews
Comments
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References
- ^ Bowers & Wilkins 603 S2 Anniversary Loudspeakers | REVIEW. [parttimeaudiophile]. https://parttimeaudiophile.com/2021/10/10/bowers-wilkins-603-s2-anniversary-loudspeakers-review/. 2021-10-10. Retrieved 2021-11-08.
- ^ B&W 603 S2 Anniversary Edition Loudspeaker. [hifinews]. https://www.hifinews.com/content/bw-603-s2-anniversary-edition-loudspeaker. 2021-02-22. Retrieved 2021-05-12.
- ^ Bowers & Wilkins 603 S2 Anniversary Edition. [theear]. https://www.the-ear.net//review-hardware/bowers-wilkins-603-s2-anniversary-edition-floorstanding-loudspeakers. 2021-05-17. Retrieved 2021-09-21.
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These key takeaways ("pros" and "cons") and summaries are identified from third-party reviews. They may differ from the original texts.
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