Bowers & Wilkins 702 S2 Floorstanding Speakers
4 500,00 €
Bowers & Wilkins 702 S2 is a three-way floorstanding speaker for stereo or home cinema systems. Decoupled Carbon Dome and Continuum FST assemblies reduce the transfer of cabinet vibration to the treble and midrange sections. Three 165 mm Aerofoil Profile drivers reproduce the bass. Nominal impedance is 8 ohms but falls to 3.1 ohms, so a stable amplifier is required. The minimum order quantity is two speakers.
Bowers & Wilkins 702 S2 is a three-way floorstanding speaker designed for a demanding stereo system. It can also serve as a main front speaker in a home cinema system. The minimum order quantity is two speakers, so the minimum quantity provides a stereo pair.
The bass-reflex system incorporates five drivers assigned to different frequency ranges. Each speaker weighs 29.5 kg, so it is worth planning its position carefully before installation.
Decoupled treble and midrange reproduction
The 25 mm Carbon Dome tweeter is mounted in a separate solid enclosure above the main cabinet. This assembly is mechanically decoupled from the speaker cabinet.
The 150 mm Continuum cone FST midrange driver is also mechanically decoupled. This design reduces the transfer of vibration from the main cabinet to the midrange assembly.
The bass section consists of three 165 mm Aerofoil Profile drivers. They are complemented by a Flowport bass-reflex port. The distance from surrounding walls affects the bass balance of the reflex system, so the final position should be adjusted by listening.
Amplifier selection and connection
This is a passive speaker that connects to the speaker outputs of an amplifier. It requires a separate speaker cable and an external power amplifier. A player’s line-level output is not suitable for direct connection.
The nominal impedance of 8 ohms falls to 3.1 ohms. Amplifier selection should therefore not be based on the power figure alone. The amplifier must remain stable when handling the lower momentary load.
The recommended amplifier power is 30-200 W into 8 ohms with an unclipped programme signal. A lower-powered amplifier driven too loudly may begin clipping the signal. Increase the volume only while the sound remains clean.
Maintain the same polarity when connecting both speakers. Level, tone and channel-balance adjustments are made on the amplifier or AV receiver.
Positioning and required space
The cabinet dimensions alone do not show the speaker’s complete footprint. The top-mounted tweeter assembly increases the overall height to 1087 mm. The plinth extends the width to 366 mm and the overall depth to 414 mm.
Allow space behind the speaker for the cable and terminals. Begin with a symmetrical arrangement, keeping both speakers at a similar distance from the walls. Then adjust their positions according to the bass balance and the centre of the stereo image.
Without changing the listening position, compare several toe-in angles. Directing the tweeters more closely towards the listener can help refine the stereo image for the particular room.
Technical specifications
| Type | Three-way floorstanding speaker |
|---|---|
| Acoustic system | Bass reflex with Flowport |
| Tweeter | 1 × 25 mm mechanically decoupled Carbon Dome |
| Tweeter assembly | Solid enclosure on top of the speaker |
| Midrange driver | 1 × 150 mm mechanically decoupled Continuum cone FST |
| Bass drivers | 3 × 165 mm Aerofoil Profile |
| Frequency range | 28 Hz-33 kHz (-6 dB) |
| Frequency response | 46 Hz-28 kHz, ±3 dB |
| Sensitivity | 90 dB SPL, measured at 2.83 V RMS and 1 m |
| Harmonic distortion | Second and third harmonics: less than 1% from 86 Hz to 28 kHz at 90 dB and 1 m |
| Harmonic distortion | Second and third harmonics: less than 0.5% from 110 Hz to 20 kHz at 90 dB and 1 m |
| Nominal impedance | 8 Ω |
| Minimum impedance | 3.1 Ω |
| Recommended amplifier power | 30-200 W into 8 Ω with an unclipped programme signal |
| Cabinet dimensions | 200 × 994 × 337 mm, excluding projecting parts |
| Overall height | 1087 mm, including tweeter assembly and plinth |
| Overall width | 366 mm, including plinth |
| Depth | 364 mm with grille and terminals |
| Overall depth | 414 mm, including plinth |
| Net weight | 29.5 kg per speaker |
| Minimum order quantity | 2 speakers |
FAQ
Can I order one speaker?
No. The minimum order quantity is two speakers. The supplied information does not establish whether the listed price is for one speaker or two.
How do I connect the speakers to an audio system?
Use the speaker outputs of an amplifier or AV receiver and suitable speaker cable. Maintain matching polarity between the positive and negative terminals on both channels.
What should I consider when choosing an amplifier?
Choose an amplifier within the recommended power range that can remain stable into a low impedance. The nominal impedance rating alone is not sufficient for this decision.
How should I begin positioning the speakers in the room?
Place them symmetrically and not directly against the wall. While listening, adjust the distance from the wall and the toe-in angle in small steps.
Is a separate subwoofer necessary?
Not always. The decision depends on the room, the material being played and the desired level of the lowest frequencies. In a home cinema system, a separate subwoofer can extend the reproduction of effects.
