Loudspeakers

Your listening height may have a strong influence on your impression of the 707 S3 Prestige. On the tweeter axis, a 10dB dip appears at 2kHz (re. 1kHz/1m), combined with a significant boost to presence and mid-treble [green trace, Graph 1], causing high ±8.2dB response errors. Tested in line with the top of the cabinet, the dip reduces to –7.7dB [orange trace]. Reverting to ‘old money’, B&W’s FS-700 S3 stands are 26in tall, and the speaker is 12in, so measuring 3in above the cabinet is in line with our 41in listening height [red/black traces]. Response errors fall back to ±4.9dB and ±4.8dB, respectively, and pair matching is a close 0.8dB. But note the causal resonance at ~1.9kHz is still very obvious on the CSD waterfall [Graph 2]. Incidentally, B&W tests the 707 a full 11in above the cabinet [pink trace].

On our listening axis, we see a rising presence/treble that correlates with Mark’s impressions – slightly less so with the grille in place [grey trace], or toed-out [blue trace] – while the quality of B&W’s Carbon tweeter is proven by its strong dome resonance at a very high 49kHz [pink area, Graph 1; CSD waterfall, Graph 2]. Sensitivity is low at 83.8dB (re. 2.83V/1kHz/1m), and 83.7dB from 500Hz-8kHz, but that elevated presence ensures it sounds ‘louder’ than these figures might suggest. Loading is appropriate for ‘budget’ amps with a 4.85ohm minimum at 200Hz and very ‘driveable’ EPDR of 2.2ohm/130Hz. Bass is good for the size too, though the wide port also allows a strong quarterwave mode to escape at 850Hz and 1.7kHz (–13dB). Otherwise, the 130mm driver rolls away at 84Hz (–3dB), augmented by the 46Hz port tuning to offer a useful 50Hz extension (–6dB re. 200Hz). PM