
B&W 705 S2 Bookshelf Speakers - Rosenut
This uncompromising two-way speaker reveals subtle nuances in music others miss. Its high performance features include a solid body tweeter-on-top design borrowed from the 800 Series Diamond.Bowers and Wilkins new 705 s2 loudspeakers use technologies developed in their studio monitor series.....their monitors are used in famous recording studios such as Abbey Road studios in London. The Contiuum mid/bass driver which creates layered midrange sound which is quintessential in the accurate reproduction of vocals and key instruments including piano, guitar and string instruments, is a direct descendant from their world famous 800 Series monitors. Surprisingly compact,these aesthetically pleasing bookshelf speakers delight with their rhythmic sound.To complement this new cone Bowers and Wilkins have retained their Decoupled Double Dome Tweeter, an important ingredient of imparting the rhythm of the music.Surprisingly compact, these aesthetically pleasing bookshelf speakers delight with their rhythmic sound.
The 705 S2s are instantly impressive. There is a weighty, solid delivery with a quantity and depth of bass that's both disarming and impressive given the size of the cabinet.But this bass, while attractive to the ear and arguably the first thing you notice, doesn't dominate the performance.In fact, it helps imbue the solid mid-range with a richness that makes vocals and acoustic guitars an aural pleasure.Add treble that's crisp and clear without ever veering into hardness or harshness, and you've got the complete tonal package. Such is the integration through the frequency range, the sound flows seamlessly from top to bottom.
The dynamic composure is another brick in the wall of trust with the 705 S2. It’s one area where small loudspeakers are expected to let you down and show themselves. The 705s do not. The 705s are balanced, uncolored, and remarkably precise.The 705 S2 also displays pinpoint stereo imaging as well as very good layering of the music. They play loud, deep and clean, but more (much more) importantly they connect you to the music and are liberally laced with a large helping of "it". They are one of the few speakers, at this level, who's sound quality comfortably exceeds the sum of its excellent parts.
The 705 S2 is a product that few companies would have the ability and resources to match. It’s also a wonderful case where a company’s claims for technical advances line up with listening impressions. Resonances are well controlled, and the speakers present a natural, extremely precise, and engaging soundfield. The sound is vividly present without edge or annoyance. Overall, the 705 S2s are both coherent and self-effacing.
Solid Body tweeter
Milled from a solid block of aluminium, the solid body tweeter housing design creates an acoustically optimised housing for the tweeter – one that’s exceptionally inert and resistant to resonances.
Carbon Dome™ tweeter
Carbon Dome™ tweeters are a brand new technology purpose-built for the 700 Series. Delivering a dramatic improvement on the aluminium double-dome tweeter, they raise the breakup threshold to 47kHz, for pinpoint imaging accuracy and detail.
Continuum™ cone
First introduced with the 800 Series Diamond, the Continuum™ cone represents the biggest step-change in midrange performance since Kevlar®. Its woven, coated material provides highly controlled break-up, resulting in a more open, neutral midrange.
Stands not included.
Technical features | Decoupled Carbon Dome tweeter Solid Body Tweeter on top Continuum cone bass / midrange Flowport™ |
Description | 2-way vented-box system |
Drive units | 1x ø25mm (1 in) Decoupled Carbon Dome high-frequency 1x ø165mm (6.5 in) Continuum cone bass / midrange |
Frequency range | -6dB at 45Hz and 33kHz |
Frequency response | 50Hz - 28kHz ±3dB |
Sensitivity | 88dB spl (2.83Vrms, 1m) |
Harmonic distortion | 2nd and 3rd harmonics (90dB, 1m) <1% 100Hz - 22kHz <0.5% 150Hz - 20kHz |
Nominal impedance | 8Ω (minimum 3.7Ω) |
Recommended amplifier power | 30W - 120W into 8Ω on unclipped programme |
Dimensions | Height: 340mm (13.4 in) cabinet only 407mm (16 in) including tweeter Width: 200mm (7.8 in) Depth: 285mm (11.2 in) cabinet only 301mm (11.9 in) including grille and terminals |
Net weight | 9.3kg (20.5 lb) |
Finishes Cabinet: | Rosenut Gloss Black Satin White |
Grille: | Black Grey (Satin White only) |