Bowers & Wilkins 706 S3 Bookshelf Speakers

Full-scale 700 Series performance in a compact bookshelf speaker.

The Bowers & Wilkins 706 S3 is a high-performance two-way bookshelf speaker designed for listeners who want substantial scale, clarity, and bass extension without moving to a floorstanding loudspeaker. A 1-inch Decoupled Carbon Dome tweeter, 6.5-inch Continuum Cone bass/midrange driver, upgraded crossover, and Flowport bass system bring core Bowers & Wilkins 700 Series technologies into a versatile compact design.

With an 88dB sensitivity and frequency response extending to 50Hz ±3dB, the 706 S3 has the output and low-frequency capability to perform convincingly in larger listening spaces while retaining the imaging advantages of a compact speaker.

Carbon Dome Tweeter

The 706 S3 uses Bowers & Wilkins' 1-inch Decoupled Carbon Dome tweeter, developed specifically for the 700 Series.

Its composite construction raises the first breakup frequency to 47kHz, moving unwanted diaphragm behavior well beyond the audible range. The tweeter is also mechanically decoupled from the main cabinet to reduce interference from cabinet vibration.

The result is clean, highly detailed treble with the precision needed to reproduce subtle spatial information, vocal textures, and instrumental detail.

6.5-Inch Continuum Cone

Bass and midrange frequencies are reproduced by a substantial 6.5-inch Continuum Cone driver.

Originally developed for Bowers & Wilkins' 800 Series Diamond, Continuum is engineered to avoid the abrupt transition into breakup that can affect conventional driver materials. Its controlled behavior contributes to a more open and neutral midrange, particularly with voices and acoustic instruments.

The larger 6.5-inch driver also gives the 706 S3 considerably more scale and low-frequency authority than might be expected from a conventional bookshelf speaker.

800 Series-Inspired Cabinet

The S3 generation incorporates a curved front baffle and individual driver pod inspired by the 800 Series Diamond.

Reducing the amount of flat cabinet surface immediately surrounding the drivers helps minimize diffraction and cabinet coloration as sound enters the room.

This cleaner acoustic environment contributes to sharper imaging, greater transparency, and a more immersive stereo soundstage.

Flowport Bass Technology

The 706 S3 uses Bowers & Wilkins' Flowport bass-reflex system to extend low-frequency performance from its 6.5-inch Continuum Cone.

The port's dimpled surface is designed to manage airflow and reduce turbulence at higher listening levels.

Frequency response reaches 50Hz–28kHz ±3dB, with an overall specified frequency range of 45Hz–33kHz, giving the 706 S3 substantial bass capability for its cabinet size.

Compact Speaker, Full-Scale Performance

The 706 S3 is particularly well suited to listeners who want the imaging and placement flexibility of a bookshelf speaker but don't want the presentation to feel small.

Its 88dB sensitivity, 8-ohm nominal impedance, and 3.7-ohm minimum impedance make quality amplification worthwhile. Bowers & Wilkins recommends 30–120 watts per channel into 8 ohms.

Although commonly categorized as a bookshelf speaker, the 706 S3 will deliver its best performance on dedicated speaker stands, positioned properly within the room. This gives the Continuum Cone and Carbon Dome tweeter the space needed to develop a precise stereo image and balanced low-frequency response.

706 S3 vs. 705 S3

The 706 S3 and 705 S3 share the same 6.5-inch Continuum Cone bass/midrange driver, 88dB sensitivity, and 50Hz–28kHz ±3dB frequency response.

The major difference is the tweeter architecture.

The 705 S3 moves its Carbon Dome tweeter into a separate Solid Body Tweeter-on-Top enclosure, while the 706 S3 uses a Decoupled Carbon Dome mounted within the main cabinet.

For listeners who want much of the fundamental performance of the flagship 705 S3 in a simpler and more compact design, the 706 S3 occupies an especially strong position in the 700 Series.

Technical Specifications

Specifications verified against Bowers & Wilkins' current U.S. technical information.

Bowers & Wilkins 706 S3 at The Grid HiFi

The Bowers & Wilkins 706 S3 delivers serious 700 Series performance in a compact bookshelf design. Its 6.5-inch Continuum Cone, Decoupled Carbon Dome tweeter, Flowport bass system, and 800 Series-inspired cabinet engineering make it an excellent foundation for a premium two-channel music system.

The Grid HiFi can help match the 706 S3 with the right amplification, source components, speaker stands, subwoofer, cabling, and room placement to get the most from its capabilities.

Visit The Grid HiFi in Houston or call (713) 218-8120 for availability and system recommendations.