The Bowers & Wilkins 603 S3 is the flagship floorstanding speaker of the 600 Series, sitting at the top of a range that also includes the 607 S3 bookshelf and 606 S3 standmount speakers. As the largest model in the series, the 603 S3 is designed for larger listening rooms and home cinema front-channel duties, delivering a full-scale, room-filling presentation that the smaller 600 Series models cannot match.
Titanium Dome Tweeter
The 603 S3 introduces an all-new Titanium Dome tweeter, replacing the aluminium double-dome unit found in the predecessor 603 S2 Anniversary Edition. The titanium diaphragm is paired with an acoustically transparent grille mesh first developed for the Signature series, protecting the dome without compromising high-frequency dispersion. This combination extends the treble response to 28kHz within the ±3dB window and 33kHz at the −6dB point.
Continuum Cone FST Midrange
Midrange duties are handled by a single 150mm Continuum cone driver using Bowers & Wilkins’ Fixed Suspension Transducer (FST) technology. The Continuum composite weave was originally developed for the 800 Series Diamond and is prized for its lack of the audible colouration associated with conventional woven or pressed-paper cones. The FST surround terminates the cone edge without the energy storage of a conventional rubber roll surround, reducing coloration and improving transient accuracy through the critical vocal band.
Bass Performance
Two 165mm paper-cone bass drivers are loaded by a rear-firing reflex port incorporating Bowers & Wilkins’ Flowport technology. The dimpled Flowport exit smooths airflow turbulence at the port mouth, reducing the chuffing noise that conventional cylindrical ports can produce at higher listening levels. Foam bungs are supplied for rooms where boundary reinforcement causes excessive bass energy.
Cabinet & Build
The cabinet stands 985mm tall (1,020mm with the plinth fitted) and is finished in a choice of Black, White, or Oak. Upgraded speaker terminals derived from the 700 Series provide a cleaner signal path and accept bare wire, spade, or banana-plug connections. Twin terminal pairs allow bi-wiring or bi-amping for those who wish to drive the bass and treble/midrange sections independently.
What the Press Says
- "Weighty, full sound with plenty of punch." — What Hi-Fi? ★★★★☆ (March 2024)
| Design | 3-way vented-box system |
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| Tweeter | 1x 25mm Titanium Dome |
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| Midrange | 1x 150mm Continuum cone FST |
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| Bass Drivers | 2x 165mm paper cone |
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| Frequency Response | 46Hz – 28kHz (±3dB) |
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| Frequency Range | 29Hz – 33kHz (−6dB) |
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| Sensitivity | 90dB (2.83Vrms, 1m) |
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| Nominal Impedance | 8Ω (minimum 3.0Ω) |
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| Recommended Amplifier Power | 30W – 200W into 8Ω |
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| Terminals | Twin (bi-wire/bi-amp capable) |
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| Cabinet Height | 985mm (1,020mm with plinth) |
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| Cabinet Width | 190mm (260mm with plinth) |
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| Cabinet Depth | 340mm (402mm with plinth and terminals) |
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| Weight | 27.5kg per unit |
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| Finishes | Black, White, Oak |
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| Sold As | Pair |
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| Also Available As | Black, Oak |
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