Deliver Things Small Speakers Usually Don't

FOR Authoritative presentation; powerful bass; solid engineering

AGAINST Sound lacks dynamic subtlety and rhythmic dexterity

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Small speakers have innate limitations; the Laws Of Physics see to that. But these new Bowers & Wilkins compacts prove that, with enough engineering knowhow, those laws can be bent to produce surprising results. Meet the 707 S2s – the small speakers that go loud and dig deep.

Standing just 28cm tall, these boxes are the babies of the company’s new 700 series. The range sits in a rather uncomfortable place between the over-achieving entry-level 600s and the high-end juggernaut that is the diamond-tweetered 800s. But unlike previous generations, these new 700s are ambitiously designed to offer a good slice of the performance and technology of their high-end relatives.

For £800, you get a beautifully made box in one of three finishes; the gloss black of our review sample, a satin white, or a nice rosenut wood option. Whichever finish you choose, the result is a classy pair of speakers that – to our eyes at least – look as good as the best of their rivals.

Flexing its muscles

The cabinet feels impressively solid and is finished with crisp edges and classy detailing. Look around the back and you’ll find some sturdy multi-way binding posts – biwiring is an option – and the company’s distinctive dimpled reflex port. The flared, dimpled design is aimed at reducing unwanted noise as air moves in the port tube when the speakers are playing loudly. It’s around the front where B&W has flexed its mighty engineering muscles. The company has long promoted aluminium tweeters, and has worked hard at improving their performance. Over the years, its engineers have added reinforcement and honed the dome shape to extend the frequency response.