The Bowers & Wilkins 703 is one of those loudspeakers that marked a turning point for the brand — bringing flagship design cues into a more accessible floorstanding format. Part of the early 700 Series lineage, the 703 carried over technology directly influenced by B&W’s reference developments at the time, including the now-iconic tweeter-on-top housing derived from their Nautilus research programme.

Visually, the 703 is unmistakable. The separate, tapered tweeter enclosure sitting proudly on the cabinet reduces cabinet diffraction and isolates high frequencies from bass vibrations. Beneath it sits B&W’s signature woven Kevlar® midrange driver — instantly recognisable in yellow — chosen for its controlled break-up characteristics and natural vocal reproduction. Dual bass drivers and a front-firing Flowport complete the array, delivering scale and authority suited to both two-channel listening and home theatre front-stage duties.

What makes the 703 particularly appealing even today is its balance. It offers real full-range capability without demanding extreme amplification, yet it scales beautifully with quality electronics. The presentation is open through the midband, clean in the treble, and confident in the lower registers — making it equally comfortable with acoustic recordings, rock, orchestral works, or film soundtracks.

Cabinet construction is substantial, with internal bracing designed to minimise resonance. The curved front baffle helps reduce diffraction effects, improving imaging precision. In period finishes such as Cherry, Rosenut or Black Ash, the 703 maintains a timeless, purposeful aesthetic that still integrates easily into contemporary spaces.

For listeners looking at a pre-owned or heritage option that still carries serious acoustic credibility, the 703 represents a strong example of B&W engineering from a particularly influential era in their history.

Technical Specifications