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Best For
The Bowers & Wilkins 703 S3 and KEF R7 Meta are premium floor-standing speakers designed for serious music listening and home theatre setups. The 703 S3 uses a 3-way vented-box design with a Carbon Dome tweeter, Continuum FST midrange and Aerofoil bass cones, while the R7 Meta combines KEF’s 12th-generation Uni-Q driver array with Metamaterial Absorption Technology and dual 165 mm bass drivers. Both are wired speakers with no Bluetooth or wireless connectivity. The KEF offers a broader stated frequency range and higher maximum power handling, while the Bowers & Wilkins has slightly higher sensitivity and an 8-ohm impedance.
Verdict
The Bowers & Wilkins 703 S3 is a strong choice for buyers prioritizing detailed imaging, refined high frequencies and easier amplifier matching thanks to its 8-ohm impedance and 90dB sensitivity. The KEF R7 Meta is better suited to listeners seeking powerful home theatre performance, wide frequency coverage and controlled bass from its dual bass drivers. Both are premium options, so the better choice depends on whether your priority is detailed musical presentation or a versatile music-and-movies setup.
| Specification | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | 515194.33 |
459210.00 |
| Brand | Bowers & Wilkins |
KEF |
| Model No | 703 S3 |
R7 Meta |
| Wired / Wireless | Home Theatre Speaker Specification |
Home Theatre Speaker Specification |
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
Dynamic |
| Driver Diameter | 25/480 mm |
Uni-Q Driver Array MF: 125 mm Aluminum Cone HF: 25 mm Vented Aluminum Dome With MAT Bass Unit: LF : 2 X 165 mm Hybrid Aluminum Cone |
| Impedance | 8 ohm |
4 Ohms ( Min. 3.2 Ohms ) |
| Sensitivity | 90dB spl |
88 dB |
| Frequency Response | 46 Hz - 28 kHz, 30 Hz - 33 kHz |
Frequency Response ( ±3dB ) : 48 Hz - 28 KHz Frequency Range ( -6dB ) : 33 Hz - 50 KHz Crossover Frequency : 500 Hz, 2.4 KHz Typical In-Room Bass Response ( -6dB ) 27 Hz |
| Maximum Power Input | AC 100V-240 V / 50 Hz / 60 Hz |
NA |
| Maximum Power Output | 30 W - 200 W ( RMS ) |
15 - 250 W ( RMS ) Three-Way Bass Reflex |
| Signal to Noise Ratio | 90 dB |
111 dB |
| Noise Cancelling | NA |
|
| Aux Connectivity | No |
No |
| Weight | 28.8 Kg |
29.3 Kg |
| Dimensions | 1010 mm X 316 mm X 192 mm |
Speaker : 1062 mm X 200 mm X 384 mm With Terminal With Plinth : 1109 mm X 311 mm X 384 mm |
| Available Colors | Black, White, Brown |
Black, White, Grey, Brown |
| Accessories | Bowers & Wilkins 703 S3 Speaker |
KEF R7 Meta Home Theatre Speaker Port Bungs User Manual Microfiber Grille Warranty Information Plinth & Spike Accessories |
| Other Features | 3-Way Vented-Box System. A house for high frequencies. 5-Year warranty Valid from the date of purchase for passive loudspeakers. Technical Features - Decoupled Carbon Dome Tweeter, Solid Body Tweeter-On-Top, Continuum™ Cone FST™ Midrange, Decoupled Midrange, Aerofoil™ Profile Bass Cones, Flowport™. Its new Tweeter-on-Top configuration and the revolutionary Biomimetic Suspension in its decoupled midrange drive unit combine to raise the 703 S3 to all-new heights of performance. Developed using advanced computer modelling techniques, the Aerofoil™ Profile bass cone has variable thickness, providing stiffness and rigidity where it’s needed most. The result: deep and dynamic bass. Carbon Dome tweeters are purpose-built for the 700 Series. Delivering a dramatic improvement on the aluminum double dome tweeter, they raise the breakup threshold to 47kHz, for pinpoint imaging accuracy and detail. |
The R7 Meta is the mid-sized floor standing member of the R Series and is as powerful as it is flexible. Meta Material Absorption technology absorbs 99% of unwanted sound for the most pure and natural sound. R7 Meta features KEF's 12th generation Uni-Q driver array with MAT ensures a crystal-clear performance with music and movies alike, while its two 6.5†hybrid aluminum bass drivers deliver accurate, dynamic bass. |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Top Differences
- Sound Output: 30W vs 15W
- Channels: 30 vs 15
- Bluetooth: na vs no
- Frequency Response: 46 Hz - 28 kHz, 30 Hz - 33 kHz vs Frequency Response ( ±3dB ) : 48 Hz - 28 KHz Frequency Range ( -6dB ) : 33 Hz - 50 KHz Crossover Frequency : 500 Hz, 2.4 KHz Typical In-Room Bass Response ( -6dB ) 27 Hz
- Subwoofer Size: 25 mm vs 125 mm