Bowers and Wilkins are bringing back the Signature banner for its latest series of loudspeakers — the 705 and 702 Signature — which offer both internal and external upgrades.
Both speakers are upgrades to the existing 700 series speakers which include improved crossover designs and components (Mundorf capacitors, larger heatsinks and an upgraded LF capacitor on the 702) plus a number of cosmetic improvements.
Both speakers benefit from the Continuum drivers of the 700 series plus a Carbon Dome tweeter in a solid body housing which has milled from a single piece of aluminum.
The 702 Signature is the “ultra” version of the existing 702 S2 floorstander and includes:
- three-way vented-box with a carbon dome Tweeter-on-Top
- Three 6.5-inch Aerofoil Profile bass drivers
- One 6-inch Continuum midrange driver
- Price: $6,499.99, AU $8,500
Bowers and Wilkins
The smaller two-way 705 Signature includes:
- Tweeter-on-Top 1-inch Carbon Dome tweeter
- One 6.5-inch continuum bass/midrange
- Price: $3,999.99, AU$4,999
Bowers and Wilkins says the upgrades “improve the already-remarkable resolution, openness and spatial retrieval on offer, lending them an even-more polished, refined and involving sound”.
Cosmetics have seen a significant lift with a Datuk Gloss ebony-colored veneer plus bright metal trim rings around the drivers and bright, silver- finished tweeter grilles. Each speaker is finished with a Signature identity plate on its rear panel.
Outlook
With a $1000-plus premium over the standard 700 range the Signature speakers are significantly more expensive, and potential buyers will need to weigh up whether spending more on the 800 series would be more worthwhile.
It’s been a big week for the manufacturer after Sound United (Denon, Polk) announced it was in acquisition talks with the brand. The British company was bought by start-up Eva Automation in 2016, and while the union produced the Formation series of products the CEO Gideon Yu left earlier this year.