Top Bowers & Wilkins Speakers to Buy in 2025

Explore the best Bowers & Wilkins speakers featuring floor-standing, bookshelf, and wireless options, designed for high-quality sound.

Overview of Bowers & Wilkins

For nearly 60 years, Bowers & Wilkins (B&W) has consistently reinvented itself in the audio industry. Back in the early 2000s, the Zeppelin speaker for iPod became iconic, while the Px8 wireless headphones redefined the high-end audio sector. But today, we’re focusing on speakers. We’ve gathered the top Bowers & Wilkins speakers you can purchase, including floor-standing, bookshelf, and wireless models. Each of these models has passed our rigorous testing with flying colors.

With over a century of review experience, we can easily spot a quality audio system. All our reviews take place in specially designed testing rooms using acoustic systems of the same price range for comparison.

Quick List of Best Bowers & Wilkins Speakers

• Best Overall Speakers — Bowers & Wilkins 607 S3: The 607 S3 are the latest and smallest entry-level speakers from B&W. They handle their task excellently, combining style with a lively sound that embodies everything necessary for modern Hi-Fi.
• Best Mid-Range Floor Speakers — Bowers & Wilkins 606 S3: The 606 S3 is larger, bolder, and pricier than the 607. It shares many similarities with the 607 but offers a more mature sound.
• Best Floor Speakers — Bowers & Wilkins 603 S3: These floor-standing speakers deliver a room-filling sound that is truly impressive. The design is beautifully detailed, and the finish is generally top-notch. If you’re looking for something grand, B&W has you covered.
• Best Premium Floor Speakers — Bowers & Wilkins 805 D4: Open, maneuverable, and articulate, these speakers come with a hefty price tag. The 805 D4 is one of the most expensive desktop models available, and their performance justifies the cost.
• Best Premium Stereo System — Bowers & Wilkins Formation Duo: Their appearance might spark debate, but their sound is beyond reproach. These are the best wireless stand speakers currently produced by B&W, making them top-notch in the market.
• Best Mid-Range Wireless Speaker — Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin: The Zeppelin still soars high even after all these years. The updated version combines an iconic appearance with open, spacious sound. It remains a standout centerpiece.
• Best Premium Wireless Speaker — Bowers & Wilkins Formation Wedge: This is arguably the best wireless speaker in its price category, offering a balanced, cohesive sound that sets it apart from the competition.

1. Bowers & Wilkins 607 S3 — Best Overall Speakers

Specifications:

• Sensitivity: 84 dB
• Total impedance: 8 Ohm
• Bi-wirable: Yes
• Maximum power handling: 100 W
• Colors: 3 (black, white, oak)
• Dimensions: 30 x 16.5 x 20.7 cm
• Weight: 4.65 kg

Pros:

• Enhanced clarity, refinement, and openness
• Rich, dynamic, and lively sound
• Knows how to entertain
• Stylish build and finish

Cons:

• Higher frequencies may sound slightly forward
• Requires careful system matching
• Price increase compared to predecessors

The Bowers & Wilkins 600 series has been popular for over 20 years, and the eighth generation could very well be the best. The 607 S3 entry-level speakers are our top pick from this series. They are the smallest and most affordable stereo speakers in the latest lineup, succeeding the award-winning 607 S2 Anniversary Edition, which also received accolades for its numerous upgrades.

These updates include a new 25mm titanium tweeter with a dual dome design, an extended suspension system, a revamped motor assembly, higher quality crossover components, and sturdier cabinet mounts. The two drivers now overlap for better integration, and the titanium ensures higher and cleaner frequencies.

Despite all these technologies, they remain compact, making them ideal for those of us without spacious rooms. However, be cautious: the high frequencies can be a bit sharp, so choose your partner equipment wisely. If you do, you’ll appreciate their surprisingly detailed and rhythmically cohesive sound—an energetic and dynamic audio experience. They are more open than their predecessors, and despite the slightly sharp highs, they maintain a refined quality.

Historically, previous B&W speakers struggled to deliver sufficient dynamics at low volumes, but the 607 S3 has no such issues. The sound is clear, with tight bass and energy-rich output.

During testing, we kept returning to one word: "fun." Yes, they’re clear and refined, but overall, the listening experience is enjoyable from start to finish. Thanks to all the technological advancements within the cabinet, B&W has boosted the entertainment value beyond its confines, which is genuinely important for the listener. Simply put, these are the best all-around B&W speakers you can buy.

2. Bowers & Wilkins 606 S3 — Best Mid-Range Floor Speakers

Specifications:

• Sensitivity: 88 dB
• Total impedance: 8 Ohm
• Bi-wirable: Yes
• Maximum power handling: 120 W
• Colors: 3 (black, white, oak)
• Dimensions: 34.4 x 18.9 x 30 cm
• Weight: 7.05 kg

Pros:

• More expansive, piercing, and open sound
• Stunning clarity, detail, and refinement
• Easy to listen to
• Good build quality

Cons:

• Be cautious with partner equipment
• Could sound a bit more lively

The award-winning 606 S3 are larger floor speakers in the new 600 S3 lineup from B&W. They represent a step up from the 607 S3 in every sense—they’re not only larger and pricier, but they also deliver a more powerful and rich sound.

Inside, they feature the same enhancements as their more compact counterparts, including a titanium tweeter and new speaker terminals. While they share the same excellent build quality, dimensions, and finish options as their equally awarded predecessors, they offer superior sound.

The deeper bass means that the high frequencies are somewhat less excited than with the 607 S3. However, as a trade-off, they might be less enjoyable to listen to, as they lose some entertainment value compared to the smaller models.

They also lack the cohesiveness of the 607 S3. But they are still a pleasure to listen to. If you have the space and budget and want louder sound, these are the best B&W speakers for you.

3. Bowers & Wilkins 603 S3 — Best Floor Speakers

Specifications:

• Sensitivity: 90 dB
• Total impedance: 8 Ohm
• Bi-wirable: Yes
• Maximum power handling: 200 W
• Colors: 4 (black, white, oak, cherry)
• Dimensions: 90.5 x 16.5 x 23.7 cm
• Weight: 27.5 kg

Pros:

• Weighty, rich sound with plenty of punch
• Clear and detailed presentation
• Beautifully made and finished

Cons:

• Sometimes lacks lightness and fun
• May be outperformed for dynamic contrast
• Careful partner equipment matching is necessary

B&W also produces floor-standing speakers, and the 603 S3 showcases the same attention to detail and outstanding sound as the bookshelf models.

Design-wise, they resemble other 600 series models but are available in an additional cherry color exclusive to the Asia-Pacific region. Being the largest and most expensive in the 600 series, they are intended for larger spaces and are quite large even for floorstanding speakers—standing at 102 cm when placed on plinths, they surpass some competitors. Inside, they house a 25mm titanium dome tweeter, a Continuum 15 cm midrange driver, and two 16.5 cm paper bass drivers. They boast numerous internal upgrades compared to their standard counterparts.

As for the sound, there’s much to love. They bring breadth, weight, and scale, along with plenty of drive and power. And this comes without sacrificing detail: there's a lot of clarity, especially in the midrange, which adds real texture to tracks. The bass is tight and powerful, possessing a real snap that complements their weight and authority. This brings true clarity and focus to tracks, offering a more cohesive presentation that manages to organize some potentially more complex songs.

4. Bowers & Wilkins 805 D4 — Best Premium Floor Speakers

Specifications:

• Sensitivity: 88 dB
• Total impedance: 8 Ohm
• Bi-wirable: Yes
• Maximum power handling: 120 W
• Colors: 4 (various)
• Dimensions: 44 x 24 x 37 cm
• Weight: 15.6 kg

Pros:

• Top-notch clarity and resolution
• Open, nimble, and articulate
• Excellent build and finish

Cons:

• Faces tough competition
• Doesn’t shine at low volume levels

The 805 D4 may be the younger sibling of the fourth generation of the 800 series from B&W, but it holds its own against its pricier counterparts. It comes packed with all the technical enhancements of other models, including a sturdier cabinet construction with reinforced plywood braces. While the drive configuration remains the same as in the previous generation, it has also been further refined.

How do they sound? Much depends on the quality of the stand they are placed on—so it’s wise to invest in dedicated stands for the 805 D4, like the FS-805 D4.

They are not fussy about placement and provide balanced sound with a wide soundstage—the sound is not congested. All this work to control cabinet resonances truly pays off, as it becomes very challenging to pinpoint the physical location of the speakers with closed eyes.

They also reveal plenty of detail. We rarely encounter speakers at this level that disclose so much information and present it in such a restrained and organized manner. And that diamond dome tweeter continues to impress with its insight, sharpness, and refinement.

5. Bowers & Wilkins Formation Duo — Best Premium Stereo System

Specifications:

• Bi-wirable: No
• Maximum power handling: 125 W
• Colors: 2 (various)
• Dimensions: 39.5 x 19.7 x 30.5 cm
• Weight: 10.6 kg

Pros:

• Excellent performance
• Quick to select time
• Dense, authoritative bass

Cons:

• No full-featured app

If we had to sum up the Formation Duo in a single word, it would be “divisive.” Why? The aesthetics may not please everyone, and they’re not cheap. But if you need a pair of standalone speakers without Wi-Fi connectivity that simply can’t be matched, look no further.

Let’s start with the sound, which is truly non-irritating. The Duo are incredibly precise speakers with outstanding clarity and mobility. They make you want to re-listen to track after track just to hear what they can do.

The multi-room feature set, while not perfect (we’d prefer a single app to control all functions), is more than offset by the excellent sound quality. Bowers & Wilkins may have arrived late to the multi-room party, but they came with a splash—more fashionably late than annoyingly early.

The speakers are brimming with unbridled energy, and the stereo image is fully realistic. They deliver an enormous amount of power when needed, and gentle beauty in quieter sections.

What’s the downside? They expose any weaknesses in recordings, so make sure your source material is in order.

6. Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin — Best Mid-Range Wireless Speaker

Specifications:

• Bi-wirable: No
• Maximum power handling: 240 W
• Colors: 2 (various)
• Dimensions: 21 x 65 x 19.4 cm
• Weight: 6.5 kg

Pros:

• Extensive open presentation
• Capable of handling large volumes

Cons:

• Limited hi-res support
• No Chromecast or UPnP

The original Zeppelin was truly a cult product, earning as much praise for its elegant design as for its outstanding sound quality. Six years later, B&W released a new version. So, was it worth the wait?

In a word: yes. The Zeppelin has been updated with wireless connections: it supports AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, and aptX Adaptive Bluetooth (a relatively new codec that supports high resolution and is featured in B&W's latest headphones). The Bowers & Wilkins Music app serves as a gateway for music streaming services. Voice control via Alexa is now also available for hands-free operation.

The Zeppelin delivers a pleasantly clear, rich, and wide sound, but it lacks a bit in musicality. Throughout the listening process, vocals and other mid-frequency elements can slightly get lost in the broader soundstage, becoming a minor issue in terms of rhythm. Nevertheless, there’s something enjoyable about the sound, including energetic bass that remains rich even at high volumes. Turn up the volume!

7. Bowers & Wilkins Formation Wedge — Best Premium Wireless Speaker

Specifications:

• Maximum power: 4×40 W + 80 W
• Colors: 2 (various)
• Dimensions: 25.4 x 28 x 26 cm
• Weight: 6.5 kg

Pros:

• Piercing, dynamic sound
• Impressive build

Cons:

• Limited black-and-white app
• Expensive

Why would you spend on Bowers & Wilkins Wedge when you can get a wireless speaker for less? First, it’s part of the B&W Formation lineup, so it pairs well with the Formation Duo mentioned above thanks to its proprietary wireless mesh system that allows high-resolution sound transmission up to 24-bit/96 kHz. If you’re looking for a multi-room setup, you’ve hit the jackpot.

But the Wedge also stands out as an exceptional wireless speaker on its own. And, of course, it’s in terms of sound that Wedge really justifies its price. With three drivers, it delivers dynamic, engaging sound filled with details.

Its original design sets it apart from the competition while offering an impressive set of compatibility options: Apple AirPlay 2, aptX HD Bluetooth.

Consider Alternatives

Best Alternatives to Bowers & Wilkins Speakers Tested:

KEF LS50 Meta: Outstanding bookshelf speakers, thanks to some internal changes and KEF’s use of metamaterials. However, they are roughly twice the price of the 607 S3.

Elac Debut B5.2: Priced at less than half of the 607 S3, these award-winning models are a fantastic value—robust, detailed, and not demanding in terms of placement.

PMC Prodigy 5: Award-winning floor speakers that make the Bowers & Wilkins 603 S3 sound very restrained. They combine refined bass with a clear sense of rhythm.

Monitor Audio Studio 89: These five-star speakers are a modern take on the classic 80s design, boasting impeccable aesthetics, smooth, powerful sound, and excellent build quality. However, they are much pricier than the 607 S3.

Mission 770: Another premium model (and another relying on its heritage). The Mission 770 has won awards for its impressive bass clarity.

Choosing the Best Bowers & Wilkins Speakers for You

So, what should you look for when selecting the best Bowers & Wilkins speakers? Of course, consider what has proven to perform well in reviews. Each product on this list comes with a detailed review for further study.

Now that you know how good this has been for us, think about what suits you—and specifically, your home. Floor-standing B&W speakers (or any floorstanding speakers, for that matter) require quite a bit of space to operate, making them better suited for larger rooms, while bookshelf speakers (or desktop speakers) can be placed on a stand or mounted on a wall with brackets. They are potentially more versatile.

With the Formation lineup, B&W has also ventured into the wireless multi-room speaker market. This list includes both an excellent stereo system and a single-box option.

Additionally, there’s technology. Traditionally, B&W used Kevlar for midrange and bass drivers, but now they use their proprietary material called Continuum. Bowers & Wilkins claims it reduces the negative effects of vibrations in midrange and bass drivers, leading to cleaner sound with less distortion. You will see it in all the speakers on this list.

Finally, you'll need to think about which coin to choose. Fortunately, Bowers & Wilkins offers many options for any budget: from 60,000 rubles to much larger sums...

Are Bowers & Wilkins Speakers Worth It?

Absolutely! That’s why we dedicated an entire section to Best Buy. B&W produces outstanding speakers, though they aren’t the cheapest.

Are Bowers & Wilkins Speakers Better Than Bose?

It’s like comparing apples and oranges. Bowers & Wilkins specializes in high-quality audio equipment, including wireless models, while Bose focuses more on smart and portable speakers (at least for the consumer market).

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