In this review, we will be comparing 607 S3 and Borea BR03, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Bowers Wilkins and Triangle.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of B&W 607 S3 and Triangle Borea BR03 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | B&W 607 S3 | Triangle Borea BR03 |
|---|
| Brand | Bowers Wilkins
United Kingdom · founded 1966 | Triangle
France · founded 1980 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Decoupled Double Dome Titanium | 1" |
|---|
| Woofer | 5" Continuum | 6" fiberglass |
|---|
| Frequency response | 52-28k Hz | 46 - 22k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 84 dB | 90 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 30-100 watts | up to 100 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 4.65kg / 10.2lbs | 6.26kg / 13.8lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 11.8" x 6.5" x 9.3"
300.0 x 166.0 x 235.0mm | 14.9" x 8.1" x 12.3"
380.0 x 206.0 x 314.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the B&W 607 S3 and Triangle Borea BR03 speakers good for?
The size of the room in which you are planning to use these loudspeakers is an important decision
factor. Here we have compared their suitability to various sizes of environments considering their size
and max power parameters:
| Listening Environment* |
B&W 607 S3 |
Triangle Borea BR03 |
| Near-field |
Average |
Average |
| Small Room |
Good |
Good |
| Mid-size Room |
Average |
Average |
| Large Room |
Poor |
Poor |
| Very Large Room |
Bad |
Bad |
(* Approximate Room sizes: Small < 100sq. ft / 9 m2,
Mid-size: 100-220 sq. ft / 9-20 m2, Large 220-400 sq. ft / 20-36 m2, Very Large: >
400 sq. ft / 36 m2.
Average Floor Height: 9" / 2.7m. Typical room sizes differ from country to country, and the actual
listening experience changes depending on floor height, room shape, surface materials, listening
position, speaker locations, etc.)
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
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through our links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Drivers
Both 607 S3 and Borea BR03 are 2-way speakers.
B&W 607 S3Triangle Borea BR03
TweeterWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
B&W 607 S3 |
Triangle Borea BR03 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 5-inch
|
1 x 6-inch
|
607 S3 features a 1" Titanium Decoupled Double Dome Titanium Tweeter and 1 x 5" Continuum Woofer. On the other hand, the Borea BR03 features a 1" silk Tweeter and 1 x 6" fiberglass Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 3600Hz.
Frequency Response
607 S3 has a frequency range of 52-28k Hz whereas Borea BR03 has a frequency range of 46 - 22k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 46Hz, the Borea BR03 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the 607 S3's min frequency of 52Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
Neither pair reaches down to 20Hz, the usual definition of full-range, which is normal for speakers of this size. If you want the bottom octave for movies or bass-heavy music, add a subwoofer to whichever you choose. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
607 S3 and Borea BR03 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. 607 S3 sensitivity is rated at 84 dB and the Borea BR03's is at 90 dB. This 6 dB difference makes the Triangle Borea BR03 a more sensitive speaker compared to B&W 607 S3, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Bookshelf Speakers
Power Range
Power
range is the range of input power in watts RMS that a loudspeaker is designed to handle. Staying
within that range gives nominal performance; driving the speaker beyond its maximum wattage can damage it.
Both handle the same maximum of 100 watts RMS, though 607 S3 is rated 30-100 watts and Borea BR03 up to 100 watts.
Note that higher power handling does not make a speaker louder: that depends mainly on
sensitivity and impedance. The calculator below shows how loud each of these actually plays
on a real amplifier.
Which plays louder on your amplifier?
Starting with a popular amplifier - change it to the one you own, or any you are
considering, and watch both numbers move.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
607 S3 features Binding post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. Borea BR03 has a Binding post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
B&W 607 S3's Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
Triangle Borea BR03's Binding post terminals
Cabinet Type and Port Position
607 S3 has a rear firing port whereas Borea BR03 has a front firing ports. Triangle Borea BR03's front-firing port gives more flexibility in placement in regards to proximity to walls compared to B&W 607 S3 with its rear-firing port.
Physical Specs
The size of a speaker can sometimes be an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare B&W 607 S3's and Triangle Borea BR03's external dimensions. B&W 607 S3 has external dimensions of 300.0 x 166.0 x 235.0mm (11.8 x 6.5 x 9.3inch) whereas Triangle Borea BR03 has external dimensions of 380.0 x 206.0 x 314.0mm (14.9 x 8.1 x 12.3inch).
Triangle Borea BR03 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 40mm wider, 80mm taller and 79mm deeper than B&W 607 S3.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of B&W 607 S3 and Triangle Borea BR03 in scale.
Comparison image of B&W 607 S3 and Triangle Borea BR03 Size and External Dimensions
Base Surface Area Comparison
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base surface area of the B&W 607 S3 is approximately 390.1cm2 / 60.5inch2 and base area of the Triangle Borea BR03 is approximately 646.8cm2 / 100.3inch2. The 607 S3 requires 40% less surface area than the Borea BR03 which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.
Here is another comparison that shows both speakers on a BDI Octave Media Cabinet, next to a standard size amplifier and turntable in scale:
Size Comparison image of B&W 607 S3 and Triangle Borea BR03 on a Media Console
Weight Comparison The weight of a loudspeaker can become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often. Weight of a speaker can also "sometimes" be an indicator of the rigidity of the enclosure and the quality of the internal components used. The B&W 607 S3 weighs 4.65kg / 10.2lbs and the Triangle Borea BR03 weighs 6.26kg / 13.8lbs. This makes the Borea BR03 35% heavier than the 607 S3.
Here is a comparison of how 607 S3 and Borea BR03's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
What's in the Box of B&W 607 S3?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of 607 S3:
- 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
- 2 Grilles
- 2 Two-piece foam port plugs
- 8 Self-adhesive rubber feet
- 4 Jumper-straps (pre-installed)
- Manual
- Bowers & Wilkins brochure
- Warranty Information
What's in the Box of Triangle Borea BR03?
Here are the items that come with the Borea BR03:
- 2 x Borea speakers
- 2 x protections grids
- 8 x adhesive rubber plots
- 1 x user manual
 High Frequency Response |
28k Hz
vs
22k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows bi-amping and bi-wiring connections |
 Height |
300mm
vs
380mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
390cm2
vs
646cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Sensitivity |
90 dB
vs
84 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Minimum Impedance |
4.2 ohms
vs
3.0 ohms
|
Very low impedance levels puts more pressure on amplifier |
 Woofer Size |
6 inches
vs
5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
46 Hz
vs
52 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Port Position |
Front
vs
Rear
|
Gives more flexibility placing close to walls |
 Price per pair* |
629USD
vs
900USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Bowers & Wilkins 607 S3 |
Triangle Borea BR03 |
| Brand |
Bowers Wilkins |
Triangle |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
30-100 watts |
up to 100 watts |
| Sensitivity |
84 dB |
90 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Impedance |
3.0 ohms |
4.2 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
52-28k Hz |
46 - 22k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
5" |
6" |
| Woofer Composition |
Continuum |
fiberglass |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
n/a |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Decoupled Double Dome Titanium |
n/a |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
n/a |
3600Hz |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
300.0mm (11.8") |
380.0mm (15") |
| Width |
166.0mm (6.5") |
206.0mm (8.1") |
| Depth |
235.0mm (9.3") |
314.0mm (12.4") |
| Weight |
4.65kg (10.2lbs) |
6.26kg (13.8lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF/Vinyl |
n/a |
| Available Colors |
Matte Black, Matte White, Oak, Red Cherry |
Light Oak, Walnut, Black, White |
| Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
| Recommended Stand Height |
24-26" |
n/a |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
Yes |
No |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
A generation apart: B&W 607 S3 is the newer design, against a 2019 model. Newer is not automatically better, but the older one is more likely to be discounted or near run-out.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | B | Triangle Borea BR03 digs deeper - 46Hz against 52Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Amplifier needs | B | Triangle Borea BR03 is more sensitive (90dB vs 84dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Headroom | evenly matched | Similar power handling (100W vs 100W). |
| Size | depends | B&W 607 S3 is easier to place; Triangle Borea BR03 is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Expandability | depends | B&W 607 S3: bi-amping. Triangle Borea BR03 sits in a wider range (11 models), so a matched surround system is easier later. |
| Price | B | Triangle Borea BR03 is cheaper - $629 against $900, about 30% less. |
A B&W 607 S3 B Triangle Borea BR03
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, your system or how you will use them. Only specs published for both speakers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
Triangle Borea BR03 is the easier recommendation: it leads on most of the measured areas and costs less. Take B&W 607 S3 if its size, looks or fit in your room suit you better. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 52Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. In a large or open-plan room, Triangle Borea BR03 has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, B&W 607 S3 is the easier speaker to get right.
And remember what a spec sheet cannot show: how each looks in your room and whether the finish suits it, what dealer support and warranty are like where you live, and how they actually sound to you. If you can hear them first - ideally with your own music - that will tell you more than any number above.