In this review, we will be comparing 702 S3 and Evoke 50, two Passive Floor-standing speakers from Bowers Wilkins and Dynaudio.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of B&W 702 S3 and Dynaudio Evoke 50 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | B&W 702 S3 | Dynaudio Evoke 50 |
|---|
| Brand | Bowers Wilkins
United Kingdom · founded 1966 | Dynaudio
Denmark · founded 1977 |
|---|
| Design | 3-way | 3-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" | 1.1" |
|---|
| Midrange | 6" | 5.5" |
|---|
| Woofer | 3 x 6.5" Aerofoil | 2 x 7" Magnesium Silicate Polymer |
|---|
| Frequency response | 46-28k Hz | 35-23k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 90 dB | 87 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 4 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 30-300 watts | up to 260 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 33.46kg / 73.6lbs | 26.90kg / 59.2lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 44.8" x 7.6" x 15.4"
1138.0 x 192.0 x 391.0mm | 45-3/4" x 12" x 14-5/8"
1162.0 x 305.0 x 373.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the B&W 702 S3 and Dynaudio Evoke 50 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 702 S3 |
Dynaudio Evoke 50 |
| Near-field |
Bad |
Bad |
| Small Room |
Poor |
Poor |
| Mid-size Room |
Average |
Average |
| Large Room |
Good |
Good |
| Very Large Room |
Average |
Average |
(* 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.
Drivers
Both 702 S3 and Evoke 50 are 3-way speakers.
B&W 702 S3Dynaudio Evoke 50
TweeterMidrangeWoofer
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 702 S3 |
Dynaudio Evoke 50 |
|
Driver Setup
|
3-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1.1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
1 x 6-inch |
1 x 5.5-inch |
|
Woofer
|
3 x 6.5-inch
|
2 x 7-inch
|
702 S3 features a 1" Tweeter, a 6" Midrange and 3 x 6.5" Aerofoil Woofer. On the other hand, the Evoke 50 features a 1.1" Tweeter, a 5.5" Midrange and 2 x 7" Magnesium Silicate Polymer Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 430Hz and 3500Hz.
Frequency Response
702 S3 has a frequency range of 46-28k Hz whereas Evoke 50 has a frequency range of 35-23k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 35Hz, the Evoke 50 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the 702 S3's min frequency of 46Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Floor-standing class in our database.
Low Frequency
Floor-standing 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
702 S3 is a 8 ohms speaker compared to the Evoke 50 which has a nominal impedance of 4 ohms. Lower impedance speakers, especially the ones that are rated at 4 ohms may put more pressure on the amplifier unit especially when played at high volume levels, so make sure the amp you pair with the Evoke 50 can provide this impedance level.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. 702 S3 sensitivity is rated at 90 dB and the Evoke 50's is rated at 87 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the B&W 702 S3 a more sensitive speaker compared to Dynaudio Evoke 50, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Floor-standing 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.
702 S3 can handle a max power of 300 watts RMS, whereas Evoke 50 has a max power handling value of 260 watts RMS, 40 watts less than the 702 S3.
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
702 S3 features Binding post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. Evoke 50 has a Binding post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
B&W 702 S3's Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
Dynaudio Evoke 50's Binding post terminals
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both 702 S3 and Evoke 50 have rear firing ports. Rear ported speakers generally need more room between the backside of the speaker and the wall compared to sealed and front/bottom ported speakers. Placing the speakers too close to the walls may cause the bass to sound boomy.
If you are limited in space and can't get the speakers away from the backwall, check our Speakers with Front Firing Ports page.
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 702 S3's and Dynaudio Evoke 50's external dimensions. B&W 702 S3 has external dimensions of 1138.0 x 192.0 x 391.0mm (44.8-inch x 7.6-inch x 15.4-inch) whereas Dynaudio Evoke 50 has external dimensions of 1162.0 x 305.0 x 373.0mm (45-7/8 x 12-1/16 x 14-3/4inch).
B&W 702 S3 is 113mm narrower and 24mm shorter than Dynaudio Evoke 50 but it is also 18mm deeper.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of B&W 702 S3 and Dynaudio Evoke 50 in scale.
Comparison image of B&W 702 S3 and Dynaudio Evoke 50 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 702 S3 is approximately 750.7cm2 / 116.4inch2 and base area of the Dynaudio Evoke 50 is approximately 1137.7cm2 / 176.3inch2. The 702 S3 requires 34% less surface area than the Evoke 50 which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.
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 702 S3 weighs 33.46kg / 73.6lbs and the Dynaudio Evoke 50 weighs 26.90kg / 59.2lbs. This makes the 702 S3 24% heavier than the Evoke 50.
Here is a comparison of how 702 S3 and Evoke 50's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Floor-standing class.
Weight
All Floor-standing Speakers
What's in the Box of B&W 702 S3?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of 702 S3:
- Floorstanding loudspeaker
- Grille
- Plinth (base)
- 2 Jumper-straps (pre-installed)
- Two-piece foam port plug
- 4 Rubber feet
- 4 Spike feet
- 4 Lock-nuts
- 4 Screws
- 4 Washers
- 4 Lock washers
- Hex-key
- Manual
- Bowers & Wilkins brochure
- Warranty Information
What's in the Box of Dynaudio Evoke 50?
Here are the items that come with the Evoke 50:
- Floorstanding loudspeaker
- Grille
- 4 Outrigger feet
- 4 Spikes
- 4 Locking nuts
- 8 Washers
- 8 Screws
- Foam port plug
- Hex-key
- Tweeter protection cover (pre-installed)
- Instructions for Use
- Important Safety Instructions
- Warranty Card
 Max Input Power |
300 watts
vs
260 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Sensitivity |
88 dB
vs
87 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
4 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
 Number of Woofers |
3
vs
2
|
More woofers |
 High Frequency Response |
28k Hz
vs
23k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows bi-amping and bi-wiring connections |
 Height |
1138mm
vs
1162mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
750cm2
vs
1137cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
|
Woofer Size |
7 inches
vs
6.5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
35 Hz
vs
46 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Price per pair* |
5000USD
vs
6998USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Bowers & Wilkins 702 S3 |
Dynaudio Evoke 50 |
| Brand |
Bowers Wilkins |
Dynaudio |
| Speaker Type |
Floor-standing speaker |
Floor-standing speaker |
| Power Range |
30-300 watts |
up to 260 watts |
| Sensitivity |
90 dB |
87 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
4 ohms |
| Impedance |
3.1 ohms |
n/a |
| Frequency Response |
46-28k Hz |
35-23k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
3 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
6.5" |
7" |
| Woofer Composition |
Aerofoil |
Magnesium Silicate Polymer |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1.1" |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
6" |
5.5" |
| Crossover Frequency |
n/a |
430Hz and 3500Hz |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
1138.0mm (44.8") |
1162.0mm (45.7") |
| Width |
192.0mm (7.6") |
305.0mm (12") |
| Depth |
391.0mm (15.4") |
373.0mm (14.7") |
| Weight |
33.46kg (73.6lbs) |
26.90kg (59.2lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF/Lacquer |
MDF/Wood veneer |
| Available Colors |
Gloss Black,Satin White,Mocha,Rosenut |
Oak (blonde) |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
Yes |
No |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years (8 Years registered) |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years (8 Years registered) |
No single best speaker here - they are built to different priorities, and the right one depends on your room, your amplifier and what you listen to.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | B | Dynaudio Evoke 50 digs deeper - 35Hz against 46Hz. |
| Amplifier needs | evenly matched | Similar sensitivity (88dB vs 87dB) - both want much the same power. |
| Amplifier match | A | B&W 702 S3 is the easier load at 8 ohms; the other is 4 ohms and wants an amplifier rated for it. |
| Headroom | evenly matched | Similar power handling (300W vs 260W). |
| Size | depends | B&W 702 S3 is easier to place; Dynaudio Evoke 50 is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Expandability | A | B&W 702 S3: bi-amping. B&W 702 S3 sits in a wider range (8 models), so a matched surround system is easier later. |
| Price | B | Dynaudio Evoke 50 is cheaper - $5,000 against $6,998, about 29% less. |
A B&W 702 S3 B Dynaudio Evoke 50
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?
B&W 702 S3 is ahead, but only on 1 of the measured areas, and it costs about 40% more. That is a lot of money for a narrow margin on paper - Dynaudio Evoke 50 looks like the sensible buy unless something else about the B&W 702 S3 appeals to you. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 46Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. In a large or open-plan room, Dynaudio Evoke 50 has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, B&W 702 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.