SpeakerDecision
  • SPEAKERS by TYPE
    • Passive Bookshelf Speakers
    • Passive Floor-standing Speakers
    • Passive Center Channel Speakers
    • Passive In-wall Speakers
    • All Passive Speakers
    • Powered Subwoofers
    • Powered Stereo Speakers
  • AMPLIFIERS
  • SMART FIND

B&W 702 S3 vs KLH Kendall Comparison

x
Speaker to replace
Change

B&W 702 S3

Passive Floor-standing | 46-28k Hz

Bowers & Wilkins 702 S3
CHECK PRICE
Change
    
KLH Kendall

Passive Floor-standing | 25-23k Hz

KLH Kendall
CHECK PRICE
B&W 702 S3 B&W 702 S3
See at AMAZON
KLH Kendall KLH Kendall
See at AMAZON
B&W 702 S3
See at AMAZON
KLH Kendall
See at AMAZON
B&W 702 S3 vs KLH Kendall Speaker Comparison

In this review, we will be comparing 702 S3 and Kendall, two Passive Floor-standing speakers from Bowers Wilkins and KLH.

Let's have a brief look at the main features of B&W 702 S3 and KLH Kendall first before getting into our more detailed comparison.

B&W 702 S3 Key Specs

  • 3-way Design
  • 1" Tweeter
  • 6" Midrange
  • 3 x 6.5" Aerofoil Woofer
  • 46-28k Hz Frequency Response
  • 90 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 8ohms
  • Power Range:30-300watts
  • Weight:33.46kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 1138.0" x 7.6" x 15.4"( 1138.0 x 192.0 x 391.0mm )

KLH Kendall Key Specs

  • 3-way Design
  • 1" Tweeter
  • 5.25" Midrange
  • 2 x 6.5" Woven Kevlar Woofer
  • 5.25" Midrange
  • 25-23k Hz Frequency Response
  • 96 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 8ohms
  • Power Range:up to 250watts
  • Weight:22.14kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 1021.0" x 8-5/16" x 14-15/16"( 1021.0 x 212.0 x 380.0mm )

In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the B&W 702 S3 and KLH Kendall compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these loudspeakers is the better choice for you.


**This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.


Drivers

Both 702 S3 and Kendall are 3-way speakers.

Driver B&W 702 S3 KLH Kendall
Driver Setup 3-way 3-way
Tweeter 1-inch 1-inch
Midrange 1 x 6-inch 1 x 5.25-inch
Woofer 3 x 6.5-inch 2 x 6.5-inch

702 S3 features a 1" Tweeter , a 6" Midrange and 3 x 6.5" Aerofoil Woofer . On the other hand, the Kendall features a 1" anodized aluminum Tweeter , a 5.25" Midrange and 2 x 6.5" Woven Kevlar Woofer .

Frequency Response

702 S3 has a frequency range of 46-28k Hz whereas Kendall has a frequency range of 25-23k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 25Hz, the Kendall can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the 702 S3's min frequency of 46Hz.

Below graphs depict how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average values of the Min and Max Frequencies of other speakers in the Floor-standing class in our database.

Low Frequency

Floor-standing Speakers

702 S3
Kendall
Min
Average
Max
High Frequency

Floor-standing Speakers

B&W 702 S3
KLH Kendall
Min
Average
Max

None of these speakers achieves full range experience which is commonly agreed as 20Hz-20kHz. In order to achieve lower lows / deeper bass, we recommend you pair these with a subwoofer. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.

Impedance and Sensitivity

702 S3 and Kendall have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. 702 S3 sensitivity is rated at 90 dB and the Kendall's is at 96 dB. This 8 dB difference makes the KLH Kendall a more sensitive speaker compared to B&W 702 S3, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.

Sensitivity

Floor-standing Speakers

702 S3
Kendall
Min
Average
Max

Power Range

Power range is the range of input power in watts RMS that a loudspeaker is designed to handle. While using an amplifier within this range ensures the nominal performance , inputting a power that is higher than the max wattage can result in a damaged speaker.

702 S3 can handle a max power of 300 watts RMS from the amp the whereas Kendall has a max power handling value of watts RMS, 300 watts less than the 702 S3.

Keep in mind that a higher max power handling value doesn't necessarily make that a louder speaker compared to a lower max handling speaker. Loudness or the sound level is also impacted by parameters such as Impedance, sensitivity and system efficiencies.

Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring

Both 702 S3 and Kendall features dual binding post speaker terminals for bi-amping or bi-wiring.

B&W 702 S3 Terminals
B&W 702 S3's Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring

KLH KendallBinding post Terminals
KLH Kendall's Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring

Physical Specs

Size of a speaker can sometimes become 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 KLH Kendall'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 KLH Kendall has external dimensions of 1021.0 x 212.0 x 380.0mm ( 40-3/16 x 8-5/16 x 14-15/16inch) .

KLH Kendall is 117mm shorter and 11mm less deeper than B&W 702 S3 but it is also 20mm wider.

Below you can see the front view size comparison of B&W 702 S3 and KLH Kendall in scale.

B&W 702 S3 vs KLH Kendall Size Comparison - Front View
Comparison image of B&W 702 S3 and KLH Kendall 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 KLH Kendall is approximately 805.6cm2 / 124.9inch2. The 702 S3 requires 7% less surface area than the Kendall 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 KLH Kendall weighs 22.14kg / 48.7lbs. This makes the 702 S3 51% heavier than the Kendall.

Here is a comparison of how 702 S3 and Kendall's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Floor-standing class.

Weight
All Floor-standing Speakers
B&W 702 S3
KLH Kendall
Min
Average
Max

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 KLH Kendall?

    Here are the items that come with the Kendall:
  • Floorstanding loudspeaker
  • Grille
  • Foam port
  • 4 Rubber feet
  • 4 Spike feet (with nuts)
  • 4 Protective discs
  • Manual

  • Reasons to choose Bowers & Wilkins 702 S3 over KLH Kendall
    Number of Woofers 3 vs 2 More woofers
    High Frequency Response 28k Hz vs 23k Hz Generates higher frequency
    Base Surface Area 750cm2 vs 805cm2 Takes less floor space

    Reasons to choose KLH Kendall over Bowers & Wilkins 702 S3

    Sensitivity 96 dB vs 88 dB Play louder with same amount of amplification power
    Low Frequency Response 25 Hz vs 46 Hz Generates deeper bass
    Height 1021mm vs 1138mm Easier to fit in smaller spaces
    Price per pair* 1500USD vs 6998USD costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time)
    B&W 702 S3 vs KLH Kendall Specs Table
    Detailed comparison of specifications
    General Bowers & Wilkins 702 S3 KLH Kendall
    Brand Bowers Wilkins KLH
    Speaker Type Floor-standing speaker Floor-standing speaker
    Power Range 30-300 watts up to 250 watts
    Sensitivity 90 dB 96 dB
    Impedance 8 ohms 8 ohms
    Impedance 3.1 ohms n/a
    Frequency Response 46-28k Hz 25-23k Hz
    Drivers
    Woofer Quantity 3 2
    Woofer Size 6.5" 6.5"
    Woofer Composition Aerofoil Woven Kevlar
    Woofer Surround Material Rubber Butyl Rubber
    Tweeter Size 1" 1"
    Aimable Tweeter No No
    Midrange Driver 6" 5.25"
    Firing Direction rear n/a
    Physical Specs
    Height 1138.0mm (44.8") 1021.0mm (40.2")
    Width 192.0mm (7.6") 212.0mm (8.3")
    Depth 391.0mm (15.4") 380.0mm (15")
    Weight 33.46kg (73.6lbs) 22.14kg (48.7lbs)
    Enclosure Bass Reflex Bass Reflex
    Finish MDF/Lacquer MDF/Wood Veneer
    Available Colors Gloss Black,Satin White,Mocha,Rosenut Black
    Grille Yes Yes
    Moisture Resistancy No No
    Connections
    Biamp Inputs Yes Yes
    Other
    Parts Warranty 5 Years 10 Years
    Labor Warranty 5 Years 10 Years

    Most Popular Speakers
    Klipsch Reference R-51M
    Klipsch R-51M
    2-way | 93 dB | 8 ohms
    Wharfedale Elysian 2
    Wharfedale Elysian 2
    3-way | 89 dB | 4 ohms
    ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2
    ELAC Debut 2.0 B6.2
    2-way | 87 dB | 6 ohms
    Bowers & Wilkins 606 S2 Anniversary Edition
    B&W 606 S2
    2-way | 88 dB | 8 ohms
    KEF Q150
    KEF Q150
    2-way | 86 dB | 8 ohms
    Klipsch Reference Premiere RP-500M
    Klipsch RP-500M
    2-way | 93 dB | 8 ohms
    Wharfedale EVO4.1
    Wharfedale EVO4.1
    2-way | 87 dB | 8 ohms
    Bowers & Wilkins 606
    B&W 606
    2-way | 88 dB | 8 ohms
    Copyright © 2025 by SpeakerDecision
    About Privacy Contact US Camera Decision

    Report a Correction