In this review, we will be comparing 706 S2 and 3030i, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Bowers Wilkins and Q Acoustics. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of B&W 706 S2 and Q Acoustics 3030i first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the B&W 706 S2 and Q Acoustics 3030i 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:
In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the B&W 706 S2 and Q Acoustics 3030i compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these loudspeakers is the better choice for you.
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Drivers
Both 706 S2 and 3030i are 2-way speakers.
Driver |
B&W 706 S2 |
Q Acoustics 3030i |
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
Woofer
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
706 S2 features a 1" Decoupled Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Continuum Woofer . On the other hand, the 3030i features a 1" decoupled Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Coated paper Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2400Hz.
Frequency Response
706 S2 has a frequency range of 50-28k Hz whereas 3030i has a frequency range of 46-30k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 46Hz, the 3030i can go slightly deeper then the 706 S2's min frequency of 50Hz.
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 Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
High Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
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
706 S2 is a 8 ohms speaker compared to the 3030i which has a nominal impedance of 6 ohms.
On the other hand, they have the same sensitivity of 88 dBdB.
Sensitivity
Bookshelf Speakers
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.
706 S2 can handle a max power of 120 watts RMS from the amp the whereas 3030i has a max power handling value of 75 watts RMS, 45 watts less than the 706 S2.
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
706 S2 features Binding post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. 3030i has a Post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both 706 S2 and 3030i 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
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 706 S2's and Q Acoustics 3030i's external dimensions. B&W 706 S2 has external dimensions of 340.0 x 200.0 x 301.0mm ( 13.5-inch x 7.8-inch x 11.-inch) whereas Q Acoustics 3030i has external dimensions of 325.0 x 200.0 x 329.0mm ( 12.7 x 7.8 x 12.9inch) .
Below you can see the front view size comparison of B&W 706 S2 and Q Acoustics 3030i in scale.
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 706 S2 is approximately 602.0cm2 / 93.3inch2 and base area of the Q Acoustics 3030i is approximately 658.0cm2 / 102.0inch2. The 706 S2 requires 9% less surface area than the 3030i which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.
Here is an another comparison that shows both speakers on a BDI Octave Media Cabinet, next to a standard size amplifier and turntable in scale:
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 706 S2 weighs 8.05kg / 17.7lbs and the Q Acoustics 3030i weighs 6.20kg / 13.6lbs. This makes the 706 S2 30% heavier than the 3030i.
Here is a comparison of how 706 S2 and 3030i'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 706 S2?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of 706 S2:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers2 Grilles2 Two-piece foam port plugs8 Self-adhesive rubber feet4 Jumper-straps Manual Bowers & Wilkins brochureWarranty Information
What's in the Box of Q Acoustics 3030i?
Here are the items that come with the 3030i:
2 x 3030i bookshelf speakers 2 x Speaker Grilles 2 x Foam Bungs 1 x User Manual
Max Input Power |
120 watts
vs
75 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
6 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows bi-amping and bi-wiring connections |
Base Surface Area |
602cm2 (200x301mm)
vs
658cm2 (200x329mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
Minimum Impedance |
4 ohms
vs
3.7 ohms
|
Very low impedance levels puts more pressure on amplifier |
Low Frequency Response |
46 Hz
vs
50 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
High Frequency Response |
30k Hz
vs
28k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
Height |
325mm
vs
340mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
Price per pair* |
499USD
vs
1999USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
General |
Bowers & Wilkins 706 S2 |
Q Acoustics 3030i |
Brand |
Bowers Wilkins |
Q Acoustics |
Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
Power Range |
30-120 watts |
25-75 watts |
Sensitivity |
88 dB |
88 dB |
Impedance |
8 ohms |
6 ohms |
Impedance |
3.7 ohms |
4 ohms |
Frequency Response |
50-28k Hz |
46-30k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
Woofer Size |
6.5" |
6.5" |
Woofer Composition |
Continuum |
Coated paper |
Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
Tweeter Type |
Decoupled Soft-Dome |
decoupled |
Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
Crossover Frequency |
n/a |
2400Hz |
Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
Height |
340.0mm (13.4") |
325.0mm (12.8") |
Width |
200.0mm (7.9") |
200.0mm (7.9") |
Depth |
301.0mm (11.9") |
329.0mm (13") |
Weight |
8.05kg (17.7lbs) |
6.20kg (13.6lbs) |
Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
Finish |
MDF/Wood Veneer |
n/a |
Available Colors |
Rosewood, Gloss Black, Satin White |
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 |
4 Years |
Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
4 Years |