In this review, we will be comparing 707 S3 and AE500, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Bowers Wilkins and Acoustic Energy.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of B&W 707 S3 and AE500 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
B&W 707 S3 Key Specs
- 2-way Design
- 1" Decoupled Carbon Dome Tweeter
- 5" Continuum Woofer
- 50-28k Hz Frequency Response
- 84 dB Sensitivity
- Impedance: 8ohms
- Power Range:30-100watts
- Weight:6.16kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 300.0" x 6.5" x 11.2"( 300.0 x 165.0 x 284.0mm )
AE500 Key Specs
- 2-way Design
- 1" dome with waveguide Tweeter
- 5" carbon fibre cone Woofer
- 45Hz - 28kHz Frequency Response
- 87 dB Sensitivity
- Impedance: 6ohms
- Power Range:up to 120watts
- Weight:8.00kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 310.0" x 7.3" x 10.2"( 310.0 x 185.0 x 260.0mm )
What size room are the B&W 707 S3 and AE500 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 707 S3 |
AE500 |
| 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.)
In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the B&W 707 S3 and AE500 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 707 S3 and AE500 are 2-way speakers.
| Driver |
B&W 707 S3 |
AE500 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 5-inch
|
1 x 5-inch
|
707 S3 features a 1" Decoupled Carbon Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5" Continuum Woofer . On the other hand, the AE500 features a 1" carbon fibre dome with waveguide Tweeter and 1 x 5" carbon fibre cone Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2800Hz.
Frequency Response
707 S3 has a frequency range of 50-28k Hz whereas AE500 has a frequency range of 45Hz - 28kHz. With a minimum frequency of 45Hz, the AE500 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the 707 S3'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
707 S3 is a 8 ohms speaker compared to the AE500 which has a nominal impedance of 6 ohms.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. 707 S3 sensitivity is rated at 84 dB and the AE500's is rated at 87 dB. This 3 dB difference makes the AE500 a more sensitive speaker compared to B&W 707 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. 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.
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.
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both 707 S3 and AE500 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 707 S3's and AE500's external dimensions. B&W 707 S3 has external dimensions of 300.0 x 165.0 x 284.0mm ( 1.8-inch x 6.5-inch x 11.2-inch) whereas AE500 has external dimensions of 310.0 x 185.0 x 260.0mm ( 12.2 x 7.3 x 10.2inch) .
B&W 707 S3 is 20mm narrower and 10mm shorter than AE500 but it is also 24mm deeper.
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 707 S3 is approximately 468.6cm2 / 72.6inch2 and base area of the AE500 is approximately 481.0cm2 / 74.6inch2. The 707 S3 requires 3% less surface area than the AE500 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 707 S3 weighs 6.16kg / 13.6lbs and the AE500 weighs 8.00kg / 17.6lbs. This makes the AE500 30% heavier than the 707 S3.
Here is a comparison of how 707 S3 and AE500'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 707 S3?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of 707 S3:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers2 Grilles2 Two-piece foam port plugs8 Self-adhesive rubber feet4 Jumper-straps Manual Bowers & Wilkins brochureWarranty Information
 Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
6 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
 Height |
300mm
vs
310mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
468cm2
vs
481cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Sensitivity |
87 dB
vs
84 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Low Frequency Response |
45 Hz
vs
50 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Price per pair* |
1499USD
vs
1799USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Bowers & Wilkins 707 S3 |
Acoustic Energy AE500 |
| Brand |
Bowers Wilkins |
Acoustic Energy |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
30-100 watts |
up to 120 watts |
| Sensitivity |
84 dB |
87 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
6 ohms |
| Impedance |
4.0 ohms |
n/a |
| Frequency Response |
50-28k Hz |
45Hz - 28kHz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
5" |
5" |
| Woofer Composition |
Continuum |
carbon fibre cone |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
n/a |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Decoupled Carbon Dome |
dome with waveguide |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
n/a |
2800Hz |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
300.0mm (11.8") |
310.0mm (12.2") |
| Width |
165.0mm (6.5") |
185.0mm (7.3") |
| Depth |
284.0mm (11.2") |
260.0mm (10.2") |
| Weight |
6.16kg (13.6lbs) |
8.00kg (17.6lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF/Wood veneer |
Resonance Suppression Composite (RSC) |
| Available Colors |
Gloss Black,Satin White,Mocha,Rosenut |
Piano Gloss Black, Piano Gloss White, American Walnut wood veneer |
| Mounting Bracket |
No |
|
| Recommended Stand Height |
24-26" |
n/a |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
Yes |
n/a |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
|
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
|