In this review, we will be comparing 707 S3 and Opticon 1 MK2, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Bowers Wilkins and DALI. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of B&W 707 S3 and DALI Opticon 1 II first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the B&W 707 S3 and DALI Opticon 1 II 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 707 S3 and DALI Opticon 1 II 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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through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Drivers
Both 707 S3 and Opticon 1 MK2 are 2-way speakers.
| Driver |
B&W 707 S3 |
DALI Opticon 1 II |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1.125-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 5-inch
|
1 x 4.75-inch
|
707 S3 features a 1" Decoupled Carbon Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5" Continuum Woofer . On the other hand, the Opticon 1 MK2 features a 1.125" Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 4.75" Wood Fiber Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 3000Hz.
Frequency Response
707 S3 has a frequency range of 50-28k Hz whereas Opticon 1 MK2 has a frequency range of 62-26k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 50Hz, the 707 S3 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Opticon 1 MK2's min frequency of 62Hz.
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 Opticon 1 MK2 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 Opticon 1 MK2 can provide this impedance level.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. 707 S3 sensitivity is rated at 84 dB and the Opticon 1 MK2's is rated at 86 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the DALI Opticon 1 II 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.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
707 S3 features Binding post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. Opticon 1 MK2 has a Post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
B&W 707 S3's Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
DALI Opticon 1 II's Post terminals
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both 707 S3 and Opticon 1 MK2 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 DALI Opticon 1 II'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 DALI Opticon 1 II has external dimensions of 254.0 x 153.0 x 235.0mm ( 10 x 6 x 9-1/4inch) .
B&W 707 S3 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 12mm wider, 46mm taller and 49mm deeper than DALI Opticon 1 II.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of B&W 707 S3 and DALI Opticon 1 II in scale.
Comparison image of B&W 707 S3 and DALI Opticon 1 II 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 707 S3 is approximately 468.6cm2 / 72.6inch2 and base area of the DALI Opticon 1 II is approximately 359.6cm2 / 55.7inch2. The 707 S3 requires 30% more surface area than the Opticon 1 MK2 which gives it a small disadvantage 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:
Size Comparison image of B&W 707 S3 and DALI Opticon 1 II 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 707 S3 weighs 6.16kg / 13.6lbs and the DALI Opticon 1 II weighs 4.50kg / 9.9lbs. This makes the 707 S3 37% heavier than the Opticon 1 MK2.
Here is a comparison of how 707 S3 and Opticon 1 MK2'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
What's in the Box of DALI Opticon 1 II?
Here are the items that come with the Opticon 1 MK2:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers2 Grilles8 Rubber feetQuick Start GuideCongratulations Card
 Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
4 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
 Woofer Size |
5 inches
vs
4.75 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
50 Hz
vs
62 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
28k Hz
vs
26k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows bi-amping and bi-wiring connections |
 Sensitivity |
86 dB
vs
84 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Height |
254mm
vs
300mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
359cm2 (153x235mm)
vs
468cm2 (165x284mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
1099USD
vs
1799USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Bowers & Wilkins 707 S3 |
DALI Opticon 1 MK2 |
| Brand |
Bowers Wilkins |
DALI |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
30-100 watts |
25-100 watts |
| Sensitivity |
84 dB |
86 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
4 ohms |
| Impedance |
4.0 ohms |
n/a |
| Frequency Response |
50-28k Hz |
62-26k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
5" |
4.75" |
| Woofer Composition |
Continuum |
Wood Fiber |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1.125" |
| Tweeter Type |
Decoupled Carbon Dome |
Soft-Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
n/a |
3000Hz |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
300.0mm (11.8") |
254.0mm (10") |
| Width |
165.0mm (6.5") |
153.0mm (6") |
| Depth |
284.0mm (11.2") |
235.0mm (9.3") |
| Weight |
6.16kg (13.6lbs) |
4.50kg (9.9lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF/Wood veneer |
MDF/Wood-grain vinyl |
| Available Colors |
Gloss Black,Satin White,Mocha,Rosenut |
Satin Black, Tobacco Oak, Satin White |
| Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
| Recommended Stand Height |
24-26" |
26-28" |
| 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 |