In this review, we will be comparing Demand D15 and 703 S2, two Passive Floor-standing speakers from Definitive Technology and Bowers Wilkins.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Definitive Demand D15 and B&W 703 S2 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
Definitive Demand D15 Key Specs
- 3-way Design
- 1" dome Tweeter
- 5.25" Midrange
- 2 x 5.25" Carbon-fiber Woofer
- 48-22k Hz Frequency Response
- 85.5 dB Sensitivity
- Impedance: 8ohms
- Power Range:30-300watts
- Weight:23.60kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 1023.0" x 9-1/16" x 12-3/4"( 1023.0 x 231.0 x 324.0mm )
B&W 703 S2 Key Specs
- 3-way Design
- 1" Tweeter
- 6" Midrange
- 2 x 6.5" Aerofoil Woofer
- 6" Midrange
- 46-28k Hz Frequency Response
- 89 dB Sensitivity
- Impedance: 8ohms
- Power Range:30-200watts
- Weight:25.00kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 1025.0" x 12-11/16" x 12.6"( 1025.0 x 200.0 x 321.0mm )
What size room are the Definitive Demand D15 and B&W 703 S2 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* |
Definitive Demand D15 |
B&W 703 S2 |
| Near-field |
Bad |
Bad |
| Small Room |
Poor |
Poor |
| Mid-size Room |
Average |
Good |
| Large Room |
Good |
Good |
| Very Large Room |
Average |
Poor |
(* 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 Definitive Demand D15 and B&W 703 S2 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 Demand D15 and 703 S2 are 3-way speakers.
| Driver |
Definitive Demand D15 |
B&W 703 S2 |
|
Driver Setup
|
3-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
1 x 5.25-inch |
1 x 6-inch |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 5.25-inch
|
2 x 6.5-inch
|
Demand D15 features a 1" aluminum dome Tweeter , a 5.25" Midrange and 2 x 5.25" Carbon-fiber Woofer . On the other hand, the 703 S2 features a 1" Tweeter , a 6" Midrange and 2 x 6.5" Aerofoil Woofer .
Frequency Response
Demand D15 has a frequency range of 48-22k Hz whereas 703 S2 has a frequency range of 46-28k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 46Hz, the 703 S2 can go slightly deeper then the Demand D15's min frequency of 48Hz.
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
High Frequency
Floor-standing 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
Demand D15 and 703 S2 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Demand D15 sensitivity is rated at 85.5 dB and the 703 S2's is at 89 dB. This 3 dB difference makes the B&W 703 S2 a more sensitive speaker compared to Definitive Demand D15, 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. 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.
Demand D15 can handle a max power of 300 watts RMS from the amp the whereas 703 S2 has a max power handling value of 200 watts RMS, 100 watts less than the Demand D15.
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 Demand D15 and 703 S2 features dual binding post speaker terminals for bi-amping or bi-wiring.
Definitive Demand D15's 5-Way post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
B&W 703 S2'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 Definitive Demand D15's and B&W 703 S2's external dimensions. Definitive Demand D15 has external dimensions of 1023.0 x 231.0 x 324.0mm ( 40-1/4 x 9-1/16 x 12-3/4inch) whereas B&W 703 S2 has external dimensions of 1025.0 x 200.0 x 321.0mm ( 40.4-inch x 12-11/16-inch x 12.6-inch) .
B&W 703 S2 is 31mm narrower and 3mm less deeper than Definitive Demand D15 but it is also 2mm taller.
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 Definitive Demand D15 is approximately 748.4cm2 / 116.0inch2 and base area of the B&W 703 S2 is approximately 642.0cm2 / 99.5inch2. The Demand D15 requires 17% more surface area than the 703 S2 which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.