In this review, we will be comparing Aria Evo X No4 and 703 S3, two Passive Floor-standing speakers from Focal and Bowers Wilkins. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Focal Aria Evo X No4 and B&W 703 S3 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the Focal Aria Evo X No4 and B&W 703 S3 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 Focal Aria Evo X No4 and B&W 703 S3 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 Aria Evo X No4 and 703 S3 are 3-way speakers.
| Driver |
Focal Aria Evo X No4 |
B&W 703 S3 |
|
Driver Setup
|
3-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
1 x 6.5-inch |
1 x 6-inch |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 6.5-inch
|
2 x 6.5-inch
|
Aria Evo X No4 features a 1" Al/Mg inverted dome Tweeter , a 6.5" Midrange and 2 x 6.5" Flax Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 280 Hz - 2600 Hz. On the other hand, the 703 S3 features a 1" Tweeter , a 6" Midrange and 2 x 6.5" Aerofoil Woofer .
Frequency Response
Aria Evo X No4 has a frequency range of 37-30kHz whereas 703 S3 has a frequency range of 46-28k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 37Hz, the Aria Evo X No4 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the 703 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
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
Aria Evo X No4 and 703 S3 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Aria Evo X No4 sensitivity is rated at 92.5 dB and the 703 S3's is at 90 dB. This 5 dB difference makes the Focal Aria Evo X No4 a more sensitive speaker compared to B&W 703 S3, 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.
Aria Evo X No4 can handle a max power of 350 watts RMS from the amp the whereas 703 S3 has a max power handling value of 200 watts RMS, 150 watts less than the Aria Evo X No4.
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
703 S3 features Binding post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. Aria Evo X No4 has a Binding post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Focal Aria Evo X No4's Binding post terminals
B&W 703 S3's Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Aria Evo X No4 has a front firing port whereas 703 S3 has a rear firing ports. Focal Aria Evo X No4's front-firing port gives more flexibility in placement in regards to proximity to walls compared to B&W 703 S3 with its rear-firing port.
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 Focal Aria Evo X No4's and B&W 703 S3's external dimensions. Focal Aria Evo X No4 has external dimensions of 115 x 37.1 x 42 cm ( 45-¼ x 14-⅝ x 16-½) whereas B&W 703 S3 has external dimensions of 1117.0 x 192.0 x 353.0mm ( 44-inch x 7.6-inch x 13.9-inch) .
Focal Aria Evo X No4 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 179mm wider, 33mm taller and 67mm deeper than B&W 703 S3.
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 Focal Aria Evo X No4 is approximately 1558.2cm2 / 241.5inch2 and base area of the B&W 703 S3 is approximately 677.8cm2 / 105.1inch2. The Aria Evo X No4 requires 130% more surface area than the 703 S3 which gives it a small disadvantage 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 Focal Aria Evo X No4 weighs 35.00kg / 77lbs and the B&W 703 S3 weighs 28.81kg / 63.4lbs. This makes the Aria Evo X No4 21% heavier than the 703 S3.
Here is a comparison of how Aria Evo X No4 and 703 S3's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Floor-standing class.
Weight
All Floor-standing Speakers
What's in the Box of B&W 703 S3?
Here are the items that come with the 703 S3:
Floorstanding loudspeakerGrillePlinth (base)2 Jumper-straps (pre-installed)Two-piece foam port plug4 Rubber feet4 Spike feet4 Lock-nuts4 Screws4 Washers4 Lock washersHex-keyManualBowers & Wilkins brochureWarranty Information
 Max Input Power |
350 watts
vs
200 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Sensitivity |
93 dB
vs
88 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Low Frequency Response |
37 Hz
vs
46 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
30k Hz
vs
28k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Port Position |
Front
vs
Rear
|
Gives more flexibility placing close to walls |
 Minimum Impedance |
3.1 ohms
vs
2.5 ohms
|
Very low impedance levels puts more pressure on amplifier |
 Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows bi-amping and bi-wiring connections |
 Height |
1117mm
vs
1150mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
677cm2 (192x353mm)
vs
1558cm2 (371x420mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
| General |
Focal Aria Evo X No4 |
Bowers & Wilkins 703 S3 |
| Brand |
Focal |
Bowers Wilkins |
| Speaker Type |
Floor-standing speaker |
Floor-standing speaker |
| Power Range |
40-350 watts |
30-200 watts |
| Sensitivity |
92.5 dB |
90 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Impedance |
2.5 ohms |
3.1 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
37-30kHz |
46-28k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
6.5" |
6.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
Flax |
Aerofoil |
| Woofer Surround Material |
TMD |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
inverted dome |
n/a |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
6.5" |
6" |
| Crossover Frequency |
280 Hz - 2600 Hz |
n/a |
| Firing Direction |
front |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
1150.0mm (45.3") |
1117.0mm (44") |
| Width |
371.0mm (14.6") |
192.0mm (7.6") |
| Depth |
420.0mm (16.5") |
353.0mm (13.9") |
| Weight |
35.00kg (77lbs) |
28.81kg (63.4lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
n/a |
MDF/Lacquer |
| Available Colors |
Black High Gloss, Prime Walnut, Moss Green High Gloss |
Gloss Black,Satin White,Mocha,Rosenut |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
No |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |