In this review, we will be comparing Concord and 703 S2, two Passive Floor-standing speakers from KLH and Bowers Wilkins.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of KLH Concord and B&W 703 S2 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | KLH Concord | B&W 703 S2 |
|---|
| Brand | KLH
United States · founded 1957 | Bowers Wilkins
United Kingdom · founded 1966 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 3-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" | 1" |
|---|
| Midrange | — | 6" |
|---|
| Woofer | 2 x 6.5" Kevlar | 2 x 6.5" Aerofoil |
|---|
| Frequency response | 28-23k Hz | 46-28k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 94 dB | 89 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | up to 225 watts | 30-200 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 20.45kg / 45lbs | 25.00kg / 55lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 40-3/8" x 8-5/16" x 14-15/16"
1026.0 x 212.0 x 380.0mm | 40.4" x 7-7/8" x 12.6"
1025 x 200 x 321 mm |
|---|
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
One of the fundamental differences between these two speakers is that Concord is a 2-way design whereas the 703 S2 is a 3-way speaker. 3-way designs utilize a midrange driver in addition to the tweeter and woofer on 2-way designs. Designing a crossover for a 3-way speaker is a complicated process and generally increases the overall cost of the speaker.
KLH ConcordB&W 703 S2
TweeterMidrangeWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
KLH Concord |
B&W 703 S2 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
1 x 6-inch |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 6.5-inch
|
2 x 6.5-inch
|
Concord features a 1" anodized aluminum Tweeter and 2 x 6.5" Kevlar Woofer. On the other hand, the 703 S2 features a 1" Tweeter, a 6" Midrange and 2 x 6.5" Aerofoil Woofer.
Frequency Response
Concord has a frequency range of 28-23k Hz whereas 703 S2 has a frequency range of 46-28k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 28Hz, the Concord can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the 703 S2's min frequency of 46Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Floor-standing class in our database.
Low Frequency
Floor-standing Speakers
Neither pair reaches down to 20Hz, the usual definition of full-range, which is normal for speakers of this size. If you want the bottom octave for movies or bass-heavy music, add a subwoofer to whichever you choose. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
Concord and 703 S2 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Concord sensitivity is rated at 94 dB and the 703 S2's is at 89 dB. This 5 dB difference makes the KLH Concord a more sensitive speaker compared to B&W 703 S2, 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. Staying
within that range gives nominal performance; driving the speaker beyond its maximum wattage can damage it.
Concord can handle a max power of 225 watts RMS, whereas 703 S2 has a max power handling value of 200 watts RMS, 25 watts less than the Concord.
Note that higher power handling does not make a speaker louder: that depends mainly on
sensitivity and impedance. The calculator below shows how loud each of these actually plays
on a real amplifier.
Which plays louder on your amplifier?
Starting with a popular amplifier - change it to the one you own, or any you are
considering, and watch both numbers move.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
703 S2 features Binding post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. Concord has a 5-Way post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
KLH Concord's 5-Way post terminals
B&W 703 S2's Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
Physical Specs
The size of a speaker can sometimes be an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare KLH Concord's and B&W 703 S2's external dimensions. KLH Concord has external dimensions of 1026.0 x 212.0 x 380.0mm (40-3/8 x 8-5/16 x 14-15/16inch) whereas B&W 703 S2 has external dimensions of 1025 x 200 x 321 mm (40.4 x 7-7/8 x 12.6 inch).
KLH Concord is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 12mm wider, 1mm taller and 59mm deeper than B&W 703 S2.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of KLH Concord and B&W 703 S2 in scale.
Comparison image of KLH Concord and B&W 703 S2 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 KLH Concord is approximately 805.6cm2 / 124.9inch2 and base area of the B&W 703 S2 is approximately 642.0cm2 / 99.5inch2. The Concord requires 25% more surface area than the 703 S2 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 KLH Concord weighs 20.45kg / 45lbs and the B&W 703 S2 weighs 25.00kg / 55lbs. This makes the 703 S2 22% heavier than the Concord.
Here is a comparison of how Concord and 703 S2'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 KLH Concord?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Concord:
- Floorstanding loudspeaker
- Grille
- 4 Spike feet (w/ locking nut attached)
- 4 Protective discs
- 4 Rubber feet
- Port plug
- Manual
- ATTENTION! note
What's in the Box of B&W 703 S2?
Here are the items that come with the 703 S2:
- Floorstanding loudspeaker
- Grille
- Plinth (base)
- 2 Jumper-straps (pre-installed)
- Two-piece foam port plug
- 4 Rubber feet
- 4 Spike feet
- 4 Lock-nuts
- 4 Screws
- 4 Washers
- 4 Lock washers
- Hex-key
- Manual
- Bowers & Wilkins brochure
- Warranty Information
 Max Input Power |
225 watts
vs
200 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Sensitivity |
94 dB
vs
89 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Low Frequency Response |
28 Hz
vs
46 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Price per pair* |
1000USD
vs
5000USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Driver Setup |
3-way
vs
2-way
|
Have a dedicated mid-range driver |
 High Frequency Response |
28k Hz
vs
23k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows bi-amping and bi-wiring connections |
 Height |
1025mm
vs
1026mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
642cm2
vs
805cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
| General |
KLH Concord |
Bowers & Wilkins 703 S2 |
| Brand |
KLH |
Bowers Wilkins |
| Speaker Type |
Floor-standing speaker |
Floor-standing speaker |
| Power Range |
up to 225 watts |
30-200 watts |
| Sensitivity |
94 dB |
89 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Impedance |
n/a |
3.1 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
28-23k Hz |
46-28k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
6.5" |
6.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
Kevlar |
Aerofoil |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Butyl Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
6" |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
1026.0mm (40.4") |
1025.0mm (40.4") |
| Width |
212.0mm (8.3") |
200.0mm (7.9") |
| Depth |
380.0mm (15") |
321.0mm (12.6") |
| Weight |
20.45kg (45lbs) |
25.00kg (55lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF/Wood-grain vinyl |
MDF/Lacquer |
| Available Colors |
Black |
Rosewood, Gloss Black, Satin White |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
No |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
10 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
10 Years |
5 Years |
These sit in different price classes - B&W 703 S2 costs roughly 5x what KLH Concord does. Expect it to lead on paper; the question is whether the gap is audible enough in your room to be worth it.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | A | KLH Concord digs deeper - 28Hz against 46Hz. |
| Amplifier needs | A | KLH Concord is more sensitive (94dB vs 89dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Headroom | evenly matched | Similar power handling (225W vs 200W). |
| Size | depends | B&W 703 S2 is easier to place; KLH Concord is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Expandability | B | B&W 703 S2: bi-amping. |
| Price | A | KLH Concord is cheaper - $1,000 against $5,000, about 80% less; arguably a different class. |
A KLH Concord B B&W 703 S2
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, your system or how you will use them. Only specs published for both speakers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
KLH Concord has the edge on paper, though the margin is not large. The rows marked "depends" may matter more to you than the score does. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 46Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. If your amplifier is modest, vintage or valve-based, KLH Concord is the safer partner - the other will want more current or more watts to sound its best.
And remember what a spec sheet cannot show: how each looks in your room and whether the finish suits it, what dealer support and warranty are like where you live, and how they actually sound to you. If you can hear them first - ideally with your own music - that will tell you more than any number above.