In this review, we will be comparing Passif 50 and 705 S3, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from PSB and Bowers Wilkins. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of PSB Passif 50 and B&W 705 S3 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the PSB Passif 50 and B&W 705 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 PSB Passif 50 and B&W 705 S3 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 Passif 50 and 705 S3 are 2-way speakers.
| Driver |
PSB Passif 50 |
B&W 705 S3 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
Passif 50 features a 1" titanium dome with ferrofluid and neodymium magnet Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" cast aluminum basket, paper cone Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 1800Hz. On the other hand, the 705 S3 features a 1" Decoupled Carbon Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Continuum Woofer .
Frequency Response
Passif 50 has a frequency range of 50-20k Hz whereas 705 S3 has a frequency range of 50-28k Hz.
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
Passif 50 is a 6 ohms speaker compared to the 705 S3 which has a nominal impedance of 8 ohms.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. Passif 50 sensitivity is rated at 87 dB and the 705 S3's is rated at 88 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the PSB Passif 50 a more sensitive speaker compared to B&W 705 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.
Passif 50 can handle a max power of 200 watts RMS from the amp the whereas 705 S3 has a max power handling value of 120 watts RMS, 80 watts less than the Passif 50.
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 Passif 50 and 705 S3 features dual binding post speaker terminals for bi-amping or bi-wiring.
PSB Passif 50's 5-Way post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
B&W 705 S3'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 PSB Passif 50's and B&W 705 S3's external dimensions. PSB Passif 50 has external dimensions of 660 × 280 × 254mm ( 26 x 11 x 10-inch) whereas B&W 705 S3 has external dimensions of 413.0 x 192.0 x 297.0mm ( 16.3-inch x 7.6-inch x 13.3-inch) .
B&W 705 S3 is 88mm narrower and 247mm shorter than PSB Passif 50 but it is also 43mm deeper.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of PSB Passif 50 and B&W 705 S3 in scale.
Comparison image of PSB Passif 50 and B&W 705 S3 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 PSB Passif 50 is approximately 712.0cm2 / 110.4inch2 and base area of the B&W 705 S3 is approximately 570.2cm2 / 88.4inch2. The Passif 50 requires 25% more surface area than the 705 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 PSB Passif 50 weighs 13.70kg / 30.1lbs and the B&W 705 S3 weighs 9.58kg / 21.1lbs. This makes the Passif 50 43% heavier than the 705 S3.
Here is a comparison of how Passif 50 and 705 S3'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 705 S3?
Here are the items that come with the 705 S3:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers2 Grilles2 Two-piece foam port plugs8 Self-adhesive rubber feet4 Jumper-straps Manual Bowers & Wilkins brochureWarranty Information
 Max Input Power |
200 watts
vs
120 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Sensitivity |
89 dB
vs
88 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Minimum Impedance |
4 ohms
vs
3.1 ohms
|
Very low impedance levels puts more pressure on amplifier |
| Passive Radiator |
one 8-inch
vs
None
|
Increases the bass performance |
 Price per pair* |
2499USD
vs
3398USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
6 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
 High Frequency Response |
28k Hz
vs
20k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
413mm
vs
660mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
570cm2 (192x297mm)
vs
712cm2 (280x254mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
| General |
PSB Passif 50 |
Bowers & Wilkins 705 S3 |
| Brand |
PSB |
Bowers Wilkins |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
30-200 Watts watts |
30-120 watts |
| Sensitivity |
87 dB |
88 dB |
| Impedance |
6 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
3.1 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
50-20k Hz |
50-28k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
6.5" |
6.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
cast aluminum basket, paper cone |
Continuum |
| Woofer Surround Material |
cast aluminum basket, paper cone |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Dome |
Decoupled Carbon Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
1800Hz |
n/a |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
660.0mm (26") |
413.0mm (16.3") |
| Width |
280.0mm (11") |
192.0mm (7.6") |
| Depth |
254.0mm (10") |
297.0mm (11.7") |
| Weight |
13.70kg (30.1lbs) |
9.58kg (21.1lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Passive Radiator |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
open-grain walnut veneer |
MDF/Wood veneer |
| Available Colors |
Open-Grain Walnut |
Gloss Black,Satin White,Mocha,Rosenut |
| Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
| Recommended Stand Height |
n/a |
24-26" |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
Yes |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |