In this review, we will be comparing AC2 and HTM71 S3, two Passive Center Channel speakers from Spendor and Bowers Wilkins.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Spendor AC2 and B&W HTM71 S3 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Spendor AC2 | B&W HTM71 S3 |
|---|
| Brand | Spendor
United Kingdom · founded 1969 | Bowers Wilkins
United Kingdom · founded 1966 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 3-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 0.87" | 1" Solid Body Soft-Dome |
|---|
| Midrange | — | 4" |
|---|
| Woofer | 7.09" | 4 x 5" Aerofoil Profile |
|---|
| Frequency response | 49-25k Hz | 50-28k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 86 dB | 89 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | — | 30-200 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 9.00kg / 19.8lbs | 17.50kg / 38.5lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 6.5" x 18.5" x 10.8"
165.1 x 469.9 x 274.3mm | 9-1/4" x 24-3/4" x 14"
235.0 x 629.0 x 356.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Spendor AC2 and B&W HTM71 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:
| Listening Environment* |
Spendor AC2 |
B&W HTM71 S3 |
| Near-field |
Good |
Poor |
| Small Room |
Good |
Average |
| Mid-size Room |
Average |
Good |
| Large Room |
Poor |
Average |
| Very Large Room |
No way |
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.)
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 AC2 is a 2-way design whereas the HTM71 S3 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.
Spendor AC2B&W HTM71 S3
TweeterMidrangeWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
Spendor AC2 |
B&W HTM71 S3 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
0.87-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
1 x 4-inch |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 7.09-inch
|
4 x 5-inch
|
AC2 features a 0.87" Tweeter and 1 x 7.09" Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 3.9 kHz. On the other hand, the HTM71 S3 features a 1" Decoupled Carbon Solid Body Soft-Dome Tweeter, a 4" Midrange and 4 x 5" Aerofoil Profile Woofer.
Frequency Response
AC2 has a frequency range of 49-25k Hz whereas HTM71 S3 has a frequency range of 50-28k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 49Hz, the AC2 can go slightly deeper then the HTM71 S3's min frequency of 50Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Center Channel class in our database.
Low Frequency
Center Channel 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
AC2 and HTM71 S3 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. AC2 sensitivity is rated at 86 dB and the HTM71 S3's is at 89 dB. This 3 dB difference makes the B&W HTM71 S3 a more sensitive speaker compared to Spendor AC2, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Center Channel Speakers
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
HTM71 S3 features Binding post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. AC2 has a Binding post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
B&W HTM71 S3'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 Spendor AC2's and B&W HTM71 S3's external dimensions. Spendor AC2 has external dimensions of 165.1 x 469.9 x 274.3mm (6.5 x 18.5 x 10.8inch) whereas B&W HTM71 S3 has external dimensions of 235.0 x 629.0 x 356.0mm (9-1/4inch x 24-3/4inch x 14inch).
B&W HTM71 S3 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 159.1mm wider, 69.9mm taller and 81.7mm deeper than Spendor AC2.
Size, drawn to scale
Both speakers and both views share one scale, so everything here is directly comparable. Hover a box for its dimensions.
One scale for both, standing on the same surface and pushed back to the same wall, so the deeper one visibly sticks out further.
B&W HTM71 S3 needs about 74% more floor or shelf area. B&W HTM71 S3 is 82mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. B&W HTM71 S3 is 70mm 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 Spendor AC2 is approximately 1288.9cm2 / 199.8inch2 and base area of the B&W HTM71 S3 is approximately 2239.2cm2 / 347.1inch2. The AC2 requires 42% less surface area than the HTM71 S3 which gives it a small advantage 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 Spendor AC2 weighs 9.00kg / 19.8lbs and the B&W HTM71 S3 weighs 17.50kg / 38.5lbs. This makes the HTM71 S3 94% heavier than the AC2.
Here is a comparison of how AC2 and HTM71 S3's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Center Channel class.
Weight
All Center Channel Speakers
What's in the Box of B&W HTM71 S3?
Here are the items that come with the HTM71 S3:
- Center-channel loudspeaker
- Grille
- Two-piece foam port plug
- 4 Self-adhesive rubber feet
- 4 Jumper-straps (pre-installed)
- Manual
- Bowers & Wilkins brochure
- Warranty Information
- Online Registration Card
 Woofer Size |
7.09 inches
vs
5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
49 Hz
vs
50 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Height |
165mm
vs
235mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
1288cm2
vs
2239cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Driver Setup |
3-way
vs
2-way
|
Have a dedicated mid-range driver |
 Sensitivity |
89 dB
vs
86 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
|
Number of Woofers |
4
vs
1
|
More woofers |
 High Frequency Response |
28k Hz
vs
25k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
| General |
Spendor AC2 |
Bowers & Wilkins HTM71 S3 |
| Brand |
Spendor |
Bowers Wilkins |
| Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker |
Center channel speaker |
| Sensitivity |
86 dB |
89 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Impedance |
6.6 ohms |
n/a |
| Frequency Response |
49-25k Hz |
50-28k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
4 |
| Woofer Size |
7.09" |
5" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
Aerofoil Profile |
| Tweeter Size |
0.87" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
n/a |
Solid Body Soft-Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
4" |
| Crossover Frequency |
3.9 kHz |
n/a |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
165.1mm (6.5") |
235.0mm (9.3") |
| Width |
469.9mm (18.5") |
629.0mm (24.8") |
| Depth |
274.3mm (10.8") |
356.0mm (14") |
| Weight |
9.00kg (19.8lbs) |
17.50kg (38.5lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Acoustic Suspension |
Bass Reflex |
| Available Colors |
n/a |
Gloss Black |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
n/a |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
|
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
|
5 Years |
A generation apart: B&W HTM71 S3 is the newer design, against a 2018 model. Newer is not automatically better, but the older one is more likely to be discounted or near run-out.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | evenly matched | Much the same reach (49Hz vs 50Hz). |
| Amplifier needs | B | B&W HTM71 S3 is more sensitive (89dB vs 86dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Size | depends | Spendor AC2 is easier to place; B&W HTM71 S3 is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Cabinet | depends | Sealed vs Ported. Sealed is tighter and happier near a wall; ported digs lower but wants space behind it. |
| Expandability | B | B&W HTM71 S3: bi-amping. |
| Price | evenly matched | Much the same money ($2,499 vs $2,499 a pair). |
A Spendor AC2 B B&W HTM71 S3
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?
B&W HTM71 S3 has the edge on paper, though the margin is not large. The rows marked "depends" may matter more to you than the score does. Match it to your room: we rate Spendor AC2 the better fit for near-field listening and a small room, and B&W HTM71 S3 for a mid-size room and a large room. In a large or open-plan room, B&W HTM71 S3 has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, Spendor AC2 is the easier speaker to get right.
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.