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Bowers Wilkins Bowers & Wilkins HTM71 S2 Review
Bowers & Wilkins HTM71 S2

Main Features

  • 1" Decoupled Carbon Dome Tweeter
  • 4" Continuum Midrange
  • 2 x 6.5" Aerofoil Profile Woofer
  • 50-28k Hz Frequency Response
  • 89 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 8ohms
  • Power Range: 30-200watts
  • Weight:39.70 lbs / 18.05 kg
  • Dimensions(HxWxD): 8-15/16"x23-1/4"x11-7/8" / 228.0 x 591.0 x 302.0mm
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BW HTM71 S2 Review

Bowers & Wilkins HTM71 S2 is a 3-way Passive Bass Reflex Center Channel speaker by Bowers Wilkins. Center channel speaker is an important component of a home theater system set-up as it delivers the listener significant part of the on-screen dialogue from your television. It features a 1" Decoupled Carbon Dome Tweeter, 1 x 4" Midrange and 2 x 6.5" Aerofoil Profile Woofer. The speaker has a frequency range of 50-28k Hz and a sensitivity of 89 dB. BW HTM71 S2 has an MSRP of 1999$ but can often be found around 1599$ per pair.

What size of room is the BW HTM71 S2 speaker good for?

The size of the room in which you are planning to use the BW HTM71 S2 is an important decision factor. Here we have evaluated its suitability to various sizes of environments considering its size and max power parameters:

Listening Environment* Suitability
Near-fieldPoor
Small RoomAverage
Mid-size RoomGood
Large RoomAverage
Very Large RoomPoor

(* 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.)

Bowers Wilkins later replaced HTM71 S2 with HTM71 S3. Follow the link to read our in-depth comparison of these speakers:
Compare BW HTM71 S2 vs B&W HTM71 S3

What are the speakers in Bowers Wilkins's 700 S2 Anniversary Edition Series?

HTM71 S2 is a member of Bowers Wilkins's 700 S2 Anniversary Edition series of Passive speakers. Below you can see the main specs of these speakers.

Bowers Wilkins 700 S2 Anniversary Edition Series Speakers
Model Frequency SensitivityImpedance Woofer
B&W 706 S2
Compare
50-28k Hz 88 dB8Ω 1 x 6.5"
B&W 703 S2
Compare
46-28k Hz 89 dB8Ω 2 x 6.5"
B&W 704 S2
Compare
48-28k Hz 88 dB8Ω 2 x 5"
B&W 705 S2
Compare
50-28k Hz 88 dB8Ω 1 x 6.5"
B&W 707 S2
Compare
50-28k Hz 84 dB8Ω 1 x 5"
B&W 702 S2
Compare
46-28k Hz 90 dB8Ω 3 x 6.5"
BW HTM71 S2
50-28k Hz 89 dB8Ω 2 x 6.5"
BW HTM72 S2
Compare
70-28k Hz 87 dB8Ω 2 x 5"


**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.

What is the Frequency Response of the BW HTM71 S2 speaker?

BW HTM71 S2 has a Frequency response range of 50-28k Hz at ±3dB (-6dB at 45Hz and 33kHz) and Power Range of 30-200 watts. Here we have a comparison of how HTM71 S2's Low and High frequency values compare with the average, max and min Low and High frequency values in its class.

Low Frequency
Center Channel Speakers
BW HTM71 S2
Min
Average
Max
High Frequency
Center Channel Speakers
BW HTM71 S2
Min
Average
Max


What are the Impedance and Sensitivity of the BW HTM71 S2? Is it an easy-to-drive speaker?

BW HTM71 S2's nominal impedance level is 8 ohms but can go down to as low as 3.0 ohms, and has a sensitivity of 89 dB.

Sensitivity
Center Channel Speakers
BW HTM71 S2
Min
Average
Max

8 Ohms is pretty much the standard nominal impedance amongst stereo speakers and amplifiers so Bowers & Wilkins HTM71 S2 is not considered a difficult to drive speaker from nominal Impedance perspective.

Sensitivity

89dB of Bowers & Wilkins HTM71 S2 is an average sensitivity for stereo speaker so it is neither easy nor difficult to drive Sensitivity wise.

Minimum Impedance of BW HTM71 S2

Even though the nominal impedance of the HTM71 S2 is 8 ohms, the minimum impedance level of this speaker according to Bowers Wilkins is 3.0 ohms Bowers & Wilkins HTM71 S2 so while choosing an amplifier, you should ideally check if the unit you are considering can provide this impedance level.

Check the amplifiers that are in a similar price range to the BW HTM71 S2:

  • Integrated Amps under 1500 USD
  • Integrated Amps under 2000 USD
  • Integrated Amps under 3000 USD
  • All Integrated Amplifiers

Input Type

HTM71 S2 has Binding post type connectors and lets bi-amping/bi-wiring. Bi-wiring can provide improvements in the overall transparency of your loudspeakers by running separate speaker wires to the low & high frequency drivers from a single amplifier. Bi-amping allows the use of separate amplifiers for the high & low frequency drivers of your loudspeaker which may result in greater dynamic range & lower distortion.

BW HTM71 S2 External Dimensions and Weight

BW HTM71 S2 has external dimensions of (Height x Width x Depth) 8-15/16 x 23-1/4 x 11-7/8inch (228.0 x 591.0 x 302.0mm ).

Base Surface Area
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited. The base area of BW HTM71 S2 is approximately 1784.8cm2 / 276.6inch2.

Weight

The BW HTM71 S2 weighs 18.05kg / 39.7lbs per piece. Here is a comparison of how HTM71 S2's weight compares with the average, max and min weights in its class.

Weight
All Center Channel Speakers
BW HTM71 S2
Min
Average
Max
Weight
Center Channel Speakers under $2000
BW HTM71 S2
Min
Average
Max

How does the BW HTM71 S2 compare to the Bowers Wilkins HTM71 S3?

One of the natural alternative to the BW HTM71 S2 is the HTM71 S3 which is located one step higher in Bowers Wilkins's Passive Center Channel selection.

Check the Detailed Comparison of BW HTM71 S2 vs HTM71 S3 for more details.

Cabinet type and Materials

BW HTM71 S2 has a Bass Reflex type cabinet. Bass Reflex type loudspeakers (aka Ported, Vented or Reflex Port) have enclosures that uses a port, hole or vent cut into the cabinet. Ported designs are generally more efficient than the Sealed designs.

Speaker Feet

BW HTM71 S2 comes with 4 Self-adhesive rubber feet which you can use to secure your loudspeaker on the surface that you are putting on.

It is always recommended to use some kind of feet under all types of speakers. Besides limiting the movement of the speakers, it also compensates for non-flat surfaces and limits the contact surface area of the speaker. Rubber based feet also help isolating the vibrations within certain frequency ranges.

Port Position

BW HTM71 S2 is a rear-firing port speaker so you have to make sure you leave enough space between the back of the speaker and wall or bookshelf so that it has room to breathe. HTM71 S2 comes with 2 Two-piece foam port plugs so if you don't have any choice but place the speakers too close to the walls or other surfaces, you can use these plugs in order to avoid boomy or too much bass.

Available colors

BW HTM71 S2 is available in Gloss Black, Satin White and Rosenut.

Does the BW HTM71 S2 come with a Grille?

HTM71 S2 comes with magnetic grilles in Black and Grey color choices. The purpose of the grille is to protect the delicate driver elements from external impacts while still allowing the sound to pass as clearly as possible. Since the included grille of the HTM71 S2 is magnetic type, it is very easy to put it on and off.

BW HTM71 S2  with Grille
BW HTM71 S2 with Grille

What's in the Box of BW HTM71 S2?

Here are the items that are included inside the box of HTM71 S2:
  • Center-channel loudspeaker
  • Grille
  • 2 Two-piece foam port plugs
  • 4 Self-adhesive rubber feet
  • 4 Jumper-straps (pre-installed)
  • Manual
  • Bowers Wilkins brochure
  • Warranty Information
  • User's Manual

    For more information about how to setup, use and maintain the Bowers & Wilkins HTM71 S2, use the direct link below to download the official manual document:
    Download User Manual for BW HTM71 S2

    Official Brochure

    Here is a link to download the official brochure for the Bowers & Wilkins HTM71 S2 speaker:
    Official Brochure for BW HTM71 S2

    Official Product Page

    Official manufacturer's product page for the Bowers & Wilkins HTM71 S2 speaker can be found below:
    Official Product Page for BW HTM71 S2

    Warranty

    5 Years of parts warranty and 5 Years of labor warranty is generally provided by the manufacturer.

    Bowers & Wilkins HTM71 S2 Alternatives in Passive Center Channel Speakers
    Model Type Sensitivity Impedance Frequency
    KEF R2c
    Compare
    3-way 87 dB 8 ohms 74-28k Hz
    Monitor Audio Silver C250 7G
    Compare
    3-way 88.5 dB 8 ohms 65-35k Hz
    BW HTM72 S2
    Compare
    2-way 87 dB 8 ohms 70-28k Hz
    Klipsch RC-64 III
    Compare
    2-way 99 dB 8 ohms 57-24k Hz
    MartinLogan 50XTi
    Compare
    3-way 94 dB 4 ohms 50-25k Hz
    Sonus Sonetto Center II
    Compare
    3-way 91 dB 4 ohms 42-25k Hz
    Dali Opticon VOKAL II
    Compare
    3-way 88 dB 4 ohms 47-30k Hz
    Polk L400
    Compare
    3-way 87.5 dB 4 ohms 55-38k Hz
    Sonus Sonetto Center I
    Compare
    2-way 90 dB 4 ohms 60-25k Hz
    B&W HTM71 S3
    Compare
    3-way 89 dB 8 ohms 50-28k Hz
    Frequently Asked Questions about Bowers & Wilkins HTM71 S2
    What is the External Dimensions of Bowers & Wilkins HTM71 S2
    What is the Speaker Sensitivity of Bowers & Wilkins HTM71 S2
    is the Bowers & Wilkins HTM71 S2 an easy to drive speaker?



    BW HTM71 S2 Detailed Specifications

    General
    BrandBowers Wilkins
    Full Model NameBowers & Wilkins HTM71 S2
    Speaker Type3-way Center Channel
    Power Range30-200 watts
    Sensitivity89 dB
    Impedance8 ohms
    Frequency Response50-28k Hz
    DRIVERS
    Woofer Size6.5-inch
    Woofer CompositionAerofoil Profile
    Woofer SurroundRubber
    Tweeter Size1-inch
    Tweeter TypeDecoupled Carbon Dome
    Midrange Size4-inch
    Port Positionrear

    CONNECTIONS
    Connector TypeBinding post
    Biamp InputsYes
    Port Positionrear
    PHYSICAL SPECS
    Height228.0mm ( 8-15/16-inch)
    Width591.0mm ( 23-1/4-inch)
    Depth302.0mm ( 11-7/8-inch)
    Height228.0mm ( 8-15/16-inch)
    Weight18.05kg ( 39.70 lbs)
    EnclosureBass Reflex
    Available ColorsGloss Black, Satin White, Rosenut
    Mounting BracketNo
    GrilleYes
    Moisture ResistanceNo
    OTHER
    Handheld RemoteNo
    Parts Warranty5 Years
    Labor Warranty5 Years
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