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Bowers Wilkins Bowers & Wilkins HTM72 S3 Review
Bowers & Wilkins HTM72 S3

Main Features

  • 1" Decoupled Soft-Dome Tweeter
  • 2 x 5" Continuum cone Woofer
  • 70-28k Hz Frequency Response
  • 87 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 8ohms
  • Power Range: 30-120watts
  • Weight:21.30 lbs / 9.70 kg
  • Dimensions(HxWxD): 6-1/2"x18-13/16"x11-15/16" / 166.0 x 478.0 x 304.0mm
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B&W HTM72 S3 Review

Bowers & Wilkins HTM72 S3 is a 2-way Passive Ported 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 Soft-Dome Tweeter and 2 x 5" Continuum cone Woofer. The speaker has a frequency range of 70-28k Hz and a sensitivity of 87 dB. B&W HTM72 S3 has an MSRP of 1499$.

What size of room is the B&W HTM72 S3 speaker good for?

The size of the room in which you are planning to use the B&W HTM72 S3 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 replaced the older HTM72 S2 with this model. Follow the link to read our detailed comparison of these models:
Compare B&W HTM72 S3 vs BW HTM72 S2

What are the speakers in Bowers Wilkins's 700 S3 Series?

HTM72 S3 is a member of Bowers Wilkins's 700 S3 series of Passive speakers. Below you can see the main specs of these speakers.

Bowers Wilkins 700 S3 Series Speakers
Model Frequency SensitivityImpedance Woofer
B&W 702 S3
Compare
46-28k Hz 90 dB8Ω 3 x 6.5"
B&W 704 S3
Compare
46-28k Hz 88 dB8Ω 2 x 5"
B&W 706 S3
Compare
50-28k Hz 88 dB8Ω 1 x 6.5"
B&W 705 S3
Compare
50-28k Hz 88 dB8Ω 1 x 6.5"
B&W 703 S3
Compare
46-28k Hz 90 dB8Ω 2 x 6.5"
B&W 707 S3
Compare
50-28k Hz 84 dB8Ω 1 x 5"
B&W HTM71 S3
Compare
50-28k Hz 89 dB8Ω 4 x 5"
B&W HTM72 S3
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 B&W HTM72 S3 speaker?

B&W HTM72 S3 has a Frequency response range of 70-28k Hz at ±3dB and Power Range of 30-120 watts. Here we have a comparison of how HTM72 S3'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
B&W HTM72 S3
Min
Average
Max
High Frequency
Center Channel Speakers
B&W HTM72 S3
Min
Average
Max


What are the Impedance and Sensitivity of the B&W HTM72 S3? Is it an easy-to-drive speaker?

B&W HTM72 S3's nominal impedance level is 8 ohms but can go down to as low as 3 ohms, and has a sensitivity of 87 dB.

Sensitivity
Center Channel Speakers
B&W HTM72 S3
Min
Average
Max

8 Ohms is pretty much the standard nominal impedance amongst stereo speakers and amplifiers so Bowers & Wilkins HTM72 S3 is not considered a difficult to drive speaker from nominal Impedance perspective.

Sensitivity

With a sensitivity level of only 87 dB, Bowers & Wilkins HTM72 S3 is a difficult to drive speaker from Sensitivity perspective, make sure to choose an amplifier with a high output if you like listening to your music at high volume levels. You may especially have a hard time using Tube amplifiers which are traditionally very low power compared to Class A/B or Class D speakers.

Minimum Impedance of B&W HTM72 S3

Even though the nominal impedance of the HTM72 S3 is 8 ohms, the minimum impedance level of this speaker according to Bowers Wilkins is 3 ohms Bowers & Wilkins HTM72 S3 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 B&W HTM72 S3:

  • Integrated Amps under 1000 USD
  • Integrated Amps under 1500 USD
  • Integrated Amps under 2000 USD
  • All Integrated Amplifiers

Input Type

HTM72 S3 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.

B&W HTM72 S3 Back View
B&W HTM72 S3 Back View

B&W HTM72 S3 External Dimensions and Weight

B&W HTM72 S3 has external dimensions of (Height x Width x Depth) 6-1/2inch x 18-13/16inch x 11-15/16inch (166.0 x 478.0 x 304.0mm ).

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 B&W HTM72 S3 is approximately 1453.1cm2 / 225.2inch2.

Weight

The B&W HTM72 S3 weighs 9.70kg / 21.3lbs per piece. Here is a comparison of how HTM72 S3's weight compares with the average, max and min weights in its class.

Weight
All Center Channel Speakers
B&W HTM72 S3
Min
Average
Max
Weight
Center Channel Speakers under $1500
B&W HTM72 S3
Min
Average
Max

Cabinet type and Materials

B&W HTM72 S3 has a Ported type cabinet.

Speaker Feet

B&W HTM72 S3 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

B&W HTM72 S3 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. HTM72 S3 comes with Two-piece foam port plug 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

B&W HTM72 S3 is available in Gloss Black.

Does the B&W HTM72 S3 come with a Grille?

HTM72 S3 comes with magnetic grilles. 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 HTM72 S3 is magnetic type, it is very easy to put it on and off.

B&W HTM72 S3  with Grille
B&W HTM72 S3 with Grille

What's in the Box of B&W HTM72 S3?

Here are the items that are included inside the box of HTM72 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
  • User's Manual

    For more information about how to setup, use and maintain the Bowers & Wilkins HTM72 S3, use the direct link below to download the official manual document:
    Download User Manual for B&W HTM72 S3

    Official Brochure

    Here is a link to download the official brochure for the Bowers & Wilkins HTM72 S3 speaker:
    Official Brochure for B&W HTM72 S3

    Official Product Page

    Official manufacturer's product page for the Bowers & Wilkins HTM72 S3 speaker can be found below:
    Official Product Page for B&W HTM72 S3

    Warranty

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

    Bowers & Wilkins HTM72 S3 Alternatives in Passive Center Channel Speakers
    Model Type Sensitivity Impedance Frequency
    Klipsch RP-504C II
    Compare
    2-way 96 dB 8 ohms 50-25k Hz
    Emotiva Airmotiv C3+
    Compare
    3-way 92 dB 4 ohms 40 Hz – 28 kHz
    BW HTM71 S2
    Compare
    3-way 89 dB 8 ohms 50-28k Hz
    KEF R2c
    Compare
    3-way 87 dB 8 ohms 74-28k Hz
    SVS Ultra Center
    Compare
    3-way 87 dB 8 ohms 45-32k Hz
    BW HTM6 S2
    Compare
    2-way 87 dB 8 ohms 72-28k 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
    Dali Opticon VOKAL II
    Compare
    3-way 88 dB 4 ohms 47-30k Hz
    Klipsch RC-64 III
    Compare
    2-way 99 dB 8 ohms 57-24k Hz
    Frequently Asked Questions about Bowers & Wilkins HTM72 S3
    What is the External Dimensions of Bowers & Wilkins HTM72 S3
    What is the Speaker Sensitivity of Bowers & Wilkins HTM72 S3
    is the Bowers & Wilkins HTM72 S3 an easy to drive speaker?



    B&W HTM72 S3 Detailed Specifications

    General
    BrandBowers Wilkins
    Full Model NameBowers & Wilkins HTM72 S3
    Speaker Type2-way Center Channel
    Power Range30-120 watts
    Sensitivity87 dB
    Impedance8 ohms
    Frequency Response70-28k Hz
    DRIVERS
    Woofer Size5-inch
    Woofer CompositionContinuum cone
    Tweeter Size1-inch
    Tweeter TypeDecoupled Soft-Dome
    Port Positionrear

    CONNECTIONS
    Connector TypeBinding post
    Biamp InputsYes
    Port Positionrear
    PHYSICAL SPECS
    Height166.0mm ( 6-1/2-inch)
    Width478.0mm ( 18-13/16-inch)
    Depth304.0mm ( 11-15/16-inch)
    Height166.0mm ( 6-1/2-inch)
    Weight9.70kg ( 21.30 lbs)
    EnclosurePorted
    Available ColorsGloss Black
    Mounting BracketNo
    GrilleYes
    Moisture ResistanceNo
    OTHER
    Handheld RemoteNo
    Parts Warranty5 Years
    Labor Warranty5 Years
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