Power needed
9.5–150 W
per channel, into 8 ohms
To hit 95 dB peaks at 3 m from a pair of B&W 703 S2, you need at least 9.5 W a channel. Anything from about 19 W to 150 W a channel is comfortable; past that, more watts stop buying you anything.
Show the working
- 95 dB target at the seat
- +4.8 dB for 3.0 m of distance
- -3 dB for a stereo pair
- -87.0 dB effective sensitivity
- 2 dB allowed for optimistic published sensitivity
- Published sensitivity 89 dB, used as 87.0 dB per watt.
McIntosh MC152 with the B&W 703 S2
Good match
12 dB of headroom, far more than needed. No harm in it.
Rated down to 2 ohms - stable into anything this speaker will throw at it.
No 4 ohm power rating on file. On a 8 ohm speaker dipping to 3.1 that is the figure that matters, so this one is unproven on the load.
A power amplifier: you will need a preamplifier, or a streamer with a volume control, as well.
Full McIntosh MC152 specs
·
Clear this amp
224 integrated amplifiers suit the B&W 703 S2
Also show the 1 we do not recommend
1
Excellent match
13 dB of headroom, far more than needed. No harm in it.
Rated down to 2 ohms - stable into anything this speaker will throw at it.
Power nearly doubles into 4 ohms (200 W to 400 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
2
Excellent match
11 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated down to 2 ohms - stable into anything this speaker will throw at it.
Power nearly doubles into 4 ohms (125 W to 250 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Costs more than the speakers - worth it only if you plan to upgrade them later.
3
Good match
9 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated down to 2 ohms - stable into anything this speaker will throw at it.
No 4 ohm power rating on file. On a 8 ohm speaker dipping to 3.1 that is the figure that matters, so this one is unproven on the load.
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
4
Good match
12 dB of headroom, far more than needed. No harm in it.
Rated down to 2 ohms - stable into anything this speaker will throw at it.
No 4 ohm power rating on file. On a 8 ohm speaker dipping to 3.1 that is the figure that matters, so this one is unproven on the load.
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
5
Excellent match
11 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated down to 2 ohms - stable into anything this speaker will throw at it.
Power nearly doubles into 4 ohms (125 W to 250 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Costs more than the speakers - worth it only if you plan to upgrade them later.
6
Good match
12 dB of headroom, far more than needed. No harm in it.
Rated down to 2 ohms - stable into anything this speaker will throw at it.
Rated at the same 150 W into 4 ohms as into 8 - the power supply runs out before the load does.
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
7
Good match
12 dB of headroom, far more than needed. No harm in it.
Rated down to 2 ohms - stable into anything this speaker will throw at it.
No 4 ohm power rating on file. On a 8 ohm speaker dipping to 3.1 that is the figure that matters, so this one is unproven on the load.
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
8
Good match
12 dB of headroom, far more than needed. No harm in it.
Rated down to 2 ohms - stable into anything this speaker will throw at it.
No 4 ohm power rating on file. On a 8 ohm speaker dipping to 3.1 that is the figure that matters, so this one is unproven on the load.
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
9
Workable with care
10 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
This amplifier does not publish a minimum impedance. An 8 ohm speaker is a safe bet even so.
Power nearly doubles into 4 ohms (100 W to 200 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
10
Workable with care
10 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Has a 8 ohm tap, which is exactly what this 8 ohm speaker wants. Taps: 4 / 8 ohm. This speaker swings from 8 ohms nominal down to 3.1, and a valve amplifier follows that curve - expect an audible tonal shift, not damage.
A valve amplifier makes the same power on each tap, so what matters is sensitivity - and at 87.0 dB this speaker is efficient enough that 100 W is comfortable.
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
11
Workable with care
10 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
This amplifier does not publish a minimum impedance. An 8 ohm speaker is a safe bet even so.
Power nearly doubles into 4 ohms (100 W to 200 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
12
Workable with care
9 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated to 4 ohms, but this speaker dips to 3.1. Fine at sane volume, tight if you push it hard.
Power nearly doubles into 4 ohms (80 W to 160 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
13
Workable with care
9 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated to 4 ohms, but this speaker dips to 3.1. Fine at sane volume, tight if you push it hard.
Power nearly doubles into 4 ohms (80 W to 160 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
14
Good match
10 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated down to 2 ohms - stable into anything this speaker will throw at it.
No 4 ohm power rating on file. On a 8 ohm speaker dipping to 3.1 that is the figure that matters, so this one is unproven on the load.
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
15
Workable with care
10 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated to 4 ohms, but this speaker dips to 3.1. Fine at sane volume, tight if you push it hard.
Power nearly doubles into 4 ohms (100 W to 200 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Sensible value pick against these speakers.
16
Workable with care
12 dB of headroom, far more than needed. No harm in it.
This amplifier does not publish a minimum impedance. An 8 ohm speaker is a safe bet even so.
Power nearly doubles into 4 ohms (150 W to 300 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
17
Workable with care
10 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated to 4 ohms, but this speaker dips to 3.1. Fine at sane volume, tight if you push it hard.
Power nearly doubles into 4 ohms (100 W to 200 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
18
Workable with care
10 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated to 4 ohms, but this speaker dips to 3.1. Fine at sane volume, tight if you push it hard.
Power rises usefully into 4 ohms (90 W to 150 W).
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
19
Workable with care
12 dB of headroom, far more than needed. No harm in it.
This amplifier does not publish a minimum impedance. An 8 ohm speaker is a safe bet even so.
Power nearly doubles into 4 ohms (150 W to 300 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
20
Workable with care
10 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
This amplifier does not publish a minimum impedance. An 8 ohm speaker is a safe bet even so.
Power rises usefully into 4 ohms (100 W to 150 W).
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
Showing the best 20 of 224. Narrow it with the price range below, or a different budget split.
68 power amplifiers that would also drive them
Listed separately because they are not a complete system: a power amplifier has no volume control and no inputs to speak of, so you need a preamplifier or a streaming preamp as well. Worth it if you already own one, or if you want to buy the two halves separately.
1
Excellent match
14 dB of headroom, far more than needed. No harm in it.
Rated down to 1 ohms - stable into anything this speaker will throw at it.
Power nearly doubles into 4 ohms (250 W to 450 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
2
Excellent match
10 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated down to 2 ohms - stable into anything this speaker will throw at it.
Power nearly doubles into 4 ohms (100 W to 190 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Costs more than the speakers - worth it only if you plan to upgrade them later.
3
Good match
12 dB of headroom, far more than needed. No harm in it.
Rated down to 2 ohms - stable into anything this speaker will throw at it.
Power rises usefully into 4 ohms (160 W to 240 W).
Sensible value pick against these speakers.
4
Excellent match
13 dB of headroom, far more than needed. No harm in it.
Rated down to 2 ohms - stable into anything this speaker will throw at it.
Power nearly doubles into 4 ohms (175 W to 345 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Costs more than the speakers - worth it only if you plan to upgrade them later.
5
Good match
13 dB of headroom, far more than needed. No harm in it.
Rated down to 2 ohms - stable into anything this speaker will throw at it.
Power rises usefully into 4 ohms (200 W to 320 W).
Sensible value pick against these speakers.
6
Workable with care
10 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Has a 8 ohm tap, which is exactly what this 8 ohm speaker wants. Taps: 4 / 8 ohm. This speaker swings from 8 ohms nominal down to 3.1, and a valve amplifier follows that curve - expect an audible tonal shift, not damage.
A valve amplifier makes the same power on each tap, so what matters is sensitivity - and at 87.0 dB this speaker is efficient enough that 100 W is comfortable.
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
7
Workable with care
11 dB of headroom over what this speaker needs - peaks stay clean.
Rated to 4 ohms, but this speaker dips to 3.1. Fine at sane volume, tight if you push it hard.
Power nearly doubles into 4 ohms (125 W to 250 W) - a stiff supply that copes with hard loads.
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
8
Good match
12 dB of headroom, far more than needed. No harm in it.
Rated down to 2 ohms - stable into anything this speaker will throw at it.
No 4 ohm power rating on file. On a 8 ohm speaker dipping to 3.1 that is the figure that matters, so this one is unproven on the load.
Balanced against the price of the speakers.
Were these amplifier recommendations useful?
It helps us tune the matching, and we read every comment.
Thanks. Anything you would add?
Optional, and it goes straight to the person who maintains this page.
Thanks - noted.
Sensitivity and impedance figures are the manufacturer's own. We read sensitivity as dB at 2.83 V/1 m and take 2 dB off it, because published figures run high. Treat the result as a well-founded starting point, not a measurement. Full B&W 703 S2 specs.
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