Bowers & Wilkins 603 S3 Floorstanding Speaker Oak - Each

The Largest Speaker in the 600 Series, Built for Rooms That Need It

The Bowers & Wilkins 603 S3 is the largest floorstanding speaker in the 600 Series, a three-way tower with a 1-inch Titanium Dome tweeter, a 6-inch Continuum cone midrange and two 6.5-inch paper bass cones. It is sold each, so a stereo pair is two.

B&W built it for larger rooms and home theaters, where a bigger cabinet and more bass cone area pay off. The tower stands 38.8 inches tall on its plinth, is 7.5 inches wide, and weighs 60.6 pounds. Sensitivity is 90 dB into a nominal 8 ohms, and B&W recommends 30 to 200 watts of amplifier power.

The 600 Series S3 generation carried the Continuum midrange cone down from B&W's pricier ranges, and the new titanium tweeter replaces the outgoing aluminum dome. Two dedicated bass cones below it do the work a single driver could not in a room this size.

Where the Extra Size Goes

A Continuum Midrange, Now With Room to Match

The 6-inch Continuum cone handles only the midrange, decoupled from the cabinet in its own pod so it never has to share duty with the bass. It is the same FST surround technology B&W uses through the 700 Series, brought down to the 600 line.

The titanium dome tweeter is decoupled from the cabinet too, cutting the vibration that would otherwise blur the treble. Two 6.5-inch paper bass cones, each in its own chamber, are what let the 603 S3 fill a larger room without straining.

The Numbers, and What They Ask of Your Amplifier

B&W quotes a frequency range of 29 Hz to 33 kHz at −6 dB. Response is 46 Hz to 28 kHz within 3 dB. Nominal impedance is 8 ohms with a 3.0-ohm minimum, so a good amplifier matters more than a huge one. Keep total speaker cable impedance under 0.1 ohms.

The Flowport ships with a foam plug for tuning the bass to the room and the wall behind it. The plinth is not optional. B&W says the 603 S3 is floor-mounted only, and the plinth must always be fitted, with the supplied spikes for carpet or rubber feet for a hard floor.

What Reviewers Are Saying

What Hi-Fi? tested the 603 S3 and called out "weighty, full sound with plenty of punch" and a "clear and detailed presentation." It also noted the speaker needs some care with partnering to get the timing right.

Jerry Del Colliano, writing for Future Audiophile on July 16, 2025: "the Bowers & Wilkins 603 S3 loudspeakers are a lot of fun to hear. Detailed, open and airy music was riveting to listen to on the 603 S3s."

Who Is This Floorstanding Speaker Best For?

• You have a larger room or a home theater to fill — the 603 S3 is the biggest tower in the 600 Series, with the cone area to match a bigger space
• You want the Continuum midrange without the 700 Series price — the same decoupled FST cone technology, in B&W's most affordable floorstander
• Your amplifier is solid, not necessarily huge — 90 dB sensitivity and a 30 to 200 watt window mean a good integrated amplifier is all it needs
• You are willing to dial in placement — reviewers note the 603 S3 rewards careful partnering and positioning rather than sounding its best anywhere in the room
• You want cinema-depth bass from the towers alone — the 603 S3 is rated to 29 Hz within −6 dB, which covers music and most movies comfortably. For the deepest home-theater effects, add one of our subwoofers and let the towers do what they do best

How Does It Connect to Your System?

Fit the plinth and feet first; the 603 S3 is designed to stand on the floor only. Then place the pair 5 to 10 feet apart and at least 20 inches from the back and side walls. Each cabinet has two linked pairs of binding posts for banana plugs, spades or bare wire. For a normal hookup leave the links in and connect one pair to your amplifier, red to red and black to black.

Remove the links to bi-wire or bi-amplify. Either way, screw the caps down fully so nothing rattles. Give the drivers about 15 hours of play before you judge the bass, and use the foam port plug if the room makes it boomy.

Two cables, two speakers, and you are listening.

Pairs Well With

What finishes the system around a pair of 603 S3:

• Integrated amplifiers — 30 to 200 watts into 8 ohms is the window B&W gives
• Stereo amplifiers — a separate power amp if you plan to bi-amplify
• Speaker cables — low inductance, under 0.1 ohms total, in matched lengths
• Speaker isolation feet — an alternative to spikes on a wood or tile floor

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the price for one speaker or a pair?

One. The 603 S3 is sold each, so order two for a stereo pair, or one to match an existing speaker.

What comes in the box?

The speaker, its plinth and fixing hardware, spike feet and rubber feet, a foam port plug and a grille.

What amplifier do I need?

B&W recommends 30 to 200 watts into 8 ohms. Sensitivity is 90 dB and the impedance dips to 3.0 ohms, so choose an amplifier that stays composed into a 4-ohm load.

Can I bi-wire or bi-amplify?

Yes. Remove the links between the two pairs of terminals and run a separate cable, or a separate amplifier channel, to each pair.

Do I have to use the spikes?

Use the plinth always, but choose your feet. Spikes for carpet, the supplied rubber feet for wood or tile. Adjust them until the cabinet stands without rocking.

Is the 603 S3 better suited to music or home theater?

Both. It is the largest 600 Series tower, sized for larger rooms. It works as the main left and right speakers in a music system, or in a home theater built around one of our AV receivers.

See It in Action

Pursuit Perfect System walks through what changed on the 603 S3 and whether the upgrade is worth it:

Infinite Baffle compares the 603 S3 against a rival standmount to show what the extra size and a floorstanding cabinet add:

Why Audio Advisor?

• 40+ Years of Expertise — Since 1981, we've helped over a million music lovers find the right gear.
• 60-Day Money-Back Guarantee — Take your time. Listen, enjoy, and make sure it's right for you.
• Real Experts, Real Help — Our team is here to answer your questions at 800-942-0220, weekdays 9am–6pm EST.
• Free Shipping — On orders over $49, delivered to your door.
• Flexible Payment Options — Financing available so you can start listening now.

Learn More

Want to learn more about speaker placement, bi-wiring, or matching an amplifier to your speakers? Visit our Learning Center for guides, tips, and expert advice.