Bowers & Wilkins HTM71 S3
3-Way Center Channel Loudspeaker
Item #BW:HTM71S3
Bowers & Wilkins HTM71 S3
3-Way Center Channel Loudspeaker
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Overview
Our flagship centre-channel loudspeaker, the HTM71 S3 features a Carbon Dome drive unit housed in a Tweeter-On-Top enclosure, making it the perfect match for its 705 S3, 703 S3 and 702 S3 stablemates. This approach allows for outstanding integration and an even-more-immersive listening experience across our premium 700 Series-based surround sound systems. The HTM71 S3 also features an all new 130mm (5in) Continuum Cone FST™ midrange driver complete with our Biomimetic Suspension – particularly important for clarity with dialogue.
High Notes
Carbon Tweeter In Solid Aluminum External Housing
The specially designed Carbon tweeter reproduces sound way beyond the range of human hearing giving it a super effortless quality. We love the external housing that comes from the top of the line 800 series. This makes the sound even more open and will give center channel dialog a very effortless sound
Dedicated Continuum Midrange Driver with Biomimetic Suspension
B&W's Continuum midrange driver came from the top of the line 800 series and now features their incredible Biomimetic suspension that was also developed for the 800 models. We think its incredible to get this tech from the 800 series in these 700 models. Together they combine to give you a super pure midrange that makes you feel like the voices in your movies are in the room with you.
Beautiful New Curved Cabinet Design
For decades B&W has been all about improving their cabinets for less resonance and the new 700S3 series now has curved cabinets like the 800 models for not only a very cool look, but better antiresonance properties.
There are two center channel speakers in the new lineup and to our ears, the choice between them is extremely simple!
If you have the room to put your center on top of the cabinet, the HTM71 S3 3-Way Center Channel Loudspeaker is the one to get. It is miles ahead of the smaller one and in fact is one of the best center speakers we have heard for its price.
You’ll get the top mounted separate tweeter, the same incredible 5” Continuum midrange driver as the 704 S3 with two 5” woofers. The clarity you get in voices with the HTM71 S3 is fantastic.
It is a lot larger physically but worth every penny.
Getting easy to understand and very clear dialog is the foundation of a great home theater. When you can go one step beyond that and have a center channel that allows you to hear all of the little subtle emotions in the performers voices you are really getting something special. For us, the center channel is probably the most important speaker in a home theater.
If you are putting together a home theater system with the 700 S3 speakers and have the room, get the HTM71 S3. The only reason you should even consider the smaller one is if the HTM71 S3 would not fit physically.
Details & Specs
Solid Body Tweeter
The 700 Series features the latest generation of Bowers & Wilkins' iconic Solid Body Tweeter-on-Top housing. Its new, more elongated form incorporates a longer tubeloading system to produce an even more free and open sound with high frequencies. The carefully decoupled housing is milled from a single solid block of aluminium to better resist resonance.
Carbon dome tweeters
Carbon Dome tweeters are purpose-built for the 700 Series. Delivering a dramatic improvement on the aluminium double dome tweeter, they raise the breakup threshold to 47kHz, for pinpoint imaging accuracy and detail.
Biomimetic Suspension
The new Biomimetic Suspension, first seen on the 800 Series Diamond, revolutionises midrange cone performance by greatly reducing the unwanted air pressure and coloration that a conventional fabric spider can generate. The result? Midrange transparency you wouldn’t believe possible.
Continuum™ Cone
Thanks to its composite construction, the Continuum™ cone avoids the abrupt transitions in behaviour that can impair the performance of a conventional drive unit. The result is a more open, neutral performance that delivers voices and instruments with precision and transparency.
Decoupled Midrange Assembly
Every three-way loudspeaker in the new 700 Series has a dedicated midrange cone using four key Bowers & Wilkins technologies: the Continuum cone, FST™, Biomimetic Suspension and midrange decoupling, the latter ensuring minimal interference from the operation of the loudspeaker’s bass drivers.
Aerofoil™ Profile bass cone
Developed using advanced computer modeling techniques, the Aerofoil Profile bass cone has variable thickness, providing stiffness and rigidity where it’s needed most. The result: deep and dynamic bass.
Curved Baffle
The new 700 Series features a curved front baffle for the first time. This allows the midrange and bass drivers to be located in individual pod-type housings that sit proud of the speaker baffle. When combined with the curvature of the structure, this new approach – derived from the 800 Series Diamond – reduces the audible impact of the cabinet, creating a cleaner, more open and more immersive sound.
Technical Features:
- Decoupled Carbon Dome tweeter
- Solid Body Tweeter-on-Top
- Continuum™ cone FST midrange
- Aerofoil™ Profile bass cones
- Flowport™
Description: 3-way vented-box system
Drive Units:
- 1x ø25mm (1in) Decoupled Carbon Dome high-frequency
- 1x ø130mm (5in) Continuum cone FST midrange
- 2x ø130mm (5in) Aerofoil Profile bass
Frequency Range: 45Hz to 33kHz
Frequency Response: (+/-3dB from reference axis) 50Hz - 28kHz
Sensitivity: (on axis at 2.83Vrms at 1m) 89dB
Harmonic Distortion:
- 2nd and 3rd harmonics (90dB, 1m on axis)
- <1% 90Hz - 22kHz
- <0.5% 120Hz - 20kHz
Nominal Impedance: 8Ω (minimum 3.0Ω)
Recommended Amplifier Power: 30W - 200W into 8Ω on unclipped programme
Dimensions:
- Height: 165mm (6.5in) cabinet only, 233mm (9.2in) including tweeter
- Width: 628mm (24.7in) cabinet only
- Depth: 318mm (12.5in) cabinet only, 356mm (14in) including grille and terminals
Net Weight: 17.5kg (38.5lbs)
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