Bowers & Wilkins 603 S3

The 603 S3 is the flagship floorstanding loudspeaker in the 600 Series S3 range — a three-way design that brings Bowers & Wilkins' Continuum FST midrange driver technology to a floorstander at a price that makes serious high-fidelity sound genuinely accessible. The 600 Series has always represented the entry point to Bowers & Wilkins' most advanced driver engineering in a floorstanding format, and the 603 S3 is the fullest expression of what that range can achieve — drawing directly on the principles of the 700 and 800 Series to deliver a loudspeaker of exceptional transparency, resolution, and dynamic authority. Martins Hi-Fi is the second oldest Bowers & Wilkins dealer in the world, and the 603 S3 is one of the most frequently recommended loudspeakers we stock for those taking their first serious step into high-fidelity audio.

Continuum FST Midrange Driver

The 603 S3's midrange driver employs Bowers & Wilkins' Continuum cone in a Fixed Suspension Transducer mounting — the same fundamental driver technology as the 700 Series S3 floorstanders, brought to the 600 Series for the first time. The Continuum cone's composite construction suppresses the characteristic break-up modes of synthetic cone materials across the critical midrange frequencies where the human ear is most sensitive, and the FST mounting eliminates the conventional foam surround entirely — giving the 603 S3 a midrange transparency and low-level resolution that is immediately and consistently audible on vocals, acoustic instruments, and complex programme material. The midrange unit is housed in its own dedicated enclosure within the main cabinet, mechanically isolated from the bass drivers below.

Decoupled Double Dome Tweeter

The 603 S3 uses Bowers & Wilkins' decoupled double dome aluminium tweeter — a design in which a secondary dome behind the primary radiating surface damps resonances and extends the tweeter's usable bandwidth beyond the audible range. The tweeter assembly is decoupled from the main cabinet to reduce the transmission of structural vibration, ensuring that high-frequency detail is resolved with the composure and extension that the Continuum FST midrange driver demands as a partner. The result is a high-frequency presentation that is smooth, extended, and free from the hardness that less carefully engineered tweeters introduce at the top of the frequency range.

Bass Drivers and Flowport

Two bass drivers handle the 603 S3's low-frequency reproduction, loaded by a reflex port tuned specifically for the cabinet's internal volume and driver geometry. The 603 S3 employs Bowers & Wilkins' Flowport technology — a dimpled port profile derived from the aerodynamics of a golf ball, reducing turbulence at the port exit and the low-frequency colouration that turbulence introduces at higher listening levels. The result is bass that is extended, controlled, and tonally clean — free from the port chuffing and overhang that afflict less carefully engineered reflex designs.

Technical Specifications

Who Is It For?

The 603 S3 is for those who want a genuine three-way floorstander with Continuum FST midrange technology as their entry point into serious high-fidelity audio — and who value the reassurance of buying from a dealer with decades of experience with the brand. Those who want to understand how the 603 S3 compares to the 700 Series S3 floorstanders are welcome to hear both ranges at our Norwich showroom. The 603 S3 also pairs naturally with the Bowers & Wilkins ASW608 or ASW610 subwoofer for those seeking greater bass extension in larger rooms.

Buying from Martins Hi-Fi

Martins Hi-Fi has been in Norwich since 1968. Elizabeth Gould runs the business today, and we stock only brands we have heard properly and stand behind. As the second oldest Bowers & Wilkins dealer in the world, our knowledge of the 600 Series S3 range is deep and our advice is always honest. Dave and Chris can demonstrate the 603 S3 at our Norwich showroom, matching it to your amplification and source to ensure it performs at its best in your system and room.

Contact us at info@martinshifi.co.uk, call 01603 627010, or WhatsApp on 07554 687137. You can read more about how we work on our Why Martins Hi-Fi page. We are at 85–91 Ber Street, Norwich, NR1 3EY.