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 point that makes serious high-fidelity sound genuinely accessible. The 600 Series S3 is the entry point to Bowers & Wilkins' driver technology in a floorstanding format, and the 603 S3 represents the fullest expression of what that range can achieve — a loudspeaker that draws directly on the engineering principles of the 700 and 800 Series in a cabinet and at a price that opens the door to a far wider audience. 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 in the range 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 driver technology as the 700 Series S3 floorstanders, brought to the 600 Series S3 range for the first time. The Continuum cone suppresses the characteristic break-up modes of synthetic cone materials across the critical midrange frequencies, and the FST mounting eliminates the conventional foam surround entirely — giving the 603 S3 a midrange transparency and low-level resolution that is immediately 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 that places a secondary dome behind the primary radiating surface to damp resonances and extend the tweeter's usable bandwidth. The tweeter is decoupled from the cabinet to reduce the transmission of structural vibration to the tweeter assembly, ensuring that high-frequency detail is resolved with the composure and extension that the Continuum FST midrange driver demands as a partner.

Bass Drivers and Cabinet

Two bass drivers handle the 603 S3's low-frequency reproduction, loaded by a reflex port tuned for the cabinet's specific internal volume and driver geometry. The 603 S3's cabinet employs Bowers & Wilkins' Flowport technology — a dimpled port profile that reduces turbulence at the port exit and the low-frequency colouration that turbulence introduces. The result is bass that is extended, controlled, and free from the port chuffing that afflicts 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 want the reassurance of buying from a dealer with decades of experience with the brand. Those considering the step up to the 700 Series S3 are welcome to hear both ranges at our Norwich showroom. The 603 S3 pairs naturally with the Bowers & Wilkins ASW608 or ASW610 subwoofer for those who want greater bass extension.

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, we have a depth of experience with the Bowers & Wilkins range that very few retailers can match. The 603 S3 is available to hear in our Norwich showroom, and Dave and Chris can demonstrate it alongside the 700 Series S3 range to help you find the right loudspeaker for your system and budget.

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.