Choosing Between Premium and Value Bookshelf Speakers: A Detailed Comparison

When it comes to passive bookshelf speakers, there's a vast range of options spanning from budget-friendly to ultra-premium. Today, we're comparing the high-end Bowers & Wilkins 707 S2 ($959) with the value-oriented Kanto YU Passive 5.25 ($179), exploring what that significant price difference means for performance and value.

Understanding Bookshelf Speakers

Bookshelf speakers serve as the foundation of many high-quality audio systems. Despite their name, they actually perform best on dedicated stands, positioned away from walls to create an optimal soundstage (the three-dimensional space where sound appears to come from). These speakers require an external amplifier to function, unlike powered speakers that have built-in amplification.

Sound Quality Deep Dive

Detail and Clarity

The B&W 707 S2 showcases what premium engineering can achieve. Its Carbon Dome tweeter (the speaker that handles high frequencies) can reproduce sounds up to 47kHz - well beyond human hearing but contributing to a sense of "air" and spaciousness in the music. In contrast, the Kanto YU uses a conventional silk dome tweeter that provides good but less exceptional high-frequency performance to about 20kHz.

When listening to complex classical pieces or detailed acoustic recordings, the B&W's superior driver technology becomes apparent. Individual instruments maintain their character even in crowded passages, and you can hear subtle details like fingers sliding on guitar strings or the natural decay of piano notes.

Midrange Performance

Both speakers handle the crucial midrange frequencies (where most instruments and voices live) differently. The B&W's Continuum cone - a technology that trickled down from their $30,000+ flagship speakers - provides remarkably natural reproduction of voices and instruments. The Kanto's Kevlar driver delivers clean, relatively neutral sound but can't match the B&W's ability to reproduce the subtle textures that make instruments sound realistic.

Bass Response

Despite similar specifications (both reach down to about 50Hz), the real-world performance differs significantly. The B&W's Flowport technology (a specially designed bass port that reduces turbulence) helps it produce more controlled and impactful bass. While the Kanto delivers respectable low-end for its price, it doesn't have the same authority or precision in bass-heavy music.

Build Quality and Technology

The 707 S2, released in 2017, represents B&W's "trickle-down" philosophy, incorporating technologies from their flagship 800 Series Diamond line. The cabinet construction uses sophisticated bracing and damping techniques to minimize unwanted vibrations. The drivers (speakers) themselves showcase several proprietary technologies:

• Decoupled Carbon Dome tweeter: Physically separated from the cabinet to reduce vibration interference
• Continuum cone: A woven composite material that improves upon traditional Kevlar
• Flowport: Turbulence-reducing bass port design

The Kanto YU, while more recent to market, takes a simpler approach focusing on proven technologies:

• Silk dome tweeter: Traditional but well-executed design
• Kevlar woofer: Stiff and lightweight material good for bass/midrange
• Rear-ported cabinet: Standard bass reinforcement design

Real-World Performance

Music Listening

In stereo music playback, the differences become clear. The B&Ws create a more convincing illusion of musicians performing in your room. The soundstage is wider and deeper, with more precise placement of instruments. The Kantos present a good but flatter picture, with less separation between instruments.

Home Theater Use

Both speakers can serve in a home theater setup, though neither is specifically designed for it. The B&W's superior detail retrieval makes movie dialogue more intelligible, while its better dynamics help with explosive effects. However, for home theater use, both would benefit from a subwoofer to handle the lowest frequencies.

Value Proposition

The price difference here is substantial - you could buy five pairs of Kantos for the price of one pair of B&Ws. The value equation depends heavily on your priorities and budget:

B&W 707 S2 Value

• Premium performance approaching high-end speakers
• Proven technologies from more expensive lines
• Excellent resale value
• Long-term investment quality

Kanto YU Value

• Excellent performance for the price
• Good entry point to high-fidelity audio
• More budget flexibility for other components
• Practical choice for smaller rooms

Room Considerations

Room size and acoustics play a crucial role in speaker performance. The B&Ws have more demanding placement requirements but reward careful setup with superior sound. They need at least 18 inches from walls and benefit from high-quality amplification (ideally 50+ watts per channel).

The Kantos are more forgiving of placement and amplification, making them better suited to smaller rooms or less than ideal positions. Their higher sensitivity (89dB vs 84dB) means they need less power to reach the same volume level.

How to Decide

Choose the B&W 707 S2 if:

• Sound quality is your top priority
• You have a quality amplifier
• Your room allows proper speaker placement
• Budget permits investment in premium audio

Choose the Kanto YU Passive 5.25 if:

• Value is paramount
• You're new to high-fidelity audio
• You have space constraints
• You want good performance without premium cost

The decision ultimately depends on your priorities and circumstances. The B&Ws offer clearly superior performance but at a significant premium. The Kantos represent excellent value and serve as a great entry point to high-quality audio. Both can provide years of enjoyment when matched appropriately with your room, system, and expectations.

Bowers & Wilkins 707 S2 Bookshelf Speaker - Pair Deals and Prices

Kanto YU Passive 5.25 Bookshelf Speakers - Pair Deals and Prices