Comparing Premium Bookshelf Speakers: B&W 707 S2 vs KEF LS50 Meta

When you're ready to step into serious audio quality, the $900-1000 bookshelf speaker range offers some compelling choices. Today we're comparing two standout options: the Bowers & Wilkins 707 S2 ($959) and the KEF LS50 Meta ($899), each bringing unique technologies and approaches to sound reproduction.

The Evolution of Premium Bookshelf Speakers

Both speakers represent significant technological advancement in their respective product lines. The B&W 707 S2, released in 2019, brought the company's high-end Continuum cone technology to a more accessible price point. This woven composite material, which replaced B&W's famous yellow Kevlar cones, provides more natural breakup behavior - meaning when the driver reaches its limits, it does so more gracefully than traditional materials.

The KEF LS50 Meta, launched in 2021, builds upon the original 2012 LS50 design that revolutionized what was possible from a small speaker. The Meta version introduces Metamaterial Absorption Technology (MAT), which uses a complex maze-like structure to absorb 99% of unwanted sound behind the tweeter. Think of it as an acoustic black hole that prevents distortion-causing reflections from bouncing back through the driver.

Sound Quality Deep Dive

Tonal Balance and Character

The 707 S2 presents music with authority and weight that seems impossible from its compact size. Its Carbon Dome tweeter (which pushes the first breakup mode to 47kHz, well beyond human hearing) delivers airy, extended highs without becoming harsh. The Continuum cone handles midrange duties with remarkable clarity, making vocals and acoustic instruments sound notably natural.

In contrast, the LS50 Meta takes a more neutral, analytical approach. Its MAT technology creates an incredibly clean, distortion-free top end that reveals previously unnoticed details in familiar recordings. The unified sound field created by KEF's Uni-Q driver (where the tweeter sits in the center of the midrange cone) produces extremely coherent sound with precise imaging.

Soundstage and Imaging

This is where these speakers show their different design philosophies. The 707 S2 creates a wide, expansive soundstage that extends beyond the speaker boundaries. Instruments are well-separated and easily locatable, though the depth of the soundstage is good rather than exceptional.

The LS50 Meta's Uni-Q driver creates a more focused, precise image with superior depth perception. The "sweet spot" (ideal listening position) is larger, making it more forgiving of listener position. This can be particularly valuable in real-world living rooms where optimal speaker placement isn't always possible.

Bass Performance

Despite similar driver sizes (5.25" for KEF, 5" for B&W), these speakers handle bass quite differently. The 707 S2 reaches deeper (-6dB at 45Hz vs KEF's 79Hz) and produces more impactful low frequencies. This makes it more suitable for music genres that depend on bass energy, like electronic music or rock.

The LS50 Meta's bass is tighter and more controlled, though it doesn't reach as low. It's more about precision than impact, which suits acoustic music and vocal performances particularly well. For home theater use, both speakers would benefit from a subwoofer, though the 707 S2 might integrate more seamlessly due to its lower extension.

Room Considerations and Setup

Room size significantly impacts speaker choice. The 707 S2 has more dynamic capability and works better in medium to large rooms. Its rear-firing Flowport (B&W's name for their flared bass port) needs some space from walls but is relatively forgiving about exact placement.

The LS50 Meta shines in small to medium rooms where its precise imaging and controlled bass work to greatest effect. Its port design is more sensitive to placement, but the speaker includes foam plugs to tune the bass response for different positions.

Power Requirements and Amplification

Neither speaker is particularly easy to drive. The 707 S2 has 84dB sensitivity and recommends 30-100 watts, while the LS50 Meta rates at 85dB and suggests 40-100 watts. In practice, both benefit from high-quality amplification with good current delivery. This isn't just about volume - better amplification helps maintain control and detail at all listening levels.

Home Theater Applications

While both speakers excel with music, they have different strengths for home theater use. The 707 S2's deeper bass extension and higher dynamic capability make it more suitable for movie effects and dramatic swings in volume. It's also part of B&W's 700 series, making it easier to build a timbre-matched surround system.

The LS50 Meta's precise imaging and wider sweet spot can create a more immersive soundfield, particularly valuable for dialogue and atmospheric effects. However, its more limited bass means a subwoofer is practically required for movie use.

Value Consideration

At their respective price points ($959 for the 707 S2, $899 for the LS50 Meta), both speakers represent excellent value but in different ways. The 707 S2 offers technologies derived from B&W's flagship 800 series at a fraction of the price. The LS50 Meta brings genuinely innovative technology and exceptional imaging precision at a compelling price point.

How to Decide

Choose the B&W 707 S2 if you:

• Have a medium to large listening room
• Prioritize dynamic impact and bass extension
• Want a speaker that can handle both music and movies effectively
• Prefer a slightly warmer, more engaging sound signature
• Plan to build a matched surround system

Choose the KEF LS50 Meta if you:

• Have a small to medium room
• Value absolute clarity and precision over impact
• Listen primarily to acoustic music or vocals
• Prefer a more neutral, analytical presentation
• Want the latest in speaker technology
• Plan to use them in a near-field setup (like a desk)

Both speakers represent the cutting edge of what's possible in compact speaker design, just with different priorities and approaches. The 707 S2 favors impact and engagement, while the LS50 Meta prioritizes precision and clarity. Your room size, listening preferences, and intended use should guide your choice between these excellent performers.

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

KEF LS50 Meta Bookshelf Speakers - Pair Deals and Prices