Comparing Premium Bookshelf Speakers: Making the Choice Between B&W and KEF

When you're ready to invest in high-quality bookshelf speakers, the Bowers & Wilkins 707 S2 ($959) and KEF Q350 ($499) represent two of the most compelling options in their respective price brackets. Both released in 2017, these speakers showcase different approaches to achieving high-fidelity sound, each with their own strengths.

Understanding Bookshelf Speakers in 2024

Bookshelf speakers remain the sweet spot for many audio enthusiasts, offering an excellent balance of performance and practicality. Despite being called "bookshelf" speakers, they actually perform best on dedicated stands, away from walls and actual bookshelves. This positioning allows them to create a proper soundstage - the three-dimensional space where music appears to exist between and around the speakers.

The technology in both these speakers has aged remarkably well. While newer models have emerged, the core innovations - B&W's Continuum cone material and KEF's Uni-Q driver - remain cutting-edge approaches to speaker design. Let's dive into what makes each special.

Technology Deep Dive

The B&W Approach

The 707 S2 uses separate drivers for high and low frequencies, but with some unique twists. The Carbon Dome tweeter (which handles high frequencies) actually combines two materials - an aluminum dome with a carbon coating. This hybrid approach raises the breakup frequency (where the driver starts to distort) to 47kHz, well beyond human hearing. The result is cleaner, more detailed treble in the audible range.

The Continuum cone (handling bass and midrange) replaced B&W's famous yellow Kevlar cones. It's designed to break up (flex) in a more controlled way, reducing the colorization that can make speakers sound obviously like speakers rather than live music.

KEF's Innovation

The Q350 takes a fundamentally different approach with its Uni-Q driver. This places the tweeter directly in the center of the midrange/bass cone, creating what's called a "point source" - all frequencies appear to come from exactly the same spot in space. This isn't just clever engineering; it solves real problems with traditional speaker designs, where different frequencies arriving at slightly different times can blur the sound.

Real-World Performance

Soundstage and Imaging

Both speakers create convincing soundstages, but in different ways:

• The 707 S2 produces pinpoint imaging - you can close your eyes and point exactly where each instrument is. The soundstage has excellent depth, extending well behind the speakers when the recording contains that information.
• The Q350's Uni-Q driver creates a more cohesive, unified presentation. The sweet spot (where everything sounds best) is much larger, making these more forgiving of listening position. This can be particularly valuable in a home theater setting where not everyone can sit in the ideal spot.

Detail and Clarity

The 707 S2 excels at revealing fine detail. You'll hear subtle breaths before vocal lines, the texture of acoustic guitar strings, and the full decay of piano notes. This level of detail can be revelatory with well-recorded acoustic music.

The Q350 takes a slightly more forgiving approach. While still highly detailed, it doesn't spotlight recording flaws quite as eagerly. This can make it more enjoyable with a wider range of recordings, especially if they're not audiophile quality.

Bass Response

Despite their compact size, both speakers produce surprising bass:

• The 707 S2 reaches down to 45Hz, with extremely tight control. The bass is precise and detailed, though some might find it lean.
• The Q350 extends slightly lower to 42Hz and offers more bass quantity. While not quite as tight as the B&W, many listeners will find its fuller presentation more satisfying without a subwoofer.

Home Theater Considerations

Both speakers excel in home theater applications, but with different strengths:

The Q350's wider sweet spot and more prominent bass make it particularly well-suited for home theater use. The unified sound field helps with movie dialogue clarity, and the additional bass presence adds impact to movie effects even without a subwoofer.

The 707 S2's precision can create more immersive movie experiences for the primary listener, with extremely accurate placement of surround effects. However, they're more demanding of proper placement and room treatment.

Value and Practical Considerations

The price difference between these speakers ($460) is significant and could fund:

• A quality subwoofer
• Room treatment materials
• A better amplifier
• Better speaker cables and stands

The KEF Q350 represents exceptional value, offering about 85% of the 707 S2's performance at roughly half the price. However, the B&W's additional refinement and detail retrieval might be worth the premium for critical listeners.

How to Decide

Choose the B&W 707 S2 if:

• You primarily listen to well-recorded acoustic music
• Your room and equipment are optimized for audio
• You value ultimate detail retrieval
• The budget allows for premium components throughout your system

Choose the KEF Q350 if:

• You want excellent performance with more setup flexibility
• Your listening room isn't acoustically treated
• You need a wider sweet spot for multiple listeners
• You want to invest the price difference in other system components

Both speakers represent excellent choices in their respective price brackets. The 707 S2 offers exceptional detail and precision for discerning listeners, while the Q350 provides remarkable performance and flexibility at a more accessible price point.

The final choice often comes down to your specific listening habits, room conditions, and how you plan to use the speakers. Either way, both models demonstrate why premium bookshelf speakers remain a compelling choice for serious music and home theater enthusiasts.

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

KEF Q350 Bookshelf Speakers - Pair Deals and Prices