Looking for high-end bookshelf speakers can be overwhelming, especially when comparing respected brands like Revel and Bowers & Wilkins. Today, we're examining two popular options: the $296 Revel Concerta2 M16 and the $959 Bowers & Wilkins 707 S2, helping you understand their key differences and real-world performance.
Bookshelf speakers remain a cornerstone of high-fidelity audio, offering an excellent balance of performance and space efficiency. While technology has evolved significantly since these models' releases (2018 for the M16 and 2017 for the 707 S2), both remain competitive due to their fundamental engineering excellence.
These speakers represent different approaches to the same goal: delivering accurate, engaging sound in small to medium-sized rooms. The key is understanding how their different design philosophies affect real-world performance.
The Revel M16 employs an aluminum dome tweeter (the small speaker handling high frequencies) paired with a 6.5" aluminum woofer (handling mid and low frequencies). This matching of materials helps create a coherent sound across frequencies. The speaker's waveguide - a specially shaped housing around the tweeter - helps control sound dispersion, creating a wider "sweet spot" where listeners hear optimal sound.
The B&W 707 S2 takes a different approach with its Carbon Dome tweeter and Continuum cone woofer. The carbon tweeter pushes breakup modes (where the speaker starts to distort) beyond human hearing, while the Continuum cone represents B&W's evolution beyond their famous yellow Kevlar drivers, offering more natural sound with less coloration.
In practice, these technological differences create distinct listening experiences. The Revel presents a more neutral, technically accurate sound that some might find less exciting but more truthful to the recording. Its wider dispersion means the sound quality remains consistent even when you're not sitting in the perfect central position.
The B&W offers a more immediate, engaging presentation with enhanced detail retrieval and dynamic contrast - you'll hear more of the tiny details in complex recordings. However, this comes with a narrower sweet spot and greater dependency on proper positioning and amplification.
The M16's 86dB sensitivity rating means it's relatively efficient - it can produce satisfying volume levels with moderately powered amplifiers (50-120 watts recommended). The 707 S2's lower 84dB sensitivity demands more power to achieve the same volume levels, requiring careful amplifier matching for optimal performance.
Both speakers use rear-firing ports (tubes that enhance bass response), meaning they need some space behind them for optimal performance. However, the Revel's more controlled dispersion makes it more forgiving in less-than-ideal room setups. The B&W demands more careful placement but rewards the effort with superior imaging (the ability to create a precise soundstage where instruments appear to come from specific locations in space).
At roughly one-third the price, the Revel M16 represents exceptional value. Its neutral presentation, room-friendly dispersion, and easier amplification requirements make it a safe choice for most users. The included five-year warranty provides peace of mind.
The 707 S2 justifies its premium price through superior build quality, more sophisticated driver technology, and potentially higher performance limits when properly set up. Its premium finishing and brand cachet may also factor into long-term satisfaction for some buyers.
Both speakers excel in home theater applications, but with different strengths. The Revel's wider dispersion helps create a more cohesive soundfield across multiple seats, while its neutral character makes it easier to match with other speakers in a surround setup.
The B&W offers more dynamic impact for movie effects and can better resolve dialogue detail, but its more focused dispersion pattern might create inconsistent experiences across different seating positions.
With classical music, the Revel's neutral presentation and excellent driver integration create a convincing orchestral soundstage, though it might lack the last bit of air and sparkle in the strings that the B&W provides. For rock and electronic music, the B&W's more dynamic presentation creates a more exciting experience, while the Revel maintains better composure at high volumes.
The B&W rewards focused listening with superior detail retrieval and dynamic contrast. The Revel proves more versatile, maintaining high performance levels even when listening casually or off-axis.
The Revel M16 represents exceptional value, offering near-reference-level performance at a surprisingly accessible price point. Its neutral presentation and forgiving nature make it an excellent choice for most users.
The B&W 707 S2 justifies its premium price through superior build quality, more sophisticated technology, and potentially higher performance limits when properly set up. It's the choice for critical listeners who can provide the careful setup and quality amplification it demands.
Both speakers remain competitive in 2024, testament to their fundamental engineering excellence. Your choice should ultimately depend on your listening preferences, room setup, and system matching capabilities rather than price alone.
| Revel Concerta2 M16 | Bowers & Wilkins 707 S2 |
|---|---|
| Price - Primary consideration for value assessment | |
| $296 - Exceptional value proposition | $959 - Premium pricing |
| Sensitivity - Determines how much amplifier power is needed | |
| 86dB - Works well with moderate power | 84dB - Requires more powerful amplification |
| Driver Configuration - Affects sound quality and performance | |
| 1" aluminum dome tweeter, 6.5" aluminum woofer | 1" Carbon Dome tweeter, 5" Continuum cone woofer |
| Frequency Response - Indicates bass extension and overall range | |
| 55Hz - 20kHz (±3dB) - Solid bass for size | 50Hz - 28kHz (±3dB) - Slightly deeper bass |
| Power Handling - Determines compatibility with amplifiers | |
| 50-120W recommended - Flexible range | 30-100W recommended - More specific requirements |
| Impedance - Affects amplifier compatibility | |
| 6 ohms nominal - Easier to drive | 8 ohms nominal (4 ohm minimum) - More demanding |
| Dimensions - Important for placement planning | |
| 14.75" x 8.6" x 10.76" - Larger cabinet | 11" x 6.5" x 10.2" - More compact design |
| Weight - Affects stability and cabinet rigidity | |
| 16 lbs - Substantial build | 13.2 lbs - Lighter but still solid |
| Warranty - Important for long-term ownership | |
| 5 years - Excellent coverage | 5 years - Matching coverage |
| Key Technologies - Differentiating features | |
| Acoustic Lens waveguide, aluminum drivers | Carbon Dome tweeter, Continuum cone, Flowport |
| Dispersion Characteristics - Affects listening area size | |
| Wide dispersion - Larger sweet spot | Focused dispersion - Smaller sweet spot |
| Build Quality - Affects longevity and aesthetics | |
| Good build, standard finish options | Premium build, luxury finish options |
The $296 Revel Concerta2 M16 offers exceptional value with performance that rivals more expensive speakers. While the $959 B&W 707 S2 offers premium build quality and slightly better detail, the Revel M16 provides about 90% of the performance at one-third the price.
Both work well in home theater settings. The Revel M16 offers better dispersion for multiple seating positions, while the B&W 707 S2 provides more dynamic impact for movies. Both integrate well with subwoofers.
The Revel M16 is easier to drive with its 86dB sensitivity rating, working well with most amplifiers rated 50-120 watts. The B&W 707 S2 needs more power due to its 84dB sensitivity rating.
For full-range music and movie performance, both speakers benefit from a subwoofer. The Revel extends to 55Hz and the B&W to 50Hz, meaning both miss the deepest bass notes below these frequencies.
The B&W 707 S2 features premium materials and finish quality. While the Revel M16 is well-built, it prioritizes performance over luxury aesthetics.
The B&W 707 S2 offers more detail and dynamic contrast for critical listening, while the Revel M16 provides a more neutral, accurate presentation that some audiophiles prefer.
Both speakers are ideal for small to medium-sized rooms (up to about 300 square feet). The Revel M16 is more forgiving in different room setups, while the B&W 707 S2 needs more careful placement.
Both speakers perform best on proper stands about 24-28 inches high. B&W offers matching stands for the 707 S2, but any quality speaker stand will work for either model.
The B&W 707 S2 reaches slightly lower (50Hz vs 55Hz) and offers punchier bass, while the Revel M16 provides more linear, controlled bass response.
Both speakers are built to last 10-15 years or more with proper care. Both come with 5-year warranties, indicating manufacturer confidence in their longevity.
The Revel M16 is better for casual listening due to its wider dispersion and more forgiving nature. The B&W 707 S2 is optimized for focused, critical listening.
Neither speaker is designed for wall mounting. Both use rear-firing ports and perform best when placed on stands with space behind them for proper bass response.
We've done our best to create useful and informative comparisons to help you decide what product to buy. Our research uses advanced automated methods to create this comparison and perfection is not possible - please contact us for corrections or questions. These are the sites we've researched in the creation of this article: audioholics.com - upscaleaudio.com - crutchfield.com - audiosciencereview.com - musicdirect.com - audiolab.com - crutchfield.com - crutchfield.com - avstore.in - speakerdata2034.blogspot.com - spacehifi.com.au - whathifi.com - safeandsoundhq.com - bestbuy.com - hifichoice.com - crutchfield.com - listenup.com - digitalcinema.com.au - worldradiohistory.com - youtube.com - frankstonhifi.com.au
