Bowers and Wilkins 702 S2 Review
Bowers and Wilkins has been a household name among audio enthusiasts for decades, and that’s largely due to the company’s remarkable consistency. For over half a century, the British manufacturer has been at the forefront of high-end sound, crafting gorgeous gear for affluent listeners around the globe. As such, it won’t come as a shock that the company’s new 702 S2 model, the flagship of its 700 series speakers, are beautifully made. What will surprise longtime B&W listeners, who know the brand as purveyors of tight, balanced sound profiles, is that these particular speakers can be a bit touchy when it comes to performance. With the press of the shuffle button, the sound can dance between otherworldly and wholly terrestrial. Feed the 702 S2 well-mixed acoustic music from any era — start at Louis Armstrong and move all the way to Robert Glasper — and you’ll fall in love with their incredible passion and dynamism. But if you’re a broader listener who trades in hip-hop as often as Sinatr...
Gorgeous design; Pristine upper register; Punchy low-mids; Wide soundstage;
Sensitive to placement and source material; Expensive;