Features
| Warranty length | 5 Years |
|---|---|
| Brand | Bowers and Wilkins |
Tech Specs
- Size & weight
- Dimensions
- Height: 165 mm (6.5 in) cabinet only
- Width: 477 mm (18.8 in) Cabinet only
- Depth: 266 mm (10.5 in) Cabinet only
- Depth: 302 mm (11.9 in) including grille and terminals
- Net weight - 9.66kg (21.3 lb)
- Technical details
- Technical features
- Decoupled Carbon Dome tweeter
- Continuum™ cone bass / midrange
- Flowport™
- Description - 2-way vented-box system
- Drive units - 1x ø25mm (1 in) Decoupled Carbon Dome high-frequency - 2x ø130mm (5 in) Continuum cone bass / midrange
- Frequency range - 48Hz - 33kHz
- Frequency response - 70Hz - 28kHz ±3dB
- Sensitivity - 87dB spl (on axis at 2.83Vrms at 1m)
- Harmonic distortion - 2nd and 3rd harmonics (90dB, 1m on axis) - <1% 100Hz - 22kHz - <0.5% 200Hz - 22kHz
- Nominal impedance - 8Ω (minimum 4.3Ω)
- Recommended amplifier power - 30W - 120W into 8Ω on unclipped programme
- Max recommended cable impedance - 0.1Ω
- Finishes
- Cabinet finishes
- Gloss Black
- Satin White
- Mocha
- Grille finishes
- Black
- Grey (Satin White only)
Product Description
The Bowers & Wilkins HTM72 S3 Centre Speaker is the most compact centre speaker in the 700 series. It has been specially voiced to go with the rest of the 700 range. The 700 series features both stand-mounted and floor-standing premium speakers.
As with the rest of the series, this centre speaker features a carbon dome tweeter. There are also two Continuum coned mid/bass units. This is the perfect centre speaker to add vocal punch to home cinema systems.
Carbon coned premium tweeter
The carbon coned tweeter used in the Bowers & Wilkins HTM72 S3 Centre Speaker has been specially designed for the 700 series. The new units are far superior to previous versions and provide pinpoint accuracy along with great detail. In fact, the breakup frequency has been pushed well beyond the human hearing range.
Curved cabinet baffle
The Bowers & Wilkins HTM72 S3 Centre Speaker has a slightly curved front baffle. This is designed to break up standing waves that can lead to phase errors. Moreover, each driver sits in its own isolated enclosure to prevent any mutual interference.
Composite coned bass/midrange unit
The composite coned, Continuum, Bass/midrange units used in the Bowers & Wilkins HTM72 S3 Centre Speaker are designed to resist any abrupt transitions in the sound. This gives a smoother, less distorted output. Effects and vocals are presented with great precision and transparency.
Why a centre speaker?
Centre speakers are used primarily in home cinema systems for dialogue and some effects. This makes dialogue more audible. Notably, movie soundtracks are mixed with a centre channel in mind. There are also surround-encoded music tracks. Surround sound in movies has been around longer than most people realize. In fact, it was pioneered in 1940 by Walt Disney for the Fantasia soundtrack.
Home cinema systems
The 700 series can be used to create a home cinema system. The simplest system is known as 5.1. This comprises a front right and left pair of speakers along with a rear pair. There is also usually a centre speaker, such as the Bowers & Wilkins HTM72 S3 Centre Speaker.
The .1 in the 5.1 refers to a subwoofer. You can also make more complex home cinema systems such as a 7.1 system that has extra side and ceiling channels. Home cinema speaker packages are also available. These are driven by AV receivers that have the necessary outputs, and built-in surround decoding circuitry.
