Bower Wilkins 705 S2 Speaker Review Smooth Operator Owner’s Manual
- June 17, 2024
- Bower Wilkins
Table of Contents
Bower Wilkins 705 S2 Speaker Review Smooth Operator
Product Information
Specifications
- Channels: 5
- Speaker Positioning: Adjustable
- Recommended Speaker Distance: Between 1.5m and 3m apart
- Recommended Distance from Back Wall: Approximately 0.5m
- Recommended Distance from Side Walls: At least 0.5m
- Stray Magnetic Field Range: Extend beyond the boundaries of the cabinet
Product Usage Instructions
Positioning
After the initial installation, adjusting the speaker position can further
improve the sound quality. In both stereo and home theatre setups, it is
important to ensure that the immediate surroundings of each speaker have a
similar acoustic character. If one speaker is adjacent to bare walls while the
other is adjacent to soft furnishings and curtains, it can compromise the
overall sound quality and stereo image. For conventional stereo systems,
position the speakers between 1.5m and 3m apart at two corners of an
equilateral triangle, with the listening area at the third corner. The
speakers should be approximately 0.5m away from the back wall and at least
0.5m away from any side walls. It is recommended to keep magnetically
sensitive articles (such as CRT televisions, computer screens, discs, audio
and video tapes, swipe cards, etc.) at least 0.5m away from the speaker. LCD,
OLED, and plasma screens are not affected by magnetic fields.
Connections
All connections should be made with the audio equipment switched off. The
speaker has 2 linked pairs of terminals on the back. For conventional
connection, the terminal links should remain in place, and only one pair of
terminals should be connected to the amplifier. For bi-wire connections or bi-
amplification, the terminal links should be removed, and each pair of
terminals should be connected to the amplifier or amplifiers independently.
Bi-wiring can improve the resolution of low-level detail. It is recommended to
consult your dealer for advice when selecting speaker cable.
Fine Tuning
Before fine-tuning, ensure that all connections in the installation are
correct and secure. Moving the speakers further from the walls will generally
reduce the volume of bass and create an aural impression of depth. Conversely,
moving the speakers closer to the walls will increase the volume of bass. If
you want to reduce the volume of bass without moving the speakers further from
the wall, you can fit foam plugs or foam rings in the port tubes. Uneven bass
with frequency may be a consequence of the acoustic properties of your
listening room. Small changes in the position of the speakers or listening
position can have a significant effect on sonic performance, especially at low
frequencies. Try moving your listening position or locating your speakers
along a different wall if possible. If no alternatives exist, you can adjust
the low-frequency performance of your loudspeakers using the supplied foam
bungs. The bungs are a two-piece part, allowing for fine-tuning using either
the outer, larger-diameter piece in isolation or both parts together. Using
solely the outer, larger-diameter foam bung will deliver less bass attenuation
than using the complete bung assembly.
FAQ
Q: How should I position my speakers?
A: For conventional stereo systems, position the speakers between 1.5m and
3m apart at two corners of an equilateral triangle, with the listening area at
the third corner. The speakers should be approximately 0.5m away from the back
wall and at least 0.5m away from any side walls.
Q: Can I connect the speakers using bi-wiring or bi-amplification?
A: Yes, the speaker supports bi-wire connections or bi-amplification.
Remove the terminal links and connect each pair of terminals to the amplifier
or amplifiers independently.
Q: How can I fine-tune the bass volume?
A: You can fine-tune the bass volume by adjusting the distance between the
speakers and the walls. Moving the speakers further from the walls will reduce
the volume of bass, while moving them closer will increase it. Additionally,
you can use foam plugs or foam rings in the port tubes to further reduce the
bass volume without changing the speaker position.
Positioning
Speaker Positioning
Adjustment of speaker position following initial installation will probably
further improve the sound quality and is usually worthwhile. In either stereo
or home theatre installations, try to ensure that the immediate surroundings
of each speaker are similar in acoustic character. For example, if one speaker
is adjacent to bare walls while the other is adjacent to soft furnishings and
curtains, both the overall sound quality and the stereo image are likely to be
compromised.
Conventional Stereo Systems
To begin with, the speakers should be positioned between 1.5m and 3m apart at
two corners of an equilateral triangle completed by the listening area at the
third corner. The speakers should be approximately 0.5m away from the back
wall, and at least 0.5m away from any side walls (above).
Connections
All connections should be made with the audio equipment switched off. There are 2 linked pairs of terminals on the back of the speaker. For conventional connection (above left), the terminal links should remain in place (as delivered) and just one pair of terminals connected to the amplifier. For bi- wire connections or bi-amplification (above right), the terminal links should be removed, and each pair of terminals connected to the amplifier or amplifiers independently. Bi wiring can improve the resolution of low-level detail.
Ensure that the positive terminals on the speaker (marked + and colored red) are connected to the positive output terminal on the amplifier and the negative terminals on the speaker (marked – and colored black) are connected to the negative output terminal on the amplifier. Incorrect connection can result in poor imaging and loss of bass. Ask your dealer for advice when selecting speaker cable.
Fine Tuning
Before fine-tuning, make sure that all the connections in the installation are correct and secure. Moving the speakers further from the walls will generally reduce the volume of bass. Space behind the speakers will also help to create an aural impression of depth. Conversely, moving the speakers closer to the walls will increase the volume of bass. If you want to reduce the volume of bass without moving the speakers further from the wall, fit the foam plugs or, for less severe bass reduction, the foam rings in the port tubes (above). If the bass seems uneven with frequency this will most probably be a consequence of the acoustic properties of your listening room. Even small changes in the position of the speakers or listening position can have a significant effect on sonic performance, especially at low frequencies. Try moving your listening position or locating your speakers along a different wall if possible.
If no alternatives exist, you can adjust your loudspeakers’ low-frequency performance using the supplied foam bungs. The bungs are a two-piece part, allowing for a degree of fine-tuning using either the outer, larger-diameter piece in isolation or the two parts together. Using solely the outer, larger- diameter foam bung will deliver less bass attenuation than the complete bung assembly. If using floor stands to support the speakers, ensure that they rest firmly on the floor. Use carpet piercing spikes if appropriate and adjust them to take up any unevenness. If you are using our FS-700 S2 stands, we recommend mass-loading them to deliver the best combination of stability and performance. We recommend filling each stand to its maximum available volume using an appropriate material such as kiln-dried sand.
Channels
Home Theatre Systems
If the speakers are to be used for the front channels in a home theatre
system, they should be placed closer together than for 2-channel audio,
because the surround channels tend to widen the image. Positioning the
speakers within approximately 0.5m of the sides of the screen will also help
keep the sound image in scale with the visual image. As with conventional
stereo positioning, the speakers should ideally be at least 0.5m away from any
side walls. If you would prefer to place your speaker against the back wall
and this location results in over-emphasized bass, see the Fine Tuning section
of this manual for information on using the foam plugs.
Stray magnetic fields
The speaker drive units create stray magnetic fields that extend beyond the
boundaries of the cabinet. We recommend you keep magnetically sensitive
articles (CRT television and computer screens, computer discs, audio and video
tapes, swipe cards, and the like) at least 0.5m from the speaker. LCD, OLED,
and plasma screens are not affected by magnetic fields.
