Customer Ratings & Reviews

I love the speaker, bought it as a replacement for the Def Tech 9040 Center Channel Speaker. I am super happy with the product, the audio sounds very crisp and lively! It truly fills the room with beautiful sound that is so harmonic and lively! Bi-wiring this speaker with the right receiver truly makes a worlds difference, make sure you clean/filter your signal until the point where it reaches your speaker, some (not every) sound truly pronounces itself forward! Ill stop boring you with a long review, just know that you will not be dissappointed with this speaker. It is tough to get (at the moment of me writjng this review) but it is well worth the wait!!!

I previously owned the CM10 S2 center channel for 5 years. I purchased this 700 series center after receiving a email from B&W of the new series. At my age of 60 yrs and working around industrial machinery for 40 plus years I have ringing in my ears all day. I wasn’t sure I’d hear a difference. I’m not a trained audiophile. I noticed more clarity from this speaker. Not a wow factor due to my decreased hearing level but I’m not disappointed in my purchase. I also replaced my same tower speakers with the 702 S2 speakers. I noticed clear sound listening to different types of music from country to classical to hear the difference and I believe there is a difference. Just wish I could hear them side by side.

To this writer, center speakers are often overlooked, but are a crucial part of a successful home theater experience. So much of the movie/tv experience comes through the center channel, that we did not want to skimp on the center speaker. We compared this speaker to the smaller b and w center as well as other centers. This speaker is was noticeably superior. Voices carry beautifully throughout the room. So much so that I use this speaker in surround sound mode to listen to music because it sounds that good when paired with my other b and w speakers.

Great center speaker, so many today are 2 channel with can cause drop-off as the sound wave overlap and cancel each other out. This provides great clear dialogue and beautiful treble; hearing glass shatter or the echo of a phone ring when watching John Wick provided a whole new experience to the film... the sound is so crisp and clear. For sure a B&W fan after hearing these. Also, the S3 version is great, but from what I research there was very little enhancement over the S2; so for the price I would grab this one quick.

Sounds as to be expected for the price range. You get what you pay for.

I upgraded from the 600 series to this 700 series center channel and it IS an even better speaker for multichannel music and especially for video program dialogue. I rarely have to replay programs after a “What did they say?” That problem will get worse as I age or deafen myself from loud audio no doubt. The Rosenut cabinet is beautiful although hard to see since I keep the grille on usually. Lots of bass with this as well. I had to install the foam plugs in the back ports to stop the console from rattling. More than capable with a Marantz 6011 AV receiver. This was an investment but I really love it.

Powerful, clear, deep vocals. This beast weighs 40lbs!! Expensive for sure, but it should last for a very long time.

If you have the money or need to complete a B&W system, this speaker is a good choice. I wouldn't say it's excellent for everyone for the price as I had a Paradigm Reference center channel before (about 1/2 price) that performed just as well. Also, the speaker is made in China (like most electronics these days), however, for some reason I expected it would be manufactured in UK (because of the price). It was packaged very sloppy as well, it's a miracle that it didn't get damaged in transit (packaging material was broken and compressed inside the box and there wasn't enough of it). My other B&W speakers were packaged extremely well, not sure why B&W is trying to save a few bucks on packaging a premium speaker. I have B&W tower front speakers (CM10), so the addition of this unit made sense to keep the tonal balance of my system. However, whereas B&W towers made a huge difference in my sound, this center channel was just ok. I am using an Integra receiver (140W/Channel) to drive my speakers, all of them bi-amped with premium cables.

I purchased this center channel to replace a 20 year-old center channel speaker. I decided to upgrade to Bowers & Wilkins to replace another speaker system. I decided to break-in the center channel speaker using an amp to bi-amp and use both connections by removing the terminal link. I played music at various levels for over 30 hours to have the speakers ready. I am amazed at the bass response as well as how clear and clean everything sounds! I highly recommend upgrading to this 3-way center channel speaker. The dialog and effects are crystal clear.

Not many in stock, I found only 2 within 50 miles. The speaker costs a lot but the sound produced is beyond my expectations and complements well my CM10 towers.

Wow. I added the 700 series center with a pair of 700 series bookshelf speakers to replace another high quality brand and have been blown away by the performance. I have a 5.1 setup in a large living room with vaulted series and my previous L/R and Center setup did not quite have enough power. I especially had issues hearing dialogue when the actors were speaking quietly in movies and tv shows. the B&W center channel speaker took care of that issue day 1. The voices during the quiet scenes are now crystal clear and I don't need to crank the volume to hear them. I can't recommend this center channel speaker enough, don't even think about it one more second, just buy it.

Very nice sounding, but also very big.. it will handle what you give it. Best buy associate at Hungtington Station was very courtesy and professional. Thank you. Purchase was definitely worth it. Main use for home theater.

Outstanding sound. Nicely complements the entire system.

I have owned a 5 speaker B&W 600s set for a very long time, and absolutely love the sound. After all these years, decided to upgrade the front stage with the 700 series, starting with the left and right tower speakers. After connecting and turning those on, both mine and my wife’s jaws dropped. The difference was immediately noticeable, we were fascinated. After a week decided to take the obvious next step upgrading also the center speaker with this HTM71, and wanted to have the same size 6.5” woofers as my 600 series. Let me say that the difference in sound with this HTM71 is significant. Besides the more refined high frequencies, the base is stronger and deeper, while the midrange produces unbelievably natural voices. The most impressive part is that the sound is projected towards the listener with a wider soundstage. In comparison, the 600 sounded like it was coming from the speaker, drawing too much attention. While I still enjoy the 600 series sound, which are now in another room and used regularly, the 700s are just more impressive and refine, with sweet never fatiguing highs. I can easily crank the speaker higher than before to enjoy movies and music with better detail and more impact. Star Wars never sounded so full, rich and detailed. This center speaker is quite expensive, however after spending on the L+R towers, adding the center was a must. The integration of the front stage is perfect producing a result that takes movies and music to pure bliss and enjoyment. If you’re serious about home theater take the plunge and go for it.

A perfect patch for the 702 towers visually and sound.

I had purchased the HTM 72 which is the smaller of the 2 center channels but felt it was lacking to keep up with my new 702s2.. I returned it and purchased the 71 and WOW, what a difference. You don't want the center to dominate, but you don't want it in the background either. This is a bit more money but well worth it. Nice job Bowers and Wilkins!

Amazing sound from this center channel. It’s a little big but it sounds amazing. Movies and music come to life. I suggest that you biamp your speakers

Bowers and wilkins speakers are awesome. This speaker has great response. I love it!!

sounds excellent package could have been better small cosmetic damage .. I was bummed still working with agents that speak great English to solve this problem

You just can't go wrong when you get the best audio system available for the price. The overall sound quality coming out of this Bowers & Wilkins center speaker is unmatched for the price.