Bowers & Wilkins 603 S3-OAK vs Focal KANTA CENTER-HIGH-GLOSS-WALNUT-IVORY
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Choosing between the Bowers & Wilkins 603 S3-OAK and Focal KANTA CENTER-HIGH-GLOSS-WALNUT-IVORY? Both compete in the Speaker (L/R) segment. Here’s how they compare across the specs that matter most for your home theater.
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Looking at overall performance dimensions: The Focal KANTA CENTER-HIGH-GLOSS-WALNUT-IVORY leads in audio quality, volume/SPL, form factor, room fit. They score similarly in value.
For speaker performance, the Focal KANTA CENTER-HIGH-GLOSS-WALNUT-IVORY is more sensitive at 91 dB vs 90 dB. Higher sensitivity means your receiver works less hard, leaving more headroom for dynamic peaks in movie soundtracks. A speaker rated 3 dB higher in sensitivity needs half the amplifier power to reach the same volume.
The Focal KANTA CENTER-HIGH-GLOSS-WALNUT-IVORY holds an advantage across more performance dimensions, but the Bowers & Wilkins 603 S3-OAK may still be the better pick depending on which specs matter most to your setup. See the detailed comparison table below for the full breakdown.
For most home theaters, the Focal KANTA CENTER-HIGH-GLOSS-WALNUT-IVORY is the stronger choice — it leads in 4 of 5 scored dimensions. The Bowers & Wilkins 603 S3-OAK makes more sense if budget is the primary constraint.
Performance Overview
Scores based on specs and category benchmarks (0–100 scale)
Detailed Specifications
| Specification | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | N/A | N/A |
| Driver Config | 3-way | 2-way |
| Sensitivity | 90dB | 91dB |
| Impedance | 8Ω | 8Ω |
| Freq Response Low | 29Hz | 55Hz |
| Freq Response High | 33000Hz | 40000Hz |
| Crossover | — | 2400Hz |
| Bi-Amp Capable | No | No |
| Rec. Power Min | 30W | 40W |
| Rec. Power Max | 150W | 200W |
| Mounting Type | tower | center |
| Mounting Depth | — | — |
| Cutout Diameter | — | — |
| Cutout Width | — | — |
| Cutout Height | — | — |
| Wall Thickness Min | — | — |
| Wall Thickness Max | — | — |
| Back Box Included | No | No |
| Back Box Required | No | No |
| Mounting Mechanism | — | — |
| Installation Type | — | — |
| Stud Spacing | — | — |
| Paintable Grille | No | No |
| Magnetic Grille | No | No |
| Grille Shape | — | — |
| Connector Type | — | — |
| Wire Gauge Max | — | — |
| Angle Adjustable | No | No |
| Pivot Angle | — | — |
| Treble Attenuation Switch | No | No |
| LCR Capable | No | No |
| Coaxial | No | No |
| IP Rating | — | — |
| Moisture Resistant | No | No |
| UV Resistant | No | No |
| Salt Spray Rated | No | No |
| Enclosure Material | — | — |
| Grille Material | — | — |
| Bracket Type | — | — |
| Bracket Included | No | No |
| Dual Voice Coil (SDI) | No | No |
Key Differences
- Freq Response Low: Bowers & Wilkins 603 S3-OAK at 29Hz vs Focal KANTA CENTER-HIGH-GLOSS-WALNUT-IVORY at 55Hz. Determines how much bass a speaker handles on its own versus relying on a subwoofer for low-end support.
- Driver Config: Bowers & Wilkins 603 S3-OAK at 3-way vs Focal KANTA CENTER-HIGH-GLOSS-WALNUT-IVORY at 2-way. 3-way speakers use dedicated drivers for bass, midrange, and treble, reducing crossover interference. Coaxial designs (KEF Uni-Q) mount the tweeter inside the woofer for better time-alignment.
- Rec. Power Min: Bowers & Wilkins 603 S3-OAK at 30W vs Focal KANTA CENTER-HIGH-GLOSS-WALNUT-IVORY at 40W
- Rec. Power Max: Bowers & Wilkins 603 S3-OAK at 150W vs Focal KANTA CENTER-HIGH-GLOSS-WALNUT-IVORY at 200W
- Freq Response High: Bowers & Wilkins 603 S3-OAK at 33000Hz vs Focal KANTA CENTER-HIGH-GLOSS-WALNUT-IVORY at 40000Hz
Which Should You Choose?
Choose Bowers & Wilkins 603 S3-OAK if you want:
- + better freq response low — determines how much bass a speaker handles on its own versus relying on a subwoofer for low-end support
Choose Focal KANTA CENTER-HIGH-GLOSS-WALNUT-IVORY if you want:
- + better sensitivity — higher sensitivity means your receiver works less hard, leaving more headroom for dynamic peaks in movie soundtracks
See Where These Rank
Check our editorial rankings to see how Bowers & Wilkins 603 S3-OAK and Focal KANTA CENTER-HIGH-GLOSS-WALNUT-IVORY compare to the rest of the field.
Best Speaker (L/R) RankingsRelated Calculators
Specifications sourced from manufacturer datasheets and verified against retailer listings. Prices updated hourly from authorized retailers. Scoring uses our open methodology — products are never ranked, promoted, or suppressed based on affiliate commission rates.
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