I also bought a pair of these during the sale preceding the launch of the s3 versions, figured it was my last chance to get a pair, been wanting a pair. Forever. Great speakers
Nice review i own 702 s2 and they sound very detailed and beautiful to look at, the only things that i think is their weak points, is that they can sound a bit harsh on poor recordings, bass can lack a bit of depth for some music, but its good in terms of quality, they are also very powerhunngry in my experince,
Agree on the lack of bass. That was not of the reasons why I originally went with all B&W CT7.4. My thought was since I’m going to have to use the subs for music anyway with the 702’s why not just save some $$ and go with the boxy CT7.4s. At least I would have all matching speakers. It was great for movies but musically left a lot to be desired. Got the 702’s and cross them over at 80hz. Used to SVS app to smooth out the bass before running Audyssey. Now the bass is musical and impactful in Pure Direct.
@@magnoliamo adding a lot of power seems so help a lot, just recently bought Hegel h390, and it was a massive upgrade for bass, now it almost feel like their good amount of bass, but could still benefit from a good sub or two, i use Arendal 1723 1s subwoofer very good also,
Fair point @andreasmoller9798. I do think that given that they are generally very good all round, plus I use two subwoofers to underpin that low level bass, they do the job just fine. Just my opinion though.
@@magnoliamoHi MO. I'm hoping to get your opinion on this. I have a chance to buy a pair of 8 months old black 703 S2 in great condition for $1200 locally. I used to own a pair of Nautilus 805 25 years ago but went through a divorce and haven't own a decent pair of speakers since then. The speakers would be in my living room, hooked up to play music 50% of the time and as PA speakers for my digital piano and vocal microphone the other 50% of the time. I don't have a "sweet spot" so there won't be any real critical listening. Considering this info and the price I mentioned, do you think I should buy them? My other option is a pair of very well rated Monolith (T6) floor-standing speakers that are on sale for only $360. Thanks for your time! BTW, I really love the tweeter on top style of the Nautilus, 702 S2, 703 S3... so the 703 S2 aren't my first choice other than for the $1200 price :)
Great speakers love the way the sound when I worked at magnolia myself always a definitive technology and Martin Logan fan but those 702 might be my next speakers
Thanks for the video - great to get your thoughts. Have you looked at the 702 S3s? I’ve not heard them but from reading online it sounds like the extra asking price probably isn’t worth the difference.
I own some CM10 S2 speakers. They are fantastic. Good soundstage and nice definition and clarity. The diamond series are better but for their pricepoint, the S2's offer great bang for your buck.
@@ganck1147 It depends on what you are listening to and what amp is driving them. Reference amps are definitely needed for the diamond speakers, but at moderate volume they are similar. The definition becomes much clearer when driven at higher gain then the current draw becomes all too apparent.
@@roy4975 we were listening to my cds which consisted of some high dynamic/impact drum music & vocal music & played at rather high levels….approx 85 to 90db over & both spks driven by a high end Roksan integrated amp…..i repeated the same comparison with CM6S2 against 805D3 & again both set of spks sounded very very similar.
@@ganck1147 That's a fair argument. We all have different listening pleasures, but they are still very good for the price point. I am very happy with my S2's. I suppose if you like a warmer sound, then perhaps another speaker may suit, but each to their own.
@@roy4975 oh i love the B&W sound bro….i purchased the CM6s2 after numerous comparison with 805D3. As i mentioned earlier, both were very very close. Perhaps the 805D3’s midrange was slightly more nuanced & show better texture but we are talking abt splitting hairs here. I saw no point in paying 3 more times for the 805D3. I also compared cm6s2 with 805D2 but not directly. The D2s were driven by top flight Naim separates in another shop & playing my high impact drum cd, i thought the cm6s2 was alot better. Far more transparent, lively & toe tapping. 805D2s sounded slow & dull.
You would need to go to the 800 series. 805 D4 would be the step up but they are bookshelf speakers. Then it would be 804 D4. You could also step up to 700 Signature Series.
@@magnoliamo Yes.After two monts of trying to find sweet spot finally got it.36 inch from the face of the speaker to the wall and less then 8ft apart.I like them.Now I'm playing with htm 71s2 but probably I will stick with in wall center channel or without center channel.
I think a 1000 watts would be overkill for these. If you have the B&W 802D3 or D4 then I would go 1000 watts solid state. For the 702S2 or S3 a powerful 200 watts is great
I also bought a pair of these during the sale preceding the launch of the s3 versions, figured it was my last chance to get a pair, been wanting a pair. Forever. Great speakers
I just bought the new HTM71 S3 to go with these. Unboxing and review coming up!
1800$ each ....I also bought 😁
@@slawek6829 mine were 4800 a pair. Worth it.
@@musicman8270now I have to buy new electronics, already have yamaha 2060😩
@@slawek6829 I like my Parasound
Nice review i own 702 s2 and they sound very detailed and beautiful to look at, the only things that i think is their weak points, is that they can sound a bit harsh on poor recordings, bass can lack a bit of depth for some music, but its good in terms of quality, they are also very powerhunngry in my experince,
Agree on the lack of bass. That was not of the reasons why I originally went with all B&W CT7.4. My thought was since I’m going to have to use the subs for music anyway with the 702’s why not just save some $$ and go with the boxy CT7.4s. At least I would have all matching speakers. It was great for movies but musically left a lot to be desired. Got the 702’s and cross them over at 80hz. Used to SVS app to smooth out the bass before running Audyssey. Now the bass is musical and impactful in Pure Direct.
@@magnoliamo adding a lot of power seems so help a lot, just recently bought Hegel h390, and it was a massive upgrade for bass, now it almost feel like their good amount of bass, but could still benefit from a good sub or two, i use Arendal 1723 1s subwoofer very good also,
Fair point @andreasmoller9798. I do think that given that they are generally very good all round, plus I use two subwoofers to underpin that low level bass, they do the job just fine. Just my opinion though.
@@magnoliamoHi MO. I'm hoping to get your opinion on this. I have a chance to buy a pair of 8 months old black 703 S2 in great condition for $1200 locally. I used to own a pair of Nautilus 805 25 years ago but went through a divorce and haven't own a decent pair of speakers since then. The speakers would be in my living room, hooked up to play music 50% of the time and as PA speakers for my digital piano and vocal microphone the other 50% of the time. I don't have a "sweet spot" so there won't be any real critical listening. Considering this info and the price I mentioned, do you think I should buy them? My other option is a pair of very well rated Monolith (T6) floor-standing speakers that are on sale for only $360. Thanks for your time! BTW, I really love the tweeter on top style of the Nautilus, 702 S2, 703 S3... so the 703 S2 aren't my first choice other than for the $1200 price :)
Great speakers love the way the sound when I worked at magnolia myself always a definitive technology and Martin Logan fan but those 702 might be my next speakers
Thanks for the video - great to get your thoughts. Have you looked at the 702 S3s? I’ve not heard them but from reading online it sounds like the extra asking price probably isn’t worth the difference.
Thanks for the comment. I have not auditioned the S3’s yet but plan do so in the upcoming weeks.
Thanks - it would be great to get your thoughts on the comparison!
I own some CM10 S2 speakers. They are fantastic. Good soundstage and nice definition and clarity. The diamond series are better but for their pricepoint, the S2's offer great bang for your buck.
I once heard the Cm10s alongside the 804D3 & almost couldn’t tell them apart.
@@ganck1147 It depends on what you are listening to and what amp is driving them. Reference amps are definitely needed for the diamond speakers, but at moderate volume they are similar. The definition becomes much clearer when driven at higher gain then the current draw becomes all too apparent.
@@roy4975 we were listening to my cds which consisted of some high dynamic/impact drum music & vocal music & played at rather high levels….approx 85 to 90db over & both spks driven by a high end Roksan integrated amp…..i repeated the same comparison with CM6S2 against 805D3 & again both set of spks sounded very very similar.
@@ganck1147 That's a fair argument. We all have different listening pleasures, but they are still very good for the price point. I am very happy with my S2's. I suppose if you like a warmer sound, then perhaps another speaker may suit, but each to their own.
@@roy4975 oh i love the B&W sound bro….i purchased the CM6s2 after numerous comparison with 805D3. As i mentioned earlier, both were very very close. Perhaps the 805D3’s midrange was slightly more nuanced & show better texture but we are talking abt splitting hairs here. I saw no point in paying 3 more times for the 805D3. I also compared cm6s2 with 805D2 but not directly. The D2s were driven by top flight Naim separates in another shop & playing my high impact drum cd, i thought the cm6s2 was alot better. Far more transparent, lively & toe tapping. 805D2s sounded slow & dull.
Which B&W speaker would be a step up from the 702 s2
You would need to go to the 800 series. 805 D4 would be the step up but they are bookshelf speakers. Then it would be 804 D4. You could also step up to 700 Signature Series.
Will the Rotel RB1590 be enough to power them ?
Definitely! The RB1590 would work great with the 702 S2. 350 watts and 4 ohm stable.
@@magnoliamo thanks
How much did you get them for?
Thanks for the question. Under $3500 for the pair.
Do you still like them...my room size is 13x16 sq ft and I think maybe 702s2 are too big for the room size...?
Yes, still love them. They are actually perfect for your room. I sit about 10 ft from the front left/right.
@@magnoliamo Ok.Thank You 👍
Did you end up getting the 702S2’s?
@@magnoliamo Yes.After two monts of trying to find sweet spot finally got it.36 inch from the face of the speaker to the wall and less then 8ft apart.I like them.Now I'm playing with htm 71s2 but probably I will stick with in wall center channel or without center channel.
Oh powerful solid state. Really I use a average of a 1/2 watt when I listen to music. So do you think a 1,000.00 watts would be good.😏
I think a 1000 watts would be overkill for these. If you have the B&W 802D3 or D4 then I would go 1000 watts solid state. For the 702S2 or S3 a powerful 200 watts is great