TrueScaleAudio
Compare speakers at true scale
Pick two speakers and see them side by side at their real-world size.
Front view — side by side at true scale
Click either cabinet to swap A ↔ B · Reference height: 1323 mm (132.3 cm) · 1 mm = 0.42 px
Bowers & Wilkins 603 S3vsMartinLogan ElectroMotion ESL
The MartinLogan ElectroMotion ESL stands 132.3 cm tall — about 30.3 cm more than the Bowers & Wilkins 603 S3 at 102.0 cm. On footprint the Bowers & Wilkins 603 S3 is the wider cabinet (25.6 cm versus 22.9 cm). At 91 dB against 90 dB, the MartinLogan ElectroMotion ESL is the easier load to drive and plays louder from the same amplifier. The MartinLogan ElectroMotion ESL reaches deeper in the bass, down to 42 Hz versus 46 Hz. Low frequencies come from a 165 mm cone on the Bowers & Wilkins 603 S3 and a 203 mm cone on the MartinLogan ElectroMotion ESL. Both land in a similar price bracket, around $2,500 a pair.
| A | B | |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Bowers & Wilkins | MartinLogan |
| Model | Bowers & Wilkins 603 S3 S3 | MartinLogan ElectroMotion ESL |
| Height | 1020 mm | 1323 mm |
| Width | 256 mm | 229 mm |
| Depth | 402 mm | 414 mm |
| Weight | 27.5 kg | 16.1 kg |
| Enclosure | bass-reflex-rear | bass-reflex-rear |
| Drivers | 1× 25 mm tweeter (Titanium Dome), 1× 150 mm midrange (Continuum cone FST), 2× 165 mm woofer (paper cone) | 1× midrange (electrostatic (XStat CLS)), 1× 203 mm woofer (doped-fibre cone) |
| Frequency — low | 46 Hz | 42 Hz |
| Frequency — high | 28000 Hz | 22000 Hz |
| Sensitivity | 90 dB | 91 dB |
| Impedance | 8 Ω | 6 Ω |
| Recommended amp | 30–200 W | 20–300 W |
| MAP (USD) | $2,500 / pair | $2,500 / pair |
| Where to buy | Check availability ↗ | Check availability ↗ |
| Brand website | bowerswilkins.com ↗ | martinlogan.com ↗ |
| Product page | Open product page ↗ | Open product page ↗ |
Larger value highlighted in green. For low-frequency extension, lower Hz = greater bass reach, so the deeper side is highlighted.