Short answer: the Q Acoustics 3050c. It ranks #97 of 226 floorstanding speakers by sound quality, rated 4.2/5, at $1,349; the Bowers & Wilkins 603 S3 ranks #115, rated 4.1/5, and costs $2,700, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The case for the Q Acoustics 3050c: Floorstanding tower in the 3000c range featuring dual 5.5-inch C3 Continuous Curved Cone woofers with Helmholtz Pressure Equalizer (HPE) tubes and P2P bracing. The tradeoff: Rating estimated based on 3000c series sibling testing.
What the Bowers & Wilkins 603 S3 does well: Floorstanding tower speaker in the 600 Series incorporating dual 6.5-inch paper-cone bass drivers, a dedicated 6-inch Continuum FST midrange, and a decoupled 1-inch Titanium Dome tweeter. The tradeoff: Rating estimated based on 600 S3 series sibling testing.
Buy the Q Acoustics 3050c. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Bowers & Wilkins 603 S3 and costs less, so only choose the other one for a particular feature it does better.
About the ratings: neither speaker has been measured yet, so both ratings are estimated from measured siblings and predecessors (likely ranges: Q Acoustics 3050c 4.0 to 4.4; Bowers & Wilkins 603 S3 3.9 to 4.3). Treat this verdict as provisional.
Still deciding? The full Passive Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Q Acoustics 3050c | Bowers & Wilkins 603 S3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,349.00 per pair | $2,700 per pair |
| Ranked | #97 of 226 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers Estimated | #115 of 226 in Large Size Floorstanding Speakers Estimated |
| Drivers | 0.9” (22mm) decoupled tweeter, 2 x 5.5” (140mm) C3 Continuous Curved Cone woofers | 1” (25mm) Decoupled Titanium Dome tweeter, 6” (150mm) Continuum FST midrange, 2 x 6.5” (165mm) paper cone woofers |
| Frequency Response | 42Hz - 30kHz (-6dB, manufacturer specified) | 46Hz - 28kHz (±3dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 89.0dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) | 90dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal, 3.8 ohms minimum (manufacturer specified) | 8 ohms nominal, 3.0 ohms minimum (manufacturer specified) |
| Bass Extension (-6dB) | 42Hz (manufacturer specified) | 29Hz (manufacturer specified) |
| Dimensions | 39.4”H x 7.9”W x 12.2”D (1000 x 200 x 310 mm) | 38.9”H x 7.5”W x 13.4”D (988 x 190 x 340 mm) |
| Weight | 39.2 lbs (17.8 kg) each | 60.6 lbs (27.5 kg) each |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 46Hz (manufacturer specified) |
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- Bowers & Wilkins 603 S3 vs KEF Q11 Meta
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Q Acoustics 3050c: $1,349.00 per pair Estimated Amazon eBay
Same family: the Q Acoustics 3010c (smallest bookshelf, estimated 3.4/5), the Q Acoustics 3020c (bookshelf, estimated 2.6/5), the Q Acoustics 3030c (largest bookshelf, estimated 3.8/5) and the Q Acoustics 3090c (center, estimated 3.5/5). See every Q Acoustics 3000 Series generation.
Pros: Floorstanding tower in the 3000c range featuring dual 5.5-inch C3 Continuous Curved Cone woofers with Helmholtz Pressure Equalizer (HPE) tubes and P2P bracing. Delivers deep, articulate bass extension down to 42Hz (-6dB) and refined on-axis linearity with low cabinet resonance.
Cons: Rating estimated based on 3000c series sibling testing. Minimum impedance dips to 3.8 ohms, requiring an amplifier capable of driving low-impedance loads cleanly.
Full Q Acoustics 3050c review and specifications →
| Released | Apr 2025 (1 year ago) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-6dB) | 42Hz (manufacturer specified) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 39.4”H x 7.9”W x 12.2”D (1000 x 200 x 310 mm) |
| Drivers | 0.9” (22mm) decoupled tweeter, 2 x 5.5” (140mm) C3 Continuous Curved Cone woofers |
| Frequency Response | 42Hz - 30kHz (-6dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal, 3.8 ohms minimum (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 89.0dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 39.2 lbs (17.8 kg) each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Bowers & Wilkins 603 S3: $2,700 per pair Estimated B&H Photo Video eBay
Same family: the Bowers & Wilkins 607 S3 (smaller bookshelf, estimated 3.6/5), the Bowers & Wilkins 606 S3 (larger bookshelf, estimated 3.9/5) and the Bowers & Wilkins HTM6 S3 (center, estimated 3.4/5). See every Bowers & Wilkins 600 Series generation.
Pros: Floorstanding tower speaker in the 600 Series incorporating dual 6.5-inch paper-cone bass drivers, a dedicated 6-inch Continuum FST midrange, and a decoupled 1-inch Titanium Dome tweeter. Delivers solid dynamic headroom, low distortion, and bass authority down to 46Hz.
Cons: Rating estimated based on 600 S3 series sibling testing. Minimum impedance dips to 3.0 ohms in the mid-bass, demanding an amplifier capable of sustained current into low impedance loads.
Full Bowers & Wilkins 603 S3 review and specifications →
| Released | Aug 2023 (3 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 46Hz (manufacturer specified) |
| Bass Extension (-6dB) | 29Hz (manufacturer specified) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 38.9”H x 7.5”W x 13.4”D (988 x 190 x 340 mm) |
| Drivers | 1” (25mm) Decoupled Titanium Dome tweeter, 6” (150mm) Continuum FST midrange, 2 x 6.5” (165mm) paper cone woofers |
| Frequency Response | 46Hz - 28kHz (±3dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal, 3.0 ohms minimum (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 90dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 60.6 lbs (27.5 kg) each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons