Overview

The Bowers & Wilkins 684 S2 was a slim two-way floorstanding model in the 600 S2 line, launched in 2014 and now discontinued/archived by the manufacturer [3][1]. It used dual 130 mm woven-Kevlar bass/mid drivers and a 25 mm Decoupled Double Dome aluminum tweeter in a bass-reflex cabinet with Flowport [1]. The launch price was 1,150 USD per pair [2], and the model has been superseded by newer 600-series generations [4].

Scientific Validity

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Manufacturer data: on-axis frequency response 72 Hz–22 kHz (±3 dB), –6 dB points 45 Hz and 50 kHz; sensitivity 87 dB (2.83 V/1 m); nominal 8 Ω (min. 4 Ω); THD (2nd+3rd) at 90 dB/1 m <1 % from 140 Hz–22 kHz and <0.5 % from 180 Hz–20 kHz [1].
Independent data: NRC anechoic measurements published by SoundStage! include full on/off-axis curves, listening-window response, THD+N at 90 dB, sensitivity measured at 86.25 dB (2.83 V/1 m), and impedance/phase [5]. Overall, these place the 684 S2 around “average/passable” for passive towers rather than near-transparent.

Technology Level

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Conventional but competent design: two parallel 130 mm bass/mid drivers cross to a 25 mm dome tweeter at 4 kHz [1]. B&W’s Decoupled Double Dome tweeter and Anti-Resonance plugs are thoughtful refinements for the time, yet the overall topology (2-way, reflex) is standard and lacks novel engineering relative to current designs.

Cost-Performance

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The cheapest current tower with equal-or-better measured performance we can verify is JBL Stage A180, which has third-party Klippel NFS spin data from Audio Science Review, aggregated at Spinorama.org: –6 dB ≈ 41 Hz, frequency-range deviation ≈ 2.7 dB (300 Hz–5 kHz), Preference Score ≈ 4.4 (≈ 6.1 with a perfect sub) [6][7]. Current list price is 399.95 USD each on JBL’s US site (pair: 799.90 USD) [8].

Equivalence note: floorstanding stereo use; measured low-frequency extension reaches deeper, and midband linearity metrics are well-behaved; no clear measured disadvantage relative to the 684 S2’s NRC data set [5][6][7].

Calculation: 799.90 USD ÷ 1,150 USD = 0.695 → 0.7 (rounded to first decimal).

Reliability & Support

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The 684 S2 is in B&W’s product archive and no longer in production, so there is no manufacturer warranty for new purchases, and parts/support are limited to legacy channels [3]. While historical B&W build quality was solid, current buyers must rely on the used market, reducing support certainty compared with active models.

Rationality of Design Philosophy

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The 684 S2 follows rational, measurement-grounded principles (straightforward 2-way, reflex, materials with known behavior). However, given its launch-price positioning and today’s availability of current towers with comparable or better independent measurements at markedly lower prices, the historical value proposition looks weak.

Advice

Avoid for new purchase unless found at a significant discount on the used market. If you need a basic floorstander with verified independent measurements, JBL Stage A180 is a solid baseline to compare against [6][7][8]. If you prefer a current audiophile-brand option with ongoing support, consider Wharfedale’s Diamond 12.3 and compare using independent measurements where available [9].

References

[1] Bowers & Wilkins, “684 S2 Information Sheet (PDF),” https://www.bowerswilkins.com/on/demandware.static/-/Library-Sites-bowers_northamerica_shared/default/dw2d4f80dc/archive-manuals/684-s2-information-sheet-2.pdf, accessed 2025-08-23.
[2] SoundStage! Hi-Fi, “Bowers & Wilkins 684 S2 Loudspeakers,” https://www.soundstagehifi.com/index.php/equipment-reviews/758-bowers-wilkins-684-s2-loudspeakers, Aug 1, 2014.
[3] Bowers & Wilkins, “Product Archive,” https://www.bowerswilkins.com/en-us/product-archive.html, accessed 2025-08-23.
[4] Audioholics, “B&W Revamps 600 Series Speakers (2018),” https://www.audioholics.com/tower-speaker-reviews/b-w-600-series, Aug 21, 2018.
[5] SoundStage! Network, “NRC Measurements: Bowers & Wilkins 684 S2 Loudspeakers,” https://www.soundstagenetwork.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1223:nrc-measurements-bowers-wilkins-684-s2-loudspeakers&catid=77&Itemid=153, Aug 1, 2014, accessed 2025-08-23.
[6] Spinorama.org, “Measurements for speaker JBL Stage A180 (ASR),” https://www.spinorama.org/speakers/JBL%20Stage%20A180/ASR/index_asr.html, accessed 2025-08-23.
[7] Audio Science Review, “JBL A180 Tower Speaker Review,” https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/jbl-a180-tower-speaker-review.34846/, Jun 11, 2022.
[8] JBL (US), “JBL Stage A180 | Home Audio Loudspeaker System,” https://www.jbl.com/loudspeakers/STAGE%2BA180.html, accessed 2025-08-23.
[9] Wharfedale (UK), “Diamond 12.3,” https://www.wharfedale.co.uk/products/diamond-12-3, accessed 2025-08-23.

(2025.8.23)