Bowers & Wilkins (B&W) T7 Review & Video – Was this Wireless Speaker worth $350?
Bowers & Wilkins (B&W) T7 Review
Bowers & Wilkins T7 Review
I’ve been eager to review the Bowers & Wilkins T7 for a while now. Known affectionately as B&W, this iconic English speaker brand has been a mainstay for decades, celebrated by HiFi aficionados worldwide. Their speakers grace some of the best recording studios and home audio setups across the globe.
The T7 isn’t B&W’s first foray into wireless speakers—you may already be familiar with their distinctive Zeppelin model, a longstanding favorite for home use. However, the T7, which debuted in 2015, marked their first attempt at creating something portable. Priced at $350, it faces tough competition from rivals like the Libratone Zipp and Bose SoundLink Revolve, both of which we’ve reviewed.
First Impressions
The T7 instantly conveys the unmistakable DNA of Bowers & Wilkins. It boasts a premium look and feel, with meticulous attention to aesthetics and design. The standout feature is B&W’s “Micro Matrix” design, a transparent honeycomb frame that encases the speaker. This structure isn’t just for show—it’s engineered to enhance sound quality by creating a resonance-free enclosure. And yes, it looks fantastic too.
The speaker strikes a fine balance in weight: substantial enough to feel high-quality yet light and portable enough to easily fit in a suitcase or bag. The rubber trim around the top and bottom adds a touch of sophistication and minor protection. That said, this isn’t a rugged, take-me-to-the-beach type of speaker; its design leans more toward refined elegance.
Features
The T7 keeps things straightforward with four standard control buttons on the top for pairing, play/pause, and volume adjustments. A blue LED on the side indicates connectivity status.
Inputs are minimal, featuring a power port, an auxiliary mini-plug, and a mini USB for firmware updates. B&W has opted for simplicity—there’s no dedicated app to download or navigate. However, the speaker exclusively uses Bluetooth with AptX and lacks Wi-Fi or AirPlay functionality, which might disappoint some users. Additionally, there’s no port to charge external devices, which is a missed opportunity for added convenience.
Battery life is rated at approximately 18 hours of playback (at 75% volume, playing rock music), and this estimate seems conservative—most users may find it lasts even longer with varied use.
The T7 isn’t their first foray into wireless speaker either –if you’ve probably seen their famous Zeppelin model over the years that remains to be a solid at home performer with it’s distinctive design. The T7 has been out since 2015 and it their first attempt at something portable. At $350 the competition is fierce with competition from the likes of the Libratone Zipp, Bose SoundLink Revolve both of which we have reviewed.
At first glance, the T7 speaker seems to have the DNA of a B&W. It has a premium look and feel and careful attention to aesthetics, design, touch, and feel. B&W use a “Micro Matrix” design, which looks like a transparent honeycomb frame around the speaker. B&W says it’s designed to improve the sound by making it a resonance-free structure; it also looks good The speaker is heavy enough to feel substantial, but also light enough to be portable and fit in a suitcase or bag with ease. The rubber trim around the top/bottom and has a nice look and feel to it as well and offers a bit of protection, although it’s not a speaker that screams rugged -take-me-to-the beach like others.
Features
There are four standard control buttons on the top enabling you to pair, play/pause, and adjust the volume up/down. There’s a blue LED to one side, which shows when you’re connected. The inputs are minimal, with power, Aux mini plug, and a mini USB for firmware updates. Overall things are kept really simple, straightforward and easy. There is no App to use or download. On the downside, it only used Bluetooth and AptX, with no Wi-Fi or Airplay option. There’s also no port to charge your phone or device. B&W says you’ll get ~18 hours of playback (75 percent volume, rock music) – but that feels like a conservative estimate.
Bowers & Wilkins T7 Review
Sound Review: Bowers & Wilkins T7
The B&W T7 delivers crisp, detailed sound with adequate bass. The speaker excels in the highs and mids, providing a clear and engaging listening experience. However, it struggles slightly when pushed to its limits on bass-heavy tracks. The more I listened, the more I appreciated its nuanced sound profile.
Let’s be clear: this speaker isn’t designed to shake the house down. Instead, it caters to listeners with refined tastes and specific needs, such as business travel. If you’re after a rugged, bass-heavy speaker for pool parties or large gatherings, there are better options out there. However, if you enjoy classical music, jazz, or guitar-driven rock, you’ll likely appreciate the B&W T7’s finesse and clarity.
Pros
- Crisp, detailed sound
- Elegant design and sturdy build
- Long battery life
Cons
- Other speakers may offer more presence or a bigger sound for the price
- Bass won’t satisfy most
- No pairing or charging capabilities
Bowers & Wilkins T7 Review Summary
The Bowers & Wilkins T7 Wireless/Bluetooth speaker is a fine performer, best suited for those who value its refined audio quality and design. While it’s not a party speaker, it excels as a compact, high-quality option for more intimate or sophisticated listening needs.
Full specs and technical details can be found at B&W
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