There was a time when installing a Home Video system meant getting rid of everything else in the living room. Since this epic era manufacturers of speaker systems have made tremendous efforts to become user (or better, wife) friendly and a large offer of such smaller scale devices is now available. Now small may be beautiful, but one has to give away something against smaller size: the bass response is usually more anaemic , meaning that the Subwoofers are playing a critical role here.
B&W, the UK manufacturer, has come to this market with a quite conventional speaker system that reminds of their DM300 series. The dimensions are pretty comfortable: The DM303 are 33x20x24cm (hxwxd) while the LCR3 center speaker is 15x42x22cm, rear speakers 40.5x33x37.5cm, and the ASW300 sub comes at 35x35x36cm. Finishes available are Maple or Black Ash with black vinyl wraps.
Enceinte DM-303
Centrale LC3
Caisson de graves ASW300
The DM303 has a 26mm dome tweeter and 16cm cone woofer. The ASW300 Sub contains a 100W amplifier and features a 200mm (8”) dia paper/Kevlar cone long throw. The LCR3 center looks (and feels) classic, following the usual mid/bass units and tweeter design. B&W is synonym for technology and the 303 series uses some of the brand's flagship Nautilus narrowed tube that provides better clarity.
The sound is instantly B&W recognizable, clear, open and well spaced and the whole system produces a very convincing Home Theater system at an affordable ₤749.