Bowers & Wilkins T7 wireless speaker review
Our take on B&W's first portable Bluetooth® speaker
If you think the term “conversation piece” sounds too strong for a portable Bluetooth® speaker, consider the Bowers & Wilkins T7. It looks at home in a nicely decorated room, or outside on a picnic table decked out with an elaborate food spread.
About the size of a thick paperback novel, this lightweight yet rock-solid speaker is easy to pick up and take with you. Music plays wirelessly from your smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth. I took the T7 home to check it out.
A sound legacy
For those unfamiliar with Bowers & Wilkins, this prestigious British audio company has built high-quality loudspeakers for over 50 years. You can find their speakers in famous recording studios like Abbey Road Studios and Skywalker Sound. In recent years, Bowers & Wilkins has earned a stellar reputation in the world of personal and wireless audio.
The Bowers & Wilkins T7 Bluetooth speaker plays music wirelessly from your smartphone or tablet.
A test run for the T7
The portable T7 has a built-in rechargeable battery, which offers up to 18 hours of use on a full charge. Large rubber buttons on the top panel offer controls for volume, play/pause, and Bluetooth pairing.
I charged it up with the included AC adapter in preparation for taking it along on a picnic. For something so small, the T7 plays incredibly loud. It has dual 2” drivers, along with two passive radiators for enhanced bass response. At half-volume it delivered more than enough sound while I mixed up a fruit salad in the kitchen.
This cutaway view show the dual 2” drivers and one of the center passive bass radiators.
When we got to the park and set up our picnic spread, I paired my wife's iPhone® with the T7. The sound was quite substantial, even outside, where sound can potentially get lost. It provided more than enough volume for background music while we relaxed, ate, and talked.
Striking Micro Matrix™ design
With the sun shining in the park, I noticed that the T7 appeared to be glowing. Sunlight was peeking through the speaker’s edges at different angles, like light shooting from a mirror ball. The outer edge of the speaker features a unique and attractive honeycomb frame structure.
Bowers & Wilkins calls this design “Micro Matrix.” It consists of tiny interlocking panels that make up the frame of the cabinet, which is then wrapped in a solid rubber lining. Besides looking gorgeous, B&W says this Micro Matrix design cuts down on vibration and distortion. It definitely keeps the speaker from moving around. When the T7 sat on the edge of the counter, no matter how thumping the bass, it was never in danger of falling off.
A close-up of the honeycomb-like Micro Matrix frame.
Personal listening session
After returning home from our picnic, I took the T7 down to my home office in the basement for some critical listening. I placed it against the wall and cranked up the volume. I quickly received a text from my wife upstairs, asking “What’s going on down there?”
So it’s definitely got some muscle. It also didn’t distort at very high volumes.
From the TIDAL music streaming app on my phone, I played Sly & the Family Stone's Live at Fillmore East: October 4th and 5th, 1968. The conclusion to show number two was a “Life/Music Lover” medley with a percussive, head-bobbing groove. With the T7, it felt really fun and full of energy. Sly’s voice was front and center as he sang and shouted his way through the animated call-and-response performance. Horns, harmonicas, and backup vocals all came through clear and natural.
The T7 also sounded great with studio performances, too. On Galactic’s Into the Deep, “Long Live the Borgne,” leads into “Right On,” my favorite 1-2 punch on the album. The former’s bassline was satisfying and full, and the trance-inducing organ and guitar riffs were well-placed. Guest vocalist Charm Taylor then picked up the pace and energy on “Right On.” The T7 handled it all wonderfully. The bass stayed true and tight throughout while the horns dominated the chorus, lifting the whole spirit of the song. I'm not sure how long my toes were tapping before I noticed their movement.
The bottom line
The Bowers & Wilkins T7 offers a sterling combination of looks, sound, and portability. It's very well-built yet light enough to take anywhere. And its output and sound quality are impressive given its small size. You can find less expensive portable Bluetooth speakers. But the T7 is a clear step above. If you value better performance, this one's a great choice.
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Lester Williams Jr from North Hollywood
Posted on 8/2/2015Cool design
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Robert from Onset
Posted on 8/3/2015Have bluetooth speaker, but not really good sound. This looks like the real deal.
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Demitri Bryant from Alexandria
Posted on 8/3/2015I gotta Question is this speaker loud
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Jeff Miller from Crutchfield
Posted on 8/3/2015Dimitri, The T7 puts out a healthy amount of volume for its small size. There are certainly larger, louder speakers, but this thing is the size of a book and can fill an average-sized room with sound.
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Sherri from Manistee
Posted on 8/3/2015This would be awesome
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Kevin Lawhorne from Staunton
Posted on 8/3/2015Very cool
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Carlos Ventura from Sacramento CA
Posted on 8/5/2015I have to try it!!
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Ira Sims from Dewar
Posted on 8/5/2015Would like to win..
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Matthew Winkel from Grand Ledge
Posted on 8/5/2015Bowers & Wilkins are some of the best speakers I've ever heard. It would be nice to own a pair of those head phones.
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Matthew Winkel from Grand Ledge
Posted on 8/5/2015Bowers & Wilkins are some of the best speakers I've ever heard. It would be nice to own a pair of those head phones.
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Keith from Woodbridge
Posted on 8/5/2015I have been a fan of B&W for years.
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Don from Toledo, OH
Posted on 8/5/2015If its B&W it's got to be good!
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Michael Thornton from United States
Posted on 8/7/2015I've just learned how to use Blue Tooth. If you have a good quality portable speakers, then you and can really enjoy yourselves.
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Randy Olson from Coal City
Posted on 8/8/2015I look forward to listening to the wireless speaker , I DJ and am looking for a speaker I can use to listen for the next song to cue with my Bluetooth ear buds.
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Matthew Winkel from Grand Ledge
Posted on 8/8/2015I want those speakers!
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Gabriel Hernandez from Austin
Posted on 8/9/2015Nice looking design
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John-Paul Rojas from Austin, TX
Posted on 8/9/2015Best Bluetooth speakers ever!
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Matthew Winkel from Grand Ledge
Posted on 8/9/2015I want some of those speakers!
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Tony Jackson from United States
Posted on 8/9/2015Sounds like a great speaker,and I'm not suprised. They have a stellar reputation for high quality products.
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Michael Reed from Greensboro
Posted on 8/10/2015I have always wanted Bowers & Wilkins speakers, but have been too pricey. Question: I have an iPod Touch, latest version. Will I be able to pair that easily to this T7 with Bluetooth?
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Jeff Miller from Crutchfield
Posted on 8/10/2015Michael- Yes...to make sure we took both the T7 and an iPod touch down to the Crutchfield Labs and they paired up quickly.
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Preston Barnes from Philadelphia
Posted on 8/10/2015Might take a chance on the T7.
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Doug martin from Fremont
Posted on 8/10/2015Love
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Bill Greenwell from Chemainu, Canada
Posted on 8/10/2015Your reviews are apleasure to read and invalauble to me and our friends in making buying decisions. Thasnk you and keep them coming!
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Jeff Miller from Crutchfield
Posted on 8/10/2015Thanks for the kind words, Bill.
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Todd Karman from Atoka
Posted on 8/11/2015I love Bowers & Wilkins and Cruthcfield
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Kathy Buresh from Littleton
Posted on 8/11/2015Sweet! Me want.
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Wayne Cobb from Prattville
Posted on 8/11/2015Love listening to music.
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Eric D. Ciquera from Port Washington
Posted on 8/12/2015I love my bowers & wilkins zeppelin!
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Brian C Hyden from Nitro, WV
Posted on 8/12/2015Seems to be a great design, have to hear it live to really judge it.
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Julio Q from Leesburg
Posted on 8/12/2015Sounds like a another great b and w product. I have the mini zeppelin 2. It is a great speaker.
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Pstrick Dexter from Lake Zurich, IL
Posted on 8/13/2015I love that Crutchfield checks out what they sell first. It allows customers to buy with confidence with competitive pricing and great customer service. Crutchfield is not going to offer products that don't make the grade.
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Larry from Houston
Posted on 8/14/2015the 18hours battery life is what impresses me.
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Jake from Indianapolis
Posted on 8/14/2015I've always wanted Bowers & Wilkins : )
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Jon Hornbeck from Pittsfield, MA
Posted on 8/14/2015Own many B&W's. The best!
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Michael Fugleberg from st cloud
Posted on 8/14/2015I'm a Veterans hospital patient . I know of 2 people who have your head phones and cannot speak enough about pleased they are. I can't afford to purchas a pair myself so I'm entering this contest with hopes to win big . Thanks !!!
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Robert Edison from Greenville
Posted on 8/15/2015I would like to try this one out!
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Joseph Gendernalik from United States
Posted on 8/15/2015nice - and it looks like it sounds great!
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Justin caudill from austin
Posted on 8/15/2015Very nice!!
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Robert Alexander from Desert Hot Springs
Posted on 8/16/2015Make sure you save me one of these!
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Cara Lamumba from Sacramento
Posted on 8/16/2015:)
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Caroanne Carman from magee
Posted on 8/16/2015I hope I win
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Chuck Wallace from Tallmadge
Posted on 8/16/2015Looks sweet! Good luck to me!
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Tony Pahls from little Rock
Posted on 8/17/2015Good Artical, sounds like great speaker system!
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David Rivas from New York City
Posted on 8/17/2015Would make a wonderful gift for my wife's birthday, which falls on the deadline of Aug. 31.
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Hua Nguyen from bozeman
Posted on 8/18/2015love your product
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Maria Lynn from Howell
Posted on 8/20/2015love the design and the small size
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Will Lamb from Howell
Posted on 8/20/2015LOOKS COOL. NICE AND SMALL TOO.
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Keith kelly from Knox
Posted on 8/20/2015Awesome speaker.
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Keith kelly from Knox
Posted on 8/20/2015Awesome speaker.
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David Pecchia from Attleboro
Posted on 8/21/2015Have the P5 headphones. Best sounding ones i auditioned. Would love a T7 speaker.
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Pete Dawood from atlanta
Posted on 8/21/2015looks rad to me
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Darrel Tomlinson from Skiatook Oklahoma
Posted on 8/22/2015Love the design
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Shauntea Crutcher
Posted on 8/23/2015I like the design of this speaker.
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Eron Richmond from Littleton
Posted on 8/24/2015cool
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Mike from Watertown
Posted on 8/25/2015Cant wait to try it!
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WILLIAM J MAUPIN JR from Northglenn
Posted on 8/25/2015Cool Design...
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Abel from Whittier
Posted on 8/25/2015Heard the A7 and it's the best speaker in its class. I bet this wireless speaker stands over the competition too.
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Simon Morales III from San Antonio Tx
Posted on 8/26/2015Nice design.
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hua nguyen from bozeman
Posted on 8/26/2015looking good ... i want it
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Cole McKinnon from Salem
Posted on 8/26/2015thank you for the giveaway
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Diane M from Gig Harbor
Posted on 8/26/2015Very nice
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Jennifer jenkins
Posted on 8/27/2015Looks like great quality. My speaker recently broke, so I've been putting my phone in a cup to listen to music. Lol
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Rizaldy Manabat from Union City
Posted on 8/27/2015I want to try this T7 I'm sure this is one of the best wireless speakers.
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kathy agate from banner elk
Posted on 8/27/2015sounds great!
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Marco Moreno from Mission
Posted on 8/29/2015Awesome
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Tim from Kyle
Posted on 8/29/2015Good design.
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Donald Wilkins from Sandown Nh.
Posted on 8/30/2015This looks like it would be great at a party,we could have people take turns playing music from there phones.
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mark shacklett from chandler tx.
Posted on 8/30/2015It seems like an amazing product
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TOM HOMRICH from BELMONT
Posted on 8/30/2015MUSIC ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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DENISE WINDLEY from SANTAQUIN
Posted on 8/31/2015This is awesome!!
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Pamela Lloyd from Wichita
Posted on 8/31/2015amazing product
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Francine ONeill from Laguna Woods
Posted on 9/5/2015Great for listening while sitting by the pool.
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colleen roe from aurora
Posted on 9/5/2015really, a great look !
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keith butts from fort wayne
Posted on 9/5/2015Sounds..... nice
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Michael Walmsley from Monaca
Posted on 9/5/2015Awesome.
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Michael Metz
Posted on 9/5/2015Great
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Nancy P
Posted on 9/5/2015Elegant, sleek design...awesome!
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Susan Jordan from Union Springs
Posted on 9/5/2015Neat Design, Cool Look!
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Susan Brown from Conover
Posted on 9/5/2015Really would love to win this!
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joseph s from brooklyn ny
Posted on 9/5/2015really sounds amazing
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john from chicago
Posted on 9/5/2015need a pair of these
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Kathryn Ainsworth from Shreveport
Posted on 9/5/2015Nice design
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Howard Mock from Freeport
Posted on 9/5/2015The Bluetooth speaker looks very well put together.
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Otha Williams from Columbia
Posted on 9/5/2015Awesome look !
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Joanne Ahearn
Posted on 9/5/2015Love the look
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Rita Christian from Irving
Posted on 9/5/2015Love to get a upgrade for my electronic music! Looks great!
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Charles Goode from Talbott
Posted on 9/5/2015Love the design.
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Josephine Greco from Waltham
Posted on 9/5/2015Good
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Larry Paquette from Lisbon Falls
Posted on 9/5/2015Great look and design, would love this
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Jonathan D. Mannings from Little Elm
Posted on 9/5/2015Bowers and Wilkins looks solidly well made.
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Nina Washington from Victorville
Posted on 9/5/2015Il like the look and if it sounds as good as it looks I want one.
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Nak from Kissimmee
Posted on 9/5/2015Design Looks Streamlined. Looks Powerful.
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Barb Carlson from Caldwell
Posted on 9/5/2015Damn...this looks sharp and versatile!
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mark kurdas from Lakewood
Posted on 9/5/2015Nice!
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Theresa Liford from hanford
Posted on 9/5/2015This would be so wonderful for my Husband's man-cave.
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E. Margaret King from Mandeville
Posted on 9/5/2015I like it...
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Jeff thomas from Brandon
Posted on 9/5/2015great
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Ingrid Jackson from Pendleton
Posted on 9/5/2015Both seem to be very nice.
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Charles Martell from Gloucester
Posted on 9/5/2015Very Innovative - Love the design
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Kevin McKernan
Posted on 9/5/2015Looks great
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Gerald Fornoff from Lafayette
Posted on 9/5/2015great look
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Pennie Britz from Algona, Wa
Posted on 9/5/2015Nice look!
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gwen williams
Posted on 9/5/2015sounds great
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Diane Nakashima from San Jose
Posted on 9/5/2015like
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Linda Dart from sebastian
Posted on 9/5/2015great looking item
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Danniel Cardwell from St.Joseph
Posted on 9/5/2015Cool
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denise birdsong from osage city
Posted on 9/5/2015Love it! Looks sleek and isn't bulky.
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darrell julius from new hope
Posted on 9/5/2015Your products are awesome.
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Robert Pacheco from Fall River
Posted on 9/5/2015I HOPE I WIN MY SPEAKERS JUST LET GO WISH I WIN EVERYONE
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colleen null from mount clemens
Posted on 9/5/2015Very nice
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Kris m from Southfield
Posted on 9/5/2015Love the design
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George L.Selph Jr. from Castaic
Posted on 9/5/2015I like the looks
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christina tuck from gainesville
Posted on 9/6/2015Looks pretty awesome to me!
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Kelly Porter from Fort Collins
Posted on 9/6/2015cool
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Donna Zdanovec from Jacksonville
Posted on 9/6/2015The Bowers & Wilkins T7 will be a great addtion to my Florida room !
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Gladis Rodriguez from Hialeah
Posted on 9/6/2015I want to try the bluetooth speakers
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Donnie from Island
Posted on 9/6/2015"WOW" How sweet it is.
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Sohair from Alsip
Posted on 9/6/2015Never had a speaker like this all I have is the one that u plug in this seems fantastic
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Cindy Sheldon from Beaver Dams
Posted on 9/6/2015looks like it might be a keeper
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Kristi Mortensen from Bernalillo
Posted on 9/6/2015Love it
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Jerry Hunter from Apopka
Posted on 9/6/2015Awesome
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Theresa Liford from hanford
Posted on 9/6/2015My husband would love this for his man cave.
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Alexander from Bay City
Posted on 9/6/2015hmmm
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stacy Silva from Johnston
Posted on 9/6/2015Love this
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frank agate from banner elk
Posted on 9/6/2015this design and sound is outstanding!
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Jill Rivera from Pennsville
Posted on 9/7/2015I like the design of a picture frame.
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Kaycee from Madison
Posted on 9/7/2015Neat product I use wireless electronics I don't own a Bluetoothdpeaker like this
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lizzette martin from saugus
Posted on 9/8/2015would love to try your speakers. Love the small size .
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Nancy Livengood-Miller from Skiatook
Posted on 9/8/2015NEAT COOL SMALL
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Renard Mcfarland from Toledo
Posted on 9/9/2015the T7 sounds great.
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joe losardo from havertown
Posted on 9/9/2015modern design with modern components
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Helen Chin from Bklyn
Posted on 9/9/2015So compact, yet stylish.
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Marty from Rock HIll
Posted on 9/9/2015Would be perfect on my screen porach
134 comments