DSP EQ tuning for Bowers & Wilkins 705 S2 (for Roon DSP + HQPlayer users)

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1

Hi everyone,

I’d like to share a parametric EQ setup I created for the Bowers & Wilkins 705 S2 bookshelf speakers using Roon’s DSP engine. This tuning is based on objective measurements (Stereophile, SoundStage) and subjective listening in a well-treated room. I use it in a chain with Roon ROCK → HQPlayer Embedded → Mytek Brooklyn DAC → Emotiva XPA-3 → 705 S2.

:headphones: Key characteristics of the 705 S2:

  • Sub-bass rolls off under ~50 Hz
  • Presence dip around 3–5 kHz
  • Elevated treble from ~6 kHz upward (can sound bright or sharp)

:white_check_mark: Recommended PEQ filters:

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Filter | Type       | Frequency | Q     | Gain    | Purpose
---------------------------------------------------------------
1      | Low Shelf  | 50 Hz     | 0.7   | +3.0 dB | Add sub-bass depth
2      | Peaking    | 4 kHz     | 1.0   | +2.0 dB | Enhance vocal presence
3      | High Shelf | 8 kHz     | 0.7   | –5.0 dB | Smooth overly bright treble

:brain: Notes:

  • Enable Headroom Management and set –5 dB preamp
  • DSP is applied before HQPlayer, which then upsamples to DSD256
  • Works great for PCM content; if playing native DSD and want to avoid double conversion, disable DSP for DSD

:dart: Subjective result:

More balanced tone, better sub-bass, clearer vocals, and no treble fatigue. It keeps the detail and imaging of the 705 S2 while softening the harsh edge.

If you also use 705 S2 in a Roon+HQPlayer setup, give this a try — and feel free to share your own tweaks or in-room adjustments.

Roon Software Discussion #dsp #peq #hqplayer #bowerswilkins #705s2 #audiophile #rooncommunity

2

According to my experience B&W speakers are among those with pretty uneven and unpredictable directivity, particularly models with tweeter mounted on top of the cabinet and those with minimum-slope x-overs. It is close to impossible to develop EQ settings based on measurements, as no-one could predict the influence of the directivity pattern in the given room.

Furthermore, EQ settings working best might differ significantly from room to room. Particularly those above 2K. For example, a dip between 3 and 5K on axis might come with a peak in the 4pi averaged level due to tweeter causing a drop in directivity index, making a fairly broad 4K +2dB filter a risky thing. Particularly with models showing a significant off-axis drop one octave lower (1.5-3K).

I found the newer B&W tweeters to be all sounding very transparent, offering maximum of clarity. That might result in elevated treble depending on the room, but if you experience sharp sound, you most likely have reflection problems in the room which cannot be treated with EQ but requiring heavy room treatment.

In general, I found rooms with overdamped treble bands, for example some semi-pro studio rooms, to be the best for these speakers. Under living conditions, these can easily lead to a problematic situation in which no DSP can help.