In this review, we will be comparing SCM7 and 606 S3, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from ATC and Bowers Wilkins.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of ATC SCM7 and B&W 606 S3 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | ATC SCM7 | B&W 606 S3 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 0.98" | 1" Decoupled Double Dome Titanium |
|---|
| Woofer | 4.92" | 6.5" Continuum |
|---|
| Frequency response | 60-22k Hz | 52-28k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 84 dB | 88 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 75 to 300 Watts watts | 30-120 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 7.50kg / 16.5lbs | 7.05kg / 15.5lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 11.81" x 6.85" x 8.46"
300.0 x 174.0 x 215.0mm | 13.6" x 7.4" x 12.9"
344.0 x 189.0 x 328.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the ATC SCM7 and B&W 606 S3 speakers good for?
The size of the room in which you are planning to use these loudspeakers is an important decision
factor. Here we have compared their suitability to various sizes of environments considering their size
and max power parameters:
| Listening Environment* |
ATC SCM7 |
B&W 606 S3 |
| Near-field |
Good |
Poor |
| Small Room |
Good |
Average |
| Mid-size Room |
Average |
Good |
| Large Room |
Poor |
Average |
| Very Large Room |
No way |
Poor |
(* Approximate Room sizes: Small < 100sq. ft / 9 m2,
Mid-size: 100-220 sq. ft / 9-20 m2, Large 220-400 sq. ft / 20-36 m2, Very Large: >
400 sq. ft / 36 m2.
Average Floor Height: 9" / 2.7m. Typical room sizes differ from country to country, and the actual
listening experience changes depending on floor height, room shape, surface materials, listening
position, speaker locations, etc.)
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
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through our links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Drivers
Both SCM7 and 606 S3 are 2-way speakers.
ATC SCM7B&W 606 S3
TweeterWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
ATC SCM7 |
B&W 606 S3 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
0.98-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 4.92-inch
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
SCM7 features a 0.98" Tweeter and 1 x 4.92" Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2.5kHz. On the other hand, the 606 S3 features a 1" Titanium Decoupled Double Dome Titanium Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Continuum Woofer.
Frequency Response
SCM7 has a frequency range of 60-22k Hz whereas 606 S3 has a frequency range of 52-28k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 52Hz, the 606 S3 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the SCM7's min frequency of 60Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
Neither pair reaches down to 20Hz, the usual definition of full-range, which is normal for speakers of this size. If you want the bottom octave for movies or bass-heavy music, add a subwoofer to whichever you choose. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
SCM7 and 606 S3 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. SCM7 sensitivity is rated at 84 dB and the 606 S3's is at 88 dB. This 4 dB difference makes the B&W 606 S3 a more sensitive speaker compared to ATC SCM7, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Bookshelf Speakers
Power Range
Power
range is the range of input power in watts RMS that a loudspeaker is designed to handle. Staying
within that range gives nominal performance; driving the speaker beyond its maximum wattage can damage it.
606 S3 can handle a max power of 120 watts RMS, whereas SCM7 has a max power handling value of watts RMS, 120 watts less than the 606 S3.
Note that higher power handling does not make a speaker louder: that depends mainly on
sensitivity and impedance. The calculator below shows how loud each of these actually plays
on a real amplifier.
Which plays louder on your amplifier?
Starting with a popular amplifier — change it to the one you own, or any you are
considering, and watch both numbers move.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
606 S3 features Binding post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. SCM7 has a Binding Posts/4mm Plugs, bi-wire which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
B&W 606 S3's Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
Physical Specs
The size of a speaker can sometimes be an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare ATC SCM7's and B&W 606 S3's external dimensions. ATC SCM7 has external dimensions of 300.0 x 174.0 x 215.0mm (11.81 x 6.85 x 8.46inch) whereas B&W 606 S3 has external dimensions of 344.0 x 189.0 x 328.0mm (13.6 x 7.4 x 12.9inch).
B&W 606 S3 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 15mm wider, 44mm taller and 113mm deeper than ATC SCM7.
Base Surface Area Comparison
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base surface area of the ATC SCM7 is approximately 374.1cm2 / 58.0inch2 and base area of the B&W 606 S3 is approximately 619.9cm2 / 96.1inch2. The SCM7 requires 40% less surface area than the 606 S3 which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.
Weight Comparison The weight of a loudspeaker can become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often. Weight of a speaker can also "sometimes" be an indicator of the rigidity of the enclosure and the quality of the internal components used. The ATC SCM7 weighs 7.50kg / 16.5lbs and the B&W 606 S3 weighs 7.05kg / 15.5lbs. This makes the SCM7 6% heavier than the 606 S3.
Here is a comparison of how SCM7 and 606 S3's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
What's in the Box of B&W 606 S3?
Here are the items that come with the 606 S3:
- 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
- 2 Grilles
- 2 Two-piece foam port plugs
- 8 Self-adhesive rubber feet
- 4 Jumper-straps (pre-installed)
- Manual
- Bowers & Wilkins brochure
- Warranty Information
 Height |
300mm
vs
344mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
374cm2
vs
619cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Sensitivity |
88 dB
vs
84 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Woofer Size |
6.5 inches
vs
4.92 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
52 Hz
vs
60 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
28k Hz
vs
22k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Price per pair* |
1100USD
vs
1749USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
ATC SCM7 |
Bowers & Wilkins 606 S3 |
| Brand |
ATC |
Bowers Wilkins |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
75 to 300 Watts watts |
30-120 watts |
| Sensitivity |
84 dB |
88 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Impedance |
n/a |
3.7 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
60-22k Hz |
52-28k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
4.92" |
6.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
Continuum |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
0.98" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
n/a |
Decoupled Double Dome Titanium |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
2.5kHz |
n/a |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
300.0mm (11.8") |
344.0mm (13.5") |
| Width |
174.0mm (6.9") |
189.0mm (7.4") |
| Depth |
215.0mm (8.5") |
328.0mm (12.9") |
| Weight |
7.50kg (16.5lbs) |
7.05kg (15.5lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Sealed |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
n/a |
MDF/Vinyl |
| Available Colors |
n/a |
Matte Black, Matte White, Oak, Red Cherry |
| Mounting Bracket |
|
No |
| Recommended Stand Height |
n/a |
24-26" |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
n/a |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
|
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
|
5 Years |
No single best speaker here - they are built to different priorities, and the right one depends on your room, your amplifier and what you listen to.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass |
B |
B&W 606 S3 digs deeper - 52Hz against 60Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Amplifier needs |
B |
B&W 606 S3 is more sensitive (88dB vs 84dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Size |
depends |
ATC SCM7 is easier to place; B&W 606 S3 is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Cabinet |
depends |
Sealed vs Ported. Sealed is tighter and happier near a wall; ported digs lower but wants space behind it. |
| Expandability |
B |
B&W 606 S3: bi-amping. |
| Price |
B |
B&W 606 S3 is cheaper - $1,100 against $1,749, about 37% less. |
A ATC SCM7
B B&W 606 S3
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, placement or how you will use them.
Only specs published for both speakers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
B&W 606 S3 is the easier recommendation: it leads on most of the measured areas and costs less. Take ATC SCM7 if its size, looks or fit in your room suit you better. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 60Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. Match it to your room: we rate ATC SCM7 the better fit for near-field listening and a small room, and B&W 606 S3 for a mid-size room and a large room.
And remember what a spec sheet cannot show: how each looks in your room and whether the finish suits it, what dealer support and warranty are like where you live, and how they actually sound to you. If you can hear them first - ideally with your own music - that will tell you more than any number above.