In this review, we will be comparing 1610 Slim 8 and 606 S3, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Arendal Sound and Bowers Wilkins.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Arendal Sound 1610 Slim 8 and B&W 606 S3 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Arendal Sound 1610 Slim 8 | B&W 606 S3 |
|---|
| Brand | Arendal Sound
Norway · founded 2015 | Bowers Wilkins
United Kingdom · founded 1966 |
|---|
| Design | 3-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1.1" Dome | 1" Decoupled Double Dome Titanium |
|---|
| Midrange | 5" | — |
|---|
| Woofer | 8" Aluminium cone, reinforced ribbed surround | 6.5" Continuum |
|---|
| Frequency response | 56-20k Hz | 52-28k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 86.5 dB | 88 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | up to 300 watts | 30-120 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 13.10kg / 28.8lbs | 7.05kg / 15.5lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 18-3/4" x 10-7/16" x 6-1/2"
477.0 x 265.0 x 165.0mm | 13.6" x 7.4" x 12.9"
344.0 x 189.0 x 328.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Arendal Sound 1610 Slim 8 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* |
Arendal Sound 1610 Slim 8 |
B&W 606 S3 |
| Near-field |
Average |
Poor |
| Small Room |
Good |
Average |
| Mid-size Room |
Good |
Good |
| Large Room |
Average |
Average |
| Very Large Room |
Poor |
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.
Drivers
One of the fundamental differences between these two speakers is that 1610 Slim 8 is a 3-way design whereas the 606 S3 is a 2-way speaker. 3-way designs utilize a midrange driver in addition to the tweeter and woofer on 2-way designs. Designing a crossover for a 3-way speaker is a complicated process and generally increases the overall cost of the speaker.
Arendal Sound 1610 Slim 8B&W 606 S3
TweeterMidrangeWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
Arendal Sound 1610 Slim 8 |
B&W 606 S3 |
|
Driver Setup
|
3-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1.1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
1 x 5-inch |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 8-inch
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
1610 Slim 8 features a 1.1" Aluminium-magnesium dome in the Rost Essence waveguide with acoustic lens Dome Tweeter, a 5" Midrange and 1 x 8" Aluminium cone, reinforced ribbed surround Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 340Hz / 2700Hz. 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
1610 Slim 8 has a frequency range of 56-20k Hz whereas 606 S3 has a frequency range of 52-28k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 52Hz, the 606 S3 can go slightly deeper then the 1610 Slim 8's min frequency of 56Hz.
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
1610 Slim 8 is a 4 ohms speaker compared to the 606 S3 which has a nominal impedance of 8 ohms. Lower impedance speakers, especially the ones that are rated at 4 ohms may put more pressure on the amplifier unit especially when played at high volume levels, so make sure the amp you pair with the 1610 Slim 8 can provide this impedance level.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. 1610 Slim 8 sensitivity is rated at 86.5 dB and the 606 S3's is rated at 88 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the B&W 606 S3 a more sensitive speaker compared to Arendal Sound 1610 Slim 8, 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.
1610 Slim 8 can handle a max power of 300 watts RMS, whereas 606 S3 has a max power handling value of 120 watts RMS, 180 watts less than the 1610 Slim 8.
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.
Arendal Sound 1610 Slim 8
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
606 S3 features Binding post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. 1610 Slim 8 has a Binding post 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 Arendal Sound 1610 Slim 8's and B&W 606 S3's external dimensions. Arendal Sound 1610 Slim 8 has external dimensions of 477.0 x 265.0 x 165.0mm (18-3/4 x 10-7/16 x 6-1/2inch) 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 76mm narrower and 133mm shorter than Arendal Sound 1610 Slim 8 but it is also 163mm deeper.
Size, drawn to scale
Both speakers and both views share one scale, so everything here is directly comparable. Hover a box for its dimensions.
One scale for both, standing on the same surface and pushed back to the same wall, so the deeper one visibly sticks out further.
B&W 606 S3 needs about 42% more floor or shelf area. B&W 606 S3 is 163mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Arendal Sound 1610 Slim 8 is 133mm taller.
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 Arendal Sound 1610 Slim 8 is approximately 437.3cm2 / 67.8inch2 and base area of the B&W 606 S3 is approximately 619.9cm2 / 96.1inch2. The 1610 Slim 8 requires 29% 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 Arendal Sound 1610 Slim 8 weighs 13.10kg / 28.8lbs and the B&W 606 S3 weighs 7.05kg / 15.5lbs. This makes the 1610 Slim 8 86% heavier than the 606 S3.
Here is a comparison of how 1610 Slim 8 and 606 S3's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
Arendal Sound 1610 Slim 8
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
 Max Input Power |
300 watts
vs
120 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Driver Setup |
3-way
vs
2-way
|
Have a dedicated mid-range driver |
 Woofer Size |
8 inches
vs
6.5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 Base Surface Area |
437cm2
vs
619cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Sensitivity |
88 dB
vs
87 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
4 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
|
Low Frequency Response |
52 Hz
vs
56 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
28k Hz
vs
20k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows bi-amping and bi-wiring connections |
 Height |
344mm
vs
477mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Price per pair* |
1100USD
vs
2800USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Arendal Sound 1610 Slim 8 |
Bowers & Wilkins 606 S3 |
| Brand |
Arendal Sound |
Bowers Wilkins |
| Speaker Type |
On-Wall speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
up to 300 watts |
30-120 watts |
| Sensitivity |
86.5 dB |
88 dB |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Impedance |
n/a |
3.7 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
56-20k Hz |
52-28k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
8" |
6.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
Aluminium cone, reinforced ribbed surround |
Continuum |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1.1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Dome |
Decoupled Double Dome Titanium |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
5" |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
340Hz / 2700Hz |
n/a |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
477.0mm (18.8") |
344.0mm (13.5") |
| Width |
265.0mm (10.4") |
189.0mm (7.4") |
| Depth |
165.0mm (6.5") |
328.0mm (12.9") |
| Weight |
13.10kg (28.8lbs) |
7.05kg (15.5lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Sealed |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
HDF, painted |
MDF/Vinyl |
| Available Colors |
Basalt, Polar, Black |
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 |
No |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
|
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
|
5 Years |
These sit in different price classes - Arendal Sound 1610 Slim 8 costs roughly 2.5x what B&W 606 S3 does. Expect it to lead on paper; the question is whether the gap is audible enough in your room to be worth it.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | B | B&W 606 S3 digs deeper - 52Hz against 56Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Amplifier needs | evenly matched | Similar sensitivity (87dB vs 88dB) - both want much the same power. |
| Amplifier match | B | B&W 606 S3 is the easier load at 8 ohms; the other is 4 ohms and wants an amplifier rated for it. |
| Headroom | A | Arendal Sound 1610 Slim 8 takes more power (300W vs 120W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size | depends | Similar cabinet size - neither is easier to fit. |
| 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 $2,800, about 61% less; arguably a different class. |
A Arendal Sound 1610 Slim 8 B B&W 606 S3
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, your system 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 Arendal Sound 1610 Slim 8 if its size, looks or fit in your room suit you better. Match it to your room: we rate Arendal Sound 1610 Slim 8 the better fit for near-field listening and a small room; elsewhere the two are rated the same. If your amplifier is modest, vintage or valve-based, B&W 606 S3 is the safer partner - the other will want more current or more watts to sound its best.
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.