In this review, we will be comparing 606 S2 AE and Demand D11, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Bowers Wilkins and Definitive Technology.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of B&W 606 S2 and Definitive Demand D11 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | B&W 606 S2 | Definitive Demand D11 |
|---|
| Brand | Bowers Wilkins
United Kingdom · founded 1966 | Definitive Technology
United States · founded 1990 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Decoupled Double Dome | 1" Hard-Dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 6.5" Continuum | 6.5" Polypropylene |
|---|
| Frequency response | 52-28k Hz | 61-22k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 88 dB | 90 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 30-120 watts | 20-200 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 6.90kg / 15.2lbs | 8.64kg / 19lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 13-5/8" x 7-1/2" x 12-13/16"
347.0 x 191.0 x 326.0mm | 13-1/16" x 7-5/16" x 12-15/16"
332.0 x 186.0 x 329.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the B&W 606 S2 and Definitive Demand D11 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* |
B&W 606 S2 |
Definitive Demand D11 |
| Near-field |
Poor |
Poor |
| Small Room |
Average |
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
Both 606 S2 AE and Demand D11 are 2-way speakers.
B&W 606 S2Definitive Demand D11
TweeterWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
B&W 606 S2 |
Definitive Demand D11 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
606 S2 AE features a 1" Aluminum Decoupled Double Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Continuum Woofer. On the other hand, the Demand D11 features a 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Polypropylene Woofer.
Frequency Response
606 S2 AE has a frequency range of 52-28k Hz whereas Demand D11 has a frequency range of 61-22k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 52Hz, the 606 S2 AE can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Demand D11's min frequency of 61Hz.
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
606 S2 AE and Demand D11 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. 606 S2 AE sensitivity is rated at 88 dB and the Demand D11's is at 90 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the Definitive Demand D11 a more sensitive speaker compared to B&W 606 S2, 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.
Demand D11 can handle a max power of 200 watts RMS, whereas 606 S2 AE has a max power handling value of 120 watts RMS, 80 watts less than the Demand D11.
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
Both 606 S2 AE and Demand D11 features dual binding post speaker terminals for bi-amping or bi-wiring.
B&W 606 S2'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 B&W 606 S2's and Definitive Demand D11's external dimensions. B&W 606 S2 has external dimensions of 347.0 x 191.0 x 326.0mm (13-5/8 x 7-1/2 x 12-13/16inch) whereas Definitive Demand D11 has external dimensions of 332.0 x 186.0 x 329.0mm (13-1/16 x 7-5/16 x 12-15/16inch).
Definitive Demand D11 is 5mm narrower and 15mm shorter than B&W 606 S2 but it is also 3mm deeper.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of B&W 606 S2 and Definitive Demand D11 in scale.
Comparison image of B&W 606 S2 and Definitive Demand D11 Size and External Dimensions
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 B&W 606 S2 is approximately 622.7cm2 / 96.5inch2 and base area of the Definitive Demand D11 is approximately 611.9cm2 / 94.8inch2. The 606 S2 AE requires 2% more surface area than the Demand D11 which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.
Here is another comparison that shows both speakers on a BDI Octave Media Cabinet, next to a standard size amplifier and turntable in scale:
Size Comparison image of B&W 606 S2 and Definitive Demand D11 on a Media Console
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 B&W 606 S2 weighs 6.90kg / 15.2lbs and the Definitive Demand D11 weighs 8.64kg / 19lbs. This makes the Demand D11 25% heavier than the 606 S2 AE.
Here is a comparison of how 606 S2 AE and Demand D11'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 S2?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of 606 S2 AE:
- 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
What's in the Box of Definitive Demand D11?
Here are the items that come with the Demand D11:
- Left bookshelf loudpseaker
- Right bookshelf loudspeaker
- 2 Grilles
- 4 Jumper-straps (pre-installed)
- Cleaning cloth
- Owners Manual
 Low Frequency Response |
52 Hz
vs
61 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
28k Hz
vs
22k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Max Input Power |
200 watts
vs
120 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Sensitivity |
90 dB
vs
88 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Height |
332mm
vs
347mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
611cm2
vs
622cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
| General |
Bowers & Wilkins 606 S2 Anniversary Edition |
Definitive Technology Demand Series D11 |
| Brand |
Bowers Wilkins |
Definitive Technology |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
30-120 watts |
20-200 watts |
| Sensitivity |
88 dB |
90 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Impedance |
3.7 ohms |
n/a |
| Frequency Response |
52-28k Hz |
61-22k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
6.5" |
6.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
Continuum |
Polypropylene |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Decoupled Double Dome |
Hard-Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
n/a |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
347.0mm (13.7") |
332.0mm (13.1") |
| Width |
191.0mm (7.5") |
186.0mm (7.3") |
| Depth |
326.0mm (12.8") |
329.0mm (13") |
| Weight |
6.90kg (15.2lbs) |
8.64kg (19lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Passive Radiator |
| Finish |
MDF/Vinyl |
MDF/Aluminum |
| Available Colors |
Matte Black, Matte White, Oak, Red Cherry |
Gloss White,Piano Black |
| Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
| Recommended Stand Height |
24-26" |
24-28" |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
Yes |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
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 | A | B&W 606 S2 digs deeper - 52Hz against 61Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Amplifier needs | B | Definitive Demand D11 is more sensitive (90dB vs 88dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Headroom | B | Definitive Demand D11 takes more power (200W vs 120W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size | depends | Similar cabinet size - neither is easier to fit. |
| Cabinet | depends | Ported vs Passive Radiator. |
| Expandability | depends | B&W 606 S2: bi-amping; Definitive Demand D11: bi-amping. |
| Price | evenly matched | Much the same money ($999 vs $999 a pair). |
A B&W 606 S2 B Definitive Demand D11
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?
Definitive Demand D11 has the edge on paper, though the margin is not large. The rows marked "depends" may matter more to you than the score does. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 61Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. If your amplifier is modest, vintage or valve-based, Definitive Demand D11 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.