In this review, we will be comparing 606 S2 AE and Sib-T, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Bowers Wilkins and Focal.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of B&W 606 S2 and Focal Sib-T first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | B&W 606 S2 | Focal Sib-T |
|---|
| Brand | Bowers Wilkins
United Kingdom · founded 1966 | Focal
France · founded 1979 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Decoupled Double Dome | .75" Dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 6.5" Continuum | 5.125" Polyflex |
|---|
| Frequency response | 52-28k Hz | 80-20kHz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 88 dB | 90 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 4 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 30-120 watts | — |
|---|
| Weight | 6.90kg / 15.2lbs | 2.60kg / 5.7lbs |
|---|
| 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 | 2-1/2" x 5-5/8" x 6-11/16"
64.0 x 143.0 x 170.0mm |
|---|
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
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Drivers
Both 606 S2 AE and Sib-T are 2-way speakers.
B&W 606 S2Focal Sib-T
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 |
Focal Sib-T |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
.75-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
1 x 5.125-inch
|
606 S2 AE features a 1" Aluminum Decoupled Double Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Continuum Woofer. On the other hand, the Sib-T features a .75" Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5.125" Polyflex Woofer.
Frequency Response
606 S2 AE has a frequency range of 52-28k Hz whereas Sib-T has a frequency range of 80-20kHz. 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 Sib-T's min frequency of 80Hz.
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 is a 8 ohms speaker compared to the Sib-T which has a nominal impedance of 4 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 Sib-T can provide this impedance level.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. 606 S2 AE sensitivity is rated at 88 dB and the Sib-T's is rated at 90 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the Focal Sib-T a more sensitive speaker compared to B&W 606 S2, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Bookshelf Speakers
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 S2 AE features Binding post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. Sib-T has a Spring posts which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
B&W 606 S2's Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
Focal Sib-T's Spring posts terminals
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 Focal Sib-T'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 Focal Sib-T has external dimensions of 64.0 x 143.0 x 170.0mm (2-1/2 x 5-5/8 x 6-11/16inch).
B&W 606 S2 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 48mm wider, 283mm taller and 156mm deeper than Focal Sib-T.
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 Focal Sib-T is approximately 243.1cm2 / 37.7inch2. The 606 S2 AE requires 156% more surface area than the Sib-T which gives it a small disadvantage 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 B&W 606 S2 weighs 6.90kg / 15.2lbs and the Focal Sib-T weighs 2.60kg / 5.7lbs. This makes the 606 S2 AE 165% heavier than the Sib-T.
Here is a comparison of how 606 S2 AE and Sib-T'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 Focal Sib-T?
Here are the items that come with the Sib-T:
- One 100V/4-ohm commercial speaker
- Adjustable mounting bracket (installed)
- 3 Drywall anchors w/ 2 screws
- 5mm Allen key (attached to mounting bracket)
- User manual
 Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
4 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
 Woofer Size |
6.5 inches
vs
5.125 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
52 Hz
vs
80 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 |
 Sensitivity |
90 dB
vs
88 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Mounting Bracket |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows mounting on walls |
 Height |
64mm
vs
347mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
243cm2
vs
622cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
698USD
vs
999USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Bowers & Wilkins 606 S2 Anniversary Edition |
Focal Sib-T |
| Brand |
Bowers Wilkins |
Focal |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Sensitivity |
88 dB |
90 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
4 ohms |
| Impedance |
3.7 ohms |
n/a |
| Frequency Response |
52-28k Hz |
80-20kHz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
6.5" |
5.125" |
| Woofer Composition |
Continuum |
Polyflex |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
n/a |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
.75" |
| Tweeter Type |
Decoupled Double Dome |
Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
n/a |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
347.0mm (13.7") |
64.0mm (2.5") |
| Width |
191.0mm (7.5") |
143.0mm (5.6") |
| Depth |
326.0mm (12.8") |
170.0mm (6.7") |
| Weight |
6.90kg (15.2lbs) |
2.60kg (5.7lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF/Vinyl |
Plastic |
| Available Colors |
Matte Black, Matte White, Oak, Red Cherry |
White |
| Mounting Bracket |
No |
Yes |
| Recommended Stand Height |
24-26" |
2-1/2" |
| Grille |
Yes |
n/a |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
Yes |
No |
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 80Hz. |
| Amplifier needs | B | Focal Sib-T is more sensitive (90dB vs 88dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Amplifier match | A | B&W 606 S2 is the easier load at 8 ohms; the other is 4 ohms and wants an amplifier rated for it. |
| Size | depends | Focal Sib-T is easier to place; B&W 606 S2 is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Expandability | A | B&W 606 S2: bi-amping. B&W 606 S2 sits in a wider range (5 models), so a matched surround system is easier later. |
| Price | B | Focal Sib-T is cheaper - $698 against $999, about 30% less. |
A B&W 606 S2 B Focal Sib-T
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?
The usual trade-off: B&W 606 S2 measures better, Focal Sib-T costs about about 43% more% less. Whether that gap is worth the money is the call only you can make - and in a normal room it is often smaller than the numbers suggest. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 80Hz anyway, which makes the cheaper Focal Sib-T much easier to justify. In a large or open-plan room, B&W 606 S2 has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, Focal Sib-T is the easier speaker to get right.
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.