In this review, we will be comparing 606 S2 AE and Silver 50 7G, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Bowers Wilkins and Monitor Audio.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of B&W 606 S2 and Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | B&W 606 S2 | Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G |
|---|
| Brand | Bowers Wilkins
United Kingdom · founded 1966 | Monitor Audio
United Kingdom · founded 1972 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Decoupled Double Dome | 1" Hard-Dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 6.5" Continuum | 5.25" C-CAM RST II |
|---|
| Frequency response | 52-28k Hz | 47-35k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 88 dB | 86 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 30-120 watts | 40-100 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 6.90kg / 15.2lbs | 5.63kg / 12.4lbs |
|---|
| 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 | 11-1/8" x 6-9/16" x 10-3/4"
283.0 x 167.0 x 274.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the B&W 606 S2 and Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G 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 |
Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G |
| Near-field |
Poor |
Average |
| Small Room |
Average |
Good |
| Mid-size Room |
Good |
Average |
| Large Room |
Average |
Poor |
| Very Large Room |
Poor |
Bad |
(* 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 Silver 50 7G are 2-way speakers.
B&W 606 S2Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G
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 |
Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
1 x 5.25-inch
|
606 S2 AE features a 1" Aluminum Decoupled Double Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Continuum Woofer. On the other hand, the Silver 50 7G features a 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" C-CAM RST II Woofer.
Frequency Response
606 S2 AE has a frequency range of 52-28k Hz whereas Silver 50 7G has a frequency range of 47-35k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 47Hz, the Silver 50 7G can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the 606 S2 AE's min frequency of 52Hz.
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 Silver 50 7G 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 Silver 50 7G's is at 86 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the B&W 606 S2 a more sensitive speaker compared to Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G, 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 S2 AE can handle a max power of 120 watts RMS, whereas Silver 50 7G has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS, 20 watts less than the 606 S2 AE.
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.
Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Both 606 S2 AE and Silver 50 7G 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 Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G'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 Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G has external dimensions of 283.0 x 167.0 x 274.0mm (11-1/8 x 6-9/16 x 10-3/4inch).
B&W 606 S2 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 24mm wider, 64mm taller and 52mm deeper than Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of B&W 606 S2 and Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G in scale.
Comparison image of B&W 606 S2 and Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G 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 Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G is approximately 457.6cm2 / 70.9inch2. The 606 S2 AE requires 36% more surface area than the Silver 50 7G 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 Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G 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 Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G weighs 5.63kg / 12.4lbs. This makes the 606 S2 AE 23% heavier than the Silver 50 7G.
Here is a comparison of how 606 S2 AE and Silver 50 7G's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G
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 Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G?
Here are the items that come with the Silver 50 7G:
- 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
- 2 Grilles
- 4 Jumpers (pre-installed)
- 8 Rubber feet
- 2 Foam port plugs
- Hex-key
- Owners Manual
- Important Safety Instructions
 Max Input Power |
120 watts
vs
100 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Sensitivity |
88 dB
vs
86 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Woofer Size |
6.5 inches
vs
5.25 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 Price per pair* |
999USD
vs
1100USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
|
Low Frequency Response |
47 Hz
vs
52 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
35k Hz
vs
28k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
283mm
vs
347mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
457cm2
vs
622cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
| General |
Bowers & Wilkins 606 S2 Anniversary Edition |
Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G |
| Brand |
Bowers Wilkins |
Monitor Audio |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
30-120 watts |
40-100 watts |
| Sensitivity |
88 dB |
86 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Impedance |
3.7 ohms |
n/a |
| Frequency Response |
52-28k Hz |
47-35k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
6.5" |
5.25" |
| Woofer Composition |
Continuum |
C-CAM RST II |
| 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") |
283.0mm (11.1") |
| Width |
191.0mm (7.5") |
167.0mm (6.6") |
| Depth |
326.0mm (12.8") |
274.0mm (10.8") |
| Weight |
6.90kg (15.2lbs) |
5.63kg (12.4lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF/Vinyl |
MDF/Wood veneer |
| Available Colors |
Matte Black, Matte White, Oak, Red Cherry |
Ash,High Gloss Black,Black Oak,Satin White |
| 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 | B | Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G digs deeper - 47Hz against 52Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Amplifier needs | A | B&W 606 S2 is more sensitive (88dB vs 86dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Headroom | evenly matched | Similar power handling (120W vs 100W). |
| Size | depends | Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G is easier to place; B&W 606 S2 is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Expandability | depends | B&W 606 S2: bi-amping; Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G: bi-amping. Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G sits in a wider range (8 models), so a matched surround system is easier later. |
| Price | evenly matched | Much the same money ($999 vs $1,100 a pair). |
A B&W 606 S2 B Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G
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?
Neither runs away with it - they trade advantages. Let the "depends" rows and your own room settle it. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 52Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. Match it to your room: we rate B&W 606 S2 the better fit for a mid-size room and a large room, and Monitor Audio Silver 50 7G for near-field listening and a small 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.