In this review, we will be comparing 606 S3 and 707 S3, two Passive Bookshelf speakers by Bowers Wilkins.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of B&W 606 S3 and B&W 707 S3 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | B&W 606 S3 | B&W 707 S3 |
|---|
| Brand | Bowers Wilkins
United Kingdom · founded 1966 | Bowers Wilkins
United Kingdom · founded 1966 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Decoupled Double Dome Titanium | 1" Decoupled Carbon Dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 6.5" Continuum | 5" Continuum |
|---|
| Frequency response | 52-28k Hz | 50-28k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 88 dB | 84 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 30-120 watts | 30-100 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 7.05kg / 15.5lbs | 6.16kg / 13.6lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 13.6" x 7.4" x 12.9"
344.0 x 189.0 x 328.0mm | 11.8" x 6.5" x 11.2"
300.0 x 165.0 x 284.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the B&W 606 S3 and B&W 707 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* |
B&W 606 S3 |
B&W 707 S3 |
| 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.
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through our links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Drivers
Both 606 S3 and 707 S3 are 2-way speakers.
B&W 606 S3B&W 707 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 |
B&W 606 S3 |
B&W 707 S3 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
1 x 5-inch
|
606 S3 features a 1" Titanium Decoupled Double Dome Titanium Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Continuum Woofer. On the other hand, the 707 S3 features a 1" Decoupled Carbon Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5" Continuum Woofer.
Frequency Response
606 S3 has a frequency range of 52-28k Hz whereas 707 S3 has a frequency range of 50-28k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 50Hz, the 707 S3 can go slightly deeper then the 606 S3'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 S3 and 707 S3 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. 606 S3 sensitivity is rated at 88 dB and the 707 S3's is at 84 dB. This 4 dB difference makes the B&W 606 S3 a more sensitive speaker compared to B&W 707 S3, 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 707 S3 has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS, 20 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
Both 606 S3 and 707 S3 features dual binding post speaker terminals for bi-amping or bi-wiring.
B&W 606 S3's Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
B&W 707 S3's Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both 606 S3 and 707 S3 have rear firing ports. Rear ported speakers generally need more room between the backside of the speaker and the wall compared to sealed and front/bottom ported speakers. Placing the speakers too close to the walls may cause the bass to sound boomy.
If you are limited in space and can't get the speakers away from the backwall, check our Speakers with Front Firing Ports page.
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 S3's and B&W 707 S3's external dimensions. B&W 606 S3 has external dimensions of 344.0 x 189.0 x 328.0mm (13.6 x 7.4 x 12.9inch) whereas B&W 707 S3 has external dimensions of 300.0 x 165.0 x 284.0mm (1.8-inch x 6.5-inch x 11.2-inch).
B&W 606 S3 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 24mm wider, 44mm taller and 44mm deeper than B&W 707 S3.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of B&W 606 S3 and B&W 707 S3 in scale.
Comparison image of B&W 606 S3 and B&W 707 S3 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 S3 is approximately 619.9cm2 / 96.1inch2 and base area of the B&W 707 S3 is approximately 468.6cm2 / 72.6inch2. The 606 S3 requires 32% more surface area than the 707 S3 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 S3 and B&W 707 S3 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 S3 weighs 7.05kg / 15.5lbs and the B&W 707 S3 weighs 6.16kg / 13.6lbs. This makes the 606 S3 14% heavier than the 707 S3.
Here is a comparison of how 606 S3 and 707 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 are included inside the box of 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
What's in the Box of B&W 707 S3?
Here are the items that come with the 707 S3:
- 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
- 2 Grilles
- 2 Two-piece foam port plugs
- 8 Self-adhesive rubber feet
- 4 Jumper-straps
- Manual
- Bowers & Wilkins brochure
- Warranty Information
 Max Input Power |
120 watts
vs
100 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Sensitivity |
88 dB
vs
84 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Woofer Size |
6.5 inches
vs
5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 Price per pair* |
1100USD
vs
1799USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Minimum Impedance |
4.0 ohms
vs
3.7 ohms
|
Very low impedance levels puts more pressure on amplifier |
|
Low Frequency Response |
50 Hz
vs
52 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Height |
300mm
vs
344mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
468cm2
vs
619cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
| General |
Bowers & Wilkins 606 S3 |
Bowers & Wilkins 707 S3 |
| Brand |
Bowers Wilkins |
Bowers Wilkins |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
30-120 watts |
30-100 watts |
| Sensitivity |
88 dB |
84 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Impedance |
3.7 ohms |
4.0 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
52-28k Hz |
50-28k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
6.5" |
5" |
| Woofer Composition |
Continuum |
Continuum |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Decoupled Double Dome Titanium |
Decoupled Carbon Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
344.0mm (13.5") |
300.0mm (11.8") |
| Width |
189.0mm (7.4") |
165.0mm (6.5") |
| Depth |
328.0mm (12.9") |
284.0mm (11.2") |
| Weight |
7.05kg (15.5lbs) |
6.16kg (13.6lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF/Vinyl |
MDF/Wood veneer |
| Available Colors |
Matte Black, Matte White, Oak, Red Cherry |
Gloss Black,Satin White,Mocha,Rosenut |
| Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
| Recommended Stand Height |
24-26" |
24-26" |
| 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 |
These sit in different price classes - B&W 707 S3 costs roughly 1.6x 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 | evenly matched | Much the same reach (52Hz vs 50Hz). |
| Amplifier needs | A | B&W 606 S3 is more sensitive (88dB vs 84dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Headroom | evenly matched | Similar power handling (120W vs 100W). |
| Size | depends | B&W 707 S3 is easier to place; B&W 606 S3 is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Expandability | depends | B&W 606 S3: bi-amping; B&W 707 S3: bi-amping. B&W 707 S3 sits in a wider range (8 models), so a matched surround system is easier later. |
| Price | A | B&W 606 S3 is cheaper - $1,100 against $1,799, about 39% less; arguably a different class. |
A B&W 606 S3 B B&W 707 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 has the edge on paper, though the margin is not large. The rows marked "depends" may matter more to you than the score does. Match it to your room: we rate B&W 606 S3 the better fit for a mid-size room and a large room, and B&W 707 S3 for near-field listening and a small room. In a large or open-plan room, B&W 606 S3 has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, B&W 707 S3 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.