In this review, we will be comparing 606 S3 and Synchrony B600, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Bowers Wilkins and PSB.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of B&W 606 S3 and PSB Synchrony B600 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | B&W 606 S3 | PSB Synchrony B600 |
|---|
| Brand | Bowers Wilkins
United Kingdom · founded 1966 | PSB
Canada · founded 1972 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Decoupled Double Dome Titanium | 1" Hard-Dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 6.5" Continuum | 6.5" Carbon fiber |
|---|
| Frequency response | 52-28k Hz | 55-20k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 88 dB | 88 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 6 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 30-120 watts | 15-150 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 7.05kg / 15.5lbs | 10.45kg / 23lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 13.6" x 7.4" x 12.9"
344.0 x 189.0 x 328.0mm | 15-13/16" x 9-1/8" x 13-9/16"
402.0 x 232.0 x 345.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the B&W 606 S3 and PSB Synchrony B600 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 |
PSB Synchrony B600 |
| 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 S3 and Synchrony B600 are 2-way speakers.
B&W 606 S3PSB Synchrony B600
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 |
PSB Synchrony B600 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
606 S3 features a 1" Titanium Decoupled Double Dome Titanium Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Continuum Woofer. On the other hand, the Synchrony B600 features a 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Carbon fiber Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2200Hz.
Frequency Response
606 S3 has a frequency range of 52-28k Hz whereas Synchrony B600 has a frequency range of 55-20k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 52Hz, the 606 S3 can go slightly deeper then the Synchrony B600's min frequency of 55Hz.
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 is a 8 ohms speaker compared to the Synchrony B600 which has a nominal impedance of 6 ohms.
On the other hand, they have the same sensitivity of 88 dBdB.
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.
Synchrony B600 can handle a max power of 150 watts RMS, whereas 606 S3 has a max power handling value of 120 watts RMS, 30 watts less than the Synchrony B600.
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 Synchrony B600 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
PSB Synchrony B600's Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both 606 S3 and Synchrony B600 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 PSB Synchrony B600'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 PSB Synchrony B600 has external dimensions of 402.0 x 232.0 x 345.0mm (15-13/16 x 9-1/8 x 13-9/16inch).
PSB Synchrony B600 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 43mm wider, 58mm taller and 17mm deeper than B&W 606 S3.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of B&W 606 S3 and PSB Synchrony B600 in scale.
Comparison image of B&W 606 S3 and PSB Synchrony B600 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 PSB Synchrony B600 is approximately 800.4cm2 / 124.1inch2. The 606 S3 requires 23% less surface area than the Synchrony B600 which gives it a small advantage 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 PSB Synchrony B600 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 PSB Synchrony B600 weighs 10.45kg / 23lbs. This makes the Synchrony B600 48% heavier than the 606 S3.
Here is a comparison of how 606 S3 and Synchrony B600'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 PSB Synchrony B600?
Here are the items that come with the Synchrony B600:
- Bookshelf loudspeakr
- Grille
- 2 Binding-post jumpers (pre-installed)
- Owners Manual
- Warranty Card
 Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
6 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
 Low Frequency Response |
52 Hz
vs
55 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
28k Hz
vs
20k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
344mm
vs
402mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
619cm2
vs
800cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
1100USD
vs
2500USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Max Input Power |
150 watts
vs
120 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Minimum Impedance |
4 ohms
vs
3.7 ohms
|
Very low impedance levels puts more pressure on amplifier |
| General |
Bowers & Wilkins 606 S3 |
PSB Synchrony B600 |
| Brand |
Bowers Wilkins |
PSB |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
30-120 watts |
15-150 watts |
| Sensitivity |
88 dB |
88 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
6 ohms |
| Impedance |
3.7 ohms |
4 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
52-28k Hz |
55-20k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
6.5" |
6.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
Continuum |
Carbon fiber |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Decoupled Double Dome Titanium |
Hard-Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
n/a |
2200Hz |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
344.0mm (13.5") |
402.0mm (15.8") |
| Width |
189.0mm (7.4") |
232.0mm (9.1") |
| Depth |
328.0mm (12.9") |
345.0mm (13.6") |
| Weight |
7.05kg (15.5lbs) |
10.45kg (23lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF/Vinyl |
MDF/Lacquer |
| Available Colors |
Matte Black, Matte White, Oak, Red Cherry |
Gloss Black, Satin Walnut |
| 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 - PSB Synchrony B600 costs roughly 2.3x 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 | A | B&W 606 S3 digs deeper - 52Hz against 55Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Amplifier needs | evenly matched | Similar sensitivity (88dB vs 88dB) - both want much the same power. |
| Amplifier match | A | B&W 606 S3 is the easier load at 8 ohms. |
| Headroom | B | PSB Synchrony B600 takes more power (150W vs 120W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size | depends | B&W 606 S3 is easier to place; PSB Synchrony B600 is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Expandability | depends | B&W 606 S3: bi-amping; PSB Synchrony B600: bi-amping. |
| Price | A | B&W 606 S3 is cheaper - $1,100 against $2,500, about 56% less; arguably a different class. |
A B&W 606 S3 B PSB Synchrony B600
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. In a large or open-plan room, PSB Synchrony B600 has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, B&W 606 S3 is the easier speaker to get right. Think about the whole system, not just the speakers: the roughly $1,400 saved by taking the cheaper pair would buy a subwoofer or a better amplifier, and either usually does more for the sound than the difference between these two.
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.