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B&W 606 S3 vs Sonus Lumina II Comparison

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B&W 606 S3

Passive Bookshelf | 52-28k Hz

Bowers & Wilkins 606 S3
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Sonus Lumina II

Passive Bookshelf | 55-24k Hz

Sonus Faber Lumina II
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B&W 606 S3 B&W 606 S3
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Sonus Lumina II Sonus Lumina II
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B&W 606 S3
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Sonus Lumina II
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B&W 606 S3 vs Sonus Lumina II Speaker Comparison

In this review, we will be comparing 606 S3 and Lumina II, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Bowers Wilkins and Sonus Faber.

Let's have a brief look at the main features of B&W 606 S3 and Sonus Lumina II first before getting into our more detailed comparison.

B&W 606 S3 Key Specs

  • 2-way Design
  • 1" Decoupled Double Dome Titanium Tweeter
  • 6.5" Continuum Woofer
  • 52-28k Hz Frequency Response
  • 88 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 8ohms
  • Power Range:30-120watts
  • Weight:7.05kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 344.0" x 7.4" x 12.9"( 344.0 x 189.0 x 328.0mm )

Sonus Lumina II Key Specs

  • 2-way Design
  • 1.15" high definition DAD Tweeter
  • 6" paper cone Woofer
  • 55-24k Hz Frequency Response
  • 86 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 4ohms
  • Power Range:30-150watts
  • Weight:5.65kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 304.0" x 7.1" x 10.3"( 304.0 x 180.0 x 263.0mm )

What size room are the B&W 606 S3 and Sonus Lumina II 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 Sonus Lumina II
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.)

In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the B&W 606 S3 and Sonus Lumina II compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these loudspeakers is the better choice for you.


**This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.


Drivers

Both 606 S3 and Lumina II are 2-way speakers.

Driver B&W 606 S3 Sonus Lumina II
Driver Setup 2-way 2-way
Tweeter 1-inch 1.15-inch
Midrange - -
Woofer 1 x 6.5-inch 1 x 6-inch

606 S3 features a 1" Titanium Decoupled Double Dome Titanium Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Continuum Woofer . On the other hand, the Lumina II features a 1.15" high definition DAD Tweeter and 1 x 6" paper cone Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 1800Hz.

Frequency Response

606 S3 has a frequency range of 52-28k Hz whereas Lumina II has a frequency range of 55-24k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 52Hz, the 606 S3 can go slightly deeper then the Lumina II's min frequency of 55Hz.

Below graphs depict how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average values of the Min and Max Frequencies of other speakers in the Bookshelf class in our database.

Low Frequency

Bookshelf Speakers

606 S3
Lumina II
Min
Average
Max
High Frequency

Bookshelf Speakers

B&W 606 S3
Sonus Lumina II
Min
Average
Max

None of these speakers achieves full range experience which is commonly agreed as 20Hz-20kHz. In order to achieve lower lows / deeper bass, we recommend you pair these with a subwoofer. 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 Lumina II 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 Lumina II can provide this impedance level.

These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. 606 S3 sensitivity is rated at 88 dB and the Lumina II's is rated at 86 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the B&W 606 S3 a more sensitive speaker compared to Sonus Lumina II, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.

Sensitivity

Bookshelf Speakers

606 S3
Lumina II
Min
Average
Max

Power Range

Power range is the range of input power in watts RMS that a loudspeaker is designed to handle. While using an amplifier within this range ensures the nominal performance , inputting a power that is higher than the max wattage can result in a damaged speaker.

606 S3 can handle a max power of 150 watts RMS from the amp the whereas 606 S3 has a max power handling value of 120 watts RMS , 30 watts less than the Lumina II.

Keep in mind that a higher max power handling value doesn't necessarily make that a louder speaker compared to a lower max handling speaker. Loudness or the sound level is also impacted by parameters such as Impedance, sensitivity and system efficiencies.

Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring

Both 606 S3 and Lumina II features dual binding post speaker terminals for bi-amping or bi-wiring.

B&W 606 S3 Terminals
B&W 606 S3's Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring

Sonus Lumina IIBinding post Terminals
Sonus Lumina II's Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring

Cabinet Type and Port Position

606 S3 has a rear firing port whereas Lumina II has a front firing ports. Sonus Lumina II's front-firing port gives more flexibility in placement in regards to proximity to walls compared to B&W 606 S3 with its rear-firing port.

Physical Specs

Size of a speaker can sometimes become 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 Sonus Lumina II'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 Sonus Lumina II has external dimensions of 304.0 x 180.0 x 263.0mm ( 12 x 7.1 x 10.3inch) .

B&W 606 S3 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 9mm wider, 40mm taller and 65mm deeper than Sonus Lumina II.

Below you can see the front view size comparison of B&W 606 S3 and Sonus Lumina II in scale.

B&W 606 S3 vs Sonus Lumina II Size Comparison - Front View
Comparison image of B&W 606 S3 and Sonus Lumina II 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 Sonus Lumina II is approximately 473.4cm2 / 73.4inch2. The 606 S3 requires 31% more surface area than the Lumina II which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.

Here is an another comparison that shows both speakers on a BDI Octave Media Cabinet, next to a standard size amplifier and turntable in scale:

B&W 606 S3 vs Sonus Lumina II Size Comparison on a Media Console
Size Comparison image of B&W 606 S3 and Sonus Lumina II 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 Sonus Lumina II weighs 5.65kg / 12.4lbs. This makes the 606 S3 25% heavier than the Lumina II.

Here is a comparison of how 606 S3 and Lumina II's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.

Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
B&W 606 S3
Sonus Lumina II
Min
Average
Max

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 Sonus Lumina II?

    Here are the items that come with the Lumina II:
  • 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
  • 1 Manual
  • 2 Jumpers
  • 2 Grilles
  • 2 Fabric dust guards

  • Reasons to choose Bowers & Wilkins 606 S3 over Sonus Faber Lumina II
    Sensitivity 88 dB vs 86 dB Play louder with same amount of amplification power
    Nominal Impedance 8 ohms vs 4 ohms Less selective with amplifiers
    Woofer Size 6.5 inches vs 6 inches Larger woofer
    Low Frequency Response 52 Hz vs 55 Hz Generates deeper bass
    High Frequency Response 28k Hz vs 24k Hz Generates higher frequency
    Price per pair* 1100USD vs 1199USD costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time)

    Reasons to choose Sonus Faber Lumina II over Bowers & Wilkins 606 S3

    Max Input Power 150 watts vs 120 watts Handle more power from your amplifier
    Port Position Front vs Rear Gives more flexibility placing close to walls
    Height 304mm vs 344mm Easier to fit in smaller spaces
    Base Surface Area 473cm2 vs 619cm2 Takes less floor space
    B&W 606 S3 vs Sonus Lumina II Specs Table
    Detailed comparison of specifications
    General Bowers & Wilkins 606 S3 Sonus Faber Lumina II
    Brand Bowers Wilkins Sonus Faber
    Speaker Type Bookshelf speakers Bookshelf speakers
    Power Range 30-120 watts 30-150 watts
    Sensitivity 88 dB 86 dB
    Impedance 8 ohms 4 ohms
    Impedance 3.7 ohms n/a
    Frequency Response 52-28k Hz 55-24k Hz
    Drivers
    Woofer Quantity 1 1
    Woofer Size 6.5" 6"
    Woofer Composition Continuum paper cone
    Woofer Surround Material Rubber n/a
    Tweeter Size 1" 1.15"
    Tweeter Type Decoupled Double Dome Titanium high definition DAD
    Aimable Tweeter No No
    Midrange Driver No No
    Crossover Frequency n/a 1800Hz
    Firing Direction rear front
    Physical Specs
    Height 344.0mm (13.5") 304.0mm (12")
    Width 189.0mm (7.4") 180.0mm (7.1")
    Depth 328.0mm (12.9") 263.0mm (10.4")
    Weight 7.05kg (15.5lbs) 5.65kg (12.4lbs)
    Enclosure Bass Reflex Bass Reflex
    Finish MDF/Vinyl real multilayer wood
    Available Colors Matte Black, Matte White, Oak, Red Cherry Black, Wenge, Walnut
    Mounting Bracket No
    Recommended Stand Height 24-26" n/a
    Grille Yes Yes
    Moisture Resistancy No No
    Connections
    Biamp Inputs Yes Yes
    Other
    Parts Warranty 5 Years
    Labor Warranty 5 Years

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