In this review, we will be comparing two different types of speakers by Bowers Wilkins. Bowers & Wilkins 607 S2 Anniversary Edition is a Bookshelf speaker whereas the HTM6 S2 is a Center Channel speaker.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of B&W 607 S2 and BW HTM6 S2 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | B&W 607 S2 | BW HTM6 S2 |
|---|
| Brand | Bowers Wilkins
United Kingdom · founded 1966 | Bowers Wilkins
United Kingdom · founded 1966 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Decoupled Double Dome | 1" Decoupled Double Dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 5" Continuum | 2 x 5" Continuum |
|---|
| Frequency response | 52-28k Hz | 72-28k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 84 dB | 87 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 30-100 watts | 30-120 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 4.70kg / 10.3lbs | 7.82kg / 17.2lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 11-13/16" x 6-1/2" x 9-1/8"
301.0 x 166.0 x 232.0mm | 6-3/8" x 18-15/16" x 11-1/16"
162.0 x 482.0 x 281.0mm |
|---|
607 S2 AE and HTM6 S2 are members of Bowers Wilkins's 600 S2 Anniversary Edition series of speakers. Below you can find the loudspeakers from this series.
What size room are the B&W 607 S2 and BW HTM6 S2 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 607 S2 |
BW HTM6 S2 |
| Near-field |
Average |
Poor |
| Small Room |
Good |
Average |
| Mid-size Room |
Average |
Good |
| Large Room |
Poor |
Average |
| Very Large Room |
Bad |
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 607 S2 AE and HTM6 S2 are 2-way speakers.
B&W 607 S2BW HTM6 S2
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 607 S2 |
BW HTM6 S2 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 5-inch
|
2 x 5-inch
|
607 S2 AE features a 1" Aluminum Decoupled Double Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5" Continuum Woofer. On the other hand, the HTM6 S2 features a 1" Decoupled Double Dome Tweeter and 2 x 5" Continuum Woofer.
Frequency Response
607 S2 AE has a frequency range of 52-28k Hz whereas HTM6 S2 has a frequency range of 72-28k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 52Hz, the 607 S2 AE can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the HTM6 S2's min frequency of 72Hz.
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
607 S2 AE and HTM6 S2 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. 607 S2 AE sensitivity is rated at 84 dB and the HTM6 S2's is at 87 dB. This 3 dB difference makes the BW HTM6 S2 a more sensitive speaker compared to B&W 607 S2, 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.
HTM6 S2 can handle a max power of 120 watts RMS, whereas 607 S2 AE has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS, 20 watts less than the HTM6 S2.
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 607 S2 AE and HTM6 S2 features dual binding post speaker terminals for bi-amping or bi-wiring.
B&W 607 S2's Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
BW HTM6 S2 's Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both 607 S2 AE and HTM6 S2 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 607 S2's and BW HTM6 S2 's external dimensions. B&W 607 S2 has external dimensions of 301.0 x 166.0 x 232.0mm (11-13/16 x 6-1/2 x 9-1/8inch) whereas BW HTM6 S2 has external dimensions of 162.0 x 482.0 x 281.0mm (6-3/8 x 18-15/16 x 11-1/16inch).
B&W 607 S2 is 316mm narrower and 49mm less deeper than BW HTM6 S2 but it is also 139mm taller.
Size, drawn to scale
Both speakers and both views share one scale, so everything here is directly comparable. Hover a box for its dimensions.
One scale for both, standing on the same surface and pushed back to the same wall, so the deeper one visibly sticks out further.
BW HTM6 S2 needs about 252% more floor or shelf area. BW HTM6 S2 is 49mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. B&W 607 S2 is 139mm taller.
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 607 S2 is approximately 385.1cm2 / 59.7inch2 and base area of the BW HTM6 S2 is approximately 1354.4cm2 / 209.9inch2. The 607 S2 AE requires 72% less surface area than the HTM6 S2 which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.
What's in the Box of B&W 607 S2?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of 607 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 BW HTM6 S2 ?
Here are the items that come with the HTM6 S2:
- Center-channel loudspeaker
- Grille (pre-installed)
- Two-piece foam plug
- 4 Self-adhesive rubber feet
- 2 Jumper-straps (pre-installed)
- Manual
- Warranty Information
- Bowers Wilkins brochure