In this review, we will be comparing two different type of speakers by Bowers Wilkins. Bowers & Wilkins 607 S3 is a Bookshelf speaker whereas the HTM6 S3 is a Center Channel speaker.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of B&W 607 S3 and BW HTM6 S3 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
B&W 607 S3 Key Specs
- 2-way Design
- 1" Decoupled Double Dome Titanium Tweeter
- 5" Continuum Woofer
- 52-28k Hz Frequency Response
- 84 dB Sensitivity
- Impedance: 8ohms
- Power Range:30-100watts
- Weight:4.65kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 300.0" x 6.5" x 9.3"( 300.0 x 166.0 x 235.0mm )
BW HTM6 S3 Key Specs
- 2-way Design
- 1" Decoupled Double Dome Tweeter
- 2 x 5" Continuum Woofer
- 72-28k Hz Frequency Response
- 87 dB Sensitivity
- Impedance: 8ohms
- Power Range:30-120watts
- Weight:7.70kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 160.0" x 18.9" x 11.2"( 160.0 x 480.0 x 283.0mm )
607 S3 and HTM6 S3 are members of Bowers Wilkins's 600 S3 series of speakers. Below you can find the loudspeakers from this series.
What size room are the B&W 607 S3 and BW HTM6 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 607 S3 |
BW HTM6 S3 |
| 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.)
In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the B&W 607 S3 and BW HTM6 S3 compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these loudspeakers is the better choice for you.
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Drivers
Both 607 S3 and HTM6 S3 are 2-way speakers.
| Driver |
B&W 607 S3 |
BW HTM6 S3 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 5-inch
|
2 x 5-inch
|
607 S3 features a 1" Titanium Decoupled Double Dome Titanium Tweeter and 1 x 5" Continuum Woofer . On the other hand, the HTM6 S3 features a 1" Titanium Decoupled Double Dome Tweeter and 2 x 5" Continuum Woofer .
Frequency Response
607 S3 has a frequency range of 52-28k Hz whereas HTM6 S3 has a frequency range of 72-28k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 52Hz, the 607 S3 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the HTM6 S3's min frequency of 72Hz.
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
High Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
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
607 S3 and HTM6 S3 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. 607 S3 sensitivity is rated at 84 dB and the HTM6 S3's is at 87 dB. This 3 dB difference makes the BW HTM6 S3 a more sensitive speaker compared to B&W 607 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. 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.
607 S3 can handle a max power of 120 watts RMS from the amp the whereas 607 S3 has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS , 20 watts less than the HTM6 S3.
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 607 S3 and HTM6 S3 features dual binding post speaker terminals for bi-amping or bi-wiring.
B&W 607 S3's Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
BW HTM6 S3 's Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both 607 S3 and HTM6 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
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 607 S3's and BW HTM6 S3 's external dimensions. B&W 607 S3 has external dimensions of 300.0 x 166.0 x 235.0mm ( 11.8 x 6.5 x 9.3inch) whereas BW HTM6 S3 has external dimensions of 160.0 x 480.0 x 283.0mm ( 6.3 x 18.9 x 11.2inch) .
B&W 607 S3 is 314mm narrower and 48mm less deeper than BW HTM6 S3 but it is also 140mm 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 S3 is approximately 390.1cm2 / 60.5inch2 and base area of the BW HTM6 S3 is approximately 1358.4cm2 / 210.6inch2. The 607 S3 requires 71% less surface area than the HTM6 S3 which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.
What's in the Box of B&W 607 S3?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of 607 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 BW HTM6 S3 ?
Here are the items that come with the HTM6 S3:
Center-channel loudspeakerGrille (pre-installed)Two-piece foam plug4 Self-adhesive rubber feet2 Jumper-straps (pre-installed)ManualWarranty InformationBowers Wilkins brochure
Low Frequency Response 
Base Surface Area 
Max Input Power 
Sensitivity 
Minimum Impedance 
Height 
Price per pair*