In this review, we will be comparing BW 607 and TSi100, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Bowers Wilkins and Polk Audio. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of B&W 607 and Polk TSi100 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the B&W 607 and Polk TSi100 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:
In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the B&W 607 and Polk TSi100 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 BW 607 and TSi100 are 2-way speakers.
Driver |
B&W 607 |
Polk TSi100 |
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
Woofer
|
1 x 5-inch
|
1 x 5.25-inch
|
BW 607 features a 1" Decoupled Carbon Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5" Continuum Woofer . On the other hand, the TSi100 features a 1" Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" Organic Fiber Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2500Hz.
Frequency Response
BW 607 has a frequency range of 52-28k Hz whereas TSi100 has a frequency range of 61-24k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 52Hz, the BW 607 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the TSi100's min frequency of 61Hz.
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
BW 607 and TSi100 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. BW 607 sensitivity is rated at 84 dB and the TSi100's is at 89 dB. This 5 dB difference makes the Polk TSi100 a more sensitive speaker compared to B&W 607, 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.
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
BW 607 features Post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. TSi100 has a Pair of 5-way Binding Posts - Gold-Plated which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both BW 607 and TSi100 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's and Polk TSi100's external dimensions. B&W 607 has external dimensions of 300.0 x 165.0 x 207.0mm ( 11.8 x 6.4 x 8.1inch) whereas Polk TSi100 has external dimensions of 279.4 x 177.8 x 259.0mm ( 11.0 x 7.0 x 10.1inch) .
B&W 607 is 12.8mm narrower and 52mm less deeper than Polk TSi100 but it is also 20.6mm taller.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of B&W 607 and Polk TSi100 in scale.
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 is approximately 341.6cm2 / 52.9inch2 and base area of the Polk TSi100 is approximately 460.5cm2 / 71.4inch2. The BW 607 requires 26% less surface area than the TSi100 which gives it a small advantage 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:
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 607 weighs 4.70kg / 10.3lbs and the Polk TSi100 weighs 4.53kg / 10lbs. This makes the BW 607 4% heavier than the TSi100.
Here is a comparison of how BW 607 and TSi100'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 607?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of BW 607:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers2 Grilles2 Two-piece foam port plugs8 Self-adhesive rubber feet4 Jumper-straps Manual Bowers & Wilkins brochureWarranty Information
What's in the Box of Polk TSi100?
Here are the items that come with the TSi100:
2 Black bookshelf speakers Detachable cloth grille (installed) 8 Self-adhesive rubber feet Owner's Manual Wall-Mount template Online registration sheet Polk Audio product brochure
Low Frequency Response |
52 Hz
vs
61 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
High Frequency Response |
28k Hz
vs
24k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows bi-amping and bi-wiring connections |
Base Surface Area |
341cm2 (165x207mm)
vs
460cm2 (177x259mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
Sensitivity |
89 dB
vs
84 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
Woofer Size |
5.25 inches
vs
5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
Mounting Bracket |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows mounting on walls |
Height |
279mm
vs
300mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
Price per pair* |
149USD
vs
799USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
General |
Bowers & Wilkins 607 |
Polk Audio TSi100 |
Brand |
Bowers Wilkins |
Polk Audio |
Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
Power Range |
30-100 watts |
20-100 watts |
Sensitivity |
84 dB |
89 dB |
Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
Impedance |
3.0 ohms |
n/a |
Frequency Response |
52-28k Hz |
61-24k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
Woofer Size |
5" |
5.25" |
Woofer Composition |
Continuum |
Organic Fiber |
Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Butyl Rubber |
Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
Tweeter Type |
Hard-Dome |
Dome |
Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
Crossover Frequency |
n/a |
2500Hz |
Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
Height |
300.0mm (11.8") |
279.4mm (11") |
Width |
165.0mm (6.5") |
177.8mm (7") |
Depth |
207.0mm (8.1") |
259.0mm (10.2") |
Weight |
4.70kg (10.3lbs) |
4.53kg (10lbs) |
Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
Finish |
MDF/Vinyl |
Wood-grain vinyl |
Available Colors |
Black, White, Oak |
Black, Cherry |
Mounting Bracket |
No |
Keyhole |
Recommended Stand Height |
24-26" |
16-30" |
Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Biamp Inputs |
Yes |
No |
Other |
|
|
Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |