In this review, we will be comparing 706 S2 and Denton 85, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Bowers Wilkins and Wharfedale. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of B&W 706 S2 and Wharfedale Denton 85 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the B&W 706 S2 and Wharfedale Denton 85 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 706 S2 and Wharfedale Denton 85 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 706 S2 and Denton 85 are 2-way speakers.
Driver |
B&W 706 S2 |
Wharfedale Denton 85 |
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
Woofer
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
706 S2 features a 1" Decoupled Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Continuum Woofer . On the other hand, the Denton 85 features a 1" woven textile Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Woven Kevlar Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 3100Hz.
Frequency Response
706 S2 has a frequency range of 50-28k Hz whereas Denton 85 has a frequency range of 45-20k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 45Hz, the Denton 85 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the 706 S2's min frequency of 50Hz.
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
706 S2 is a 8 ohms speaker compared to the Denton 85 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 Denton 85 can provide this impedance level.
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. 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
Both 706 S2 and Denton 85 features dual binding post speaker terminals for bi-amping or bi-wiring.
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both 706 S2 and Denton 85 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.
New
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 706 S2's and Wharfedale Denton 85's external dimensions. B&W 706 S2 has external dimensions of 340.0 x 200.0 x 301.0mm ( 13.5-inch x 7.8-inch x 11.-inch) whereas Wharfedale Denton 85 has external dimensions of 342.0 x 240.0 x 304.0mm ( 13-7/16 x 9-7/16 x 11-15/16inch) .
Wharfedale Denton 85 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 40mm wider, 2mm taller and 3mm deeper than B&W 706 S2.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of B&W 706 S2 and Wharfedale Denton 85 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 706 S2 is approximately 602.0cm2 / 93.3inch2 and base area of the Wharfedale Denton 85 is approximately 729.6cm2 / 113.1inch2. The 706 S2 requires 17% less surface area than the Denton 85 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 706 S2 weighs 8.05kg / 17.7lbs and the Wharfedale Denton 85 weighs 9.00kg / 19.8lbs. This makes the Denton 85 12% heavier than the 706 S2.
Here is a comparison of how 706 S2 and Denton 85'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 706 S2?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of 706 S2:
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 Wharfedale Denton 85?
Here are the items that come with the Denton 85:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers 2 Grilles 4 Jumper-bars (pre-installed) 8 Self-adhesive rubber feet Pair of white cloth gloves User Manual
Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
4 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
High Frequency Response |
28k Hz
vs
20k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
Height |
340mm
vs
342mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
Base Surface Area |
602cm2 (200x301mm)
vs
729cm2 (240x304mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
Minimum Impedance |
3.8 ohms
vs
3.7 ohms
|
Very low impedance levels puts more pressure on amplifier |
Low Frequency Response |
45 Hz
vs
50 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
Price per pair* |
999USD
vs
1999USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
General |
Bowers & Wilkins 706 S2 |
Wharfedale Denton 85 |
Brand |
Bowers Wilkins |
Wharfedale |
Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
Power Range |
30-120 watts |
20-120 watts |
Sensitivity |
88 dB |
88 dB |
Impedance |
8 ohms |
4 ohms |
Impedance |
3.7 ohms |
3.8 ohms |
Frequency Response |
50-28k Hz |
45-20k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
Woofer Size |
6.5" |
6.5" |
Woofer Composition |
Continuum |
Woven Kevlar |
Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
Tweeter Type |
Decoupled Soft-Dome |
Soft-Dome |
Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
Crossover Frequency |
n/a |
3100Hz |
Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
Height |
340.0mm (13.4") |
342.0mm (13.5") |
Width |
200.0mm (7.9") |
240.0mm (9.4") |
Depth |
301.0mm (11.9") |
304.0mm (12") |
Weight |
8.05kg (17.7lbs) |
9.00kg (19.8lbs) |
Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
Finish |
MDF/Wood Veneer |
MDF/Wood Veneer |
Available Colors |
Rosewood, Gloss Black, Satin White |
Walnut, Mahogany, Black |
Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
Recommended Stand Height |
24-26" |
24-28" |
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 |