In this review, we will be comparing 706 S3 and Aria 906, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Bowers Wilkins and Focal.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of B&W 706 S3 and Focal Aria 906 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
B&W 706 S3 Key Specs
- 2-way Design
- 1" Decoupled Carbon Dome Tweeter
- 6.5" Continuum Woofer
- 50-28k Hz Frequency Response
- 88 dB Sensitivity
- Impedance: 8ohms
- Power Range:30-120watts
- Weight:8.42kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 345.0" x 7.6" x 13.1"( 345.0 x 192.0 x 334.0mm )
Focal Aria 906 Key Specs
- 2-way Design
- 1" Inverted Hard Dome Tweeter
- 6.5" Flax Woofer
- 55-28k Hz Frequency Response
- 89.5 dB Sensitivity
- Impedance: 8ohms
- Power Range:25-120watts
- Weight:8.64kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 391.0" x 8-15/16" x 11-5/16"( 391.0 x 228.0 x 288.0mm )
What size room are the B&W 706 S3 and Focal Aria 906 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 706 S3 |
Focal Aria 906 |
| 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 706 S3 and Focal Aria 906 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 706 S3 and Aria 906 are 2-way speakers.
| Driver |
B&W 706 S3 |
Focal Aria 906 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
706 S3 features a 1" Decoupled Carbon Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Continuum Woofer . On the other hand, the Aria 906 features a 1" TNF aluminum/magnesium Inverted Hard Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Flax Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2800Hz.
Frequency Response
706 S3 has a frequency range of 50-28k Hz whereas Aria 906 has a frequency range of 55-28k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 50Hz, the 706 S3 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Aria 906'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
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 S3 and Aria 906 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. 706 S3 sensitivity is rated at 88 dB and the Aria 906's is at 89.5 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the Focal Aria 906 a more sensitive speaker compared to B&W 706 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.
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
706 S3 features Binding post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. Aria 906 has a Binding post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
B&W 706 S3's Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
Focal Aria 906's Binding post terminals
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both 706 S3 and Aria 906 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 706 S3's and Focal Aria 906's external dimensions. B&W 706 S3 has external dimensions of 345.0 x 192.0 x 334.0mm ( 13.6-inch x 7.6-inch x 13.1-inch) whereas Focal Aria 906 has external dimensions of 391.0 x 228.0 x 288.0mm ( 15-3/8 x 8-15/16 x 11-5/16inch) .
B&W 706 S3 is 36mm narrower and 46mm shorter than Focal Aria 906 but it is also 46mm deeper.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of B&W 706 S3 and Focal Aria 906 in scale.
Comparison image of B&W 706 S3 and Focal Aria 906 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 706 S3 is approximately 641.3cm2 / 99.4inch2 and base area of the Focal Aria 906 is approximately 656.6cm2 / 101.8inch2. The 706 S3 requires 2% less surface area than the Aria 906 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:
Size Comparison image of B&W 706 S3 and Focal Aria 906 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 706 S3 weighs 8.42kg / 18.5lbs and the Focal Aria 906 weighs 8.64kg / 19lbs. This makes the Aria 906 3% heavier than the 706 S3.
Here is a comparison of how 706 S3 and Aria 906'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 S3?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of 706 S3:
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 Focal Aria 906?
Here are the items that come with the Aria 906:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers 2 Cloth grilles User manual
 Low Frequency Response |
50 Hz
vs
55 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows bi-amping and bi-wiring connections |
 Height |
345mm
vs
391mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
641cm2
vs
656cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Sensitivity |
90 dB
vs
88 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Minimum Impedance |
4.6 ohms
vs
3.7 ohms
|
Very low impedance levels puts more pressure on amplifier |
 Price per pair* |
2198USD
vs
2199USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Bowers & Wilkins 706 S3 |
Focal Aria 906 |
| Brand |
Bowers Wilkins |
Focal |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
30-120 watts |
25-120 watts |
| Sensitivity |
88 dB |
89.5 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Impedance |
3.7 ohms |
4.6 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
50-28k Hz |
55-28k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
6.5" |
6.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
Continuum |
Flax |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Decoupled Carbon Dome |
Inverted Hard Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
n/a |
2800Hz |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
345.0mm (13.6") |
391.0mm (15.4") |
| Width |
192.0mm (7.6") |
228.0mm (9") |
| Depth |
334.0mm (13.1") |
288.0mm (11.3") |
| Weight |
8.42kg (18.5lbs) |
8.64kg (19lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF/Wood veneer |
MDF/Glass/Leather |
| Available Colors |
Gloss Black,Satin White,Mocha,Rosenut |
Walnut, Black |
| Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
| Recommended Stand Height |
24-26" |
24-28" |
| 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 |