In this review, we will be comparing two different type of speakers by Bowers Wilkins. Bowers & Wilkins HTM6 S2 Anniversary Edition is a Center Channel speaker whereas the 603 S2 AE is a Floor-standing speaker.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of BW HTM6 S2 and B&W 603 S2 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
BW HTM6 S2 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:7.82kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 162.0" x 18-15/16" x 11-1/16"( 162.0 x 482.0 x 281.0mm )
B&W 603 S2 Key Specs
- 3-way Design
- 1" Tweeter
- 6" Midrange
- 2 x 6.5" Paper Woofer
- 6" Midrange
- 48-28k Hz Frequency Response
- 88.5 dB Sensitivity
- Impedance: 8ohms
- Power Range:30-200watts
- Weight:24.10kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 1055.0" x 7-1/2" x 14-5/8"( 1055.0 x 190.0 x 372.0mm )
HTM6 S2 and 603 S2 AE 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 BW HTM6 S2 and B&W 603 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* |
BW HTM6 S2 |
B&W 603 S2 |
| Near-field |
Poor |
Bad |
| Small Room |
Average |
Poor |
| Mid-size Room |
Good |
Good |
| Large Room |
Average |
Good |
| 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 BW HTM6 S2 and B&W 603 S2 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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through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Drivers
One of the fundamental differences between these two speakers is that HTM6 S2 is a 2-way design whereas the 603 S2 AE is a 3-way speaker. 3-way designs utilize a midrange driver in addition to the tweeter and woofer on 2-way designs. Designing a crossover for a 3-way speaker is a complicated process and generally increases the overall cost of the speaker.
| Driver |
BW HTM6 S2 |
B&W 603 S2 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
1 x 6-inch |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 5-inch
|
2 x 6.5-inch
|
HTM6 S2 features a 1" Decoupled Double Dome Tweeter and 2 x 5" Continuum Woofer . On the other hand, the 603 S2 AE features a 1" Tweeter , a 6" Midrange and 2 x 6.5" Paper Woofer .
Frequency Response
HTM6 S2 has a frequency range of 72-28k Hz whereas 603 S2 AE has a frequency range of 48-28k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 48Hz, the 603 S2 AE can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the HTM6 S2'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 Center Channel class in our database.
Low Frequency
Center Channel Speakers
High Frequency
Center Channel 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
HTM6 S2 and 603 S2 AE have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. HTM6 S2 sensitivity is rated at 87 dB and the 603 S2 AE's is at 88.5 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the B&W 603 S2 a more sensitive speaker compared to BW HTM6 S2 , hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Center Channel 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.
HTM6 S2 can handle a max power of 200 watts RMS from the amp the whereas HTM6 S2 has a max power handling value of 120 watts RMS , 80 watts less than the 603 S2 AE.
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 HTM6 S2 and 603 S2 AE features dual binding post speaker terminals for bi-amping or bi-wiring.
BW HTM6 S2 's Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
B&W 603 S2's Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both HTM6 S2 and 603 S2 AE 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 BW HTM6 S2 's and B&W 603 S2's external dimensions. 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) whereas B&W 603 S2 has external dimensions of 1055.0 x 190.0 x 372.0mm ( 41-1/2 x 12-5/8 x 14-5/8inch) .
BW HTM6 S2 is 893mm shorter and 91mm less deeper than B&W 603 S2 but it is also 292mm wider.
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 BW HTM6 S2 is approximately 1354.4cm2 / 209.9inch2 and base area of the B&W 603 S2 is approximately 706.8cm2 / 109.6inch2. The HTM6 S2 requires 92% more surface area than the 603 S2 AE which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.
What's in the Box of BW HTM6 S2 ?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of HTM6 S2:
Center-channel loudspeakerGrille (pre-installed)Two-piece foam plug4 Self-adhesive rubber feet2 Jumper-straps (pre-installed)ManualWarranty InformationBowers Wilkins brochure
What's in the Box of B&W 603 S2?
Here are the items that come with the 603 S2 AE:
Floorstanding loudspeakerGrillePlinith (base)2 Jumper-straps (pre-installed)4 Rubber feet4 Spike feet4 Hex-nuts4 Screws4 Washers4 Lock-washersTwo-piece foam port plugHex-keyManualBowers & Wilkins brochureWarranty Information
Minimum Impedance 
Height 
Price per pair* 
Max Input Power 
Driver Setup 
Sensitivity 
Woofer Size 
Base Surface Area