In this review, we will be comparing F500S LCR and 606 S2 AE, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Fyne Audio and Bowers Wilkins.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Fyne Audio F500S LCR and B&W 606 S2 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Fyne Audio F500S LCR | B&W 606 S2 |
|---|
| Design | 3-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | — | 1" Decoupled Double Dome |
|---|
| Woofer | — | 6.5" Continuum |
|---|
| Frequency response | 56-34k Hz | 52-28k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 90 dB | 88 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | — | 30-120 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 10.21kg / 22.5lbs | 6.90kg / 15.2lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 7.9" x 20.9" x 6"
200.7 x 530.9 x 152.4mm | 13-5/8" x 7-1/2" x 12-13/16"
347.0 x 191.0 x 326.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Fyne Audio F500S LCR and B&W 606 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* |
Fyne Audio F500S LCR |
B&W 606 S2 |
| Near-field |
Good |
Poor |
| Small Room |
Good |
Average |
| Mid-size Room |
Average |
Good |
| Large Room |
Poor |
Average |
| Very Large Room |
No way |
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.)
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
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through our links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Drivers
One of the fundamental differences between these two speakers is that F500S LCR is a 3-way design whereas the 606 S2 AE is a 2-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 |
Fyne Audio F500S LCR |
B&W 606 S2 |
|
Driver Setup
|
3-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
x -inch
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
F500S LCR features a " Tweeter and x " Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 250 Hz, 1700 Hz. On the other hand, the 606 S2 AE features a 1" Aluminum Decoupled Double Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Continuum Woofer.
Frequency Response
F500S LCR has a frequency range of 56-34k Hz whereas 606 S2 AE has a frequency range of 52-28k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 52Hz, the 606 S2 AE can go slightly deeper then the F500S LCR's min frequency of 56Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
Neither pair reaches down to 20Hz, the usual definition of full-range, which is normal for speakers of this size. If you want the bottom octave for movies or bass-heavy music, add a subwoofer to whichever you choose. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
F500S LCR and 606 S2 AE have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. F500S LCR sensitivity is rated at 90 dB and the 606 S2 AE's is at 88 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the Fyne Audio F500S LCR a more sensitive speaker compared to B&W 606 S2, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Bookshelf Speakers
Which plays louder on your amplifier?
Starting with a popular amplifier — change it to the one you own, or any you are
considering, and watch both numbers move.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
606 S2 AE features Binding post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. F500S LCR has a Binding post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
B&W 606 S2's Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
Physical Specs
The size of a speaker can sometimes be an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare Fyne Audio F500S LCR's and B&W 606 S2's external dimensions. Fyne Audio F500S LCR has external dimensions of 200.7 x 530.9 x 152.4mm (7.9 x 20.9 x 6inch) whereas B&W 606 S2 has external dimensions of 347.0 x 191.0 x 326.0mm (13-5/8 x 7-1/2 x 12-13/16inch).
Fyne Audio F500S LCR is 146.3mm shorter and 173.6mm less deeper than B&W 606 S2 but it is also 339.9mm 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 Fyne Audio F500S LCR is approximately 809.1cm2 / 125.4inch2 and base area of the B&W 606 S2 is approximately 622.7cm2 / 96.5inch2. The F500S LCR requires 30% more surface area than the 606 S2 AE which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.
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 Fyne Audio F500S LCR weighs 10.21kg / 22.5lbs and the B&W 606 S2 weighs 6.90kg / 15.2lbs. This makes the F500S LCR 48% heavier than the 606 S2 AE.
Here is a comparison of how F500S LCR and 606 S2 AE'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 606 S2?
Here are the items that come with the 606 S2 AE:
- 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
 Driver Setup |
3-way
vs
2-way
|
Have a dedicated mid-range driver |
 Sensitivity |
90 dB
vs
88 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 High Frequency Response |
34k Hz
vs
28k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
200mm
vs
347mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Price per pair* |
799USD
vs
999USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Woofer Size |
6.5 inches
vs
inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
52 Hz
vs
56 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Base Surface Area |
622cm2
vs
809cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
| General |
Fyne Audio F500S LCR |
Bowers & Wilkins 606 S2 Anniversary Edition |
| Brand |
Fyne Audio |
Bowers Wilkins |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Sensitivity |
90 dB |
88 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Impedance |
n/a |
3.7 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
56-34k Hz |
52-28k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
|
1 |
| Woofer Size |
" |
6.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
Continuum |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
n/a |
Decoupled Double Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
250 Hz, 1700 Hz |
n/a |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
200.7mm (7.9") |
347.0mm (13.7") |
| Width |
530.9mm (20.9") |
191.0mm (7.5") |
| Depth |
152.4mm (6") |
326.0mm (12.8") |
| Weight |
10.21kg (22.5lbs) |
6.90kg (15.2lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
n/a |
MDF/Vinyl |
| Available Colors |
n/a |
Matte Black, Matte White, Oak, Red Cherry |
| Mounting Bracket |
|
No |
| Recommended Stand Height |
n/a |
24-26" |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
n/a |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
|
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
|
5 Years |
No single best speaker here - they are built to different priorities, and the right one depends on your room, your amplifier and what you listen to.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass |
B |
B&W 606 S2 digs deeper - 52Hz against 56Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Amplifier needs |
A |
Fyne Audio F500S LCR is more sensitive (90dB vs 88dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Size |
depends |
Fyne Audio F500S LCR is easier to place; B&W 606 S2 is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Expandability |
B |
B&W 606 S2: bi-amping. |
| Price |
A |
Fyne Audio F500S LCR is cheaper - $799 against $999, about 20% less. |
A Fyne Audio F500S LCR
B B&W 606 S2
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, placement or how you will use them.
Only specs published for both speakers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
The usual trade-off: B&W 606 S2 measures better, Fyne Audio F500S LCR costs about 20% less. Whether that gap is worth the money is the call only you can make - and in a normal room it is often smaller than the numbers suggest. Match it to your room: we rate Fyne Audio F500S LCR the better fit for near-field listening and a small room, and B&W 606 S2 for a mid-size room and a large room. If your amplifier is modest, vintage or valve-based, Fyne Audio F500S LCR is the safer partner - the other will want more current or more watts to sound its best.
And remember what a spec sheet cannot show: how each looks in your room and whether the finish suits it, what dealer support and warranty are like where you live, and how they actually sound to you. If you can hear them first - ideally with your own music - that will tell you more than any number above.