In this review, we will be comparing L82 Classic and BW 606, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from JBL and Bowers Wilkins. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of JBL L82 Classic and B&W 606 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the JBL L82 Classic and B&W 606 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 JBL L82 Classic and B&W 606 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 L82 Classic and BW 606 are 2-way speakers.
| Driver |
JBL L82 Classic |
B&W 606 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 8-inch
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
L82 Classic features a 1" Titanium Dome Tweeter and 1 x 8" Pulp Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 1700Hz. On the other hand, the BW 606 features a 1" Decoupled Carbon Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Continuum Woofer .
Frequency Response
L82 Classic has a frequency range of 44-40k Hz whereas BW 606 has a frequency range of 52-28k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 44Hz, the L82 Classic can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the BW 606's min frequency of 52Hz.
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
L82 Classic and BW 606 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms and their sensitivity is also same at 88 dB.
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.
L82 Classic can handle a max power of 125 watts RMS from the amp the whereas BW 606 has a max power handling value of 120 watts RMS, 5 watts less than the L82 Classic.
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 606 features Post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. L82 Classic has a Five-way gold-plated binding posts which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
JBL L82 Classic's Five-way gold-plated binding posts terminals
B&W 606's Post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
Cabinet Type and Port Position
L82 Classic has a front firing port whereas BW 606 has a rear firing ports. JBL L82 Classic's front-firing port gives more flexibility in placement in regards to proximity to walls compared to B&W 606 with its rear-firing port.
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 JBL L82 Classic's and B&W 606's external dimensions. JBL L82 Classic has external dimensions of 472.8 x 281.0 x 315.5mm ( 18.6 x 11.0 x 12.4inch) whereas B&W 606 has external dimensions of 345.0 x 190.0 x 324.0mm ( 13.5 x 7.4 x 12.7inch) .
B&W 606 is 91mm narrower and 127.8mm shorter than JBL L82 Classic but it is also 8.5mm deeper.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of JBL L82 Classic and B&W 606 in scale.
Comparison image of JBL L82 Classic and B&W 606 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 JBL L82 Classic is approximately 886.6cm2 / 137.4inch2 and base area of the B&W 606 is approximately 615.6cm2 / 95.4inch2. The L82 Classic requires 44% more surface area than the BW 606 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 JBL L82 Classic weighs 12.80kg / 28.2lbs and the B&W 606 weighs 6.90kg / 15.2lbs. This makes the L82 Classic 86% heavier than the BW 606.
Here is a comparison of how L82 Classic and BW 606's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
What's in the Box of JBL L82 Classic?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of L82 Classic:
Bookshelf loudspeaker
Grille
Owner's Manual
What's in the Box of B&W 606?
Here are the items that come with the BW 606:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers2 Grilles2 Two-piece foam port plugs8 Self-adhesive rubber feet4 Jumper-straps (pre-installed)ManualBowers & Wilkins brochureWarranty Information
 Max Input Power |
125 watts
vs
120 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Woofer Size |
8 inches
vs
6.5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
44 Hz
vs
52 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
40k Hz
vs
28k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Port Position |
Front
vs
Rear
|
Gives more flexibility placing close to walls |
 Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows bi-amping and bi-wiring connections |
 Height |
345mm
vs
472mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
615cm2 (190x324mm)
vs
886cm2 (281x315mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
899USD
vs
2750USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
JBL L82 Classic |
Bowers & Wilkins 606 |
| Brand |
JBL |
Bowers Wilkins |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
25-125 watts |
30-120 watts |
| Sensitivity |
88 dB |
88 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Impedance |
n/a |
3.7 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
44-40k Hz |
52-28k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
8" |
6.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
Pulp |
Continuum |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Dome |
Hard-Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
1700Hz |
n/a |
| Firing Direction |
front |
rear |
| Suggested Break-in Period |
n/a |
allow up to a week for the temperature effects to stabilise and 15 hours of average use for the parts to attain their intended design characteristics. |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
472.8mm (18.6") |
345.0mm (13.6") |
| Width |
281.0mm (11.1") |
190.0mm (7.5") |
| Depth |
315.5mm (12.4") |
324.0mm (12.8") |
| Weight |
12.80kg (28.2lbs) |
6.90kg (15.2lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF/Wood veneer |
MDF/Vinyl |
| Available Colors |
Walnut |
Black, White, Oak |
| Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
| Recommended Stand Height |
15.5" |
24-26" |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
No |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |