In this review, we will be comparing Kendall 2B and 606 S2 AE, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from KLH and Bowers Wilkins. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of KLH Kendall 2B and B&W 606 S2 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the KLH Kendall 2B 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:
In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the KLH Kendall 2B and B&W 606 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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Drivers
Both Kendall 2B and 606 S2 AE are 2-way speakers.
| Driver |
KLH Kendall 2B |
B&W 606 S2 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
Kendall 2B features a 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Aluminum Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2500 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
Kendall 2B has a frequency range of 55-20k 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 Kendall 2B'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
Kendall 2B and 606 S2 AE have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Kendall 2B sensitivity is rated at 86 dB and the 606 S2 AE's is at 88 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the B&W 606 S2 a more sensitive speaker compared to KLH Kendall 2B, 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.
Kendall 2B can handle a max power of 200 watts RMS from the amp the whereas 606 S2 AE has a max power handling value of 120 watts RMS, 80 watts less than the Kendall 2B.
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 Kendall 2B and 606 S2 AE features dual binding post speaker terminals for bi-amping or bi-wiring.
KLH Kendall 2B's 5-way post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
B&W 606 S2's Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both Kendall 2B and 606 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 KLH Kendall 2B's and B&W 606 S2's external dimensions. KLH Kendall 2B has external dimensions of 337.0 x 197.0 x 216.0mm ( 13-1/4inch x 7-3/4inch x 8-1/2inch ) 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) .
KLH Kendall 2B is 10mm shorter and 110mm less deeper than B&W 606 S2 but it is also 6mm 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 KLH Kendall 2B is approximately 425.5cm2 / 66.0inch2 and base area of the B&W 606 S2 is approximately 622.7cm2 / 96.5inch2. The Kendall 2B requires 32% less surface area than the 606 S2 AE which gives it a small advantage 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 KLH Kendall 2B weighs 5.91kg / 13lbs and the B&W 606 S2 weighs 6.90kg / 15.2lbs. This makes the 606 S2 AE 17% heavier than the Kendall 2B.
Here is a comparison of how Kendall 2B 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 KLH Kendall 2B?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Kendall 2B:
2 x 2B Loudspeaker and Grille Owners Manual Binding Post Wrench Rubber Adhesive Feet
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
 Max Input Power |
200 watts
vs
120 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Height |
337mm
vs
347mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
425cm2 (197x216mm)
vs
622cm2 (191x326mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
 Sensitivity |
88 dB
vs
86 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Low Frequency Response |
52 Hz
vs
55 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
28k Hz
vs
20k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
| General |
KLH Kendall 2B |
Bowers & Wilkins 606 S2 Anniversary Edition |
| Brand |
KLH |
Bowers Wilkins |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
200 watts |
30-120 watts |
| Sensitivity |
86 dB |
88 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Impedance |
n/a |
3.7 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
55-20k Hz |
52-28k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
6.5" |
6.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
Aluminum |
Continuum |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Butyl rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Hard-Dome |
Decoupled Double Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
2500 HZ |
n/a |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
337.0mm (13.3") |
347.0mm (13.7") |
| Width |
197.0mm (7.8") |
191.0mm (7.5") |
| Depth |
216.0mm (8.5") |
326.0mm (12.8") |
| Weight |
5.91kg (13lbs) |
6.90kg (15.2lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF/Wood veneer |
MDF/Vinyl |
| Available Colors |
Black Oak,English Walnut |
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 |
Yes |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
10 years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
10 years |
5 Years |