In this review, we will be comparing Rebellion and 607 S2 AE, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Klipsch and Bowers Wilkins.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Klipsch Heritage Rebellion and B&W 607 S2 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Klipsch Heritage Rebellion | B&W 607 S2 |
|---|
| Brand | Klipsch
United States · founded 1946 | Bowers Wilkins
United Kingdom · founded 1966 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | Compression Horn | 1" Decoupled Double Dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 8" Paper | 5" Continuum |
|---|
| Frequency response | 60-20k Hz | 52-28k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 95 dB | 84 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | up to 200 watts | 30-100 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 14.51kg / 31.9lbs | 4.70kg / 10.3lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 19-1/8" x 12" x 9-3/4"
485.0 x 305.0 x 247.0mm | 11-13/16" x 6-1/2" x 9-1/8"
301.0 x 166.0 x 232.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Klipsch Heritage Rebellion and B&W 607 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* |
Klipsch Heritage Rebellion |
B&W 607 S2 |
| Near-field |
Poor |
Average |
| Small Room |
Average |
Good |
| Mid-size Room |
Good |
Average |
| Large Room |
Average |
Poor |
| Very Large Room |
Poor |
Bad |
(* 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.
Drivers
Both Rebellion and 607 S2 AE are 2-way speakers.
Klipsch Heritage RebellionB&W 607 S2
TweeterWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
Klipsch Heritage Rebellion |
B&W 607 S2 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 8-inch
|
1 x 5-inch
|
Rebellion features a " K-702 driver Compression Horn Tweeter and 1 x 8" Paper Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 715Hz. On the other hand, the 607 S2 AE features a 1" Aluminum Decoupled Double Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5" Continuum Woofer.
Frequency Response
Rebellion has a frequency range of 60-20k Hz whereas 607 S2 AE has a frequency range of 52-28k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 52Hz, the 607 S2 AE can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Rebellion's min frequency of 60Hz.
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
Rebellion and 607 S2 AE have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Rebellion sensitivity is rated at 95 dB and the 607 S2 AE's is at 84 dB. This 11 dB difference makes the Klipsch Heritage Rebellion a more sensitive speaker compared to B&W 607 S2, 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. Staying
within that range gives nominal performance; driving the speaker beyond its maximum wattage can damage it.
Rebellion can handle a max power of 200 watts RMS, whereas 607 S2 AE has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS, 100 watts less than the Rebellion.
Note that higher power handling does not make a speaker louder: that depends mainly on
sensitivity and impedance. The calculator below shows how loud each of these actually plays
on a real amplifier.
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.
Klipsch Heritage Rebellion
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
607 S2 AE features Binding post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. Rebellion has a Binding post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
B&W 607 S2's Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both Rebellion and 607 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
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 Klipsch Heritage Rebellion's and B&W 607 S2's external dimensions. Klipsch Heritage Rebellion has external dimensions of 485.0 x 305.0 x 247.0mm (19-1/8 x 12 x 9-3/4inch) whereas B&W 607 S2 has external dimensions of 301.0 x 166.0 x 232.0mm (11-13/16 x 6-1/2 x 9-1/8inch).
Klipsch Heritage Rebellion is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 139mm wider, 184mm taller and 15mm deeper than B&W 607 S2.
Size, drawn to scale
Both speakers and both views share one scale, so everything here is directly comparable. Hover a box for its dimensions.
One scale for both, standing on the same surface and pushed back to the same wall, so the deeper one visibly sticks out further.
Klipsch Heritage Rebellion needs about 96% more floor or shelf area. Klipsch Heritage Rebellion is 15mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Klipsch Heritage Rebellion is 184mm taller.
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 Klipsch Heritage Rebellion is approximately 753.4cm2 / 116.8inch2 and base area of the B&W 607 S2 is approximately 385.1cm2 / 59.7inch2. The Rebellion requires 96% more surface area than the 607 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 Klipsch Heritage Rebellion weighs 14.51kg / 31.9lbs and the B&W 607 S2 weighs 4.70kg / 10.3lbs. This makes the Rebellion 209% heavier than the 607 S2 AE.
Here is a comparison of how Rebellion and 607 S2 AE's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
Klipsch Heritage Rebellion
What's in the Box of B&W 607 S2?
Here are the items that come with the 607 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
100 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Sensitivity |
95 dB
vs
84 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Minimum Impedance |
3.3 ohms
vs
3.0 ohms
|
Very low impedance levels puts more pressure on amplifier |
 Woofer Size |
8 inches
vs
5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
52 Hz
vs
60 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
28k Hz
vs
20k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
301mm
vs
485mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
385cm2
vs
753cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
799USD
vs
1199USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Klipsch Heritage Rebellion |
Bowers & Wilkins 607 S2 Anniversary Edition |
| Brand |
Klipsch |
Bowers Wilkins |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
up to 200 watts |
30-100 watts |
| Sensitivity |
95 dB |
84 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Impedance |
3.3 ohms |
3.0 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
60-20k Hz |
52-28k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
8" |
5" |
| Woofer Composition |
Paper |
Continuum |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Compression Horn |
Decoupled Double Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
715Hz |
n/a |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
485.0mm (19.1") |
301.0mm (11.9") |
| Width |
305.0mm (12") |
166.0mm (6.5") |
| Depth |
247.0mm (9.7") |
232.0mm (9.1") |
| Weight |
14.51kg (31.9lbs) |
4.70kg (10.3lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
18 mm MDF with real wood veneer |
MDF/Vinyl |
| Available Colors |
Black Ash, 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 |
n/a |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
A generation apart: Klipsch Heritage Rebellion is the newer design, against a 2020 model. Newer is not automatically better, but the older one is more likely to be discounted or near run-out.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | B | B&W 607 S2 digs deeper - 52Hz against 60Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Amplifier needs | A | Klipsch Heritage Rebellion is more sensitive (95dB vs 84dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Headroom | A | Klipsch Heritage Rebellion takes more power (200W vs 100W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size | depends | B&W 607 S2 is easier to place; Klipsch Heritage Rebellion is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Expandability | depends | B&W 607 S2: bi-amping. Klipsch Heritage Rebellion sits in a wider range (12 models), so a matched surround system is easier later. |
| Price | B | B&W 607 S2 is cheaper - $799 against $1,199, about 33% less. |
A Klipsch Heritage Rebellion B B&W 607 S2
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, your system 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?
Klipsch Heritage Rebellion is ahead, but only on 1 of the measured areas, and it costs about 50% more. That is a lot of money for a narrow margin on paper - B&W 607 S2 looks like the sensible buy unless something else about the Klipsch Heritage Rebellion appeals to you. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 60Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. Match it to your room: we rate Klipsch Heritage Rebellion the better fit for a mid-size room and a large room, and B&W 607 S2 for near-field listening and a small room.
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.