In this review, we will be comparing Foundation B2 and BW 606, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from MartinLogan and Bowers Wilkins.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of MartinLogan Foundation B2 and B&W 606 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | MartinLogan Foundation B2 | B&W 606 |
|---|
| Brand | MartinLogan
United States · founded 1982 | Bowers Wilkins
United Kingdom · founded 1966 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Folded Motion Ribbon | 1" Hard-Dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 6-1/2" Aluminum | 6.5" Continuum |
|---|
| Frequency response | 42-23k Hz | 52-28k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 90 dB | 88 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 5 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | up to 100 watts | 30-120 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 5.23kg / 11.5lbs | 6.90kg / 15.2lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 15" x 7-3/4" x 9-1/2"
381.0 x 197.0 x 242.0mm | 13.6" x 7-1/2" x 12-13/16"
345.0 x 190.0 x 324.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the MartinLogan Foundation B2 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:
| Listening Environment* |
MartinLogan Foundation B2 |
B&W 606 |
| Near-field |
Average |
Poor |
| Small Room |
Good |
Average |
| Mid-size Room |
Average |
Good |
| Large Room |
Poor |
Average |
| Very Large Room |
Bad |
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.
Drivers
Both Foundation B2 and BW 606 are 2-way speakers.
MartinLogan Foundation B2B&W 606
TweeterWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
MartinLogan Foundation B2 |
B&W 606 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 6-1/2-inch
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
Foundation B2 features a 1" Gen2 Obsidian Folded Motion Ribbon Tweeter and 1 x 6-1/2" Aluminum Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 3800Hz. On the other hand, the BW 606 features a 1" Decoupled Carbon Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Continuum Woofer.
Frequency Response
Foundation B2 has a frequency range of 42-23k Hz whereas BW 606 has a frequency range of 52-28k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 42Hz, the Foundation B2 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the BW 606's min frequency of 52Hz.
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
Foundation B2 is a 5 ohms speaker compared to the BW 606 which has a nominal impedance of 8 ohms.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. Foundation B2 sensitivity is rated at 90 dB and the BW 606's is rated at 88 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the MartinLogan Foundation B2 a more sensitive speaker compared to B&W 606, 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.
BW 606 can handle a max power of 120 watts RMS, whereas Foundation B2 has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS, 20 watts less than the BW 606.
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.
MartinLogan Foundation B2
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
BW 606 features Post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. Foundation B2 has a Binding post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
MartinLogan Foundation B2's Binding post terminals
B&W 606's Post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both Foundation B2 and BW 606 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 MartinLogan Foundation B2's and B&W 606's external dimensions. MartinLogan Foundation B2 has external dimensions of 381.0 x 197.0 x 242.0mm (15inch x 7-3/4inch x 9-1/2inch) 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 7mm narrower and 36mm shorter than MartinLogan Foundation B2 but it is also 82mm deeper.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of MartinLogan Foundation B2 and B&W 606 in scale.
Comparison image of MartinLogan Foundation B2 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 MartinLogan Foundation B2 is approximately 476.7cm2 / 73.9inch2 and base area of the B&W 606 is approximately 615.6cm2 / 95.4inch2. The Foundation B2 requires 23% less surface area than the BW 606 which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.
Here is another comparison that shows both speakers on a BDI Octave Media Cabinet, next to a standard size amplifier and turntable in scale:
Size Comparison image of MartinLogan Foundation B2 and B&W 606 on a Media Console
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 MartinLogan Foundation B2 weighs 5.23kg / 11.5lbs and the B&W 606 weighs 6.90kg / 15.2lbs. This makes the BW 606 32% heavier than the Foundation B2.
Here is a comparison of how Foundation B2 and BW 606's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
MartinLogan Foundation B2
What's in the Box of B&W 606?
Here are the items that come with the BW 606:
- 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
 Sensitivity |
90 dB
vs
88 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Low Frequency Response |
42 Hz
vs
52 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Base Surface Area |
476cm2
vs
615cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
799USD
vs
899USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Max Input Power |
120 watts
vs
100 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
5 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
|
Woofer Size |
6.5 inches
vs
6-1/2 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 High Frequency Response |
28k Hz
vs
23k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows bi-amping and bi-wiring connections |
 Height |
345mm
vs
381mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
| General |
MartinLogan Foundation B2 |
Bowers & Wilkins 606 |
| Brand |
MartinLogan |
Bowers Wilkins |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
up to 100 watts |
30-120 watts |
| Sensitivity |
90 dB |
88 dB |
| Impedance |
5 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Impedance |
n/a |
3.7 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
42-23k Hz |
52-28k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
6-1/2" |
6.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
Aluminum |
Continuum |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Folded Motion Ribbon |
Hard-Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
3800Hz |
n/a |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
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 |
381.0mm (15") |
345.0mm (13.6") |
| Width |
197.0mm (7.8") |
190.0mm (7.5") |
| Depth |
242.0mm (9.5") |
324.0mm (12.8") |
| Weight |
5.23kg (11.5lbs) |
6.90kg (15.2lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
n/a |
MDF/Vinyl |
| Available Colors |
Walnut,Black,Satin White |
Black, White, Oak |
| Mounting Bracket |
|
No |
| Recommended Stand Height |
n/a |
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 |
A generation apart: MartinLogan Foundation B2 is the newer design, against a 2019 model. Newer is not automatically better, but the older one is more likely to be discounted or near run-out.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | A | MartinLogan Foundation B2 digs deeper - 42Hz against 52Hz. |
| Amplifier needs | A | MartinLogan Foundation B2 is more sensitive (90dB vs 88dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Amplifier match | B | B&W 606 is the easier load at 8 ohms. |
| Headroom | evenly matched | Similar power handling (100W vs 120W). |
| Size | depends | Similar cabinet size - neither is easier to fit. |
| Expandability | depends | B&W 606: bi-amping. MartinLogan Foundation B2 sits in a wider range (7 models), so a matched surround system is easier later. |
| Price | A | MartinLogan Foundation B2 is cheaper - $799 against $899, about 11% less. |
A MartinLogan Foundation B2 B B&W 606
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?
MartinLogan Foundation B2 has the edge on paper, though the margin is not large. The rows marked "depends" may matter more to you than the score does. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 52Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. Match it to your room: we rate MartinLogan Foundation B2 the better fit for near-field listening and a small room, and B&W 606 for a mid-size room and a large 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.