In this review, we will be comparing Premier 220B v2 and 606 S3, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Paradigm and Bowers Wilkins.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Paradigm Premier 220B v2 and B&W 606 S3 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Paradigm Premier 220B v2 | B&W 606 S3 |
|---|
| Brand | Paradigm
Canada · founded 1982 | Bowers Wilkins
United Kingdom · founded 1966 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Hard-Dome | 1" Decoupled Double Dome Titanium |
|---|
| Woofer | 6" | 6.5" Continuum |
|---|
| Frequency response | 58-23k Hz | 52-28k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 91 dB | 88 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 15-130 watts | 30-120 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 9.12kg / 20.1lbs | 7.05kg / 15.5lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 14-5/8" x 8-5/16" x 13"
371.5 x 211.1 x 330.2mm | 13.6" x 7.4" x 12.9"
344.0 x 189.0 x 328.0mm |
|---|
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both Premier 220B v2 and 606 S3 are 2-way speakers.
Paradigm Premier 220B v2B&W 606 S3
TweeterWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
Paradigm Premier 220B v2 |
B&W 606 S3 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 6-inch
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
Premier 220B v2 features a 1" Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6" Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 1100Hz. On the other hand, the 606 S3 features a 1" Titanium Decoupled Double Dome Titanium Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Continuum Woofer.
Frequency Response
Premier 220B v2 has a frequency range of 58-23k Hz whereas 606 S3 has a frequency range of 52-28k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 52Hz, the 606 S3 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Premier 220B v2's min frequency of 58Hz.
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
Premier 220B v2 and 606 S3 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Premier 220B v2 sensitivity is rated at 91 dB and the 606 S3's is at 88 dB. This 3 dB difference makes the Paradigm Premier 220B v2 a more sensitive speaker compared to B&W 606 S3, 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.
Premier 220B v2 can handle a max power of 130 watts RMS, whereas 606 S3 has a max power handling value of 120 watts RMS, 10 watts less than the Premier 220B v2.
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.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
606 S3 features Binding post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. Premier 220B v2 has a Binding post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
B&W 606 S3'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 Paradigm Premier 220B v2's and B&W 606 S3's external dimensions. Paradigm Premier 220B v2 has external dimensions of 371.5 x 211.1 x 330.2mm () whereas B&W 606 S3 has external dimensions of 344.0 x 189.0 x 328.0mm (13.6 x 7.4 x 12.9inch).
Paradigm Premier 220B v2 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 22.1mm wider, 27.5mm taller and 2.2mm deeper than B&W 606 S3.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Paradigm Premier 220B v2 and B&W 606 S3 in scale.
Comparison image of Paradigm Premier 220B v2 and B&W 606 S3 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 Paradigm Premier 220B v2 is approximately 697.1cm2 / 108.1inch2 and base area of the B&W 606 S3 is approximately 619.9cm2 / 96.1inch2. The Premier 220B v2 requires 12% more surface area than the 606 S3 which gives it a small disadvantage 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 Paradigm Premier 220B v2 and B&W 606 S3 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 Paradigm Premier 220B v2 weighs 9.12kg / 20.1lbs and the B&W 606 S3 weighs 7.05kg / 15.5lbs. This makes the Premier 220B v2 29% heavier than the 606 S3.
Here is a comparison of how Premier 220B v2 and 606 S3'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 S3?
Here are the items that come with the 606 S3:
- 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 |
130 watts
vs
120 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Sensitivity |
91 dB
vs
88 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Woofer Size |
6.5 inches
vs
6 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
52 Hz
vs
58 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
28k Hz
vs
23k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
344mm
vs
371mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
619cm2
vs
697cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
| General |
Paradigm Premier 220B v2 |
Bowers & Wilkins 606 S3 |
| Brand |
Paradigm |
Bowers Wilkins |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
15-130 watts |
30-120 watts |
| Sensitivity |
91 dB |
88 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Impedance |
n/a |
3.7 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
58-23k Hz |
52-28k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
6" |
6.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
Continuum |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Hard-Dome |
Decoupled Double Dome Titanium |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
1100Hz |
n/a |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
371.5mm (14.6") |
344.0mm (13.5") |
| Width |
211.1mm (8.3") |
189.0mm (7.4") |
| Depth |
330.2mm (13") |
328.0mm (12.9") |
| Weight |
9.12kg (20.1lbs) |
7.05kg (15.5lbs) |
| Enclosure |
|
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF/Polymer |
MDF/Vinyl |
| Available Colors |
Gloss Black |
Matte Black, Matte White, Oak, Red Cherry |
| Mounting Bracket |
|
No |
| Recommended Stand Height |
n/a |
24-26" |
| Grille |
n/a |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
n/a |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
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 S3 digs deeper - 52Hz against 58Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Amplifier needs | A | Paradigm Premier 220B v2 is more sensitive (91dB vs 88dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Headroom | evenly matched | Similar power handling (130W vs 120W). |
| Size | depends | Similar cabinet size - neither is easier to fit. |
| Expandability | depends | B&W 606 S3: bi-amping. Paradigm Premier 220B v2 sits in a wider range (12 models), so a matched surround system is easier later. |
| Price | evenly matched | Much the same money ($1,100 vs $1,100 a pair). |
A Paradigm Premier 220B v2 B B&W 606 S3
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?
Neither runs away with it - they trade advantages. Let the "depends" rows and your own room settle it. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 58Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. If your amplifier is modest, vintage or valve-based, Paradigm Premier 220B v2 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.