In this review, we will be comparing XT20 and BW 606, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Polk Audio and Bowers Wilkins. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Polk XT20 and B&W 606 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the Polk XT20 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 Polk XT20 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 XT20 and BW 606 are 2-way speakers.
Driver |
Polk XT20 |
B&W 606 |
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
Woofer
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
XT20 features a 1" Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Bi-laminate paper Woofer . On the other hand, the BW 606 features a 1" Decoupled Carbon Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Continuum Woofer .
Frequency Response
XT20 has a frequency range of 38-40k Hz whereas BW 606 has a frequency range of 52-28k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 38Hz, the XT20 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
XT20 and BW 606 have the same Impedance of 8 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. XT20 sensitivity is rated at 87 dB and the BW 606's is at 88 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the B&W 606 a more sensitive speaker compared to Polk XT20, 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.
XT20 can handle a max power of 200 watts RMS from the amp the whereas BW 606 has a max power handling value of 120 watts RMS, 80 watts less than the XT20.
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. XT20 has a 5-Way post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
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 Polk XT20's and B&W 606's external dimensions. Polk XT20 has external dimensions of 332.0 x 193.0 x 281.0mm ( 13-1/16 x 7-9/16 x 11-1/16inch) whereas B&W 606 has external dimensions of 345.0 x 190.0 x 324.0mm ( 13.5 x 7.4 x 12.7inch) .
Polk XT20 is 13mm shorter and 43mm less deeper than B&W 606 but it is also 3mm wider.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Polk XT20 and B&W 606 in scale.
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 Polk XT20 is approximately 542.3cm2 / 84.1inch2 and base area of the B&W 606 is approximately 615.6cm2 / 95.4inch2. The XT20 requires 12% less surface area than the BW 606 which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.
Here is an another comparison that shows both speakers on a BDI Octave Media Cabinet, next to a standard size amplifier and turntable in scale:
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 Polk XT20 weighs 5.45kg / 12lbs and the B&W 606 weighs 6.90kg / 15.2lbs. This makes the BW 606 27% heavier than the XT20.
Here is a comparison of how XT20 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 Polk XT20?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of XT20:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers2 Grilles (attached)8 Self-adhesive rubber feetOwners ManualOnline Product Registration
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 |
200 watts
vs
120 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
Low Frequency Response |
38 Hz
vs
52 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
High Frequency Response |
40k Hz
vs
28k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
Height |
332mm
vs
345mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
Base Surface Area |
542cm2 (193x281mm)
vs
615cm2 (190x324mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
Price per pair* |
299USD
vs
899USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
Sensitivity |
88 dB
vs
87 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows bi-amping and bi-wiring connections |
General |
Polk Audio Monitor XT20 |
Bowers & Wilkins 606 |
Brand |
Polk Audio |
Bowers Wilkins |
Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
Power Range |
30-200 watts |
30-120 watts |
Sensitivity |
87 dB |
88 dB |
Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
Impedance |
n/a |
3.7 ohms |
Frequency Response |
38-40k Hz |
52-28k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
Woofer Size |
6.5" |
6.5" |
Woofer Composition |
Bi-laminate paper |
Continuum |
Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
Tweeter Type |
Soft-Dome |
Hard-Dome |
Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
Firing Direction |
n/a |
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 |
332.0mm (13.1") |
345.0mm (13.6") |
Width |
193.0mm (7.6") |
190.0mm (7.5") |
Depth |
281.0mm (11.1") |
324.0mm (12.8") |
Weight |
5.45kg (12lbs) |
6.90kg (15.2lbs) |
Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
Finish |
MDF, Vinyl |
MDF/Vinyl |
Available Colors |
Black |
Black, White, Oak |
Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
Recommended Stand Height |
24-28" |
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 |