In this review, we will be comparing A1 and 607 S2 AE, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Spendor and Bowers Wilkins.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Spendor A1 and B&W 607 S2 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Spendor A1 | B&W 607 S2 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 0.87" | 1" Decoupled Double Dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 5.91" | 5" Continuum |
|---|
| Frequency response | 55-25k Hz | 52-28k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 84 dB | 84 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | — | 30-100 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 4.99kg / 11lbs | 4.70kg / 10.3lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 12.1" x 6.5" x 7.3"
307.3 x 165.1 x 185.4mm | 11-13/16" x 6-1/2" x 9-1/8"
301.0 x 166.0 x 232.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Spendor A1 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* |
Spendor A1 |
B&W 607 S2 |
| Near-field |
Good |
Average |
| Small Room |
Good |
Good |
| Mid-size Room |
Average |
Average |
| Large Room |
Poor |
Poor |
| Very Large Room |
No way |
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.
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through our links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Drivers
Both A1 and 607 S2 AE are 2-way speakers.
Spendor A1B&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 |
Spendor A1 |
B&W 607 S2 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
0.87-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 5.91-inch
|
1 x 5-inch
|
A1 features a 0.87" Tweeter and 1 x 5.91" Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 4,200 Hz. On the other hand, the 607 S2 AE features a 1" Aluminum Decoupled Double Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5" Continuum Woofer.
Frequency Response
A1 has a frequency range of 55-25k 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 slightly deeper then the A1's min frequency of 55Hz.
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
A1 and 607 S2 AE have the same Impedance of 8 ohms and their sensitivity is also same at 84 dB.
Sensitivity
Bookshelf Speakers
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
607 S2 AE features Binding post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. A1 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
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 Spendor A1's and B&W 607 S2's external dimensions. Spendor A1 has external dimensions of 307.3 x 165.1 x 185.4mm (12.1 x 6.5 x 7.3inch) 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).
Spendor A1 is 0.90000000000001mm narrower and 46.6mm less deeper than B&W 607 S2 but it is also 6.3mm 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 Spendor A1 is approximately 306.1cm2 / 47.4inch2 and base area of the B&W 607 S2 is approximately 385.1cm2 / 59.7inch2. The A1 requires 21% less surface area than the 607 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 Spendor A1 weighs 4.99kg / 11lbs and the B&W 607 S2 weighs 4.70kg / 10.3lbs. This makes the A1 6% heavier than the 607 S2 AE.
Here is a comparison of how A1 and 607 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 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
 Woofer Size |
5.91 inches
vs
5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 Base Surface Area |
306cm2
vs
385cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
|
Low Frequency Response |
52 Hz
vs
55 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
28k Hz
vs
25k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
301mm
vs
307mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Price per pair* |
799USD
vs
2300USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Spendor A1 |
Bowers & Wilkins 607 S2 Anniversary Edition |
| Brand |
Spendor |
Bowers Wilkins |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Sensitivity |
84 dB |
84 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Impedance |
n/a |
3.0 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
55-25k Hz |
52-28k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
5.91" |
5" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
Continuum |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
0.87" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
n/a |
Decoupled Double Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
4,200 Hz |
n/a |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
307.3mm (12.1") |
301.0mm (11.9") |
| Width |
165.1mm (6.5") |
166.0mm (6.5") |
| Depth |
185.4mm (7.3") |
232.0mm (9.1") |
| Weight |
4.99kg (11lbs) |
4.70kg (10.3lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
n/a |
MDF/Vinyl |
| Available Colors |
n/a |
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 |
| Labor Warranty |
|
5 Years |
These sit in different price classes - Spendor A1 costs roughly 2.9x what B&W 607 S2 does. Expect it to lead on paper; the question is whether the gap is audible enough in your room to be worth it.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass |
B |
B&W 607 S2 digs deeper - 52Hz against 55Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Amplifier needs |
evenly matched |
Similar sensitivity (84dB vs 84dB) - both want much the same power. |
| Size |
depends |
Similar cabinet size - neither is easier to fit. |
| Expandability |
B |
B&W 607 S2: bi-amping. |
| Price |
B |
B&W 607 S2 is cheaper - $799 against $2,300, about 65% less; arguably a different class. |
A Spendor A1
B B&W 607 S2
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, placement 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?
B&W 607 S2 is the easier recommendation: it leads on most of the measured areas and costs less. Take Spendor A1 if its size, looks or fit in your room suit you better. Match it to your room: we rate Spendor A1 the better fit for near-field listening; elsewhere the two are rated the same. Think about the whole system, not just the speakers: the roughly $1,501 saved by taking the cheaper pair would buy a subwoofer or a better amplifier, and either usually does more for the sound than the difference between these two.
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.