In this review, we will be comparing NS-800A and 606 S3, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Yamaha and Bowers Wilkins.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Yamaha NS-800A and B&W 606 S3 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Yamaha NS-800A | B&W 606 S3 |
|---|
| Brand | Yamaha
Japan · founded 1887 | Bowers Wilkins
United Kingdom · founded 1966 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1.25" Dome | 1" Decoupled Double Dome Titanium |
|---|
| Woofer | 6.5" Cone | 6.5" Continuum |
|---|
| Frequency response | 40-65k Hz | 52-28k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 86.5 dB | 88 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 6 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 40-120 watts | 30-120 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 13.02kg / 28.6lbs | 7.05kg / 15.5lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 16.5" x 9.125" x 14.125"
419.1 x 231.8 x 358.8mm | 13.6" x 7.4" x 12.9"
344.0 x 189.0 x 328.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Yamaha NS-800A and B&W 606 S3 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* |
Yamaha NS-800A |
B&W 606 S3 |
| 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 NS-800A and 606 S3 are 2-way speakers.
Yamaha NS-800AB&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 |
Yamaha NS-800A |
B&W 606 S3 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1.25-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
NS-800A features a 1.25" Dome Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Cone Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2.6 kHz. 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
NS-800A has a frequency range of 40-65k Hz whereas 606 S3 has a frequency range of 52-28k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 40Hz, the NS-800A can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the 606 S3'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
NS-800A is a 6 ohms speaker compared to the 606 S3 which has a nominal impedance of 8 ohms.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. NS-800A sensitivity is rated at 86.5 dB and the 606 S3's is rated at 88 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the B&W 606 S3 a more sensitive speaker compared to Yamaha NS-800A, 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.
Both handle the same maximum of 120 watts RMS, though NS-800A is rated 40-120 watts and 606 S3 30-120 watts.
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. NS-800A 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 Yamaha NS-800A's and B&W 606 S3's external dimensions. Yamaha NS-800A has external dimensions of 419.1 x 231.8 x 358.8mm (16.5 x 9.125 x 14.125inch) 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).
Yamaha NS-800A is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 42.8mm wider, 75.1mm taller and 30.8mm deeper than B&W 606 S3.
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.
Yamaha NS-800A needs about 34% more floor or shelf area. Yamaha NS-800A is 31mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Yamaha NS-800A is 75mm 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 Yamaha NS-800A is approximately 831.7cm2 / 128.9inch2 and base area of the B&W 606 S3 is approximately 619.9cm2 / 96.1inch2. The NS-800A requires 34% more surface area than the 606 S3 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 Yamaha NS-800A weighs 13.02kg / 28.6lbs and the B&W 606 S3 weighs 7.05kg / 15.5lbs. This makes the NS-800A 85% heavier than the 606 S3.
Here is a comparison of how NS-800A 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
 Minimum Impedance |
3.8 ohms
vs
3.7 ohms
|
Very low impedance levels puts more pressure on amplifier |
 Low Frequency Response |
40 Hz
vs
52 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
65k Hz
vs
28k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Sensitivity |
88 dB
vs
87 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
6 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
 Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows bi-amping and bi-wiring connections |
 Height |
344mm
vs
419mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
619cm2
vs
831cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
1100USD
vs
5000USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Yamaha NS-800A |
Bowers & Wilkins 606 S3 |
| Brand |
Yamaha |
Bowers Wilkins |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
40-120 watts |
30-120 watts |
| Sensitivity |
86.5 dB |
88 dB |
| Impedance |
6 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Impedance |
3.8 ohms |
3.7 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
40-65k Hz |
52-28k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
6.5" |
6.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
Cone |
Continuum |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1.25" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Dome |
Decoupled Double Dome Titanium |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
2.6 kHz |
n/a |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
419.1mm (16.5") |
344.0mm (13.5") |
| Width |
231.8mm (9.1") |
189.0mm (7.4") |
| Depth |
358.8mm (14.1") |
328.0mm (12.9") |
| Weight |
13.02kg (28.6lbs) |
7.05kg (15.5lbs) |
| 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 |
No |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
|
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
|
5 Years |
These sit in different price classes - Yamaha NS-800A costs roughly 4.5x what B&W 606 S3 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 | A | Yamaha NS-800A digs deeper - 40Hz against 52Hz. |
| Amplifier needs | evenly matched | Similar sensitivity (87dB vs 88dB) - both want much the same power. |
| Amplifier match | B | B&W 606 S3 is the easier load at 8 ohms. |
| Headroom | evenly matched | Similar power handling (120W vs 120W). |
| Size | depends | B&W 606 S3 is easier to place; Yamaha NS-800A is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Expandability | B | B&W 606 S3: bi-amping. |
| Price | B | B&W 606 S3 is cheaper - $1,100 against $5,000, about 78% less; arguably a different class. |
A Yamaha NS-800A 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?
B&W 606 S3 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, which makes the cheaper B&W 606 S3 much easier to justify. Match it to your room: we rate Yamaha NS-800A the better fit for near-field listening and a small room, and B&W 606 S3 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.