Audio T Verdict
The Bowers & Wilkins 606 S3 combines the room-friendly proportions of a standmount speaker with the scale and authority normally associated with a larger cabinet.
Its Titanium Dome tweeter provides a detailed and refined treble, while the 165mm Continuum cone bass and midrange driver gives music impressive clarity, weight and openness.
The 88dB sensitivity and 8-ohm nominal impedance make it compatible with a broad range of good-quality amplifiers. Solid speaker stands, careful positioning and an amplifier with good current delivery will help it perform at its best.
Bowers & Wilkins 606 S3 Standmount Speakers
The 606 S3 is the larger of the two standmount speakers in the Bowers & Wilkins 600 Series.
It combines a 25mm Titanium Dome tweeter with a 165mm Continuum cone bass and midrange driver in a two-way vented cabinet.
The 606 S3 is designed for listeners who want the flexibility of a standmount speaker without sacrificing musical scale, bass weight or room-filling performance.
Titanium Dome Tweeter
High frequencies are reproduced by a 25mm Decoupled Double Dome Titanium tweeter.
The lightweight dome is designed to combine fine detail and resolution with a smooth, controlled high-frequency response.
The tweeter is mechanically decoupled from the main cabinet structure, helping reduce the effect of unwanted vibration from the bass and midrange driver.
Acoustically Transparent Tweeter Grille
The 606 S3 uses a more acoustically transparent tweeter grille mesh first developed for Bowers & Wilkins Signature loudspeakers.
The revised mesh protects the delicate tweeter dome while reducing interference between the drive unit and the listener.
Combined with the Titanium Dome tweeter, it helps the 606 S3 reveal fine detail, ambience and the space surrounding voices and instruments.
Continuum Cone Bass and Midrange Driver
A 165mm Continuum cone driver handles the bass and midrange frequencies.
The composite Continuum cone is designed to avoid the abrupt changes in behaviour that can affect more conventional cone materials.
This helps the 606 S3 reproduce voices and instruments with an open, neutral and consistent character while maintaining convincing bass weight from its standmount cabinet.
Flowport Bass-Reflex Design
The 606 S3 uses a two-way vented-box enclosure with Bowers & Wilkins Flowport technology.
The dimpled surface of the rear-facing port is designed to manage airflow and reduce unwanted turbulence as bass output increases.
As with any rear-ported loudspeaker, the distance between the cabinet and the wall will influence the amount and character of the bass.
Upgraded Speaker Terminals
The rear connection panel uses an improved terminal layout derived from technology introduced in the Bowers & Wilkins 700 Series.
The revised arrangement is designed to provide a cleaner signal path between the amplifier and loudspeaker while allowing secure connection of suitable speaker cable.
Compact Cabinet, Room-Filling Performance
Each 606 S3 measures 344mm high, 189mm wide and 328mm deep including the grille and rear terminals.
Its cabinet remains compact enough for many living rooms while the larger 165mm driver allows it to deliver greater scale and bass authority than the smaller 607 S3.
The 606 S3 is particularly well suited to small and medium-sized rooms, although the final result will depend on listening distance, speaker placement and preferred volume.
Speaker Stands and Placement
The 606 S3 should be used on rigid, stable speaker stands that place the tweeters close to seated ear height.
A useful starting point is to:
- Position both speakers the same distance from the listening seat
- Place the tweeters close to seated ear height
- Leave some space between the speakers and the rear wall
- Avoid placing either speaker tightly into a corner
- Keep both stands level and stable
- Experiment with small changes in toe-in
- Move the speakers a few centimetres at a time
Moving the speakers closer to the rear wall will normally increase bass output. Pulling them further into the room will usually improve openness, bass definition and image depth.
Speaker Stands Are Not Included
Suitable speaker stands are required and sold separately.
The matching Bowers & Wilkins FS-600 S3 stands are designed for use with the 606 S3 and 607 S3. Audio T can also advise on stand height, filling, floor protection and isolation.
Amplifier Matching
Bowers & Wilkins recommends amplifiers rated between 30 and 120 watts into 8 ohms on unclipped programme material.
The 606 S3 has a sensitivity of 88dB, a nominal impedance of 8 ohms and a minimum impedance of 3.7 ohms.
It can be partnered with a wide range of good-quality integrated and streaming amplifiers, although its minimum impedance means an amplifier with capable current delivery and control is recommended.
Amplifier power alone does not determine compatibility. Room size, listening distance, preferred volume and the tonal character of the complete system should also be considered during a demonstration.
Running In
New loudspeaker drive units can change as their suspensions settle through normal use.
Allow the 606 S3 time to settle before making final decisions about speaker positioning, bass balance or system matching.
Normal listening at sensible volume levels is sufficient. There is no need to play the speakers continuously or at unusually high volume.
Stereo Hi-Fi and Home Cinema
The 606 S3 can be used as the main pair in a conventional two-channel Hi-Fi system.
Its scale and dynamic ability also make it suitable for the front or surround channels of a home cinema installation.
The matching Bowers & Wilkins HTM6 S3 centre speaker can be added to maintain a consistent tonal character across the front soundstage. The larger 603 S3 floorstanders or smaller 607 S3 standmount speakers can also be combined within the same system.
Finish Options
Current manufacturer finish options include:
- Black with a black grille
- White with a grey grille
- Oak with a grey grille
Finish availability and pricing should be confirmed when ordering.
Key Features
- Two-way passive standmount loudspeaker
- Larger standmount model in the Bowers & Wilkins 600 Series
- 25mm Decoupled Double Dome Titanium tweeter
- Acoustically transparent tweeter grille mesh
- 165mm Continuum cone bass and midrange driver
- Flowport bass-reflex technology
- Two-way vented-box enclosure
- Upgraded rear speaker terminals
- 40Hz–33kHz published frequency range
- 88dB sensitivity
- 8-ohm nominal impedance
- 3.7-ohm minimum impedance
- 30–120-watt amplifier recommendation
- Suitable for stereo Hi-Fi and home cinema systems
- Compatible with Bowers & Wilkins FS-600 S3 stands
- Supplied as a stereo pair
- Five-year limited manufacturer’s warranty
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the Bowers & Wilkins 606 S3 speakers supplied as a pair?
Yes. They are supplied as a stereo pair of passive standmount speakers.
Are speaker stands included?
No. Suitable speaker stands are required and sold separately.
Which speaker stands are recommended?
The matching Bowers & Wilkins FS-600 S3 stands are designed for use with the 606 S3 and 607 S3.
Do the 606 S3 speakers need an amplifier?
Yes. They require a separate stereo amplifier, streaming amplifier, power amplifier or home cinema receiver.
What amplifier power is recommended?
Bowers & Wilkins recommends an amplifier rated between 30 and 120 watts into 8 ohms on unclipped programme material.
Are the 606 S3 speakers difficult to drive?
Their 88dB sensitivity is reasonably amplifier-friendly, although the 3.7-ohm minimum impedance means a capable amplifier with good current delivery is recommended.
Can they be positioned near a wall?
Yes, although the rear-facing Flowport means the final distance should be chosen according to the room’s bass response.
What size room suits the 606 S3?
The 606 S3 is particularly suitable for small and medium-sized rooms, subject to listening distance and preferred volume.
Can they be used in a home cinema system?
Yes. They can be used as front or surround speakers alongside the matching HTM6 S3 centre speaker and other models from the 600 Series.
How large is each speaker?
Each cabinet measures 344mm high, 189mm wide and 328mm deep including the grille and terminals.
How much does each speaker weigh?
Each speaker weighs 7.05kg.
What finishes are available?
The 606 S3 is available in Black, White and Oak finishes.
What warranty is included?
Bowers & Wilkins provides a five-year limited warranty for passive loudspeakers, subject to its warranty terms and conditions.
Related Bowers & Wilkins Products and Audio T Guides
Why Buy From Audio T?
- In-store Bowers & Wilkins demonstrations
- Amplifier and system-matching advice
- Speaker stand and isolation guidance
- Room positioning and setup advice
- Stereo and home cinema system planning
- Speaker cable and termination advice
- Part exchange on suitable existing equipment
- Ongoing setup and after-sales support
Contact your local Audio T store to arrange a demonstration of the Bowers & Wilkins 606 S3.