Bowers & Wilkins 606 S2 Anniversary Edition review

What Hi-Fi? Awards 2022 winner. B&W hones its 606 standmounters to great effect Tested at £599 / $899 / AU$1299

Bowers & Wilkins 606 S2 Anniversary Edition review
(Image: © Bowers & Wilkins)

What Hi-Fi? Verdict

The changes look small on paper but the 606 S2 are now the speakers to beat at this level

Pros

  • +

    Excellent clarity

  • +

    Agile and articulate bass

  • +

    Impressive dynamic punch

Cons

  • -

    Nothing at this price

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The Bowers & Wilkins 606 S2 Anniversary Edition is now something of an industry legend. It has dominated the mid-priced standmounter market over the last four years with nothing we've reviewed coming close to knocking it off top spot.

The original 606 was only a couple of years old when it was upgraded to S2 Anniversary Edition spec. The relatively short life of the original wasn't because it was poor - it was also a What Hi-Fi? Award winner - but was down to the company wanting to celebrate 25 years of the entry-level 600 series products.

To mark the anniversary, B&W  decided to upgrade the core models – the baby 607, the floorstanding 603, the HTM6 centre and the 606 on test here – leaving the existing three subwoofers untouched.

Build

Bowers & Wilkins 606 S2 Anniversary Edition review

(Image credit: Bowers & Wilkins)

On paper, the low-key nature of the revisions left us underwhelmed considering the significance of the anniversary. Cosmetically, they amount to the addition of an oak finish to go along with the existing black and white options, and an inscription on the tweeter surround to mark the Anniversary status. 

The only performance related change is an upgraded crossover that features better-quality capacitors, some of which were originally seen in the recently announced and more premium 700 Signature series.

Everything else remains unchanged from the previous generation; a check through the specifications shows no technical changes at all – sensitivity, frequency response, power handling, all remain the same. Let’s be clear though, that isn’t a bad thing, as testified by the 606’s 2019 Product of the Year Award win.

The 606 S2’s cabinet is nicely made and looks really smart in the new oak finish. We compare it with a sample of the last model and the new one marks a small step forward in terms of fit and finish.

Compatibility

Bowers & Wilkins 606 S2 Anniversary Edition review

(Image credit: Bowers & Wilkins)

While the front is fairly compact, this remains a pretty deep speaker at 30cm, so the smaller 607 model might be a better choice if you’re stuck for space.

Bowers & Wilkins 606 S2 Anniversary Edition specs

(Image credit: Bowers & Wilkins)

Type 2-way bookshelf loudspeaker

Impedance 8 ohms

Sensitivity 88dB

Frequency response 52Hz to 28kHz

Dimensions (hwd) 35 x 19 x 30cm

Weight 6.9kg

The drive unit combination, unchanged of course, is hugely capable and well proven. The tweeter is a 25mm reinforced aluminium dome, and here it’s combined with a 165mm Continuum-coned mid/bass driver. There’s a rear-firing dimpled reflex port to tune the lows, though there are foam bungs to block it if bass starts to dominate.

Ideally, you should place the speakers at least 50cm into the room and well away from side walls if possible. Use the bungs only if you have to, because things sound less natural and fluid with them inserted into the speakers. A slight angling towards the listening position helps to firm up the stereo image.

Any standmounter is heavily reliant on its support, so it pays to budget for sturdy stands. B&W makes a dedicated option called the STAV24 and it’s good value at £94 ($249, AU$349).

We use the 606 S2 with a range of equipment, from our reference set-up of Naim ND555/555 PS DR music streamer and Burmester 088/911 Mk3 amplifier right through to Marantz’s more price appropriate CD6007/PM6007 CD player and amplifier combination, and the speakers work well with it all.

Sound

Bowers & Wilkins 606 S2 Anniversary Edition sound

(Image credit: Bowers & Wilkins)

Given the modest nature of the engineering changes we weren’t expecting much of a difference in the sound. We were wrong. While retaining a broadly similar sonic character, the 606 S2 Anniversary Edition prove significantly more capable than their predecessors.

The biggest differences are heard in the bass. The new version is so much more precise and controlled in this region. On an initial listen it would be easy to conclude that the older model has more weight in this area, but given time it becomes clear that the S2 are cleaner, more insightful and have notably more punch. 

Listen to the self-titled track from The Scotts and the improvements are obvious, with the new version delivering harder hitting, more layered lows. The previous model sounds bloated and blurred in comparison. The extra control at low frequencies helps rhythmic drive and agility.

Move up the frequency range and the steps up in articulation and clarity are striking. Voices come through with greater subtlety, and it’s easier to hear changes in intonation and phrasing. The Series 2 offers a clearer view of the recording and sounds more balanced overall.

The differences between the speakers are just as stark when we play The Road OST from Nick Cave and Warren Ellis. The title track has a sparse piano opening and we’re struck with just how much more defined and open the new speakers sound. 

Their presentation is tauter, and a little more forward than the originals, but also sounds more natural and transparent. Tonally, there’s been a shift away from what now seems like a slightly over-blown bass and overly rich lower midrange to something more neutral.

Bowers & Wilkins 606 S2 Anniversary Edition sound

(Image credit: Bowers & Wilkins)

We change to Bizet’s Carmen and love the way the 606 S2 are so much more dynamic. They deliver a sound packed with authority, and don’t struggle in the face of large-scale crescendos. 

As the music builds, these speakers have the composure and organisation to keep things under control. They rarely sound flustered or stressed no matter how demanding things get.

Along with the improved muscle, we’re finding it easier to track low-level instrumental strands and pick up on fine detail. The new model conveys instrumental textures with more skill and locates instruments within the sound stage with greater stability.

Verdict

The original 606 are fine speakers, but this new version is obviously better across the board. Considering the relatively minor engineering changes that’s a real surprise – but a thoroughly pleasant one.

SCORES

  • Sound 5
  • Compatibility 4
  • Build 5

MORE:

How to get the best sound from your B&W 606 and 607 speakers

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What Hi-Fi?

What Hi-Fi?, founded in 1976, is the world's leading independent guide to buying and owning hi-fi and home entertainment products. Our comprehensive tests help you buy the very best for your money, with our advice sections giving you step-by-step information on how to get even more from your music and movies. Everything is tested by our dedicated team of in-house reviewers in our custom-built test rooms in London, Reading and Bath. Our coveted five-star rating and Awards are recognised all over the world as the ultimate seal of approval, so you can buy with absolute confidence.

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  • LØK
    That wood-look alike finish is horrendous.
    Reply
  • doifeellucky
    "prove significantly more capable than their predecessors"

    "but this new version is obviously better across the board"

    Yet again, based on review comments like this, anything from three or four generations ago must have been mediocre at best. The awards must be just around the corner.
    Reply
  • manicm
    doifeellucky said:
    "prove significantly more capable than their predecessors"

    "but this new version is obviously better across the board"

    Yet again, based on review comments like this, anything from three or four generations ago must have been mediocre at best. The awards must be just around the corner.

    Human memory is a very deceiving thing. You may remember how a Ferrari or other car was brilliant 20 years ago, but drive it now against latest models and suddenly the senses are dulled.

    It's called progress. In the hifi world it's only some CD players that I suspect will give modern ones a run,
    Reply
  • manicm
    LØK said:
    That wood-look alike finish is horrendous.

    I agree, in the US or some other markets there's a wonderful Cherrywood/Black finish. Don't know why it's not available here.
    Reply
  • Per Hagen
    LØK said:
    That wood-look alike finish is horrendous.

    It looks very much similar to the cheapest DALI speakers. Blend-in with modern furniture from IKEA.
    Reply
  • Audiophobe
    You bought your celebrated 5-star speakers two months ago and all of a sudden they sound bloated and blurred. An anniversary is necessary to make a minor engineering change to make essentially the same speakers really sound good... How should you feel about this?
    Reply
  • manicm
    Audiophobe said:
    You bought your celebrated 5-star speakers two months ago and all of a sudden they sound bloated and blurred. An anniversary is necessary to make a minor engineering change to make essentially the same speakers really sound good... How should you feel about this?

    WHF were of-course being relative. If one heard the originals for the first time, I don’t think you would notice or complain.

    Manufacturers however are entitled to update at their will. Also the updated model is 50 quid more expensive, and would not warrant an upgrade from the original. The money saved would buy me a nice pile of CDs.
    Reply
  • Audiophobe
    manicm said:
    WHF were of-course being relative. If one heard the originals for the first time, I don’t think you would notice or complain.

    Manufacturers however are entitled to update at their will. Also the updated model is 50 quid more expensive, and would not warrant an upgrade from the original. The money saved would buy me a nice pile of CDs.

    You are absolutely right of course ;) I’m happy with the improvement in sound (and ‘compactness’) over my former second-hand 30 year old B&W’s. I will get over just missing out on the ‘606 as they should have been’ (when they would have celebrated the 27th anniversary it would have been better ;). A pile of cd’s of some vinyl... that’s a good idea!
    Reply
  • TekPete
    How do they compare with the B&W DM4's?
    Reply
  • nopiano
    TekPete said:
    How do they compare with the B&W DM4's?
    I suspect they’re significantly superior, though the old DM4 did have a lovely veneered cabinet iirc.
    Reply