When Worthng based Bowers & Wilkins updates one of its longstanding loudspeaker ranges, it doesn’t just throw a couple of bolt on revisions at it alongside some model number tweakery. Instead every aspect of the outgoing models are reviewed and refined to improve real world performance.
And in these cost conscious times it’s good to see that these improvements don’t mean hefty price rises, as the brand is able to lean heavily on trickle down tech from its higher-spec ranges with readily available next level parts that have already been tried and tested.
To mark the arrival of its new 600 Series, we sat down with Company Director of Product Marketing and Communications Andy Kerr, to talk through the brand’s new 600 Series models in S3 guise, alongside getting a tantalising taste of Bowers’ recently launched no-compromise 800 Diamond Series Signature speakers.
600 Series S3
Starting at £599 up to £2,000, the 600 Series S3 occupies the crowded upper entry level market sector, which for many will be their first step into true hifi separates that offer longterm fulfilment, meaning they need to offer a lot at the price to pip the competition.
The revised range consists of the bookshelf sized 607 S3 (£599), standmount 606 S3 (£749) and three-way 603 S3 floorstander (£1,999).
There’s also the HTM6 S3 centre channel model (£749) and dedicated speaker stands plus a choice of two subwoofers, should you wish to build a 600 Series based surround sound setup.
While their outward dimensions are deceptively similar to the outgoing S2 models, it’s on the inside where the S3 models’ major updates have been applied.
Bowers & Wilkins’ latest generation drive units including the updated titanium tweeter dome (bottom right) and speaker terminals
Starting with their tweeters, the old models’ aluminium domes have been replaced with twin layer titanium domes that are stiffer and stronger, allowing them to be engineered to tighter tolerances, measuring just 25 micron and 30 micron thick respectively for a more responsive performance.
The tweeter’s rear tube is lifted directly from the brand’s 700 range, making it substantially longer than the previous models’, leading to better isolation from backwaves within the cabinet. Finishing off the tweeter is a new protective grille with a more refined mesh pattern that’s taken directly from the flagship 800 Signature Series, showing that each range’s component sheet is up for grabs.
Bowers & Wilkins’ new 607 S3 (left) and 606 S3 (right) in solid black and oak/white fascia finishes, with solid white and black fascia/oak options also available across the range
The air moving hardware has been realigned too, with the front drivers now overlapping for better sonic integration.
And speaking of those drivers, the 603 S3 models’ paper cone bass drivers now feature uprated motor systems, again lifted from their 700 Series S3 brethren.
Of course improved hardware calls for improved cabinet designs, and thankfully Bowers has stepped up to the plate here too with added internal bracing via a beefed up cross member.
Bowers & Wilkins’ 606 S3 cabinet showing its enhanced internal bracing for added stiffness
Around the back the cabinet improvements continue, with the speaker terminals now being arranged horizontally, allowing for more cabinet material between them and the new bass port (both of which are also lifted directly from the 700 Series S3 models – there’s a pattern here emerging here!).
Revised rear panel means more cabinet bracing and uprated terminals
Inside the improvements continue, with bypass capacitors taken from (you guessed it…) the 700 Series S3 range, for higher resolution and transparency.
Previous 600 generation crossovers (top) and the latest 600 S3 crossovers (bottom)
Musical DNA
During the product launch we were treated to a range of music that really put each pairing through their paces, from Laura Mvula to John Martyn, demonstrating each model’s musical adeptness with anything that was thrown at them.
A four driver three-way 603 S3 in full flight serving up the sounds
Playback systems for the 607 S3 and 606 S3 models were a Rotel DT6000 CD/Player and Rotel A14 MKII amp, fed by locally stored and Qobuz streamed tracks from an Innuos Zenith MKIII music server.
Next up was the 603 S3, using the same server but this time driven by a Chord Hugo TT2 DAC and Rotel Michi X3 amp, with sublime results.
Signing off
For our final treat a pair of Bowers & Wilkins’ recently launched 805 D4 Signature in midnight blue metallic finish were added to the mix, revealing just how far the brand is able to push the sonic envelope.
Priced at a cool £10k, this speaker is clearly built to a very different design sheet with few limitations, but what was also clear is how Bowers’ audio DNA runs through every model, which melds accuracy and transparency with palpable realism and genuine extension, from the entry 600 models through to no compromise Signature flagships.
Andy Kerr, Bowers & Wilkins Director of Product Marketing & Communication proudly presenting the 805 D4 Signature
Specifications
The 603 S3 is a three way design featuring a 28mm (1”) titanium dome tweeter, 150mm (6”) FST Continuum Cone midrange driver plus two 165mm (6.5”) paper-cone bass drivers, while the 606 S3 gets the same tweeter and mid/bass unit.
For the 607 S3 a 130mm (5”) Continuum Cone mid/bass driver is brought into play while the HTM6 S3 gets a pair of these flanking a central 1″ tweeter
Find out more about Bowers & Wilkins 600 Series S3 speakers at BowersWilkins.com.
Special thanks to Bowers & Wilkins and CMC PR for such a special product showcase.
