Bowers & Wilkins 606 S3 Bookshelf Speakers White (Pair)

The Bowers & Wilkins 606 S3 is a two-way bookshelf loudspeaker from the latest generation of the 600 Series — the range that has introduced more listeners to high-fidelity sound than any other in the company’s history. Sitting above the compact 607 S3 and below the floorstanding 603 S3, the 606 S3 occupies a middle ground that balances cabinet size against low-frequency reach, making it a strong choice for small to medium-sized rooms where a floorstander would be impractical.

Driver Technology

At the heart of the 606 S3 is a 165mm (6.5 in) Continuum™ cone bass/midrange driver. Continuum is a woven composite material developed by Bowers & Wilkins as a successor to the long-running Kevlar® cone. Its structure avoids the abrupt transitions in behaviour that can impair conventional drive unit materials, resulting in a more neutral, transparent midrange with less colouration.

High frequencies are handled by a new-generation 25mm (1 in) titanium dome tweeter featuring Bowers & Wilkins’ Decoupled Double Dome construction. This isolates the dome from the motor assembly to reduce resonance and extend the usable bandwidth, contributing to the speaker’s refined, detailed treble character. The titanium dome is a key upgrade for the S3 generation, replacing the aluminium unit used in the 606 S2 Anniversary Edition.

Cabinet & Acoustics

The 606 S3 uses a vented-box enclosure with Bowers & Wilkins’ Flowport™ technology. The dimpled port tube is designed to smooth airflow at the exit point, reducing turbulence noise that can muddy bass reproduction in conventional reflex designs. The result is cleaner, more controlled low-frequency output down to 40Hz (−6dB).

Internally, the crossover and terminal layout have been revised. The speaker terminals are derived from the higher-end 700 Series, providing a cleaner signal path between amplifier and driver. The acoustically transparent grille mesh, first developed for the Signature models, sits flush with the baffle and has minimal impact on the sound when fitted.

What Changed from the 606 S2

The S3 generation brings three principal changes over the outgoing 606 S2 Anniversary Edition. The aluminium dome tweeter has been replaced by the new titanium dome unit with Decoupled Double Dome construction. The speaker terminals have been upgraded to the improved layout from the 700 Series. The cabinet aesthetic has been modernised with a refreshed finish palette: Black, White, and Oak.

What the Press Says

• “The new 606 S3 speakers are a bold step forward” — What Hi-Fi? ★★★★★ (August 2023)
• What Hi-Fi? Awards 2024 winner