Bowers and Wilkins - 606 v 706 s3?

kefferboy

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Hi!

I'm looking to buy a good pair of bookshelf speakers and an amp with some solution for streaming - most likely an amp with built in streaming. I have a living room of about 30 sqm and want speakers for music, but I will also most likely use them for movies, since I'll put them on either side of the tv anyway. My budget for the total system is between 2500 and 3500 euros, but slightly more (or less) would be fine.

This has lead me toward the B&W 600 or 700 series of speakers. I think I would benefit from the larger 606 or 706 rather than 607 or 707, seen as though my room is relatively large, but: are the 706 worth the almost doubled price compared to the cheaper ones?

My local HiFi store has the B&W 606 s3 so I've listened to and liked them a lot, but I don't know how the more expensive counterpart would compare.

Amps I'm considering are Marantz model M1 and Bluesound powernode, of which I've only been able to listen to the last one. Is the extra power from the Marantz going to benefit these speakers?

Would love to hear any input from people who have either heard them or are just more knowledgeable in the Hi-Fi segment! Thanks in advance!
 

manicm

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If you have a larger room definitely go for the 606 S3 instead the smaller models.

To my mind the 706 S3 will pair better with the Marantz Model M1, but the 606 S3 should be great with both.

Also note the 706 is nearly double the price of the 606.
 
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kefferboy

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Indeed they are - it's a huge difference. Might actually go for the cheaper 606 and by doing that, I still have some head room if I decide I want to add a subwoofer. I figure it's unnecessary to buy that before seeing how the bass sounds at home.

Do you think these Bowers are too bright, as I see some people saying?
 

twinkletoes

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Tbh I don’t think you notice much difference going with cheaper versions.

Yes they can be shrill especially when pushed hard when they start to compress. All small speakers do this it’s the nature of the beast but some handle it better than others. Carful matching will need to be done to achieve best results

If the m1 sound follows traditional marantz tuning it should make for a good partner.

If it where me though and throwing a curve ball into the mix I’d look at the ae1 active speakers with new bluesound node/icon and take advantage of the direc live room correction software. Very very potent sounding setup with proper bass management for the future subwoofer purchase. Should come in way under budget as well. As I say a curve feel free to ignore.
 
Indeed they are - it's a huge difference. Might actually go for the cheaper 606 and by doing that, I still have some head room if I decide I want to add a subwoofer. I figure it's unnecessary to buy that before seeing how the bass sounds at home.

Do you think these Bowers are too bright, as I see some people saying?
Tonal balance is mostly a matter of taste. Ideally all speakers would be faithful to the source, that’s what fidelity is after all! But increasingly taste is what sells, not necessarily accuracy per se. B&W tend to be more ‘exciting’ and ‘open’ sounding, so if that suits your music, you may love them. If you have plenty of soft furnishings they’ll be great. But if you are hard floors and big windows, maybe not.

Can you hear them before buying? Or have them on a returnable basis?
 
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kefferboy

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I'll definitely have a look at the ae1! I'm open to everything so long as it will give me a feeling of a big sound!

I have been considering floor standers too, because the reason I started looking into upgrading my current setup with the audio engine a5+, was that I tried my dads floor standers and was blown away by how much bigger the sound was. I do, however, not think floor standers would be better than bookshelf in my room size. (?)

I have been able to listen to the 606 s3 but my local hifi store doesn't have the 706 s3 on display, so I can't compare them. I totally loved the sound, at least in the store. It has a 60 day try-at-home policy (basically just meaning free returns for 60 days), but I feel I would be a big annoyance for the store if I did return speakers. So I'll do my best to choose the right speakers from the beginning, but if I end up still not liking the ones I go for, I will have the option to return them.

As for the sound signature of the M1, what I've read is that it stands out slightly from comparable digital class D amplifiers in that price range or below, in that it has a warmer more AB-type sound, so judging from that I'd say they are indeed of the more classical Marantz sound. There is also the stereo 70S, which is a true AB, but that seems to be rated only for 6 to 8 ohms, whereas the B&W go down as low as 3,7 under certain conditions...

P.S. Thanks for the input! Really helpful to hear opinions from someone who has no financial interest in my choosing of system
 

Wasgero

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Hey! For a 30 sqm room, the 606s are solid, but the 706s will give you better detail and clarity—worth it if you can stretch the budget. The Marantz should pair well, especially for movies and music!
 

kefferboy

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Hey! For a 30 sqm room, the 606s are solid, but the 706s will give you better detail and clarity—worth it if you can stretch the budget. The Marantz should pair well, especially for movies and music!
Thanks for the reply! Now I've started looking into the KEF Q Concerto Meta instead though, those seem to have no reports of being too bright and also seemingly are a good value for money
 

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