One of the most popular Bowers and Wilkins series will be the 600, and within this range, the B&W 606 is quite a stunner when it first came out. It provides even better sonic performances than its predecessor and more importantly it is sanely priced. It may be an entry-level B&W bookshelf speaker but it would still require good quality amps to power them so that they can sound their absolute best.
If you are looking for a matching amplifier to pair with your Bowers and Wilkins 606 then look no further. We will first find out more about these talented standmounters, work out their strengths and limitations, as well as their sonic characteristics. Once we have these data, we will be sharing with you the best amps which you can go for and partner with your Bowers and Wilkins 606 bookshelf speakers.
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Sound Characteristics and Limitations of Bowers and Wilkins 606
These are standard-looking cabinet designs, which can easily blend into most homes and won’t really stand out much. The minimalistic look of the Bowers and Wilkins 606 will match well aesthetically with most modern and vintage amps, so in terms of visuals, there wouldn’t be an issue. At the front of the speaker cabinet, you will find a 1 inch (25mm) decoupled double dome aluminum tweeter, and right below it will be a 6.5 inch (165mm) Continuum bass/midrange driver. The Flowport (bass port) of the Bowers and Wilkins 606 can be found at the back of the speaker. Due to the rear-firing bass port, it is recommended to give ample distance between the walls and the speaker.
The frequency response of 52Hz-28kHz (±3 dB) is impressive for a bookshelf speaker as this shows the Bowers & Wilkins 606 can dish out deep bass for its size. The speaker sensitivity of 88dB is not bad, and the nominal impedance is 8 Ohms which is good. The recommended amplifier power starts from 30 Watts all the way to 120 Watts. The 606 speakers will probably need support from a subwoofer. Since we are talking about bass performance, there are two foam port plugs that you can use to adjust the low frequency. You can use these plugs if you need to place the B&W 606 speakers nearer to the walls.
More Details at Amazon – Bowers and Wilkins 606
The bass reproduction of the Bowers and Wilkins 606 is really impressive for their size and never sounded flabby. They are always tight and rich in details, they may not have the weight and scale of bigger speakers but the low-end frequency is still great for most music genres. The overall sound reproduction is energetic and lively without compromising the clarity. The bass is punchy and highs are crisp, not to mention, a very detailed music presentation. The soundstage is spacious and wide, which exceeded our expectations.
They somehow sound their best when played at high volumes, really open up and bass starts to have more weight to them. The liveliness also increases which makes it a lot of fun to listen to them. The Bowers and Wilkins 606 is a well-balanced bookshelf speaker, that will do well in both stereo system and home theater/surround sound setup. A talented all-rounder, which knows how to deliver an entertaining sound reproduction from any source. It does sound a bit bright when played at high volumes so need to be careful when matching bright-sounding amplifiers.
The Bowers and Wilkins 606 has amazing timing as well and has plenty of insights. For music listens, you probably wouldn’t need a subwoofer as the 606 speakers are quite efficient in the bass department. For movie listens, you will definitely need to add a subwoofer into the mix. The very deep bass reproduction of this bookshelf speaker is not powerful enough to give you the subterranean rumbles. The mid-bass is not as impactful as well. Since we have gathered all the necessary details, we can finally start listing out the best amps that you can choose to pair with your Bowers and Wilkins 606. We will also try to avoid too dark-sounding amps as this may dampen the liveliness of the 606 by too much which is considered one of its main sonic strengths.
Bowers and Wilkins 606 Specifications
- Speaker Type: 2-way rear-firing bass port (Flowport)
- Drive Units: 1 inch (25mm) decoupled double dome aluminum tweeter, 6.5 inch (165mm) Continuum bass/midrange driver
- Frequency Response (±3dB): 52Hz-28kHz
- Recommended amplifier power: 30-120 Watts
- Nominal Impedance: 8 Ohms
- Sensitivity (2.83V/1m): 88dB
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 345mm x 190mm x 300mm | 13.6″ x 7.5″ x 11.8″
- Weight: 6.9kg (15.2lbs)
Best Amps to match with Bowers and Wilkins 606
The NAD C 368 will be an ideal amplifier to pair with your Bowers and Wilkins 606 speakers, as this integrated amp is powerful enough to drive the speakers with ease and has plenty of reserves to handle the peaks. Other cool features will be the high-quality built-in DAC, the Modular Design Construction which allows you to customize the amp, Bluetooth (aptX) capabilities, and more. The transparent and spacious sound quality of the NAD C 368 is well-matched with your Bowers and Wilkins 606 and doesn’t add more ‘brightness’ to the overall sound reproduction.
More Information at Amazon – NAD C368 Integrated Amplifier
The Audiolab 8300A is one of the best matching amplifiers that you go for and pair it with the Bowers and Wilkins 606. The 606 bookshelf speaker complements the Audiolab 8300A really well, with its energetic and lively sonic characteristics. The amplifier provides a more impactful low-end frequency reproduction. The 8300A overall sound quality is crisp and delivers a faithful music presentation that doesn’t have any colorations or unnecessary emphasis, very neutral sounding. Matches really well with your Bowers & Wilkins 606 standmounters, should take the time to check them out.
More Details at Amazon – Audiolab 8300A Stereo Balanced MM/MC Integrated Amplifier
An awarding-winning amplifier that is more than worthy to be paired with your B&W 606 speakers, the Cambridge Audio CXA81 has the right amount of power and the right features. With the bold music presentation of the amplifier coupled with the energetic sonic performance of Bowers and Wilkins 606 bookshelf speakers, your ears will be in for a treat and your toes wouldn’t stop tapping. The powerful sound doesn’t compromise the details of your favorite tunes and instead the amp does provide a bit more clarity. It is recommended to have a listen first before making a decision.
More Information at Amazon – Cambridge Audio CXA81
Rotel amplifiers are usually suitable partners for Bowers and Wilkins speakers, the Rotel A14MKII is one such amp and it matches well with the Bowers and Wilkins 606. The power output of the A14MKII is sufficient to drive the 606 speakers with ease. This amplifier has a superb tonal balance and the neutral-sounding nature can easily fit in with most B&W speakers, furthermore, the Rotel A14MKII amplifier is capable of creating a wide and deep soundstage with well-controlled stereo imaging. Definitely worth your time to have a listen to them. This integrated amplifier is packed with a plethora of features which is fabulous at this price point.
The transparent and clean sound quality of the Yamaha A-S701 is really exceptional at their price range, partnering this amp with the Bowers and Wilkins 606 will be quite an entertaining combination. The accuracy of the A-S701 along with the energy of the B&W 606, will bring about a lively yet faithful music presentation of your favorite tunes. The Yamaha A-S701 is a muscular amp that has enough grunt to drive the standmounters. The integrated amplifier is quite revealing as well, digging details and presenting them with clarity. For listeners who love bright and lively sound reproduction, then this is definitely the go-to combination.
More Info at Amazon – Yamaha A-S701BL Integrated Stereo Amplifier
For home theater setup, if you prefer warm-sounding AV receivers, Marantz will definitely be one of the better options and as for bright sounding systems, either Yamaha or Sony will be cool. You will definitely need to integrate at least one subwoofer into the HT setup. If having the best home cinematic experience is important, we will suggest going with ported subwoofers as they are more efficient and have higher SPL. We will recommend you to check out SVS PB-2000 Pro. If the music listening experience is more important, then you would want to go with sealed subwoofers. Sealed subs can reproduce more accurate low frequencies and they are faster so that the bass blends in seamlessly with your speakers. You should check out SVS SB-2000 Pro for a sealed cabinet subwoofer.
More Details at Amazon – SVS PB-2000 Pro 12″ Ported Subwoofer
More Details at Amazon – SVS SB-2000 Pro 12″ Sealed Subwoofer
To Sum It Up
Bowers and Wilkins 606 provides a fun listening experience and it is sanely priced which makes it easier for anyone to try out the coveted B&W speakers. This list of amplifiers are all great matching partners and deserves an audition with you. If you don’t find the brands you are looking for, you can always use this list as references when searching for other amplifiers. Just remember to take the time and effort to listen to them before making any serious decisions. Your ears are always the best judge when it comes to sound quality.
