I
lately wrote in regards to the iconic Bowers & Wilkins Nautiluswhich is
celebrating its thirtieth anniversary. Trying again during the last three a long time,
it’s clear that the introduction of the Nautilus was a turning level for Bowers
& Wilkins. Not solely did that speaker characteristic a radical aesthetic design, it
additionally launched new applied sciences (together with its lengthy, tapered damping tubes)
that might set the course for the id of the model. And it was solely a
couple of years later that Bowers & Wilkins would introduce the primary
model of one in every of its most necessary product strains, the 600 Sequence. Throughout the
Bowers & Wilkins product hierarchy, the range-topping 800 Sequence
Diamond will get well-deserved consideration for its
technological developments and very good craftsmanship, as we lately noticed with
the launch of the $50K 801 D4 Signature. However the reasonably priced 600 Sequence is a a lot larger vendor,
owing to its mixture of efficiency and worth. Now Bowers & Wilkins is
launching the eighth technology of this important product line. The brand new 600
Sequence S3 guarantees to enhance on its multi-award-winning predecessors, thanks
to what the corporate calls “a few of the most complete upgrades the 600
Sequence has ever acquired.” Provided that the 600 Sequence has been round for practically
three a long time — making it the second-longest repeatedly accessible collection
after the flagship 800 Sequence — that’s fairly an announcement. The subtly modernized
design seems to be higher than ever, however it’s what’s inside that issues most.
Bowers & Wilkins 600 Sequence S3 Audio system – Is that this Their Finest Model But?
New
Tweeter
Bowers
& Wilkins says that the 600 Sequence S3 options complete adjustments to
each facet of acoustic efficiency, and that many of those enhancements come
by means of new elements derived from the 700 Sequence S3. The corporate has a historical past of taking of benefit of
trickle-down know-how — a method that is sensible whenever you develop and
manufacture all key loudspeaker elements in-house. The most important change within the
600 Sequence S3 is an all-new tweeter that includes a titanium dome. Earlier
variations of the 600 Sequence used an aluminum dome. Why the change? Throughout a
live-streamed press occasion a number of weeks earlier than the official launch, Andy Kerr,
Director of Product Advertising and marketing & Communications for Bowers & Wilkins,
defined that the titanium dome used within the 600 Sequence S3 is each higher
damped and stiffer than the aluminum dome it replaces. The brand new tweeter isn’t
simply the results of a change to the fabric used, however a totally new design
that includes a two-part development whereby a 30-micron
titanium ring is used to brace a
very skinny, mild, and inflexible 25-micron primary dome. This meeting is housed in a considerably elongated
tube-loading system, just like the one used within the 700 Sequence S3. Bowers &
Wilkins says that the longer tube loading system “reduces the resonant
frequency behind the dome, resulting in a extra open sound that’s much less impacted
by the cupboard that homes it.” The brand new tweeter additionally advantages from a mounting
plate impressed by the 700 Sequence S3, main to raised, extra open dispersion,
based on the corporate. Lastly, the tweeter is protected by the model’s very
newest, extra open tweeter grille design, taken straight from the 800 Sequence
Signature. Bowers & Wilkins says that the mixed impact of those new
applied sciences and design parts is a tweeter that delivers “a smoother, extra
refined sound with out sacrificing decision or element.”
Extra
Upgrades
Bowers
& Wilkins is thought for its proprietary Continuum Cones, which have changed the yellow kevlar cones of
yesteryear. The Continuum Cones used all through the 600 Sequence S3 vary characteristic
extra highly effective, lower-distortion motor assemblies in comparison with earlier variations. These upgraded motor
assemblies are as soon as once more inherited from the 700 Sequence S3 audio system, and are
used each within the pure midrange driver discovered on the brand new three-way tower speaker,
and within the mid-woofers utilized in the remainder of the lineup. The floorstander’s paper
cone bass drivers additionally characteristic 703 S3 motor methods. The high-quality, upgraded
bypass capacitors from the 700 Sequence S3 have made their means into the
crossovers of the 603 S3 vary, reportedly leading to larger decision and
transparency.
The
new audio system even have new-and-improved cupboards. The enclosures are extra inflexible, due to inner bracing
constructed from the next normal of wooden. The brand new terminal tray on the rear of the
audio system is taken from the 700 Sequence S3, as is the Flowport vent design. These
parts reportedly enhance efficiency and assist create a stiffer cupboard.
Eagle-eyed followers of earlier 600 Sequence audio system will be aware the intersecting trim
rings on the entrance baffles, indicating that the tweeter and primary drive items
at the moment are mounted nearer collectively on the S3 audio system. The results of this
adjustment is healthier driver integration and improved stereo imaging, based on Bowers & Wilkins.
Lastly, the 2 stand-mount audio system within the 603 S3 vary now have steel
threaded inserts on the underside of their cupboards, permitting the audio system to be
securely hooked up to the highest plate of the brand new FS-600 S3 stands.
Speaker
Fashions
The
600 Sequence S3 lineup consists of 4 audio system: the 603 S3 floorstander, the 606
S3 and 607 S3 stand-mount audio system, and the HTM6 S3 center-channel speaker. As
tends to be the case for Bowers & Wilkins, a smaller mannequin quantity signifies
a bigger speaker. Accessible finishes embody Oak, White, and Black. (A Cherry end is accessible in
Asian markets solely.) The FS-600 ground stand is accessible in Silver or Black.
Bowers & Wilkins says that the entire new 600 Sequence S3 audio system have been
designed to “work optimally collectively in numerous combos” for residence theater
functions. The corporate recommends both the ASW608 8-inch subwoofer ($599
every) or the ASW610 10-inch subwoofer ($899 every) to spherical out a house theater
system primarily based on the 600 Sequence S3. After all, true Bassaholics will wish to try the Bowers & Wilkins ASW610HP ($1,799) scorching rod model of their small however potent subwoofer.
Let’s have a look at the speaker fashions in additional
element, protecting in thoughts that each one fashions share the identical 1-inch titanium dome tweeter.
603 S3 ($2,500/pair)
The
largest loudspeaker within the vary, and the one floorstander, the 603 S3 is
nonetheless of manageable measurement, standing 40.2 inches tall, together with the plinth. It’s
a three-way design incorporating a 6-inch FST Continuum Cone midrange driver and a pair of 6.5-inch paper-cone
woofers. The FST Continuum Cone used right here “maximizes the consequences of Aramid
fiber by bettering cone response instances and integrity of sound transmission,”
based on Bowers & Wilkins. Because the pure midrange driver utilized in a
three-way design doesn’t require as a lot diaphragm movement as a mid-woofer, the corporate
was in a position to enhance periphery cone termination by the use of a “surroundless” suspension. In response to Bowers & Wilkins,
this design ends in “the cleanest mid-range efficiency within the enterprise.”
The 603 S3 has a frequency response of 46Hz – 28kHz (±3dB), with helpful bass
output all the way down to 29Hz (-6dB). Sensitivity is rated at 90dB. Regardless of a nominal
impedance of 8Ω, these audio system have a minimal impedance of three.0Ω, and can probably
reply greatest to an amp snug with 4Ω masses. That goes for the remainder of the
lineup as effectively. That stated, Bowers & Wilkins claims that the 603 S3 audio system
had been examined with a variety of amplifiers, together with comparatively cheap
streaming amps from Bluesound and Sonos.
606 S3 ($1,100/pair)
I
anticipate that the 606 S3 would be the hottest mannequin within the lineup. It’s an
average-sized stand-mount speaker, standing 13.6 inches tall, and that includes a 6.5-inch
Continuum Cone mid-woofer. Its frequency response is 52Hz –
28kHz (±3dB), with usable bass all the way down to 40Hz (-6dB). Sensitivity is 88dB. The 8Ω
nominal impedance stays the identical, with a minimal impedance of three.7Ω.
607 S3 ($900/pair)
The
607 S3 has a smaller footprint and a shorter stature, at 11.8 inches tall. It
employs a 5-inch Continuum Cone mid-woofer. Curiously, the frequency
response of the 607 S3 is similar as that of the bigger 606 S3: 52Hz – 28kHz (±3dB),
with a -6dB level at 40Hz. However physics can’t be ignored, because the low sensitivity
spec of 84dB displays. Nominal impedance is 8Ω, with a minimal of three.0Ω.
HTM6
S3 ($900 every)
The
HTM6 center-channel speaker employs two 5-inch Continuum Cone
mid-woofers flanking the titanium dome tweeter. Its frequency response of 72Hz
– 28kHz (±3dB) means that Bowers and Wilkins expects residence theater clients
so as to add a subwoofer, although the speaker does lengthen all the way down to 42Hz (-6dB).
Sensitivity is about common at 87dB. Nominal impedance is 8Ω, with a minimal impedance of 4.3Ω. The HTM6 makes use of a nested MTM design to cut back off-axis lobing for widening the listening space.
FS-600
Stands ($300/pair)
These
mass-loadable stands are designed to be used
with each the 607 S3 and 606 S3 loudspeakers, and can be found in silver or
black end. As talked about above, the audio system could be securely mounted to the
stand’s prime plate.
After
practically 30 years of continuous evolution and enchancment, we imagine that the
newest 600 Sequence S3 continues to set a benchmark in its class. Cascading
key applied sciences down from our high-end loudspeaker ranges means everybody
experiencing the brand new 600 Sequence will get pleasure from efficiency that genuinely delivers
on our promise of True Sound and brings the listener nearer than ever to the
artist’s intent.
—
Dave Sheen, Model President of Bowers & Wilkins
Summing
Up
The
of us at Bowers & Wilkins say that they’re in a position to provide important
efficiency upgrades whereas sustaining excellent worth as a result of they develop
key applied sciences and elements in-house. For instance, the speaker terminals on
the brand new 606 S3 characteristic an improved structure and a cleaner sign path. The
R&D for these was already finished for the 700 Sequence audio system, so it was simply
a matter of rolling the brand new design downhill. And these efficiency good points are
needed, the corporate says, as listeners are demanding larger high quality sound —
each from vinyl and from high-resolution streaming — even from inexpensive
merchandise. There’s actually no scarcity of competitors; we’ve lately seen
nice entry-level audio system from manufacturers like Arendal Sound, Focal,
and Q Acoustics.
However Bowers & Wilkins claims that the 600 Sequence S3 affords “higher high quality
elements and applied sciences than any comparable competitor.” If you wish to
discover out for your self, the audio system can be found now at bowerswilkins.com and from choose retailers,
together with our pals at Audio Recommendation. Ensure you try our CEDIA 2023 Youtube video interview with Bowers & Wilkins for extra insights into the most recent and best 600 S3 collection.
Except in any other case indicated, this can be a preview article for the featured product. A proper overview could or could not comply with sooner or later.
