bowers and wilkins series 600 overview

8/13/2019 Bowers and Wilkins series 600 overview

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600 Series


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formance, power, priceThe 600 Series continuesaward-winning promise of its predecessors

e audio performance you demand from Bowers &

kins, power to fill any room, yet at a budget that

ws everyone access to true, audiophile sound. It

opts technologies from our premium speakers plus

ovations and engineering solutions unique to the

ge. Bowers & Wilkins believes everyone should be

e to experience truly great sound. With the new

0 Series, everyone can.

oes the new 600 Series raise the bar for

evel audiophile speakers? By bringing in

earnt technologies from Bowers & Wilkins

nd speakers. Double dome tweeters, found

the CM10 until now, join FSTTMmidrange

nits used in all our premium models plus

y-absorbing foam Anti-Resonance Plugsd from the PM1. And the new 600 Series

t just incorporate existing technologies.

s some new ones of its own, including

he first time in a cabinet loudspeaker

e of decoupled tweeters that float in a gel

n, separate from the cabinet around them.

drivers are improved too, stiffened with an

bracing ring of aluminium to deliver a higher

up frequency. Technologies purpose-

ed to deliver maximum performance for

um cost meet existing technologies brought

m high-end speakers; the result is amazing

mance and power at an even more amazing

The new 600 Series: the high-end speakers

ryone.


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r the love of music It doesnt matter where yoursic comes from. You might personally prefer classic

yl, lossless FLAC files or Spotify streams. What really

tters is how good the music sounds to you. And in

orld of streaming, wireless and cloud-based audio,

world where music has to compete with everything

e happening in your life, it matters more than ever that

sic sounds brilliant. After all, what else can soothe

to sleep, excite and invigorate you, or clear and

m your head to let you think and feel? Cut through

chatter, sit back and really listen... and youll see.


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Serious and accurate bass performance is

vital to such a room-filling speaker. Thats w

the 683 features an all-new bass drive unit

technology: its Dual Layer aluminium drive

units are reinforced around their periphery

a second layer of aluminium. The result is a

more effectively damped cone with a highe

break-up frequency for a richer, distortion-

free bass response. The 683 also boasts

Decoupled Double Dome tweeters and FS

Kevlar

midrange units. Serious technology

serious performance, but seriously afforda

for a speaker of this calibre.

683 The largest speaker in the new 600 Series del iv

outstanding power, accuracy and musicality. T

floorstander features the new Decoupled Double Do

tweeter, an FST midrange driver and new Dual La

aluminium bass drivers. The result is a loudspeak

ideal for both high-performance stereo and surrou

sound applications even in larger rooms, deliver

serious performance and amazing value.


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Switching to 5-inch drivers from the previou

6.5-inch designs means the new 684 is

significantly slimmer than its predecessor, y

Bowers & Wilkins engineers have still impro

its audio performance. The two Kevlar-cone

drivers now feature smaller voice coils to

increase sensitivity. The 5-inch drivers now

also feature Anti-Resonance Plugs that imp

the behaviour of the voice coil and smooth

response, a technology taken from our

high-end PM1 speakers. The result is a

breathtaking performance from a modestly

proportioned loudspeaker.

684 Room-filling sound without a room-filling spea

cabinet. Slimmer than ever, the 684 offers an amaz

combination of serious floorstander power, spectacu

audio performance and unbeatable value thanks

its new and vastly improved bass/midrange driv

and the Decoupled Double Dome tweeter.


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The Decoupled Double Dome tweeter found

in the 685 and the rest of the new 600 Ser

is a technology taken straight from our awa

winning CM10 speaker. The dual-layer desig

combines a thin aluminium dome for lightnes

and a thicker aluminium ring for rigidity. The

is absolutely stunning clarity and tonal purity

The tweeter is also decoupled from the

cabinet, kept physically separate in its own c

with a ring of gel cushioning it from vibration

This improves imaging and dispersion for a m

natural, spacious treble.

685 At home on either a stand or bookshelf, the versa

new 685 delivers outstanding performance. Perfectly siz

for most rooms, it combines new Decoupled Double Do

tweeters, Kevlar cones and Anti-Resonance Plugs w

the value for which the 600 Series is renowned.


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An ideal bookshelf or wall-mounted speaker

the 686 is designed to fit into any space and

still sound perfect. Its main 5-inch driver feat

a 25mm voice coil which makes for a higher

sensitivity speaker with bass more suited for

placement near a wall. A front-firing Flowpor

dimpled like a golf ball around the aperture f

smoothly regulated airflow, delivers superior

bass response without the risk of rattle. And

placement ensures the speaker cabinet can

slimmer than before.

The 686 even features a built-in bracket

easy wall mounting, but this small, versatile a

precise speaker sounds great anywhere.

686 Small is beautiful at just 160mm wide, the 686 m

be the most compact speaker in the new 600 Series, b

dont underestimate its power and precision. Thats than

to its new Decoupled Double Dome tweeter, improv

Kevlar driver and front-facing Flowport.


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me theatre packages The new 600 Series is ideal for

ophile stereo listening, but speakers from the range

be teamed together for a stunning home theatre

erience. With two floorstanding, two standmount,

centre speakers and three subwoofers to choose

m, the new 600 Series can fill the largest space... or

the smallest.

ereo and centre channel speakers in the

00 Series now feature improved Decoupled

e Dome tweeter designs, ideal for delivering

rity needed for dialogue. For midrange and

rivers, Kevlar, Anti-Resonance Plugs and

ive unit technology plus aluminium cones

stunning power and clarity.

wers & Wilkins has prepared two

sted home theatre speaker packages

on the new 600 Series, each designed to

tly complement different room sizes, needs

dgets. Both sound simply stunning fo r

reen action.


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SubwoofersThe 600 Series includes thr

subwoofers, ranging from the compact ASW6

to the powerful ASW610XP. Each boasts

audiophile-standard, highly efficient Class

amplifier. And each has updated finishes

ensure a perfect match with the rest of the n

600 Series.

ntre & SurroundThe new 600 Series HTM62HTM61 centre speakers look great thanks to a

mer cabinet and new, more symmetrical design,

pectively. They also sound better than ever. Both

dels feature the new Decoupled Double Dome

eter, with the HTM61 sporting two powerful 6.5-

h bass drivers and an FST midrange driver for a

fect match with the mighty 683 floorstanders.


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ble The new 600 Series borrows technology from

award-winning high-end CM10, in the form of the

coupled Double Dome tweeter. As a result it captures

sical subtleties with breathtaking accuracy and delivers

atural, spacious sound unprecedented for such an

rdable speaker.

When designing a tweeter, the goal is to make

the diaphragm light yet stiff to reproduce high

notes accurately with a pistonic back-and-for

motion and minimal distortion. The 600 Serie

does this beautifully, borrowing high-end twee

technology from Bowers & Wilkins award-win

CM10 speaker. Its double dome design uses

an extremely thin aluminium dome for lightne

surrounded by a thicker aluminium ring for

rigidity; these combine to stop the voice coil fdistorting. The result is a treble performance s

pure and precise it will take your breath away.

While the tweeter looks like its completely

integrated into the cabinet of each speaker in

600 Series, its actually kept physically isolate

from the enclosure that surrounds it. The twe

sits in a ring of gel that acoustically decouple

it from its housing, so performance isnt hit by

unwanted resonances and vibrations. Imaging

dispersion are improved, delivering a more na

spacious sound.


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drange How to improve on the stunning performancehe 600 Series without affecting its legendary value?

at was the challenge faced by Bowers & Wilkins

ineering team on the new Series 600 midrange drivers.

e results are fantastic.

The same properties that allow Kevlar to stop

bullet also make it the ideal material for soak

up standing waves in a speaker cone that ca

colour and distort midrange sound. Not only

does Kevlar deliver a far cleaner sound, it ca

so to a more widely dispersed group of listen

The new 600 Series midrange drivers fe

our unique and iconic Kevlar cones as a mat

of course, but continued research allows the

drivers in the new 600 Series to deliver evenlower distortion levels, while smaller voice co

the 5-inch drivers further increase sensitivity

The bass/midrange drivers in the new 6

Series speakers also benefit from the introdu

of Anti-Resonance Plugs, first seen in the PM

These mushroom-shaped dustcaps reduce

higher-frequency break-up by ensuring bette

pistonic movement inside the voice coil.

Add in the revolutionary FST drive unit o

683 and HTM61 and the result is that midran

performance is vastly improved on every mo

in the range yet without affecting the incred

value the 600 Series is renowned for.

FST

Our signature Fixed Suspension Transducer

drivers help Kevlar cones perform even better.

The edge of the cone is mounted in a narrow

ring of foam. Narrow so that when it moves it

radiates as little sound as possible. And foam

carefully chosen to convert unwanted energy into

heat, not sound. This surroundless suspension

minimises distortion and gives the cleanest

midrange performance in the business.


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ss The new, slimmer 600 Series speakers are designed

not dominate the design of any room. But they are

igned to sonically dominate with luxurious and clear

s response delivered using the latest technologies,

ing and materials.

Both the 683 and HTM61 feature improved bass

drivers with a new Dual Layer construction. The

aluminium drive units are reinforced around their

periphery with a second layer of aluminium.

The result is a more effectively damped cone

with a higher break-up frequency shifting the

break-up frequency of the driver from 4kHz to

5.5kHz for a richer, distortion-free bass response.

Finishes The new 600 Series is designed to s tylis

and subtly integrate with any room design. Sma

and slimmer than ever, yet with vastly improved aud

response, the new 600 Series is available in Black A

and Satin white finishes.

Speakers, after all, are furniture. They have a

as well as a function. Youll find the craftsman

and quality of finish on Bowers & Wilkins 600

Series speakers reflect the high standard of

engineering and innovation inside them. Our

Black Ash and Satin White finishes feature pa

baffles and complementary black or grey grille

depending on the finish chosen.

Detailing is improved too. The 600 Series

features a new brushed aluminium, diamond-

logo plate that encompasses the tweeter. A fi

steel grille protects the valuable tweeter from

unwanted damage.

Flowport

Great bass depends on a smoothly regulated

airflow. Flowport minimises turbulence by using

dimples, like a golf ball. They generate tiny eddy

currents, over which air flows smoothly and silently.

Bass sounds smooth and tight at all volumes.


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Listen and youll see Of course, the story does

end with the new 600 Series. Just as the pursuit f

the perfect speaker will always continue, so does t

passion for sound. Bowers & Wilkins has created

space for people who are passionate about soun

where you can come for ideas and inspiration and

share your experience with others. We call it Society

Sound. And members get the latest news in the wo

of audio and music, as well as access to some of t

most exciting new music around picked by Socie

of Sound Fellows including Peter Gabriel, Real Wo

Studios and the London Symphony Orchestra. Com

to www.bowers-wilkins.comto find out more abo

the Society of Sound.


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Centre

Technical features

Description

Drive units

Frequency range

Frequency response

Dispersion

Sensitivity

Harmonic distortion

Nominal impedance

Crossover frequency

Recommended amplifier power

Max. recommended cable

impedance

Dimensions

Net Weight

Finishes

Decoupled Double Dome aluminium tweeter

with Nautilustube loading

Kevlarbrand fibre cone bass/midrange

Flowport

2-way vented-box system

1x 25mm (1 in) aluminium dome high-frequency

1x 130mm (5 in) woven Kevlarcone bass/

midrange

-6dB at 54Hz and 50kHz

62Hz - 22kHz 3dB on reference axis

Within 2dB of reference response

Horizontal: over 60 arc

Vertical: over 10 arc

(84)85dB spl (2.83V, 1m)

2nd and 3rd harmonics (90dB, 1m)


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Subwoofer

ASW608

Paper/Kevlar cone drive unit

200W ICEpoweramplifier

Active closed-box subwoofer system

200mm (8 in) paper/Kevlarcone long-throw

-6dB at 23Hz and 25/140Hz adjustable (EQ at A)

3dB 32Hz 40/140Hz adjustable (EQ at A)

-6dB at 23Hz (position A)

-6dB at 28Hz (position B)

-6dB at 36Hz (position C)

Power output: 200W

Rated power:

Consumption: 40W/0.5W standby

Input impedance: 33k

Signal / noise: >90dB

Functions: Volume level (line in)

Volume level (speaker in)

Low-pass filter frequency

(line in only)

Low-pass filter bypass

Bass extension

Bass roll-off alignment

Auto sense on/standby

Phase switch

Inputs: Line In (RCA Phono)

Speaker in (Binding post)

12v trigger (3.5mm jack)

Active 4th -order, variable cut-off frequency

Height: 260mm (10.2 in) not including feet

Width: 260mm (10.2 in)

Depth: 330mm (13 in)

including grille and controls

8.85kg (19.5 lb)

Cabinet: Black

White

Grille: Black

Light Grey

ASW610XP

Dual voice coil drive unit Paper/Kevlar

stiffened cone









Power output: 500W

Rated power




Functions: Input level (line in)

Input level (speaker in)

Low-pass filter

frequency (line in only)


Bass extension


Auto sense on/

standby

Phase switch







Depth: 374mm (14.7 in)


15.5kg (34.4 lb)

Cabinet: Black

White

Grille: Black

Light Grey

al features

on

s

cy range

cy response

ension

s filter

ons

ht

ASW610

Paper/Kevlar cone drive unit









Power output: 200W

Rated power




Functions: Input level (line in)

Input level (speaker in)

Low-pass filter frequency

(line in only)


Bass extension


Auto sense on/standby

Phase switch







Depth: 375mm (14.8 in)


12.5kg (27.6 lb)

Cabinet: Black

White

Grille: Black

Light Grey

Surround

Technical features

Description

Drive units

Frequency range

Frequency response

Dispersion

Sensitivity

Harmonic distortion

Nominal impedance

Crossover frequencies

Power handling

Max. recommended

cable impedance

Dimensions

Net Weight

Finishes

DS3

Nautilustube loaded aluminium dome tweeter

Kevlarbrand fibre cone bass/midrange

2-way closed-box selectable dipole/monopole

surround system

1x 25mm (1 i n) aluminium dome high-frequency

2x 80mm (3 in) midrange / high frequency

1x 130mm (5 in) woven Kevlarcone bass /

midrange

-6dB at 63Hz and 42kHz (monopole mode)

-6dB at 63Hz and 15kHz (dipole mode)

85Hz 22kHz 3dB on reference axis

(monopole mode)

85Hz 10kHz 3dB power averaged over front

hemisphere (dipole mode)

Monopole mode: within 2dB of reference response

Horizontal: over 40 arc

Vertical: over 10 arc

Dipole mode: horizontal figure of eight

Effective null zone 20 (250Hz 15kHz)

89dB spl (2.83V, 1m)

2nd and 3rd harmonics (90dB, 1m)


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FST and Flowport are trademarks of B&W Group Ltd.

Kevlar is a registered trademark of DuPont.

Copyright B&W Group Ltd. stands featured within this

brochure are not supplied with the speakers. E&OE.

Design Thomas Manss & Company. Printed by mibrand.com.

B&W Group Ltd reserve the right to amend details of the

specification without notice in line with technical developments

www.bowers-wilkins.com

bowers and wilkins series 600 overview

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