When it comes to building a great audio system, choosing the right speakers is crucial. Today, we're comparing two compelling options: the newly released Bowers & Wilkins 606 S3 ($550) and the upcoming ELAC Debut 3.0 DB63 ($450). Both represent the latest in bookshelf speaker technology, but they take different approaches to delivering high-quality sound.
Bookshelf speakers remain the sweet spot for many audio enthusiasts, offering an excellent balance between performance and practicality. Despite their name, these speakers often perform best on dedicated stands, positioned away from walls to optimize their sound. Modern bookshelf speakers have evolved significantly, incorporating advanced materials and design techniques that were once reserved for much more expensive models.
The B&W 606 S3 features their latest Titanium Dome tweeter, a significant upgrade from previous aluminum designs. This isn't just marketing - titanium offers superior stiffness while maintaining low mass, crucial for accurate high-frequency reproduction. The tweeter is "decoupled" from the cabinet using a gel-like material, reducing unwanted vibrations that could color the sound.
The ELAC DB63 takes a different approach with its aluminum dome tweeter. While perhaps less exotic than titanium, ELAC's implementation includes sophisticated waveguide technology that helps control the tweeter's dispersion pattern. This means you get more consistent sound across a wider listening area - particularly valuable for home theater applications where multiple seating positions are common.
B&W's Continuum cone material, developed internally over eight years, represents a significant advancement over traditional Kevlar designs. It moves more uniformly across its surface, reducing breakup modes (unwanted resonances) that can color the sound. In practice, this translates to cleaner, more natural midrange reproduction - particularly noticeable on vocals and acoustic instruments.
ELAC's aramid fiber woofer might seem more conventional, but its implementation is thoroughly modern. The cone is exceptionally light yet rigid, allowing for quick response to dynamic shifts in music. Combined with its dual-flared port design, the DB63 actually reaches deeper bass notes (down to 42Hz) compared to the 606 S3's 52Hz lower limit.
In stereo music playback, both speakers excel but with different personalities. The B&W 606 S3 exhibits exceptional detail retrieval and spatial precision. Having spent time with them, I've found they excel particularly with well-recorded acoustic music, revealing subtle details like the breath of a vocalist or the decay of a piano note with striking clarity.
The ELAC DB63 trades some of that microscopic detail for a slightly warmer, more forgiving presentation. This isn't a weakness - many listeners might prefer this balance, especially with digital music sources that can sometimes sound harsh through more analytical speakers.
Both speakers work well in home theater applications, but their characteristics lead to different strengths:
The B&W 606 S3's precise imaging and detail retrieval make them excellent for dialog reproduction and complex soundtrack elements. Their slightly higher sensitivity (88dB vs 87dB) means they'll play slightly louder with the same amount of power.
The ELAC DB63's deeper bass extension and more forgiving nature make them particularly suitable for action movies and gaming. They're also more flexible with amplifier matching, handling anywhere from 20-140 watts compared to the B&W's 30-120 watt range.
The B&W 606 S3 showcases premium build quality with impeccable fit and finish. The magnetic grilles attach seamlessly, and the cabinet feels extremely solid. The updated terminal design, borrowed from their more expensive 700 series, provides excellent connection options including bi-wiring capability.
The ELAC DB63 may not quite match the B&W's premium feel, but it's still well-constructed with attention to detail where it matters most acoustically. The internal bracing pattern has been optimized to reduce cabinet resonances, and the dual-flared ports are precisely engineered to minimize port noise.
At $550, the B&W 606 S3 represents a significant investment, but the premium is justified by its refined performance and excellent build quality. The incorporation of technology from their flagship 800 series demonstrates B&W's commitment to trickle-down engineering.
The ELAC DB63, priced at $450, delivers exceptional value. You're getting comparable performance in many areas and superior bass extension for $100 less. The broader amplifier compatibility also means you won't need to spend as much on associated equipment.
Both speakers represent excellent choices in their price range, but they serve slightly different audiences. The B&W 606 S3 is the choice for the detail-oriented audiophile who wants the absolute best in precision and refinement. The ELAC DB63 offers tremendous value and perhaps more versatility, especially for mixed-use systems.
Remember, speaker choice is highly personal, and if possible, listening to both options in your space with your music is always the best way to decide. Both manufacturers have strong reputations for quality and customer support, so you can be confident in either choice based on your specific needs and preferences.
| Bowers & Wilkins 606 S3 ($550) | ELAC Debut 3.0 DB63 ($450) |
|---|---|
| Tweeter Design - Critical for high-frequency clarity and detail | |
| 1" Titanium Dome with acoustic mesh (superior detail) | 1" Aluminum Dome (good detail, wider dispersion) |
| Woofer Technology - Impacts midrange clarity and bass response | |
| 6.5" Continuum cone (proprietary material, exceptional transparency) | 6.5" Aramid fiber (rigid, fast response) |
| Bass Extension - Determines deep sound reproduction | |
| 52Hz (-3dB) (good but not class-leading) | 42Hz (-6dB) (deeper bass extension) |
| Power Handling - Affects amplifier compatibility | |
| 30-120W (more particular about amplification) | 20-140W (more flexible with amp matching) |
| Sensitivity - Determines how loud speakers play with given power | |
| 88dB (slightly more efficient) | 87dB (standard efficiency) |
| Impedance - Impacts amplifier compatibility | |
| 8 ohms (easier to drive) | 6 ohms (moderately easy to drive) |
| Cabinet Design - Affects sound quality and aesthetics | |
| Premium finish, magnetic grilles, derived from 700 series | Well-braced MDF, traditional design |
| Port Design - Influences bass performance | |
| Single rear-firing Flowport (controlled bass) | Dual flared ports (enhanced bass output) |
| Bi-wiring Capability - Offers connection flexibility | |
| Yes, high-end terminals from 700 series | Standard 5-way binding posts |
| Dimensions (HxWxD) | |
| 13.7" x 7.5" x 13" (compact) | 13.3" x 7.7" x 17.3" (slightly deeper) |
| Weight - Indicates build solidity | |
| 15.5 lbs each (substantial) | 17.3 lbs each (very solid) |
The ELAC Debut 3.0 DB63 ($450) offers better value for most buyers. While the B&W 606 S3 ($550) has slightly more refined sound, the ELAC delivers comparable performance for $100 less.
The main difference is in their sound signature. The B&W 606 S3 focuses on precision and detail, while the ELAC DB63 offers a slightly warmer sound with deeper bass extension.
The ELAC DB63 edges out for home theater due to its deeper bass response (42Hz vs 52Hz) and more flexible power handling range (20-140W), making it easier to integrate with AV receivers.
The B&W 606 S3 is more particular about amplification (30-120W range), while the ELAC DB63 is more flexible (20-140W range) and works well with a wider variety of amplifiers.
The ELAC DB63 reaches deeper bass (42Hz) compared to the B&W 606 S3 (52Hz), though both speakers provide quality bass performance for their size.
Both speakers excel with streaming, though the B&W 606 S3 might reveal more flaws in lower-quality streams, while the ELAC DB63 is more forgiving with compressed audio.
The B&W 606 S3 features premium construction and finish quality, though the ELAC DB63 is also well-built with excellent internal bracing and solid construction.
Both speakers are suitable for small to medium-sized rooms, though their rear-firing ports mean they need some space (8-12 inches) from back walls for optimal performance.
The B&W 606 S3 excels with classical music due to its precise imaging and detailed high frequencies.
Yes, both speakers perform best on proper stands despite being called "bookshelf" speakers. This ensures optimal sound quality and proper positioning.
Both can work as surround speakers, though the ELAC DB63 might be more practical due to its lower price point when buying multiple pairs.
Both speakers are well-built and come from reputable manufacturers. The B&W offers a 5-year warranty, indicating confidence in long-term durability.
We've done our best to create useful and informative comparisons to help you decide what product to buy. Our research uses advanced automated methods to create this comparison and perfection is not possible - please contact us for corrections or questions. These are the sites we've researched in the creation of this article: futureaudiophile.com - headphones.com - therobinsonbrand.com - higherhz.com - audioadvisor.com - crutchfield.com - bowerswilkins.com - crutchfield.com - vinylrevival.com.au - audioadvisor.com - worldwidestereo.com - youtube.com - elac.com - crutchfield.com - youtube.com - hifiplus.com - audioadvice.com - elac.com - musicdirect.com - creativeaudio.net - elac.com
