When building a great audio system, choosing the right speakers is crucial. Today we're comparing two interesting options: the premium Bowers & Wilkins 606 S3 ($550/pair) and the value-oriented Polk Audio Signature Elite ES20 ($279/pair). While both are bookshelf speakers, they take different approaches to delivering excellent sound.
Bookshelf speakers, despite their name, are really about versatility rather than shelf placement. They're designed to deliver high-quality sound in medium-sized rooms while taking up minimal space. What makes them special is their ability to create an immersive soundstage - that three-dimensional space where music seems to exist between and around the speakers.
The key factors that matter most are:
The B&W 606 S3, released in late 2023, represents B&W's latest refinement of their acclaimed 600 series. The most significant updates include a new titanium dome tweeter and improved cabinet design. These aren't just minor tweaks - the titanium dome actually helps deliver clearer high frequencies compared to the previous aluminum design.
The Polk ES20 takes a different approach, focusing on delivering maximum value while incorporating some premium features like their proprietary PowerPort bass system. This helps extend the bass response lower than you might expect from speakers this size.
The B&W approach prioritizes accuracy and control. Their 6.5" Continuum cone (a special woven composite material) delivers tight, precise bass down to 52Hz. You'll hear each note of a bass guitar clearly defined rather than just feeling the thump.
The Polk ES20 actually goes deeper (down to 41Hz) but trades some precision for impact. This can be great for movies and electronic music where you want to feel the bass, though it might not outline every note as clearly as the B&Ws.
This is where the B&W 606 S3 really shines. The Continuum cone technology (which replaced their famous yellow Kevlar drivers) handles voices and instruments with exceptional clarity. Listening to acoustic music or vocals, you'll notice subtle details like breath intakes or fingers sliding on guitar strings.
The Polk performs admirably here too, though with slightly less refinement. Some cabinet resonance (unwanted vibration) can color the sound, though this can be improved with careful speaker placement or equalization.
The B&W's new titanium dome tweeter represents a significant upgrade, delivering crystalline highs without harshness. This matters for things like cymbal shimmer or string harmonics - you'll hear the natural decay of these sounds rather than an artificial-sounding crispness.
The Polk's Terylene tweeter is quite good for the price point but can sound a bit bright or forward without some equalization adjustment. However, once properly set up, it delivers impressive detail for the price.
The B&W 606 S3 needs quality power to perform its best. With a sensitivity of 88dB and recommended power between 30-120 watts, you'll want a good amplifier to make these sing. They'll reward you with better sound as you upgrade your electronics.
The Polk ES20 is more forgiving, working well with a wider range of amplifiers (20-125 watts). Their 86dB sensitivity means they need slightly more power to reach the same volume, but they're generally easier to drive well with modest equipment.
The B&Ws are more particular about placement. Their rear port design means they need some space behind them (at least 6-8 inches) to breathe properly. They'll reward careful positioning with excellent imaging (precise placement of instruments and voices in the soundstage).
The Polks are more flexible. While they also have a rear port, their PowerPort design is more forgiving of near-wall placement. This could be a deciding factor if your room layout is constrained.
The B&W's showcase premium materials and attention to detail. The cabinet feels solid, joints are perfect, and even the binding posts (where you connect speaker wire) are upgraded from their previous model. They look and feel like premium speakers.
The Polks are well-built for their price point, with clean lines and good finish quality. While not as premium-feeling as the B&Ws, they're sturdy and should last many years with proper care.
Both speakers can work well in a home theater setup. The B&Ws excel at dialogue clarity and precise effects placement, though you'll want to pair them with a subwoofer for full-range movie sound.
The Polks might actually have a slight advantage for home theater use at their price point. Their deeper bass extension helps with movies even without a subwoofer, and their more forgiving nature means they'll work well even if placement isn't ideal.
The B&W 606 S3 represents a serious investment at $550/pair, but you're getting genuinely premium sound quality and build. They're the type of speakers that can grow with your system as you upgrade other components.
The Polk ES20 delivers remarkable performance for $279/pair. While they might not match the B&Ws in absolute terms, they offer roughly 80% of the performance at half the price. For many listeners, this makes them the smarter choice.
Choose the B&W 606 S3 if:
Choose the Polk ES20 if:
Both speakers represent excellent choices in their respective price categories. The B&Ws offer audiophile-grade performance and premium build quality, while the Polks deliver exceptional value and versatility. Your choice should ultimately depend on your specific needs, room constraints, and budget.
| Bowers & Wilkins 606 S3 ($550/pair) | Polk Audio Signature Elite ES20 ($279/pair) |
|---|---|
| Frequency Response - Determines bass depth and treble extension | |
| 52Hz-28kHz - Tighter, more controlled bass | 41Hz-40kHz - Deeper bass but less precise |
| Sensitivity - How easily they convert power to volume | |
| 88dB - More efficient, easier to drive | 86dB - Requires slightly more power |
| Power Handling - Safe operating range with amplifiers | |
| 30-120W - Needs quality amplification | 20-125W - More flexible with amp matching |
| Tweeter Design - Affects high-frequency detail and clarity | |
| 1" Titanium Dome - Superior detail and refinement | 1" Terylene Dome - Good detail, can be bright |
| Mid/Bass Driver - Influences vocal clarity and bass quality | |
| 6.5" Continuum cone - Exceptional clarity and control | 6.5" Mica-reinforced polypropylene - Good but less refined |
| Cabinet Design - Impacts sound coloration and bass performance | |
| Premium MDF, rear-ported, heavily braced | Standard MDF, PowerPort design, good for near-wall placement |
| Bi-wiring Capability - Allows separate amplification of highs/lows | |
| Yes - High-end binding posts | No - Single wire connection |
| Dimensions - Consider your space constraints | |
| 7.5" x 13.7" x 13" - Compact but deep | 8.5" x 14.8" x 13.8" - Slightly larger |
| Weight - Indicates cabinet construction quality | |
| 15.5 lbs each - Substantial build | 17 lbs each - Solid construction |
| Warranty - Long-term value protection | |
| 5 years - Premium coverage | 5 years - Matching coverage |
| Best Use Case - Primary application | |
| Critical listening, high-end audio systems | Versatile use, home theater, casual listening |
The B&W 606 S3 ($550/pair) offers higher build and sound quality with premium materials and advanced driver technology. However, the Polk ES20 ($279/pair) provides excellent quality for its price point, making it a strong value choice.
The B&W 606 S3 costs $550 per pair, while the Polk ES20 is priced at $279 per pair - a difference of $271, making the Polk nearly half the price of the B&W.
The B&W 606 S3 excels at music reproduction with superior detail and accuracy, especially for well-recorded acoustic and classical music. The Polk ES20 performs well but doesn't match the B&W's refined sound quality.
Both work well in home theater systems. The Polk ES20 offers better value for home theater use with deeper bass extension, while the B&W 606 S3 provides more precise dialogue and effects placement.
The B&W 606 S3 needs 30-120 watts and quality amplification to perform its best. The Polk ES20 is more flexible, working well with 20-125 watts and less expensive amplifiers.
The Polk ES20 reaches deeper bass (41Hz) while the B&W 606 S3 starts at 52Hz but offers tighter, more controlled bass. For maximum bass, both would benefit from a subwoofer.
Both are similar in size. The B&W 606 S3 measures 7.5" x 13.7" x 13", while the Polk ES20 is slightly larger at 8.5" x 14.8" x 13.8".
Yes, both speakers perform best on stands to achieve proper listening height and minimize vibrations, though they can be placed on solid furniture if necessary.
Both work well in small to medium rooms. The Polk ES20 is more forgiving of placement near walls, while the B&W 606 S3 needs more space from boundaries for optimal performance.
Neither absolutely requires a subwoofer for music, but both would benefit from one for home theater use. The Polk ES20 has deeper bass extension if you're not planning to add a subwoofer.
Both speakers are well-built and come with 5-year warranties. The B&W 606 S3 uses more premium materials, but both are designed for long-term reliability.
The Polk ES20 offers exceptional value at $279/pair with very good performance. The B&W 606 S3 at $550/pair is more expensive but justifies its price with superior sound quality for discerning listeners.
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 - audiosciencereview.com - polkaudio.com - pcrichard.com - crutchfield.com - forum.audiogon.com - ooberpad.com - safeandsoundhq.com - pcrichard.com - polkaudio.com - polkaudio.com - sweetwater.com
