Premium bookshelf speakers have become increasingly popular as more people seek high-quality audio in smaller spaces. Let's compare two compelling options: the Bowers & Wilkins 606 S3 ($1,100) and the SVS Ultra Evolution ($1,200), examining what makes each special and who they might suit best.
Today's bookshelf speakers pack impressive technology into compact cabinets, often rivaling the performance of larger floor-standing models. These two contenders represent different approaches to achieving premium sound: B&W's refined evolution of a classic design versus SVS's fresh engineering perspective.
The most critical aspects of bookshelf speakers include:
The 606 S3, released in late 2023, introduces several meaningful upgrades over its predecessor. The new Titanium dome tweeter (the small driver handling high frequencies) represents a significant advancement. Titanium provides better rigidity than aluminum, allowing for more precise high-frequency reproduction without harshness. This translates to clearer cymbals, more natural-sounding strings, and better reproduction of subtle details in complex recordings.
The signature Continuum cone material in the mid/bass driver (the larger driver handling most of the sound) has been refined over multiple generations. It reduces unwanted resonances that can color the sound, resulting in vocals and instruments that sound more natural and less "speakery."
The Ultra Evolution takes a different path with its diamond-coated aluminum dome tweeter. Diamond coating, applied through vapor deposition, pushes the frequency where the tweeter starts to distort (called the breakup point) well beyond human hearing. This technical achievement means the tweeter remains composed even during demanding passages.
The glass fiber cone material used in the mid/bass driver offers excellent stiffness-to-weight ratio, allowing for quick, accurate response to musical signals. This translates to better detail in complex passages and more accurate reproduction of instrumental textures.
Despite their compact size, both speakers deliver impressive low-frequency performance through different approaches:
The 606 S3 uses B&W's Flowport technology - a rear-facing port with dimpled surfaces like a golf ball. This design reduces port noise and allows for better integration with room boundaries. The measured response extends to 52Hz, but in-room performance often feels deeper due to room gain (natural bass reinforcement from walls).
SVS, known for their subwoofer expertise, engineered the Ultra Evolution with a wide-flared rear port that minimizes port compression and noise. While specific low-frequency specifications aren't published yet, early demonstrations suggest slightly deeper bass extension than the B&W, likely reaching into the mid-40Hz region.
Both speakers present reasonable loads to amplifiers, but there are important differences:
The 606 S3:
The Ultra Evolution:
The SVS offers greater flexibility with amplification, handling both modest integrated amplifiers and powerful separate components. The B&W's 8-ohm impedance makes it slightly easier to drive but with less headroom for extremely high volumes.
B&W's approach focuses on evolutionary refinement. The 606 S3's cabinet features improved bracing and isolation of the crossover network (which directs different frequencies to appropriate drivers). The magnetic grille attachment and dual sets of speaker terminals for bi-wiring or bi-amping reflect attention to detail.
SVS implements more radical design choices with the Ultra Evolution's curved cabinet and time-aligned driver positioning. This means sound from both drivers reaches your ears simultaneously, potentially improving coherence and imaging (the speaker's ability to create a precise sonic "picture").
At similar price points ($1,100 for the 606 S3 vs $1,200 for the Ultra Evolution), both speakers offer compelling value through different strengths:
B&W provides:
SVS offers:
Both speakers excel in home theater applications, but with different strengths:
The 606 S3's neutral tonal balance and excellent dialogue clarity make it ideal for home theater use, especially when matched with other B&W speakers for seamless surround sound.
The Ultra Evolution's wider power handling and potentially deeper bass response could provide more impact for movie effects, though you'll still want a subwoofer for full-range home theater use.
Choose the B&W 606 S3 if you:
Choose the SVS Ultra Evolution if you:
Both speakers represent excellent value in the premium bookshelf category, but they'll appeal to different users. The B&W 606 S3 offers refined evolution of a proven design, while the SVS Ultra Evolution brings fresh engineering perspectives to the table. Your choice might ultimately come down to your listening preferences and system matching rather than absolute performance differences.
For my personal setup, I'd lean toward the SVS Ultra Evolution for its innovative design and flexible power handling, but I'd absolutely understand someone choosing the B&W 606 S3 for its refined sound and proven heritage. Either way, you're getting a speaker capable of delivering exceptional sound quality that will provide years of musical enjoyment.
Remember: The best speaker is the one that sounds best to you in your room with your equipment. If possible, try to audition both before making a final decision.
| Bowers & Wilkins 606 S3 ($1,100) | SVS Ultra Evolution ($1,200) |
|---|---|
| Tweeter Technology - Determines high-frequency clarity and detail | |
| 1" Titanium Dome tweeter with improved mesh grille | Diamond-coated aluminum dome with Organic Cell Lattice Diffuser |
| Mid/Bass Driver - Affects vocal clarity and overall sound character | |
| 6.5" Continuum cone with optimized motor system | 6.5" Glass fiber cone with vented aluminum former |
| Frequency Response - Indicates bass depth and overall range | |
| 52Hz - 28kHz (±3 dB) | 24Hz - 40kHz (±3 dB) |
| Sensitivity - How efficiently speaker converts power to sound | |
| 88dB | 88dB |
| Power Handling - Amplifier compatibility range | |
| 30-120 watts recommended | 20-300 watts recommended |
| Impedance - Ease of driving with different amplifiers | |
| 8 ohms nominal (easier to drive) | 6 ohms nominal (requires more stable amp) |
| Cabinet Design - Affects sound quality and placement flexibility | |
| Traditional box design with rear Flowport | Time-aligned curved cabinet with wide-flared port |
| Dimensions - Important for space planning | |
| 7.5"W x 13.7"H x 13"D | 11.8"W x 49.6"H x 18.1"D |
| Weight - Consider for mounting/placement | |
| 15.5 lbs each | 20 lbs each |
| Special Features - Additional value considerations | |
| Bi-wire capable, magnetic grilles, proven design heritage | Bi-amp ready, premium crossover network, 45-day home trial |
| Warranty - Long-term value protection | |
| 5 years standard | 5 years with direct customer support |
| Finish Options - Aesthetic flexibility | |
| Black, White | Piano Black, Piano White, Black Oak veneer |
| Best Use Case - Optimal application | |
| Excellent for accurate music reproduction in small to medium rooms | Versatile for both music and home theater, handles higher power |
The Bowers & Wilkins 606 S3 ($1,100) excels at detailed, refined music reproduction, while the SVS Ultra Evolution ($1,200) offers a slightly wider soundstage and deeper bass extension. Both are excellent for music, but the B&W may have an edge for acoustic and vocal-focused genres, while the SVS might better suit electronic and bass-heavy music.
The B&W 606 S3 is priced at $1,100, while the SVS Ultra Evolution costs $1,200, making them very close competitors in the premium bookshelf speaker category.
Both speakers work well in small rooms, but the B&W 606 S3 has a slightly smaller footprint and may be easier to position. The SVS Ultra Evolution offers more placement flexibility due to its time-aligned design but requires more space.
The B&W 606 S3 works well with moderately powered amplifiers (30-120 watts), while the SVS Ultra Evolution accepts a wider range of power (20-300 watts). Both speakers are 88dB sensitive, but the B&W's 8-ohm impedance makes it slightly easier to drive.
The SVS Ultra Evolution extends deeper into the bass region, while the B&W 606 S3 offers tight, controlled bass down to 52Hz. Both will benefit from a subwoofer for full-range music or home theater use.
Both speakers excel in home theater applications. The B&W 606 S3 offers excellent dialogue clarity, while the SVS Ultra Evolution provides more dynamic range for movie effects. Both integrate well with matching center channels and surrounds.
Both are well-built, but take different approaches. The B&W 606 S3 features traditional, proven construction with premium materials, while the SVS Ultra Evolution uses an innovative curved cabinet design with premium components.
Both the B&W 606 S3 and SVS Ultra Evolution benefit from 20-30 hours of playback to reach optimal performance, though they sound good right out of the box.
Both speakers perform equally well with streaming sources. The final sound quality depends more on your streaming device and amplification than the speakers themselves. Both the B&W 606 S3 and SVS Ultra Evolution will reveal the quality of your streaming source.
Yes, both the B&W 606 S3 and SVS Ultra Evolution perform best when properly positioned on sturdy stands, ideally placing the tweeters at ear level when seated.
Both the B&W 606 S3 and SVS Ultra Evolution come with 5-year warranties, but SVS includes a 45-day home trial period and direct customer support.
Both the B&W 606 S3 and SVS Ultra Evolution support bi-wiring and bi-amping through dual sets of binding posts, offering flexibility for system upgrades.
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 - futureaudiophile.com - svsound.com - youtube.com - avgadgets.com - dreamediaav.com - dreamediaav.com - outlawaudio.com - svsound.com - audiolab.com - crutchfield.com - audioadvice.com - audioadvice.com - skybygramophone.com
