600 Series
Performance, power, price The 600 Series continues
the award-winning promise of its predecessors
– the audio performance you demand from Bowers &
Wilkins, power to fill any room, yet at a budget that
allows everyone access to true, audiophile sound. It
adopts technologies from our premium speakers plus
innovations and engineering solutions unique to the
range. Bowers & Wilkins believes everyone should be
able to experience truly great sound. With the new
600 Series, everyone can.
How does the new 600 Series raise the bar for
entry-level audiophile speakers? By bringing in
hard-learnt technologies from Bowers & Wilkins
high-end speakers. Double dome tweeters, found
only in the CM10 until now, join FSTTM midrange
drive units used in all our premium models plus
energy-absorbing foam Anti-Resonance Plugs
derived from the PM1. And the new 600 Series
doesn’t just incorporate existing technologies.
It adds some new ones of its own, including
– for the first time in a cabinet loudspeaker –
the use of decoupled tweeters that float in a gel
cushion, separate from the cabinet around them.
Bass drivers are improved too, stiffened with an
extra bracing ring of aluminium to deliver a higher
break-up frequency. Technologies purposedesigned to deliver maximum performance for
minimum cost meet existing technologies brought
in from high-end speakers; the result is amazing
performance and power at an even more amazing
price. The new 600 Series: the high-end speakers
for everyone.
For the love of music It doesn’t matter where your
music comes from. You might personally prefer classic
vinyl, lossless FLAC files or Spotify streams. What really
matters is how good the music sounds to you. And in
a world of streaming, wireless and cloud-based audio,
in a world where music has to compete with everything
else happening in your life, it matters more than ever that
music sounds brilliant. After all, what else can soothe
you to sleep, excite and invigorate you, or clear and
calm your head to let you think and feel? Cut through
the chatter, sit back and really listen... and you’ll see.
683 The largest speaker in the new 600 Series delivers
outstanding power, accuracy and musicality. The
floorstander features the new Decoupled Double Dome
tweeter, an FST midrange driver and new Dual Layer
aluminium bass drivers. The result is a loudspeaker
ideal for both high-performance stereo and surround
sound applications even in larger rooms, delivering
serious performance and amazing value.
Serious and accurate bass performance is
vital to such a room-filling speaker. That’s why
the 683 features an all-new bass drive unit
technology: its Dual Layer 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 for a richer, distortionfree bass response. The 683 also boasts a
Decoupled Double Dome tweeter and an FST
Kevlar® midrange unit. Serious technology,
serious performance, but seriously affordable
for a speaker of this calibre.
684 Room-filling sound without a room-filling speaker
cabinet. Slimmer than ever, the 684 offers an amazing
combination of serious floorstander power, spectacular
audio performance and unbeatable value thanks to
its new and vastly improved bass/midrange drivers
and the Decoupled Double Dome tweeter.
Switching to 5-inch drivers from the previous
6.5-inch designs means the new 684 is
significantly slimmer than its predecessor, yet
Bowers & Wilkins engineers have still improved
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 improve
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.
685 At home on either a stand or bookshelf, the versatile
new 685 delivers outstanding performance. Perfectly sized
for most rooms, it combines new Decoupled Double Dome
tweeters, Kevlar cones and Anti-Resonance Plugs, with
the value for which the 600 Series is renowned.
The Decoupled Double Dome tweeter found
in the 685 – and the rest of the new 600 Series
– is a technology taken straight from our awardwinning CM10 speaker. The dual-layer design
combines a thin aluminium dome for lightness
and a thicker aluminium ring for rigidity. The result
is absolutely stunning clarity and tonal purity.
The tweeter is also decoupled from the main
cabinet, kept physically separate in its own cavity
with a ring of gel cushioning it from vibrations.
This improves imaging and dispersion for a more
natural, spacious treble.
686 Small is beautiful – at just 160mm wide, the 686 may
be the most compact speaker in the new 600 Series, but
don’t underestimate its power and precision. That’s thanks
to its new Decoupled Double Dome tweeter, improved
Kevlar driver and front-facing Flowport™.
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 features
a 25mm voice coil which makes for a higher
sensitivity speaker with bass more suited for
placement near a wall. A front-firing Flowport,
dimpled like a golf ball around the aperture for
smoothly regulated airflow, delivers superior
bass response without the risk of rattle. And its
placement ensures the speaker cabinet can be
slimmer than before.
The 686 even features a built-in bracket for
easy wall mounting, but this small, versatile and
precise speaker sounds great anywhere.
Home theatre packages The new 600 Series is ideal for
audiophile stereo listening, but speakers from the range
can be teamed together for a stunning home theatre
experience. With two floorstanding, two standmount,
two centre speakers and three subwoofers to choose
from, the new 600 Series can fill the largest space... or
fit in the smallest.
The stereo and centre channel speakers in the
new 600 Series now feature improved Decoupled
Double Dome tweeter designs, ideal for delivering
the clarity needed for dialogue. For midrange and
bass drivers, Kevlar, Anti-Resonance Plugs and
FST drive unit technology plus aluminium cones
ensure stunning power and clarity.
Bowers & Wilkins has prepared two
suggested home theatre speaker packages
based on the new 600 Series, each designed to
perfectly complement different room sizes, needs
and budgets. Both sound simply stunning for
big-screen action.
Centre & Surround The new 600 Series’ HTM62
Subwoofers The 600 Series includes three
and HTM61 centre speakers look great thanks to a
slimmer cabinet and new, more symmetrical design,
respectively. They also sound better than ever. Both
models feature the new Decoupled Double Dome
tweeter, with the HTM61 sporting two powerful 6.5inch bass drivers and an FST midrange driver for a
perfect match with the mighty 683 floorstanders.
subwoofers, ranging from the compact ASW608
to the powerful ASW610XP. Each boasts an
audiophile-standard, highly efficient Class D
amplifier. And each has updated finishes to
ensure a perfect match with the rest of the new
600 Series.
Treble The new 600 Series borrows technology from
the award-winning high-end CM10, in the form of the
Decoupled Double Dome tweeter. As a result it captures
musical subtleties with breathtaking accuracy and delivers
a natural, spacious sound unprecedented for such an
affordable 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-forth
motion and minimal distortion. The 600 Series
does this beautifully, borrowing high-end tweeter
technology from Bowers & Wilkins award-winning
CM10 speaker. Its double dome design uses
an extremely thin aluminium dome for lightness,
surrounded by a thicker aluminium ring for
rigidity; these combine to stop the voice coil from
distorting. The result is a treble performance so
pure and precise it will take your breath away.
While the tweeter looks like it’s completely
integrated into the cabinet of each speaker in the
600 Series, it’s actually kept physically isolated
from the enclosure that surrounds it. The tweeter
sits in a ring of gel that acoustically decouples
it from its housing, so performance isn’t hit by
unwanted resonances and vibrations. Imaging and
dispersion are improved, delivering a more natural,
spacious sound.
Midrange How to improve on the stunning performance
of the 600 Series without affecting its legendary value?
That was the challenge faced by Bowers & Wilkins
engineering team on the new Series 600 midrange drivers.
The results are fantastic.
The same properties that allow Kevlar to stop a
bullet also make it the ideal material for soaking
up standing waves in a speaker cone that can
colour and distort midrange sound. Not only
does Kevlar deliver a far cleaner sound, it can do
so to a more widely dispersed group of listeners.
The new 600 Series midrange drivers feature
our unique and iconic Kevlar cones as a matter
of course, but continued research allows the
drivers in the new 600 Series to deliver even
lower distortion levels, while smaller voice coils
in the 5-inch drivers further increase sensitivity.
The bass/midrange drivers in the new 600
Series speakers also benefit from the introduction
of Anti-Resonance Plugs, first seen in the PM1.
These mushroom-shaped dustcaps reduce
higher-frequency break-up by ensuring better
pistonic movement inside the voice coil.
Add in the revolutionary FST™ drive unit
on the 683 and HTM61 and the result is that
midrange performance is vastly improved
on every model in the range – yet without
affecting the incredible 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.
Bass The new, slimmer 600 Series speakers are designed
to not dominate the design of any room. But they are
designed to sonically dominate – with luxurious and clear
bass response delivered using the latest technologies,
testing 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.
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.
Listen and you’ll see Of course, the story doesn’t
end with the new 600 Series. Just as the pursuit for
the perfect speaker will always continue, so does the
passion for sound. Bowers & Wilkins has created a
space for people who are passionate about sound,
where you can come for ideas and inspiration and to
share your experience with others. We call it Society of
Sound. And members get the latest news in the world
of audio and music, as well as access to some of the
most exciting new music around – picked by Society
of Sound Fellows including Peter Gabriel, Real World
Studios and the London Symphony Orchestra. Come
to www.bowers-wilkins.com to find out more about
the Society of Sound.
Main
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
683
Decoupled Double Dome aluminium tweeter
with Nautilus
Kevlar
Dual-layer aluminium cone bass driver
Flowport
3-way vented-box system
1x ø25mm (1 in) aluminium dome high-frequency
1x ø150mm (6 in) woven Kevlar
midrange
2x ø165mm (6.5 in) aluminium cone bass
-6dB at 30Hz and 50kHz
52Hz - 22kHz ±3dB on reference axis
Within 2dB of reference response
Horizontal: over 60º arc
Vertical: over 10º arc
89dB spl (2.83V, 1m)
2nd and 3rd harmonics (90dB, 1m)
<1% 95Hz - 22kHz
<0.5% 120Hz - 20kHz
8V (minimum 3.0V)
400Hz, 4kHz
25W - 200W into 8V on unclipped programme
0.1V
Height: 985mm (38.8 in) cabinet only
1020mm (40.2 in) including plinth
but not feet
Width: 190mm (7.5 in) cabinet only
320mm (12.6 in) over plinth
Depth: 364mm (14.3 in) cabinet, grille
and terminals only
370mm (14.6 in) over plinth
27.2kg (59.7 lb)
Cabinet: Grille:
Black Ash Black
™
tube loading
®
brand fibre cone FST™ midrange driver
™
®
cone FST™
684 685
Decoupled Double Dome aluminium tweeter
with Nautilus
Kevlar
Flowport
™
tube loading
®
brand fibre cone bass/midrange drivers
™
2-way vented-box system
1x ø25mm (1 in) aluminium dome high-frequency
2x ø130mm (5 in) woven Kevlar
®
cone bass/
midrange
-6dB at 45Hz and 50kHz
72Hz - 22kHz ±3dB on reference axis
Within 2dB of reference response
Horizontal: over 60º arc
Vertical: over 10º arc
87dB spl (2.83V, 1m)
2nd and 3rd harmonics (90dB, 1m)
<1% 140Hz - 22kHz
<0.5% 180Hz - 20kHz
8V (minimum 4.0V)
4kHz
25W - 150W into 8V on unclipped programme
0.1V
Height: 920mm (36.2 in) cabinet only
955mm (37.6 in) including plinth
but not feet
Width: 160mm (6.3 in) cabinet only
235mm (9.3 in) over plinth
Depth: 234mm (9.2 in) cabinet, grille and
terminals only
238mm (9.4 in) over plinth
14.2kg (31.2 lb)
Cabinet: Grille:
Black Ash Black
Decoupled Double Dome aluminium tweeter
with Nautilus
Kevlar
Flowport
2-way vented-box system
1x ø25mm (1 in) aluminium dome high-frequency
1x ø165mm (6.5 in) woven Kevlar
midrange
-6dB at 45Hz and 50kHz
52Hz - 22kHz ±3dB on reference axis
Within 2dB of reference response
Horizontal: over 60º arc
Vertical: over 10º arc
87dB spl (2.83V, 1m)
2nd and 3rd harmonics (90dB, 1m)
<1% 95Hz - 22kHz
<0.5% 140Hz - 20kHz
8V (minimum 4.0V)
4kHz
25W - 100W into 8Ω on unclipped programme
0.1V
Height: 345mm (13.5 in)
Width: 190mm (7.5 in)
Depth: 324mm (12.8 in) cabinet, grille and
terminals
6.8kg (14.9 lb)
Cabinet: Grille:
Black Ash Black
™
tube loading
®
brand fibre cone bass/midrange
™
®
cone bass /
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
686
Decoupled Double Dome aluminium tweeter
with Nautilus
Kevlar
Flowport
2-way vented-box system
1x ø25mm (1 in) aluminium dome high-frequency
1x ø130mm (5 in) woven Kevlar
midrange
-6dB at 54Hz and 50kHz
62Hz - 22kHz ±3dB on reference axis
Within 2dB of reference response
Horizontal: over 60º arc
Vertical: over 10º arc
85dB spl (2.83V, 1m)
2nd and 3rd harmonics (90dB, 1m)
<1% 110Hz - 22kHz
<0.5% 180Hz - 20kHz
V (minimum 5.2V)
8
4kHz
25W - 100W into 8Ω on unclipped programme
V
0.1
Height: 315mm (12.4 in)
Width: 160mm (6.3 in)
Depth: 229mm (9.0 in) cabinet, grille
and terminals
233mm (9.2 in) cabinet, grille
and wall bracket
4.6kg (10.1 lb)
Cabinet: Grille:
Black Ash Black
™
tube loading
®
brand fibre cone bass/midrange
™
®
cone bass/
HTM61
Decoupled Double Dome aluminium tweeter
with Nautilus
Kevlar
Dual-layer aluminium cone bass driver
Flowport
3-way vented-box system
1x ø25mm (1 in) aluminium dome high-frequency
1x ø100mm (4 in) woven Kevlar
midrange
2x ø165mm (6.5 in) aluminium cone bass
-6dB at 42Hz and 50 kHz
50Hz - 22 kHz ±3dB on reference axis
Within 2dB of reference response
Horizontal: over 20º arc
Vertical: over 60º arc
88dB spl (2.83V, 1m)
2nd and 3rd harmonics (90dB, 1m)
<1% 95Hz - 22 kHz
<0.5% 180Hz - 20 kHz
V (minimum 3.0V)
8
400Hz, 4kHz
30W - 150W into 8Ω on unclipped programme
0.1
Height: 218mm (8.6 in)
Width: 590mm (23.2 in)
Depth: 304mm (12 in) cabinet, grille
and terminals
17.2kg (37.8 lb)
Cabinet: Grille:
Black Ash Black
™
tube loading
®
brand fibre cone FST™ midrange driver
™
®
cone FST™
V
HTM62
Decoupled Double Dome aluminium tweeter
with Nautilus
Kevlar
Flowport
2-way vented-box system
1x ø25mm (1 in) aluminium dome high-frequency
2x ø130mm (5 in) woven Kevlar
midrange
-6dB at 48Hz and 50kHz
70Hz - 22kHz ±3dB on reference axis
Within 2dB of reference response
Horizontal: over 20º arc
Vertical: over 60º arc
87dB spl (2.83V, 1m)
2nd and 3rd harmonics (90dB, 1m)
<1% 120Hz - 22kHz
<0.5% 180Hz - 20kHz
V (minimum 4.0V)
8
4kHz
25W - 120W into 8Ω on unclipped programme
0.1
Height: 160mm (6.3 in)
Width: 480mm (18.9 in)
Depth: 279mm (11 in) cabinet, grille
and terminals
7.9kg (17.3 lb)
Cabinet: Grille:
Black Ash Black
™
tube loading
®
brand fibre cone bass/midrange
™
V
®
cone bass/
Subwoofer
Surround
Technical features
Description
Drive units
Frequency range
Frequency response
Bass Extension
Amplifier
Low-pass filter
Dimensions
Net weight
Finishes
ASW610XP
Paper/Kevlar® cone drive unit
500W ICEpower
Active closed-box subwoofer system
ø250mm (10 in) paper/Kevlar
-6dB at 18Hz and 25/140Hz adjustable (EQ at A)
±3dB 25Hz – 40/140Hz adjustable (EQ at A)
-6dB at 18Hz (position A)
-6dB at 23Hz (position B)
-6dB at 28Hz (position C)
Power output: 500W
Rated power
Consumption: 94W/0.8W standby
Input impedance: 33k
Signal / noise: >80dB
Functi ons: Input level (line in)
Input 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: 325mm (12.8 in) not including feet
Width: 325mm (12.8 in)
Depth: 374mm (14.7 in)
including grille and controls
15.5kg (34.4 lb)
Cabinet: Grille:
Black Black
®
amplifier
V
®
cone long-throw
ASW610
Paper/Kevlar® cone drive unit
200W ICEpower
Active closed-box subwoofer system
ø250mm (10 in) paper/Kevlar
-6dB at 20Hz and 25/140Hz adjustable (EQ at A)
±3dB 27Hz – 40/140Hz adjustable (EQ at A)
-6dB at 20Hz (position A)
-6dB at 25Hz (position B)
-6dB at 30Hz (position C)
Power output: 200W
Rated power
Consumption: 40W/0.5W standby
Input impedance: 33k
Signal / noise: >90dB
Functions: Input level (line in)
Input 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: 310mm (12.2 in) not including feet
Width: 310mm (12.2 in)
Depth: 375mm (14.8 in)
including grille and controls
12.5kg (27.6 lb)
Cabinet: Grille:
Black Black
®
amplifier
V
®
cone long-throw
ASW608
Paper/Kevlar® cone drive unit
200W ICEpower
Active closed-box subwoofer system
ø200mm (8 in) paper/Kevlar
-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: Grille:
Black Black
®
amplifier
V
®
cone long-throw
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
Nautilus™ tube loaded aluminium dome tweeter
®
brand fibre cone bass/midrange
Kevlar
2-way closed-box selectable dipole/monopole
surround system
1x ø25mm (1 in) aluminium dome high-frequency
2x ø80mm (3 in) midrange / high frequency
1x ø130mm (5 in) woven Kevlar
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 40º arc
Vertical: over 10º arc
Dipole mode: horizontal figure of eight
Effective null zone ±20º (250Hz – 15kHz)
89dB spl (2.83V, 1m)
2nd and 3rd harmonics (90dB, 1m)
<1% 130Hz – 20kHz
V (minimum 3.3V)
8
4kHz (monopole mode)
250Hz (dipole mode)
25W – 100W into 8
V
0.1
Height: 249mm (9.8 in)
Width: 380mm (15 in)
Depth: 153mm (6 in)
5.2kg (11.5 lb)
Black cabinet and grille
V on unclipped programme
®
cone bass /
02/14 PU31909
www.bowers-wilkins.com
Nautilus, Flowport and FST are trademarks of B&W Group Ltd.
Kevlar is a registered trademark of DuPont.
ICEpower is a registered trademark of B&O ICEpower A/S.
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.
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