A Look Inside The Bowers & Wilkins 606 S3 - How good is it?

Video Description

Bowers & Wilkins has changed hands multiple times in recent years. The latest move came in 2025 when Masimo sold its entire consumer audio division — including B&W — to Harman International (a Samsung subsidiary) for $350 million. In this video, I completely tear down the B&W 606 S3, dive deep into the drivers’ T/S parameters, examine the cabinet construction and bracing, look at the crossover components, and then share my honest listening impressions. After all these ownership changes… does B&W still build a quality speaker? Let’s find out. Alternatives to the 606 S3 that I prefer in no particular order. SVS Ultra Evolution Bookshelf: https://amzn.to/48zElZ7 Starke Sound Beta7: https://starkesound.com/products/beta7 ELAC Debut Reference DBR62: https://amzn.to/4aMBJbI KEF Q Concerto Meta: https://amzn.to/4aLrowA Members-Only Sound Demos: B&W 606S3 vs Starke Sound Beta7: https://youtu.be/FwqyawkBAj4 B&W 606S3 vs ELAC Uni-Fi Reference UBR62: https://youtu.be/JK7o6ZIvPEA Members-Only videos can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLg0Xq1LbiZBWS7cbUtsIpwuubWsZb131v Info on ferrous materials being used in speakers: Source : 1995 AES paper by Audio Engineer Bill Whitlock, "Balanced Lines in Audio Systems: Fact, Fiction, and Transformers" (Journal of the Audio Engineering Society, Vol. 43, No. 6), When audio currents flow through or near ferromagnetic parts (e.g., steel pins, nickel underplating left exposed, iron-containing alloys, or even some “gold-plated” connectors where the base metal is ferromagnetic), the changing magnetic field from the audio signal modulates the material’s permeability. This creates voltage-dependent resistance and inductance → harmonic and intermodulation distortion. Real-world measurements and studies have repeatedly shown this: Bill Whitlock (Jensen Transformers) measured RCA connectors with steel shells/pins showing IMD products up to –70 dB at +20 dBu (7.75 Vrms) in the midband, rising dramatically at low frequencies. Switchcraft, Neutrik, and Amphenol XLRs that use ferrous nickel underplate (common for corrosion resistance) but leave it exposed on contact surfaces show IMD 20–40 dB higher than pure copper-alloy or thick gold-plated non-ferrous versions. Classic 1970s–1990s “Tulip” RCA plugs with ferrous center pins (magnet sticks to them) routinely measure 0.01–0.1 % IMD at consumer levels (+4 to +20 dBu). Non-ferrous (brass/bronze/phosphor-bronze + thick gold) versions measure below 0.0005 % under the same conditions. Even tiny amounts of exposed ferromagnetic material (e.g., a thin nickel strike layer that wears through) are enough to generate detectable distortion once signal current exceeds a few mA. Frequency Dependence: The effect is strongly frequency-dependent. IMD (Intermodulation Distortion) from ferromagnetic contact rises at low frequencies because the magnetic field penetration (skin depth) increases, involving more of the ferrous volume. This is why you often see distortion products rising 6–12 dB/octave below 500 Hz in bad connectors. Playlists that you may like: All of my videos about B&W speakers can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLg0Xq1LbiZBVHOn5-nJp8ae4cC9yCtOYx All of my review videos can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLg0Xq1LbiZBU1G5L_QoXvFsgrd57qHZFd All of my look inside videos on speakers can be found here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLg0Xq1LbiZBXWNQtsEOqq_LynPGsLNpxy My videos about upgrading speakers can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLg0Xq1LbiZBV3JdrXQtMPgv3Lc6YB6fdr GenerationBehindHiFi is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Your purchase from the above links helps supports this channel and create content for viewers like you. Thank you for your continued support!