The 600 Series is Bowers & Wilkins' second-longest continuously available series after the iconic 800 Series Diamond, and so holds a critical place in the British speaker brand's portfolio.

As such, Bowers & Wilkins touts the 600 Series as “creating the reference standard in attainable yet high-performance loudspeakers”, with its new 600 Series S3 range benefitting from “some of the most comprehensive upgrades the 600 Series has ever received”.

The Bowers & Wilkins 600 Series S3 probably has its most difficult job right now in the line's almost three decades, with more listeners demanding higher quality sound at a more affordable level to match the abundance of talented electronics currently available. However, B&W is confident that “the 600 Series S3 represents the perfect first step to experiencing the 'True Sound' of the artist's intent – making it the ideal entry point into the Bowers & Wilkins brand”.

The new range includes four models: the floorstanding 603 S3, the 606 S3 standmount, which also gets treated to the new FS-600 speaker stand in black or silver along with the 607 S3 bookshelf speaker, plus the HTM6 S3 dedicated home cinema centre channel. The latter hints at the possibility of creating a 600 Series S3 Home Theatre System bringing in one of B&W's existing ASW608 or ASW610 active subwoofers.

Having been part of a small band of journalists invited to experience the new range pitted against the outgoing line, we can attest that while little appears to have changed on the spec sheets, the 600 Series S3 does seem more coherent between the drivers with a more abundant and precise soundstage. Many improvements are thanks to the 600 Series S3 borrowing from its spendier sibling, the 700 Series S3, from which the 702 S3 impressed us earlier this year when we had it in for review. Naturally, these components are fitted into a redesigned and improved cabinet construction for the new line.

It is perhaps worth noting here that Bowers & Wilkins develops and manufactures all key loudspeaker components in-house and cascades those innovative technologies down over time.

The most significant introduction to the new 600 Series S3, and employed across the range, is an all-new 1-inch Titanium Dome Tweeter which Bowers & Wilkins says is the reason for the series refinement and resolution.

The new tweeter is a two-part construction with a thin, light, rigid 25-micron main dome braced by a second 30-micron titanium ring. This new design is housed in a significantly elongated tube-loading system inspired by the design recently introduced in the new 700 Series S3, which only really differs in the materials used. We're told that the more extended tube loading system reduces the resonant frequency behind the dome and leads to a more open sound that is less impacted by the cabinet that houses it.

In addition, the new Titanium Dome benefits from a 700 Series S3-sized diaphragm mounting plate alongside the more open tweeter grille design taken directly from the recently introduced 800 Series Signature.

Bowers & Wilkins' proprietary Continuum Cones feature throughout the new 600 Series S3 range with more powerful, lower distortion 700 Series S3 motor assemblies for midrange and bass/midrange drive units. The floorstanding features a 150mm (6-inch) FST Continuum Cone midrange driver, while the 606 S3 gets a 6.5-inch unit, and the smaller 607 S3 has a 5-inch variant.

The pair of 165mm (6.5-inch) paper-cone bass drivers employed by the 603 S3 also feature 703 S3 motor systems.

Furthermore, the crossovers have been updated with high-quality, upgraded bypass capacitors from the 700 Series S3, delivering higher resolution and transparency.

The 600 Series S3 cabinets see extensive improvements resulting in the tweeter and main drive units mounted closer together using intersecting trim rings, which, we are informed, improves integration and stereo imaging. Meanwhile, around the rear, you'll find a terminal tray taken from the 700 Series S3 and a 700 Series specification bass port.

Higher quality timber used in the cabinets' bracing has improved rigidity. Finally, the bottom of the 606 S3 and 607 S3 now include metal threaded inserts so that the speakers can be more securely fixed to the top plate of the new FS-600 S3 stands.

The three-way 603 S3 has a quoted 90dB sensitivity (on axis at 2.83Vrms at 1m), 8Ω nominal impedance and a 46Hz - 28kHz ±3dB frequency response. Meanwhile, the two-way stand-mounted 606 S3 lists its sensitivity as 88dB and frequency response at 52Hz - 28kHz ±3dB. Finally, the 84dB sensitive 607 S3 bookshelf model manages a frequency response of 52Hz - 28kHz ±3dB.

The new 600 Series S3 range will be available from August 23rd, with each model available in a choice of finishes, including Oak, White or Black – with a fourth Cherry finish only available in APAC markets. Pricing starts at €800 for the 607 S3 compact bookshelf model and €1,000 for the 606 S3 standmounter. Topping the series is the 603 S3 floorstander which will sell for €2,300. The range is completed by the HTM6 S3, costing €750, and the FS-600 S3 floor stand priced at €300 (per pair).

Should a complete 600 Series S3 5.1 home theatre system be what you're looking for, a bundle featuring 603 S3, 607 S3, HTM6 S3 plus an ASW610 active subwoofer comes in at €4,650.

Visit Bowers & Wilkins for more information