Silver service from B&W

Steve Withers plays spot the difference with B&W's 600 S2 Anniversary Edition speakers in 5.1 form

- Steve Withers

AV INFO

PRODUCT: Floorstanding 5.1 speaker package

POSITION: B&W's entry-level, below the 700 Series

PEERS: Acoustic Energy 300 Series; Klipsch Reference Premiere

Bowers & Wilkins' 600 Series is a famed range of entry-level loudspeakers that has long proved an affordable introduction to the company's sonic charms. For 25 years, the models in this lineup have formed the basis of many a burgeoning home cinema enthusiast’s system – including, once, my own.

So it seems fitting that the company should celebrate its quarter-century milestone with its 600 S2 Series Anniversary Edition, a seventh-generation iteration offering component improvements over the previous version of the 600 Series, which was introduced back in 2018 (and reviewed in HCC #295).

Specs appeal?

These new speakers don't look much different physically to the models they replace, and key specifications, including claimed frequency response and sensitivity, are identical. Yet the billing here is of an acoustic upgrade. So what's new?

Well, firstly, there are some cosmetic tweaks. The tweeter now features a logo-inscribed surround, and there's a new oak finish to join the existing matte black (pictured) and matte white options. Buyers in the Asia Pacific region can also opt for a cherry red finish, but there's no sign of that in the UK.