Bowers & Wilkins 606 speakers vs KEF R100: which to buy?

The Bowers & Wilkins 606 is my pick of these two. It leads on sound quality, midrange clarity and treble detail by a clear margin, and it edges ahead on design and value as well, which makes it the stronger all-round bookshelf speaker here.

Buy the Bowers & Wilkins 606 if what you want from a speaker is insight. It pulls apart layers in a mix that softer speakers gloss over, it places vocals and high notes right at the front of the room, and it manages that without turning brittle or shrill. It suits keen listeners running modest gear, since 88 dB sensitivity and an 8 ohm load keep it easy to drive, and the 343 mm cabinet wants a little breathing room rather than a shelf crammed against a wall. If a bright, vivid presentation excites you rather than tires you, this is the one to get.

Buy the KEF R100 if low end matters most to you and the room is small. It takes bass response by a clear margin and keeps that punch firm at volume without letting it smother the mids, and at 290 mm tall it slips into a compact setup in a way the taller box cannot. A 25 to 100 W amp range and 86 dB sensitivity ask for a competent but not heroic amplifier, and the 5 year warranty is the longest cover of the two. Go in knowing the balance tips towards the highs, so a warm source or a little EQ helps during loud playback.