We love the new 600 Series of Bowers & Wilkins speakers. We loved the stunning 685 S2 bookshelves at first sight, and the 683 S2 floor standing speakers made us tears of emotion. I wonder if these impressions will continue with the introduction of the 5.1-channel kit.
As the name implies, the B&W 683 Theater set is based on the excellent 683 S2 floor stands. The undisputed leaders in their price class ($ 2200) demonstrate an unrivaled combination of transparency, detail, and dynamism.
The rest of the system also belongs to the new line: the center channel speaker HTM61 S2 ($ 970), the rear shelf 686 S2 ($ 710), and the ASW610XP subwoofer ($ 1920).
The redesigned 600 Series uses many of the technologies developed for the more expensive B&W CM line - and this affects the sound quality. The most notable innovation is the use of acoustically decoupled and reinforced ring CM tweeters.
The thin 1-inch aluminum tweeter dome is reinforced with a thicker outer metal ring for improved damping similar to the flagship CM10 model. The entire tweeter assembly is connected to the housing via a gel ring that reduces vibration transmission from the midrange and woofer. The Nautilus tube loading design is taken from the legendary 800 AC series.
All of this was intended to improve accuracy at the highest frequencies, and this goal has been successfully achieved.
The 683 S2 woofers have also been reinforced with aluminum rings (increased rigidity results in less distortion). The three front speakers are equipped with the famous FST drivers with bright yellow Kevlar cones for the midrange.
We also express our gratitude to B&W for the protective grilles for the vulnerable tweeter domes; now, at last, there is no need to fear for their safety. In addition, they improve the angular distribution of sound.
The 683 Theater set is available in white and ash black finishes. The days of carcass covering with natural wood veneer are long gone; monochrome colors proved to be more popular. The velvety matte vinyl on the subwoofer is pleasant to the touch, however, we found small tears in the ribs on the test sample.
We love the clear and austere speaker design and the bright accents of the Kevlar speakers. The hulls are of high quality and sturdy, the ribs are carefully crafted; however, it seems to us that the exterior is somewhat simpler for this price range.
The ASW610XP subwoofer is small but very powerful: a 25 cm speaker is powered by a 500-watt amplifier. Its rear panel contains low and high-level inputs, as well as numerous EQ controls. All speakers can be used for a two-wire connection, 686 S2 are equipped with wall brackets.
Includes 2- and 3-way speakers with different speaker diameters. Inch tweeters are the same everywhere, but Kevlar midrange cones are not. The front bass reflex ports on the 683 and 686 S2 are equipped with B&W Flowport for enhanced bass clarity. The use of different speakers can be justified from a practical point of view, however, even before starting to listen, we were worried if it would lead to acoustic mismatch.
We begin testing with the movie "Thor 2: The Kingdom of Darkness" with a soundtrack in the DTS-HD Master Audio format.
The energetic nature of the speaker makes explosions and collisions quite powerful and deafening. The sound also has an enviable weight; the mighty 683 S2 expands the sound field vertically.
The updated tweeters bring out a lot of detail. HF is distinguished by sharpness and friability, and excessive rigidity is not characteristic of them.
In addition, the speakers perfectly reproduce changes in the sound atmosphere. B&W is capable of high volume - they will delight you with their powerful dynamics in the episodes where Thor uses his hammer.
Meanwhile, we could not get rid of the feeling that the hearing was missing something. After some time, we realized that although the sound of the system is pleasant enough, it cannot be called amazing, as we expected. It seems that it should be more large-scale and powerful, and the distribution of effects more precise.
We would also not have given up on deeper and more expressive bass. The ASW610XP itself is quite good, but it does not quite match with the mighty 683 S2. The same can be said for the center channel speakers; if the voices come from 683, they turn out to be richer and more characteristic, there are more nuances in them - but the center has a much less elaborated and multilayered sound than we would like.
Although the center channel speaker and subwoofer were designed to work with the 683 S2, differences in speaker diameters and configurations reduce the integration of system components; the sound field in a room is not the most uniform.
A direct competitor to B&W, the KEF R100 5.1 takes a different approach: it uses identical Uni-Q speakers - one for each speaker - and delivers impeccable sounding and fidelity surround effects. The KEF subwoofer also has a stronger and deeper sound, enhancing the credibility and scale of the entire theater system.
B&W 683 Theater relies primarily on the strengths of the 683 S2 - and justifiably, as they are the core of the package. True, they are not able to compensate for the shortcomings of other components; it is very annoying that 683 Theater lacked a few steps to the top of the quality. He's not good enough to be a class leader - as we hoped for - but he still deserves an acquaintance.
Details - Inside ASW610XP
The compact size of the subwoofer has not been an obstacle for B&W to deliver a hefty 500 watts of power to get the most out of the bass.
The rear panel contains low and high-level inputs, as well as volume and EQ controls; you can “tell” the ASW610XP where you are going to install it - in a corner or in an open space.
But as much as we like the massive black cube of the subwoofer, we have to admit that its small dynamics fail to deliver the solid and confident bass that a kit of this caliber needs.
OBSERVER'S NOTES - INTRODUCING THE B&W 683 THEATER
1. Well, here is a huge speaker on the center channel! We had to take it out of the package together. You will need a stand of the correct size.
2. The subwoofer is surprisingly compact. He is quite talented, but he seems tiny next to the mighty ACs and lacks density and power.
3. The small rear speakers can be placed on stands or on the wall, or you can replace them with B&W recessed speakers if desired.
4. We are extremely happy that B&W has finally covered the fragile tweeters with grilles. Now you can release children and cats.
5. The punchy, detailed, and spacious sound of this kit is great to hear, but not as flawless as we hoped.
PROS: Cleanliness, detail, mobility; enviable power; openness; distribution of effects
CONS: Competitors have higher integration and more immersive audio; not the most convincing bass
VERDICT: Talented system, but not as stunning as we expected
In the language of numbers
Acoustic system:
Subwoofer:
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