Bowers & Wilkins - 600 Series 686 S2 5" 2-Way Bookshelf Loudspeakers (Pair) - Black
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Features
100W maximum power handling
For robust sonic output.
5" woven Aramid fiber woofer cone
With a 1" voice coil provides clear sound with optimal sensitivity.
1" decoupled double-dome aluminum tweeter
With Nautilus tube loading delivers crisp, detailed highs.
Front-facing Flowport
With a dimpled aperture helps regulate airflow for deep, powerful low-end audio with minimal rattle.
Vented enclosure
Produces vibrant audio.
Dual binding posts
Ensure a secure connection.
Built-in wall-mount bracket
Offers flexible placement option.
62Hz - 22kHz frequency response (±3dB)
Delivers faithful sound reproduction.
85dB SPL sensitivity (2.83V, 1m)
For powerful audio.
8 ohms nominal impedance (5.2 ohms minimum)
Efficiently conducts power through the speaker.
What's Included
- Owner's manual
- 8 self-adhesive plastic pads, 4 self-adhesive plastic stand-offs
- Bowers & Wilkins 600 Series 686 S2 5" 2-Way Bookshelf Loudspeakers (Pair)
Key Specs
- Speaker TypeBookshelf
- RMS Power100 watts
- WirelessNo
- Input(s)None
General
- Product Name600 Series 686 S2 5" 2-Way Bookshelf Loudspeakers (Pair)
- BrandBowers & Wilkins
- Model Number686 S2
- Series600 Series 2
- ColorBlack
- Color CategoryBlack
Audio
- Speaker TypeBookshelf
- Enclosure TypePorted
- RMS Power100 watts
- Peak Power Handling100 watts
- Impedance8 ohms
- Minimum Frequency Response62 hertz
- Maximum Frequency Response22 kilohertz
- Sensitivity85 decibels
- Number Of Speakers2
- Number Of Tweeters Included1
- Tweeter Size1 inches
- Number Of Midranges Included1
- Midrange Size5 inches
- Number of Drivers Included2
- Number Of Woofers Included1
- Woofer Size5 inches
Connectivity
- WirelessNo
- Wireless Multi-Room AudioNo
- Input(s)None
- Headphone JackNo
Feature
- App-ControlledNo
- Indoor Or Outdoor UseIndoor
Dimension
- Product Height12.4 inches
- Product Width6.38 inches
- Product Depth9 inches
- Product Weight10.1 pounds
Material
- Tweeter MaterialAluminum
- Midrange MaterialOther
- Woofer MaterialOther
Included
- Cable(s) IncludedNone
- Speaker Wire IncludedNo
Certifications Listings & Approvals
- ENERGY STAR CertifiedNo
Warranty
- Manufacturer's Warranty - Parts5 years
- Manufacturer's Warranty - Labor5 years
Other
- UPC714346319657
Customer reviews
Rating 4.9 out of 5 stars with 149 reviews
(149 customer reviews)to a friend
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Closeout
||Posted . Owned for 3 weeks when reviewed.Just so happens the store had these on display. Bought the demo's at a heck of a price. Well over half price. Now I have B&W towers in front and in rear. And these being the rear surrounds. Will probably go with SVS for front height speakers, since b&W's are discontinued now. The series I have. Will be running 7.1.2 then.
I would recommend this to a friendRated 5 out of 5 stars
Amazing speakers
||Posted .Jerry at the Stockton store took me into the listening room, selected the speakers & receiver and turned it on. an acoustic guitar was playing, My first instinct was to look around and see who was playing. being a player myself I was blown away by the clarity & presence of these bookshelf speakers. More than I was planning to spend, by comparison to the other brands I wouldn't settle for anything less. I have already recommended to others to go see Jerry.
I would recommend this to a friendRated 5 out of 5 stars
Great rear surrounds.
||Posted .Sound amazing when combined with my 683 S2s and HTM62 S2.
I would recommend this to a friendRated 5 out of 5 stars
B&W Customer For Life
Posted .I normally don't even bother leaving reviews on items that I've purchased, but I felt compelled to for these B&W speakers. I got 2 of these bookshelf speakers as part of a 5.1 surround sound system from Best Buy about 6 months ago now. I was looking to upgrade from a Bose home theater system that I had been using for a few months that I was completely unimpressed with. Having put this B&W system to extensive use, I can honestly say that I've never been happier with a purchase decision in my life. Unfortunately for me, I doubt I'll get to cherish that blissful feeling ever again... These speakers are made using the highest quality, aerospace grade materials (like the "Rohacell" carbon-fibre reinforced Kevlar "cone" material...) in such a way that'll prevent them from losing their laser-precise sound quality for far longer than I'm likely to inhabit this world. It's unlikely I'll ever be provided the opportunity to replace them (with newer B&W speakers obviously), but worse things have happened though, right? Whether these speakers are blaring electronic dance music, belting out anthemic country tunes, harmonizing classical ensembles, or immersing an audience into the midst of a chaotic war-zone surrounded by the hiss of machine gun fire and the earth-shattering roar of mortar shell explosions -- Everything that comes out of these speakers sounds truly heavenly. The realism and clarity of sound that B&W speaker systems produce is down-right shocking. For example: On numerous occasions I've left TV shows playing in my living room while doing work in my study, heard a knock at my front door, opened the door expecting to welcome a guest, and then laughed when I realized that the sound actually emanated from my speakers during a scene in the TV show I'd left on. What's even more impressive though, is the fact that my dog started barking and ran to the door each time this happened too. He's a French Bulldog... Do you have any idea how MASSIVE their ears are!? Seriously, just do yourself a favor and go with B&W products. Your only regret will be the fact that nothing else you purchase will ever make you this happy again.
I would recommend this to a friendRated 4 out of 5 stars
Excellent Speakers for medium to small room
||Posted .These were the first of several pairs of speakers that I brought home to audition. I installed them in a stereo setup for music only, no surround. They received ample power from a vintage Carver M1.0t amp and I auditioned them entirely with CD's of various genres. My listing space is an off-set, medium size room where the speakers are placed on a shelf just above ear level and very near the rear wall. The forward facing ports on the B&W 686 S2 certainly help with the near-wall installation in keeping the base tight. These speakers image incredibly well, particularly given the less-than-ideal conditions of my listening space. I quickly forgot that I was listening to book shelf speakers and became completely immersed in the music. The highs were crisp, the base tight, and in the middle nothing less than perfect. So why only 4 out of 5 stars? Because as good as these are, I found that there are better speakers at a similar price point. At least better for my circumstances. If you're shopping in the $400 to $600 range I encourage you to explore your options, there are plenty. I landed on the Elac Uni-Fi UB5. Your space, your equipment, and your musical preferences are your own, so I encourage you to audition as many speakers as you can in your own home and don't pay too much attention to what everybody else likes.
I would recommend this to a friendRated 5 out of 5 stars
Excellent clarity, lovely sound
||Posted .These speakers are wonderful for music. I have not tried them for home theater. For music, the resolution is outstanding. For the price, these speakers delivery exceptional clarity and a lovely tonality. They are very easy to listen to to extended periods, and make you really enjoy the music. I also have KEF Q100 speakers, and I feel these are very comparable--both have different strengths and weaknesses, but both are outstanding speakers in the middle range of consumer audiophile speakers. These should be on the short list of anyone looking for clarity, balance, and lovely sound. These are not bass-heavy, so for home theater or for those who just love thumping bass, I would add a subwoofer.
I would recommend this to a friendRated 5 out of 5 stars
Just what I hoped they would be...
||Posted .I was looking for a new pair of bookshelf speakers to replace my aging Paradigm Titans. I went into the Magnolia section and into the audio room. I asked to listen to the B&Ws and was immediately floored. I came back to the store the next day and purchased them. My only concern was that they would be efficient enough to be driven by my restored 1959 Dynakit Stereo 70 amp. Well....no problem. They're still breaking in....the sound is still a little tight but it's getting better. They're almost there. They are as neutral as the day is long, and the soundstage is big, wide, and deep. I use them with a M&K subwoofer, so they don't have to handle the extreme low end. As a matter of fact, I'm using the muffling rings in the ports to cut down a bit on the low end. They just sound better that way in my listening environment. They are great little speakers. Highly recommended!!!
I would recommend this to a friendRated 5 out of 5 stars
When you need extra volume
||Posted .This is the 2nd set of speakers that I have purchased in the last few years. We all know that with the larger HD TV screens you need a method to amplify the volume from your TV. Don't pick something that can't be sufficiently turned up to accommodate larger rooms. Of course if you have a spouse that always has the volume up very loud this might be the speaker system to pick. The previous set of speakers were excellent but when my spouse turned up the volume to the extreme he blew the first set. He has had this set of speakers turned up to the point you need ear plugs of just leave the house and they are holding up just fine. I am glad we had options, these speakers are still reasonably low profile and fit well under the TV console.
I would recommend this to a friend
Q: QuestionDo the stands come with these
Asked by jojo.
- A:Answer No Stands are not included
Answered by MoMoney
Q: QuestionI have these speakers and need stands for them. What stands are recommended?
Asked by RayC.
- A:Answer We would recommend the STAV24.
Answered by Bowers & Wilkins Team
Q: QuestionDO YOU HAVE THESE SPEAKERS IN ANY BB STORE -- SO FAR WE HAVE NOT FOUND THEM IN ANY BB STORE ! WHY ARE THEY ON YOUR WEBSITE, IF THEY CANT BE PURCHASED ? THX
Asked by DH.
- A:Answer That model was discontinued in 2018. The replacement is a special order model that can quickly ordered and is found here: https://www.bestbuy.com/site/bowers-wilkins-600-series-5-passive-2-way-bookshelf-speakers-pair-white/6290633.p?skuId=6290633
Answered by Bowers & Wilkins Team