Description

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The Bowers & Wilkins (B&W) 686 is the most compact speaker in the original 600 Series lineup. Designed primarily for smaller rooms or as part of a surround sound system, it balances high-end engineering with a space-saving footprint.
Here are the main keys you should know about this model:
1. Iconic Driver Technology
The 686 features B&W’s signature materials that define their "house sound":
Kevlar Mid/Bass Driver: The 5-inch yellow woven Kevlar cone is designed to dissipate standing waves, resulting in a cleaner midrange and punchy (though not deep) bass.
Nautilus Tapering Tube: The 1-inch aluminum dome tweeter uses a tube-loading system borrowed from the high-end Nautilus series. This absorbs unwanted radiation from the rear of the diaphragm for clearer high frequencies.
2. Design and Build
Compact Dimensions: At roughly 10.4 inches tall, it fits easily on bookshelves or small stands.
Front-Firing Flowport: Unlike many small speakers with rear ports, the 686 has a front-firing port. This makes it much more placement-friendly, allowing you to position it close to a wall without the bass becoming "boomy."
Bi-Wire Terminals: It includes dual sets of binding posts, allowing for bi-wiring or bi-amping to squeeze out extra detail.
3. Sound Characteristics
Clarity over Power: These speakers excel at vocal reproduction and acoustic instruments. They offer a wide soundstage and impressive "imaging" (the ability to hear exactly where instruments are placed).
Power Hungry: Despite their size, they have a lower sensitivity (around 84dB). To get them to "sing," you’ll need a decent amplifier with good current delivery; they don't perform their best with budget, low-powered receivers.