Short answer: the Bowers & Wilkins 607 S3. It ranks #65 of 168 bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 3.6/5, at $1,000; the Q Acoustics 5010 ranks #71, rated 3.5/5, at $999.50. With prices this close, go by the sound-quality ranking rather than the cost.
Why pick the Bowers & Wilkins 607 S3: The current smallest 600 Series speaker, with a 5” Continuum cone and a 1” decoupled double dome titanium tweeter, rated 52Hz to 28kHz. Watch for: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared directly with measured speakers; the rating is estimated from its measured predecessor.
The case for the Q Acoustics 5010: Compact 2-way standmount speaker in the 5000 Series featuring a 4.5-inch C3 Continuous Curved Cone mid/bass driver and hermetically sealed 1-inch tweeter. The tradeoff: Rating estimated based on 5000 series sibling testing.
Buy the Bowers & Wilkins 607 S3. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $0.50 saving on the Q Acoustics 5010 is not enough to make up the difference.
About the ratings: neither speaker has been measured yet, so both ratings are estimated from measured siblings and predecessors (likely ranges: Bowers & Wilkins 607 S3 3.3 to 3.9; Q Acoustics 5010 3.3 to 3.7). Treat this verdict as provisional.
Want more options? Browse the full Passive Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Bowers & Wilkins 607 S3 | Q Acoustics 5010 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1,000 per pair | $999.50 per pair |
| Ranked | #65 of 168 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers Estimated | #71 of 168 in Medium Size Bookshelf Speakers Estimated |
| Weight | 10.3 lbs (4.65 kg) | 12.3 lbs (5.6 kg) each |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 52Hz (manufacturer specified) | - |
| Drivers | 1” titanium decoupled double dome tweeter, 5” Continuum cone mid/bass | 1.0” (25mm) decoupled tweeter, 4.5” (110mm) C3 Continuous Curved Cone mid/bass |
| Frequency Response | 52Hz-28kHz (manufacturer specified) | 56Hz - 30kHz (-6dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 84dB (manufacturer specified) | 86.3dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) | 6 ohms nominal, 3.9 ohms minimum (manufacturer specified) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported | - |
| Dimensions | 11.8”H x 6.5”W x 8.1”D (300 x 165 x 207 mm) | 10.4”H x 6.3”W x 10.4”D (264 x 160 x 263 mm) |
| DIY Kit | No | No |
| Bass Extension (-6dB) | - | 56Hz (manufacturer specified) |
Related Speaker Comparisons
More top alternatives to Bowers & Wilkins 607 S3:
- PSB Imagine B50 vs Bowers & Wilkins 607 S3
- Bowers & Wilkins 607 S3 vs Dayton Audio OPAL1
- Q Acoustics 5010 vs Q Acoustics 5020
- Q Acoustics 5090 vs Q Acoustics 5010
- Q Acoustics 5050 vs Q Acoustics 5010
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Bowers & Wilkins 607 S3: $1,000 per pair Estimated Audio Advisor eBay
Older models: the Bowers & Wilkins 686 S2 (ranked higher, rated 3.8/5) and the Bowers & Wilkins 607 S2 Anniversary Edition (ranked lower, rated 3.5/5). See every Bowers & Wilkins 600 Series generation.
Same family: the Bowers & Wilkins 606 S3 (larger bookshelf, estimated 3.9/5), the Bowers & Wilkins 603 S3 (floorstanding, estimated 4.1/5) and the Bowers & Wilkins HTM6 S3 (center, estimated 3.4/5).
Pros: The current smallest 600 Series speaker, with a 5” Continuum cone and a 1” decoupled double dome titanium tweeter, rated 52Hz to 28kHz.
Cons: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared directly with measured speakers; the rating is estimated from its measured predecessor. Sensitivity is a low 84dB, so it wants a reasonably powerful amplifier.
Full Bowers & Wilkins 607 S3 review and specifications →
| Released | Sep 2023 (3 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 52Hz (manufacturer specified) |
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 11.8”H x 6.5”W x 8.1”D (300 x 165 x 207 mm) |
| Drivers | 1” titanium decoupled double dome tweeter, 5” Continuum cone mid/bass |
| Frequency Response | 52Hz-28kHz (manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 8 ohms nominal (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 84dB (manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 10.3 lbs (4.65 kg) |
| Woofer Cabinet | ported |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Q Acoustics 5010: $999.50 per pair Estimated Amazon eBay
Same family: the Q Acoustics 5020 (larger bookshelf, ranked lower, rated 2.2/5), the Q Acoustics 5040 (smaller floorstanding, rated 4.1/5), the Q Acoustics 5050 (larger floorstanding, estimated 4.3/5) and the Q Acoustics 5090 (center, estimated 3.7/5).
Pros: Compact 2-way standmount speaker in the 5000 Series featuring a 4.5-inch C3 Continuous Curved Cone mid/bass driver and hermetically sealed 1-inch tweeter. Provides low harmonic distortion and clean off-axis directivity matching the tested Q Acoustics 5020 sibling.
Cons: Rating estimated based on 5000 series sibling testing. Modest low-frequency cutoff of 56Hz (-6dB) and 86.3dB sensitivity make it best suited for smaller listening environments or nearfield setups.
Full Q Acoustics 5010 review and specifications →
| Bass Extension (-6dB) | 56Hz (manufacturer specified) |
|---|---|
| DIY Kit | No |
| Dimensions | 10.4”H x 6.3”W x 10.4”D (264 x 160 x 263 mm) |
| Drivers | 1.0” (25mm) decoupled tweeter, 4.5” (110mm) C3 Continuous Curved Cone mid/bass |
| Frequency Response | 56Hz - 30kHz (-6dB, manufacturer specified) |
| Impedance | 6 ohms nominal, 3.9 ohms minimum (manufacturer specified) |
| Sensitivity | 86.3dB (2.83V/1m, manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 12.3 lbs (5.6 kg) each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons