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Key Features
This Marantz Melody X M-CR612 All-in-one HiFi System with Bowers & Wilkins 606 S2 Anniversary Edition Speaker Package offers the range of smart connectivity and design features you need to establish a comprehensive home Hi-Fi system. While the Melody X provides the wide-ranging connectivity your system needs, the 606 S2 speakers bring sonic transparency and minimal aesthetic.
The Marantz Melody X M-CR612 is an all-in-one Amplifier and CD Player with built-in network streaming that includes support for popular services such as Spotify, Tidal and Apple Music. You can choose to wirelessly stream music to this device via Bluetooth, AirPlay 2 or Marantz’ smart app — HEOS. The latter of which allows the device to be integrated into a multi-room system throughout your home (when used with other HEOS-compatible products) providing that smart home feel. On top of this, Marantz have included a range of wired connectivity options such as a Stereo Phono/RCA connection, Digital Optical Input for your TV as well as DAB/FM Radio Antenna. You can even get two pairs of speakers connected with dedicated A and B speaker output channels, all from the Melody X M-CR612.
The Bowers & Wilkins 606 S2 Anniversary Edition Speaker is the lead stand-mount model from the 600 Series. Now in its seventh generation, the 606 S2 is an iconic addition to B&W's catalogue, with advancements to ensure lively, responsive and more accurate music and sound. This is guaranteed by the premium Continuum cones, an innovation first developed for the reference 800 series—the speakers favoured by sound engineers at Abbey Road Recording Studios for their precision and accuracy. A derivative of this initial design is now used in the 606 S2 in combination with a completely upgraded crossover section and Decouple Double Dome tweeters, producing a much more musical response than ever before. Bowers & Wilkins are a renowned British loudspeaker company, responsible for a class of speaker that even now, 25 years on, is still a standard for domestic HiFi audio.
Product Ref: 251680
"Combining style and simple operation with flexibility and striking performance, the Marantz ‘Melody’ series of compact systems has long been attracting plaudits – and the M-CR612, or ‘Melody X’, is its best yet."
2022 - Best standmount speaker £500-£750
"Still our ultimate choice at this size and price"
"The original 606 are fine speakers, but this new version is obviously better across the board. Considering the relatively minor engineering changes that’s a real surprise – but a thoroughly pleasant one."
“You will kick yourself if you forget to add the 606 to your shopping list. These speakers are energetic performers that deliver dynamics better than their form may suggest. The same goes for the excellently-weighted bass.”
The Marantz M-CR612 does it all. Enjoy your favourite CDs and FM/DAB+ radio or stream music across your home with HEOS compatibility. Simply download the free HEOS app on your phone or tablet and control your compatible HEOS devices all in one place. With access to TuneIn Internet radio on top of Spotify, SoundCloud, Napster, Deezer, and TIDAL you’re spoilt for choice. The M-CR612 is also compatible with AirPlay 2 and Bluetooth for further wireless connectivity between your devices.
Coming from Marantz, it is no surprise that the M-CR612 looks the way it does. Nothing says luxe quality quite like that glossy finish and clear digital display. The M-CR612 is also half-size making it much easier to situate in your home than larger amplifiers. Vertical lighting across the front panel accents the control buttons and enhances the product’s shiny appearance. Choose from a black or silver-gold finish to compliment your unique interior. Either way, Marantz specially selected all materials to promote the best sound delivery.
With four channels offering distortion-free digital audio amplification, you could drive two pairs of speakers and use a dedicated volume control for each pair. Alternatively, set your M-CR612 to channel all its power through one pair of speakers for double the drive. Bi-amp a set of compatible speakers for extra clarity between your high- and low-end frequencies.
By using one of the two digital audio inputs on the M-CR612, connect your TV or cable/satellite box and Blu-ray/DVD player. This will improve the sound quality of your source with greater dynamic range and detail. Once connected to your TV, the M-CR612 will automatically sense audio signal and wake from its hibernation. From here, programme the M-CR612 to work with your existing TV remote for volume adjustment and source selection.
Talk to your favourite AI assistants like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, or Apple Siri and let them adjust your M-CR612 settings wirelessly. Once paired, ask your selected assistant to skip, reverse, or pause the track as well as change the volume or inputs. Functionality may vary depending on your choice of voice assistant.
Since 1953 Marantz has developed a strong reputation as a designer of high-end audiophile equipment. They are seen as a dependable brand by music lovers across the globe. The quality and dependability of Marantz are embedded in the M-CR612 to continue the tradition of great listening experiences.
Accumulating more than half a century of industry knowledge since their founding in the late 1960s with 25 years of persistent development since the release of the 600 Series, Bowers & Wilkins has celebrated the tremendous milestone by unveiling the seventh generation of the classic model. Implementing technologies originally reserved for the reference 800 Series Diamond range—the speakers installed at the world-famous Abbey Road Studios in London—experience why Bowers & Wilkins are the favourite of so many.
Although at first glance the design may seem minimalistic, the finely-tuned engineering of the Bowers & Wilkins 606 S2 cannot be understated. Perhaps most importantly to performance, the crossover circuitry has been completely upgraded, with superior mid and high-frequency capacitors—originally used in the 700 Series Signature range speakers. This critical addition renders these bookshelf speakers with optimised transparency, able to exhibit a smoother harmonic performance, whilst still being available at a more accessible level.
If you need a centrepiece for your HiFi or compact home cinema system, Bowers & Wilkins are ready to deliver. Whilst only 19cm wide, comparatively slim for the larger bookshelf speaker of a range, the 606 S2 is deep. This makes for a bigger, harder-hitting sound than the 607 S2 and with room to breathe, a great choice if you’re looking for a dynamic sound system. The trim lines and uniform angles of the cabinet also help the speaker to blend in with a wide range of environments, with three neutral finishes: Black, Oak and White.
A through-line of the 600 Series is its Decoupled Double Dome tweeter. Through analysis of speaker performance and stress, B&W has implemented key reinforcements at weak points in the dome using lightweight materials such as aluminium. The tweeter is decoupled from the cabinet by a gel-like band, fundamentally separating it from cabinet reverberations. The result is a breakup frequency pushed as high as 38kHz, as well as greater accuracy.
An eye-catching feature of the 606 S2 Anniversary Edition is its 6.5” midrange driver, but it's not just looks that make this such an appealing piece of technology. Originally developed for their reference level 800 Series speakers, Bowers & Wilkins use exclusive Continuum™ drivers to deliver a sense of consistent, coherent performance. FST™ (Fixed Suspension Transducers) are also reactive, with higher resistance to external vibrations.
The Bowers & Wilkins Flowport™ is another key feature of the 600 Series, with a pattern that’s far more than just a propensity for polka dots. With similar principles to golf ball design, the dimples help to reduce drag as air is forced from the cabinet. This bolsters bass response as well as diminishes the effect of turbulence on the 606. You can also use the included double cylindrical port bung to tighten bass to your liking.
Maximum dimensions (W x D x H) | 280 x 303 x 111 mm |
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Weight | 3.4 kg |
Packaged dimensions (W x D x H) | 387 x 367 x 229 mm |
Packaged weight (inc. product) | 4.9 kg |
High quality power output | 2x 60 W / 4x 30 W |
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CD compatibility | CD / CD-R/RW / WMA / MP3 |
Tuner: DAB / DAB+ / DMB-A / FM (RDS) / AM | Yes / Yes / Yes / No |
Network audio streaming | Yes |
Spotify Connect / Tidal / Deezer / others | Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes |
Amazon Prime Music / Pandora | Yes / Yes |
AirPlay 2 | Yes |
Internet radio | Yes |
HEOS multiroom & streaming | Yes |
Voice control - works with Amazon Alexa | Yes |
Voice control - Google Assist / Apple Siri | Yes / Yes |
Voice control - microphone built-in | No |
Auto power on by optical input signal | Yes |
TV remote learning | Yes |
Bluetooth / aptX / NFCo | Yes / No / No |
USB audio: front / rear | No / Yes |
USB-A: DSD / WAV / FLAC / AIFF / ALAC | 5.6 / 192 / 192 / No / 192 |
Wi-Fi built-in / ethernet | Yes / Yes |
Wi-Fi sharing / WPS | Yes / Yes |
Lossy formats | MP3 / WMA / AAC |
Lossless formats | FLAC HD 192 / ALAC 192 / WAV 192 / DSD 2.8 |
Gapless playback | Yes (FLAC, WAV, DSD) |
Tone control | Bass / treble / balance [-] Yes / Yes / Yes |
Low noise OELD display | 3 Line |
Illuminated front | On / off selectable |
Clock | Yes |
Sleep timer | Yes |
Programmable timer: Once / daily | Yes / Yes |
Analogue in / out | 1 / 1 |
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Digital optical in / out | 2 / 0 |
Subwoofer pre-out | Yes |
Main pre-out | AUX assignable |
Speaker terminal | Screw |
Headphone out | Yes |
Speaker A / B | Yes (individual volume) |
Bi-amping | Yes |
Parallel BTL | Yes |
Powered multi-room for extra room | Yes |
Power output (6 ohm, 1kHz) | 60 W |
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Number of channels | 2 |
Frequency response (analogue in) | 10 Hz - 40 kHz |
Signal-to-noise ratio (audio) | 90 dB |
Total harmonic distortion (audio) | 0.1 |
Receiving range (Band III) | Yes |
Signal-to-noise ratio DAB (Mono/Stereo) | 95 dB |
Total harmonic distortion DAB | 0.02 |
Frequency response DAB | 20Hz - 20 kHz |
Stereo separation DAB | 75 dB |
Frequency range FM | 87.5-108 MHz |
Signal-to-noise ratio (Mono/Stereo) FM | 74 / 70 dB |
Total harmonic distortion (Mono/Stereo) FM | 0.4 / 0.4 |
Power consumption | 55 W |
Standby consumption | 0.3 W |
Cabinet Dimensions (W x D x H) | 190 x 300 x 345mm |
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Depth (including protrusions) | With grille and terminals: 324mm |
Net weight | 6.9kg |
Technical features | Decoupled Double Dome aluminium tweeterContinuum™ coneFST™ midrangeFlowport™ |
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Description | 2-way vented-box system |
Drive units | 1x Ø25 mm (1 in) Aluminium dome high-frequency1x Ø165mm (6.5 in) Continuum™ cone bass / midrange |
Frequency range | -6dB at 40Hz and 33kHz |
Frequency response | 52Hz - 28kHz ±3dB |
Sensitivity | 88dB spl (2.83V, 1m) |
Harmonic distortion | 2nd and 3rd harmonics (90dB, 1m)<1% 100Hz - 22kHz<0.5% 150Hz - 20kHz |
Nominal impedance | 8Ω (minimum 3.7Ω) |
Recommended amplifier power | 30W - 120W into 8Ω on unclipped programme |
Product code | FP42536 |
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Available finishes | Black (with black grille)White (with grey grille)Oak (with grey grille) |
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