While there are numerous sound bars in the market, the Bowers & Wilkins Formation Bar stands out with its impressive features and immersive sound quality. With its three double dome tweeters and six glass-fiber bass/midrange drivers, this sound bar delivers clear and room-filling audio.
In addition, it offers synchronized multi-room audio, high-resolution sound, and seamless connectivity options. In this review, we will delve into the details of the Bowers & Wilkins Formation Bar, exploring its capabilities and potential for creating a high-performance wireless surround sound system.
Key Takeaways
- The Bowers & Wilkins Formation Bar is a 3-channel soundbar that delivers immersive, room-filling sound and clear, crisp dialogues.
- It supports synchronized multi-room audio and offers a high-resolution sound experience with its 24-bit/96kHz sound resolution.
- The soundbar features optical digital audio input and supports Dolby Digital, as well as built-in Bluetooth 4.1, Apple AirPlay 2, and Wi-Fi for easy music streaming from mobile or computer.
- The Bowers & Wilkins Formation Bar is compatible with the B&W Music App, popular music streaming services, and offers voice control with Alexa. It can also be integrated into a complete home theater setup with additional components like a wireless subwoofer and rear surround speakers.
Sound Bar Overview
The Bowers & Wilkins Formation Bar is a high-quality sound bar that offers immersive sound and a range of features for a superior audio experience. With its three-channel configuration and dedicated center channel, it delivers clear and crisp dialogues, making it perfect for enhancing your TV’s audio.
The sound bar’s six 2.5 glass-fiber bass/midrange drivers and three double dome tweeters create an immersive, room-filling sound that will bring your favorite movies and music to life. Additionally, the Formation Bar supports 24-bit/96kHz sound resolution, ensuring high-quality audio playback.
It also offers various connectivity options, including optical digital audio input, built-in Bluetooth 4.1, Apple AirPlay 2, and Wi-Fi, allowing for seamless music streaming from your mobile or computer. And with Alexa compatibility, you can even control the sound bar with your voice.
Deailed featured and specification
Featuring a range of detailed features and specifications, the Bowers & Wilkins Formation Bar offers a comprehensive audio solution for immersive sound. With its 3-channel sound bar design, it delivers a powerful and room-filling audio experience. The Formation Bar is equipped with three 1-inch double dome tweeters and six 2.5-inch glass-fiber bass/midrange drivers, ensuring clear and crisp dialogues. It also has a dedicated center channel for enhanced vocal clarity. The sound bar supports 24-bit/96kHz sound resolution and Dolby Digital for a truly immersive audio experience. Additionally, it offers various connectivity options including optical digital audio input, built-in Bluetooth 4.1, Apple AirPlay 2, and Wi-Fi. With the Bowers & Wilkins Music App, users can stream music from multiple sources and enjoy compatibility with popular streaming services like Spotify, Tidal, and more. The Formation Bar can also be integrated into a home theater setup by adding the Formation Bass wireless powered subwoofer and Formation Flex speakers for a complete surround sound system.
| Features | Specifications | Compatibility |
|---|---|---|
| 3-channel sound bar | Product dimensions: 49 x 4 x 4 inches | B&W Music App for iOS/Android |
| 3 double dome tweeters | Item weight: 17.6 pounds | Bluetooth 4.1, AirPlay 2, Wi-Fi support |
| 6 glass-fiber bass/midrange drivers | Manufacturer: Bowers & Wilkins | Compatible with popular streaming services |
| Dedicated center channel | ASIN: B081QQFL15 | Alexa compatibility for voice control |
| Immersive, room-filling sound | Item model number: Formation Bar | Additional wireless streaming services |
| Clear, crisp dialogues | Customer reviews: 3.6 out of 5 stars | |
| Synchronized multi-room audio | ||
| 24-bit/96kHz sound resolution | ||
| Optical digital audio input | ||
| Dolby Digital support | ||
| Built-in Bluetooth 4.1, Apple AirPlay 2 & Wi-Fi | ||
| Music streaming from mobile or computer | ||
| Voice control with Alexa | ||
| Conversion of existing system to wireless streaming ecosystem |
Comparision with other soundbars
With its advanced features and exceptional audio quality, the Bowers & Wilkins Formation Bar stands out among other soundbars in the market. Its three-channel design, consisting of three double dome tweeters and six glass-fiber bass/midrange drivers, delivers immersive and room-filling sound. The dedicated center channel ensures clear and crisp dialogues, enhancing the overall listening experience.
Additionally, the Formation Bar offers synchronized multi-room audio, allowing users to enjoy music throughout their homes. In terms of connectivity, it supports optical digital audio input, Dolby Digital, and has built-in Bluetooth 4.1, Apple AirPlay 2, and Wi-Fi capabilities. The Bowers & Wilkins Formation Bar also seamlessly integrates with popular music streaming services and offers voice control with Alexa.
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Pros and Cons
However, while the Bowers & Wilkins Formation Bar offers impressive sound quality and advanced features, it does have its share of pros and cons. One of the pros of the Formation Bar is its immersive sound, providing a room-filling experience that enhances the overall audio quality. Additionally, the clear and crisp dialogues make it ideal for watching movies and TV shows.
The synchronized multi-room audio feature allows users to enjoy music throughout their home, creating a seamless listening experience. On the other hand, some cons include potential connectivity issues mentioned in negative customer reviews. Durability concerns have also been raised by some customers. While the Formation Bar offers impressive sound and features, it is important to consider these pros and cons before making a purchase decision.
Concluding Thoughts
In summary, after considering the pros and cons of the Bowers & Wilkins Formation Bar, it is evident that this sound bar offers an immersive audio experience and advanced features, but potential connectivity issues and durability concerns should be taken into account before making a purchase decision.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| – Immersive and room-filling sound | – Potential connectivity issues |
| – Clear and crisp dialogues | – Durability concerns |
| – Synchronized multi-room audio | |
| – High-resolution sound | |
| – Easy music streaming and compatibility | |
| – Voice control with Alexa | |
| – Conversion of existing system to wireless streaming ecosystem |
Despite its impressive sound quality and convenient features, the Bowers & Wilkins Formation Bar has received mixed reviews from customers, with some reporting issues with connectivity and durability. Therefore, it is important for potential buyers to weigh the benefits against the potential drawbacks and consider their specific needs and preferences before deciding to invest in this sound bar.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Bowers & Wilkins Formation Bar offers an immersive audio experience with its impressive features and high-quality sound. With its multi-room audio capabilities and compatibility with popular streaming services, it provides a convenient and seamless music streaming experience.
While it may be compared to other soundbars in the market, the Formation Bar stands out for its clarity and room-filling sound. Overall, it is a great option for enhancing your home theater setup and creating a high-performance wireless surround sound system.
