Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.
What reviewers think
Bloggers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below. Links to full reviews follow.
Product Strengths
- Design is beautiful and stylish, with a unique cylindrical shape and high-end class
- Excellent clarity, richness, and a wide front soundstage, particularly with music
- The Formation Suite makes it easy to set up and operate, with its own mesh wireless network, and the B&W Home app is user-friendly
- Formation Bass delivers impressive bass performance and can fill a large room with accurate musical bass
- Supports Apple AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, and Bluetooth, and is Roon Ready
Product Considerations
- The Formation Bar lacks HDMI connectivity, limiting it to Dolby Digital via optical input and preventing support for lossless audio and immersive formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X
- No included remote control, and reliance on the Formation app for primary control can be irritating
- The bass performance of the Formation Bar alone is limited, requiring the additional Formation Bass subwoofer for deep bass depth
- Stereo imaging isn't great, as the center channel is active on 2-channel playback and seems to carry the bulk of the vocal presentation
- The Formation Bar can enter a deep sleep state and reset the volume to a low level after being idle for several days
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Sennheiser's AMBEO and GoldenEar's SuperCinema 3D Array XL, the Formation Bar and Bass are comparable, being high-end, audiophile-grade soundbars
Takeaway: The Bowers & Wilkins Formation Bar and Bass offer a unique design and exceptional sound quality, especially for music, and the user-friendly setup. If ease of use and a modern aesthetic are valued, this system could be worth it despite its input limitations and the need for the separate subwoofer.
What are hifi reviews useful for? (1) Identifying products you should demo in person at a dealer. (2) Learning which products reviewers unanimously praise as the best they've heard (this means they probably are legitimately great). (3) Identifying a product's attributes that satisfy your idiosyncratic needs and tastes. Beyond that, we often discount what reviewers say because they heap praise on most products—and are often apprehensive about publishing strong criticism or comparisons between products. Further, they seldom have more than a few products on-hand, often relying on their memories to compare past products. Always listen for yourself.
All
Formation Bar
reviews
[{"title":"BOWERS & WILKINS FORMATION SUITE 5.1 Review - Will movies fly in Formation? « 7Review","link":"https://7review.com/bowers-wilkins-formation-suite-5-1-review","source":"7 Review","datePublished":"2020"},{"title":"Bowers & Wilkins Formation Bar Soundbar Review","link":"https://hificentre.com/blogs/news/bowers-wilkins-formation-bar-soundbar-review?srsltid=AfmBOooe3xC4A-Im8R-izVnzB33NdpdE_dwfXbIOAw9E5EFh0AvulOJD","source":"Hifi Centre","datePublished":""},{"title":"Bowers & Wilkins Formation Bar with Formation Bass - HomeTheaterReview","link":"https://hometheaterreview.com/bowers-wilkins-formation-bar-with-formation-bass","source":"Home Theater Review","datePublished":"2019"},{"title":"Bowers & Wilkins Formation Bar Review","link":"https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/bowers-wilkins-formation-bar","source":"PC Mag","datePublished":"2019"},{"title":"Bowers & Wilkins Formation Bar review: Style over substance?","link":"https://www.pocket-lint.com/speakers/reviews/bowers-and-wilkins/152024-bowers-and-wilkins-formation-bar-review","source":"Pocket Lint","datePublished":"2020"},{"title":"Bowers & Wilkins NEW Formation BAR & BASS HiFi Soundbar Subwoofer DEMO & REVIEW","link":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBxRtEZYUzU","source":"Pursuit Perfect System","datePublished":"2020"},{"title":"BOWERS & WILKINS FORMATION BAR Review « Reviewary","link":"https://reviewary.com/bowers-wilkins-formation-bar-review","source":"Reviewary","datePublished":"2020"},{"title":"Bowers and Wilkins Formation Bar and Bass Review - HomeTheaterHifi.com","link":"https://hometheaterhifi.com/reviews/speaker/soundbars/bowers-and-wilkins-formation-bar-and-bass-review","source":"Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity","datePublished":"2019"},{"title":"Bowers & Wilkins Formation Wireless Surround Speaker System Review | Sound & Vision","link":"https://www.soundandvision.com/content/bowers-wilkins-formation-wireless-surround-speaker-system-review","source":"Sound & Vision","datePublished":"2019"},{"title":"First Impressions: Bowers & Wilkins Formation Series","link":"https://www.stereonet.com/uk/features/first-impressions-bowers-wilkins-formation-series","source":"StereoNET","datePublished":""},{"title":"B&W Formation Bar review: Stylish but lacks features | Trusted Reviews","link":"https://www.trustedreviews.com/reviews/bw-formation-bar-bass","source":"Trusted Reviews","datePublished":""},{"title":"Hands on: B&W Formation Bar and Formation Bass review","link":"https://www.whathifi.com/reviews/bandw-formation-bar-and-formation-bass","source":"What Hi-Fi?","datePublished":""}]
An excellent review of a great product
/
Publisher
/
3/1/2022
An excellent review of a great product
Publisher
/
3/1/2022
Video Review
Manufacturer details
Features
Specifications
- Net weight: 5.5kg (12.1 lb)
- Dimensions (HxWxD): 109mm x 1240mm x 107mm (4.3 in x 48.8 in x 4.2 in)
- Drive units: 3 x 25mm (1 in) Double dome tweeter, 6 x 65 mm (2.6 in) Woven glass fibre cone bass/midrange
- Frequency response: 40Hz to 28kHz
- Input voltage: 100V – 240V – 50/60Hz
- Power consumption: Below 6 Watts (Sleep)
- Connections: Digital audio in (Toslink), Network (RJ45 Ethernet or WiFi), USB – service only
- Bluetooth: v4.1, Class 2 aptX HD AAC SBC
Description
The power and definition to immerse you in your favorite movie soundtracks or bring your music to life, with the discreet good looks to fit into any home. Formation Bar will put you right at the heart of the action.
Release Timeline
Manufacturer Site
Brand highlights
Taking a step back to look at reviewers' thoughts of the brand's entire lineup—not just this product—what stands out most is the following:
- They consistently produce clear and crisp sound, often exceeding expectations for soundbars, making them a reliable choice for audio fidelity.
- Bowers & Wilkins products, particularly soundbars, are known for their elegant and minimalistic designs, often featuring high-quality materials like Nappa leather, aluminum, and unique mesh fabrics. This blend of aesthetics and functionality aims to seamlessly integrate into any room decor.
Select products
Select product comparisons
600 Series
- Positioning: The entry-level range in the Bowers & Wilkins lineup, designed to offer high-quality sound at an affordable price.
- Description: Praised for its affordability and the inclusion of the Titanium Dome tweeter, which provides clear and detailed high frequencies. Compared to the more expensive 700 Series, offers a more accessible entry point for those who want good sound quality without the premium price tag.
700 Series
- Positioning: Sits above the 600 Series, offering a step-up in performance and design, drawing on technologies from the flagship 800 Series.
- Description: Notable for its use of the Carbon Dome tweeter and Continuum cone. This series provides a more expansive soundstage than the 600 Series.
Signature Series
- Positioning: Represents a premium offering within the Bowers & Wilkins lineup, featuring enhanced versions of existing models with unique finishes and optimized components.
- Description: Distinguished by its luxurious design and tuning, offering superior sound clarity and detail. It builds on the 700 Series with further refinements and exclusive finishes.
Nautilus
- Positioning: The flagship model of Bowers & Wilkins, known for its iconic design and groundbreaking technology.
- Description: Celebrated for its unique spiral design and advanced acoustic technologies, such as the tapered damping tubes that minimize distortion. It stands apart from other models with its unparalleled sound quality and artistic design. This model is best suited for dedicated listening rooms where its full potential can be realized.
See All Products
Avg. Product Price
$1,001-$2,500
Used For Sale
382
Available (Scroll Down)
Brand Popularity
3
of 900+
Badges
Top 50 Brand
Top 250 Brand
Products Listed
45
Founding Year
1966
Our take on the brand
Bowers & Wilkins pioneered the use of Kevlar fibers in speaker cones and developed the Matrix cabinet design, which significantly reduces cabinet resonance and sound coloration. Their Nautilus speaker, introduced in 1993, features the distinctive Nautilus tube tweeter design that minimizes sound resonance, while their dedicated Steyning Research facility has produced breakthroughs like the Continuum cone for improved audio transparency.
Look inside the brand
Brand Page
Our interview with the brand
What are two key technological innovations or strong opinions that differ you from other brands?
What's your approach to customer support?
What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?
What other products pair best with yours?
From our interview with
.
Brand Page
Used
Bowers & Wilkins
All of the Brand's Used Products
What if you spend more?
No items found.
What competes at this price?
Sonos
Ray (Immersive Set)
1056
/
Released
2022
Level up your viewing and listening experiences with immersive surround sound powered by this compact soundbar, subwoofer, and pair of rear satellite speakers.
Sonos pioneered multi-room wireless audio with their proprietary SonosNet mesh network, which ensures synchronized streaming across multiple speakers without relying on traditional Wi-Fi. Their products feature Trueplay technology that automatically tunes speakers to room acoustics, while supporting multiple voice assistants and streaming services across their platform-agnostic ecosystem.
Expand Details
.svg)
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Clear and detailed audio, enhancing dialogue clarity significantly over TV speakers
- Compact size and aesthetic design make it suitable for smaller TVs (around 40-50 inches) and rooms, with flexible placement options
- Integrates seamlessly into the Sonos ecosystem, offering user-friendly operation and a cohesive app for control and setup
- Versatile connectivity through Wi-Fi and Apple Airplay 2, enabling wireless music streaming and integration with other Sonos speakers
Product Considerations
- Limited bass performance, potentially requiring a separate subwoofer for a more immersive experience
- Only connects to TVs via an optical port, lacking HDMI ARC and the ability to support higher quality audio formats
- Absence of Bluetooth connectivity, limiting its versatility for direct connections with devices
- Soundstage is narrower compared to wider soundbars, which may not provide as immersive a listening experience, although it does output in stereo
- The use of an optical connection means users have to go through an additional setup process so that their TV's remote can adjust the volume on it
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Sonos Beam Gen 2: Offers a more affordable entry point into the Sonos ecosystem, sacrificing some features of the Beam Gen 2—such as Dolby Atmos and HDMI connectivity
- Vs Roku Streambar Pro: Has similar audio performance but fewer connectivity options
Takeaway: The Sonos Ray is a compact and stylish soundbar that noticeably upgrades the sound quality of the TV, especially for dialogue. Its integration with the Sonos ecosystem makes it a great choice for those looking to expand their multi-room audio setup.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Sonos pioneered multi-room wireless audio with their proprietary SonosNet mesh network, which ensures synchronized streaming across multiple speakers without relying on traditional Wi-Fi. Their products feature Trueplay technology that automatically tunes speakers to room acoustics, while supporting multiple voice assistants and streaming services across their platform-agnostic ecosystem.
Product Page
Product Page
How to buy
Soundbars
Search all hifi products
Explore our database of 10,000+ new and 25,000+ used hifi products.
