Bowers & Wilkins Formation Duo Wireless
Bookshelf LoudspeakerProduct Gallery
Product Overview
Bowers & Wilkins Formation Duo is a pair of premium wireless loudspeakers that share the design elements of the 800 Series Diamond but are driven by Carbon Dome tweeters and Continuum mid-woofers.
Part of the new Formation lineup introduced by B&W in 2019, the Formation Duo is the only model that lends the series credence to HiFi enthusiasts. Like other speakers in the Formation series, the Duo can be used with either Bluetooth or WiFi.
The Formation Duo supports B&W's proprietary WiFi mesh system that uses 2.4GHz for streaming from the source and 5GHz among Formation devices: this allows for ultra-low latency when paired with other speakers or the Audio streamer in the Formation range.
Other models in the Formation series include the Wedge (stand-alone speaker), Bar (soundbar), Bass (subwoofer), Audio (wireless streamer), and Flex (compact speaker).
Ratings
What we found
Pros
- Integrates with B&W's MESH system
- Excellent sound quality
- Wireless streaming
Cons
- Nothing in particular
What external reviewers found
External score 84%
Pros
- Superb sound
- Excellent build quality
- Decent sound quality
Cons
- No AirPlay support
- No remote control
- No multiroom functionality
- Expensive for what it offers
- No stand included
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Specifications
Related Products
External Reviews
hifichoice[1]
Reviewer score 85% (normalized by Neofiliac)The Duo has a potency and immediacy that is subtly different from a passive ported speaker. Each strike is deep and makes Bowers & Wilkins’ claim of reaching down to 25Hz entirely believable. The balance the Duo strikes between delivering great recordings with all of their fidelity intact is a notable success.
Pros
- Impressive sound quality
- Excellent build quality
Cons
- Expensive for what it offers
parttimeaudiophile[2]
Reviewer score 86% (normalized by Neofiliac)For package this size, they did not disappoint. If I closed my eyes, I would how expect these speakers to be 3 to 4 times in size. At $4,000 USD per pair, these bookshelves are not cheap and do not include stands (offered for an additional $799). Ouch.
Pros
- Excellent low-frequency reproduction
- Easy to set up and use
- Excellent build quality
Cons
- No stand included
t3[3]
Reviewer score 84% (normalized by Neofiliac)Formation Duo is one of the more unique-looking speaker systems around. Thanks to Bowers & Wilkins’ trademark tweeter-on-top design and beautifully perforated front metal grilles, they’re just as much a piece of sculptural art as they are functional speakers. Easy to set up and use, thanks to the dedicated Formation Set-up app, which provides clear instructions and allows the speakers and Formation Audio-connected devices to pair quickly and easily.
Pros
- Sleek, minimalist design
- Superb sound
- Excellent connectivity options
Cons
- No remote control
- No HDMI eARC
trustedreviews[4]
Reviewer score 78% (normalized by Neofiliac)The Formation Duo can be used with the FS Duo stand (£699) You’re likely to get a better performance with the speaker placed on the stand, since they ensure the units are at the correct height for listening. Despite the rollout of Bluetooth 5.0, the Duo goes as far as Bluetooth v4.1. with Wi-Fi, Apple AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect and Bluetooth. The speaker is Roon Ready too, and formats aptX HD, AAC and SBC are supported.
Pros
- Comfortable to use
- Decent sound quality
Cons
- No remote control
whathifi[5]
Reviewer score 91% (normalized by Neofiliac)Both Spotify Connect and Apple Airplay 2 are built in, so the Formation Duo speakers will appear in Spotify and most other streaming apps. If you're using an Android phone or an app that's not AirPlay compatible, you can still send music to the Duo speakers using Bluetooth, right up to the higher quality aptX HD standard if your player supports it.
Pros
- Grippy, punchy sound
- Excellent build quality
- Easy to use
Cons
- No AirPlay support
- No multiroom functionality
Also Check
References
- ^ Bowers & Wilkins Formation Duo/Audio. [hifichoice].
- ^ Bowers and Wilkins Formation Duo Loudspeakers | REVIEW. [parttimeaudiophile].
- ^ Bowers & Wilkins Formation Duo review: mind-blowing stereo speakers for streaming. [t3].
- ^ Hands on: B&W Formation Duo Review. [trustedreviews].
- ^ Bowers & Wilkins Formation Duo review. [whathifi].
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