OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
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REVIEWS
Scored using Soundbars Methodology v2.0
Soundbars Methodology v2.0
Mathematical & Unbiased Scoring
Products in this category are scored under Frontum Soundbars Methodology v2.0: technical specifications plus grades from 1,310 independent expert reviews and 1,704 video reviews, with 0% commercial bias.
Explore Soundbars Methodology v2.0

Bowers Wilkins Formation Bar Review | 109 Data compared

Avg. price:~£1,100N. of audio channels:3.0Audio output power:240 WHDMI ARC type:none

Bowers Wilkins Formation Bar Review: Compare 109 technical specifications and 15 expert reviews to see how this product ranks in the Soundbars category and whether it is worth buying.

Bowers Wilkins Formation Bar
6.0/10

Overall score

Score
6.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the soundbar's quality, based on technical analyses and grades from independent expert reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best soundbars on the market.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 67% of models
Score components

95%

5.9

Technical score

5%

7.6

Reviews score

Reviews score 5% · 7.6 · based on 15 independent reviews
Every model in this category gets the same split: reviews 5%, technical score 95%. This model has enough reviews, so its review score is the weighted average of their grades.
â–²Better than 67% of soundbars
5.6

Value for money

Value for money
5.6/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the soundbar's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a soundbar with a good balance between audio quality, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 98% of models
Score components

70%

6.0

Overall score

30%

4.7

Price

â–¼Worse than 98%
5.9

Technical score

Technical score
5.9/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of the soundbar's technical performance, covering key areas such as audio quality, channel configuration, connectivity, HDMI and wireless features, and design.
When it matters
When you want to compare soundbars based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 67% of models
Score components

25%

6.6

Audio

18%

4.7

Formats

16%

6.3

Connectivity

14%

6.6

Controls

12%

4.2

HDMI & Gaming

10%

7.8

Smart features

5%

3.1

Design

â–²Better than 67%
7.6

Reviews score

Reviews score
7.6/ 10
✕
What it is
Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
How we count it
Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves.
Weighting: Big test sites count more, short reviews half as much as full tests. A video review counts half.
Share: Reviews are 5% of the overall score for every model in this category; each of the 2 needed reviews that is missing counts as 7/10.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 64% of models
Grades by review (15)
15 reviews: 8 with a printed score, 7 estimated from the review. Share in the overall score: 5%, the same for every model in this category.
User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
â–¼Worse than 64%
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Where to buy
*As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of soundbar Bowers Wilkins Formation Bar

Technical score
Technical score
5.9/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of the soundbar's technical performance, covering key areas such as audio quality, channel configuration, connectivity, HDMI and wireless features, and design.
When it matters
When you want to compare soundbars based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 67% of models
Score components:

25%

6.6

Audio

18%

4.7

Formats

16%

6.3

Connectivity

14%

6.6

Controls

12%

4.2

HDMI & Gaming

10%

7.8

Smart features

5%

3.1

Design

5.9
Reviews score
7.6
Value for money
Value for money
5.6/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the soundbar's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a soundbar with a good balance between audio quality, features, and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 98% of models
Score components:

70%

6.0

Overall score

30%

4.7

Price

5.6
Brand name
Bowers & Wilkins
N. of audio channels
3
This soundbar offers 3 audio channels, more than 76.6% of soundbars and equal to 3.2% of soundbars.
Audio output power
240 W
Market range: <10 W – >260 W
This soundbar delivers 240 W of audio output power, more than 86.2% of soundbars.
Max SPL
?
Min frequency
40 Hz
Market range: <20 Hz – >120 Hz
This soundbar reaches a minimum frequency of 40 Hz, lower than 74.4% of soundbars and equal to 7% of soundbars.
Show more
Dolby Atmos
no
This soundbar does not support Dolby Atmos. 20.7% of soundbars include this feature.
DTS:X
no
This soundbar does not support DTS:X. 10.6% of soundbars include this feature.
Dolby TrueHD
no
This soundbar does not support Dolby TrueHD. 17.6% of soundbars include this feature.
DTS-HD Master Audio
no
This soundbar does not support DTS-HD Master Audio. 10.1% of soundbars include this feature.
Dolby Digital Plus
no
This soundbar does not support Dolby Digital Plus. 25% of soundbars include this feature.
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N. of HDMI inputs
0
Market range: <0 – >5
This soundbar has 0 HDMI inputs, fewer than 32.5% of soundbars and equal to 67.6% of soundbars.
Wi-Fi connectivity
yes
This soundbar supports Wi-Fi connectivity. 68.6% of soundbars include this feature.
Wi-Fi version
Wi-Fi 4
This soundbar uses Wi-Fi Wi-Fi 4, which is newer than that of 73.4% of soundbars and the same as that of 4.8% of soundbars.
Bluetooth connectivity
yes
This soundbar supports Bluetooth connectivity. 3.7% of soundbars include this feature.
Bluetooth version
4
This soundbar uses Bluetooth 4, which is older than that of 88.1% of soundbars and the same as that of 6% of soundbars.
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Smartphone app
yes
This soundbar has smartphone app. 65.4% of soundbars offer this feature.
Remote control
no
This soundbar does not have remote control. 73.9% of soundbars offer this feature.
Control panel
yes
This soundbar has control panel. 9.6% of soundbars offer this feature.
Voice assistant compatibility
yes
This soundbar supports voice assistant compatibility. 69.2% of soundbars include this feature.
Far-field microphones
no
This soundbar does not have far-field microphones. 12.2% of soundbars offer this feature.
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HDMI version
N/A
HDMI ARC type
none
This soundbar has none as its HDMI TV-audio return type, which is less advanced than what 68.6% of soundbars and the same as what 31.4% offers.
HDMI-CEC support
no
This soundbar does not support HDMI-CEC. 63.1% support HDMI-CEC.
HDMI pass-through resolution
none
This soundbar supports HDMI pass-through up to none, which is lower than that of 21.5% of soundbars and the same as that of 78.5% of soundbars.
HDMI pass-through frame rate
none fps
This soundbar supports HDMI pass-through up to none fps, lower than 18.2% of soundbars and equal to 81.8% of soundbars.
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AirPlay
yes
This soundbar supports AirPlay. 80.3% of soundbars include this feature.
Chromecast built-in
no
This soundbar does not support Chromecast built-in. 12.3% of soundbars include this feature.
Spotify Connect
yes
This soundbar supports Spotify Connect. 77.1% of soundbars include this feature.
TIDAL Connect
yes
This soundbar supports TIDAL Connect. 91% of soundbars include this feature.
Amazon Music native support
yes
This soundbar supports native Amazon Music. 79.3% support native Amazon Music.
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Width
1,240 mm
Market range: <350 mm – >1.1k mm
This soundbar is 1,240 mm wide, wider than 97.3% of soundbars.
Height
109 mm
Market range: <50 mm – >100 mm
This soundbar is 109 mm high, taller than 95.2% of soundbars.
Thickness
107 mm
Market range: <60 mm – >135 mm
This soundbar is 107 mm thick, thicker than 74.3% of soundbars and equal to 2.1% of soundbars.
Weight
5,500 g
Market range: <500 g – >5.5k g
This soundbar weighs 5,500 g, more than 90.4% of soundbars and equal to 0.5% of soundbars.
Build material
plastic
This soundbar uses plastic for the build material, which is different from that of 4.8% of soundbars and the same as that of 89.4% of soundbars.
Show more

Bowers Wilkins Formation Bar vs the average soundbar

246810TotalAudioFormatsConnectivityHDMI & GamingSmart featuresControlsDesign
  • Dedicated center channel
    This soundbar has center channel driver, the average soundbar does not.
  • Wi-Fi connectivity
    This soundbar supports Wi-Fi connectivity, the average soundbar does not.
  • 5 more drivers
    This soundbar has more drivers than the average soundbar (9 vs 4). The average soundbar has 4 drivers.
    9 vs 4
  • More audio channels
    This soundbar has more audio channels than the average soundbar (3 vs 2). The average soundbar has 2.0 audio channels.
    3.0 vs 2.0
  • Companion smartphone app
    This soundbar supports smartphone app, the average soundbar does not.
  • Supports AirPlay
    This soundbar supports AirPlay, the average soundbar does not.
  • Supports Spotify Connect
    This soundbar supports Spotify Connect, the average soundbar does not.
  • Multiroom ecosystem support
    This soundbar supports multiroom ecosystem support, the average soundbar does not.
    Bowers & Wilkins Formation ecosystem.
  • Dedicated center channel
    This soundbar has center channel driver, the average soundbar does not.
  • 5 more drivers
    This soundbar has more drivers than the average soundbar (9 vs 4). The average soundbar has 4 drivers.
    9 vs 4
  • More audio channels
    This soundbar has more audio channels than the average soundbar (3 vs 2). The average soundbar has 2.0 audio channels.
    3.0 vs 2.0
  • 3.43x more audio output power
    This soundbar has a higher audio output power than the average soundbar (240 W vs 70 W). The average soundbar delivers 70 W of audio output power.
    240 W vs 70 W
  • Supports wireless rear speakers
    This soundbar is compatible with wireless rear speakers, the average soundbar is not.
  • Bass boost
    This soundbar supports bass boost, the average soundbar does not.
  • 8,000 Hz higher max frequency
    This soundbar has a higher maximum frequency than the average soundbar (28,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz). The average soundbar has a maximum frequency of 20,000 Hz.
    28,000 Hz vs 20,000 Hz
  • 12 Hz lower min frequency
    This soundbar has a lower minimum frequency than the average soundbar (40 Hz vs 52 Hz). The average soundbar has a minimum frequency of 52 Hz.
    40 Hz vs 52 Hz
  • Broader music format support
    This soundbar supports more music formats than the average soundbar (AAC, ALAC, FLAC, MP3, OGG, WAV vs MP3).
    AAC, ALAC, FLAC, MP3, OGG, WAV vs MP3
  • AptX support
    This soundbar supports aptX, the average soundbar does not.
    aptX HD over Bluetooth.
  • 1 more supported Bluetooth codecs
    This soundbar supports more Bluetooth codecs than the average soundbar (2 vs 1). The average soundbar supports 1 Bluetooth codecs.
    sbc, aptx
    2 vs 1
  • 4 more supported audio formats
    This soundbar supports more audio formats than the average soundbar (6 vs 2). The average soundbar supports 2 audio formats.
    6 vs 2
  • AAC support
    This soundbar supports AAC, the average soundbar does not.
  • Wi-Fi connectivity
    This soundbar supports Wi-Fi connectivity, the average soundbar does not.
  • Supports AirPlay
    This soundbar supports AirPlay, the average soundbar does not.
  • Supports Spotify Connect
    This soundbar supports Spotify Connect, the average soundbar does not.
  • Multiroom ecosystem support
    This soundbar supports multiroom ecosystem support, the average soundbar does not.
    Bowers & Wilkins Formation ecosystem.
  • Supports TIDAL Connect
    This soundbar supports tIDAL Connect, the average soundbar does not.
  • Native Amazon Music support
    This soundbar supports native Amazon Music, the average soundbar does not.
  • Supports Deezer
    This soundbar supports Deezer, the average soundbar does not.
    Available via the Bowers & Wilkins Music app.
  • Companion smartphone app
    This soundbar supports smartphone app, the average soundbar does not.
  • App EQ customization
    This soundbar supports eQ customization (app), the average soundbar does not.
  • Supports voice assistants
    This soundbar supports voice assistant compatibility, the average soundbar does not.
  • Easier firmware updates
    This soundbar uses over-the-air, app-based for firmware update method, while the average soundbar uses app-based, USB.
    over-the-air, app-based vs app-based, USB
  • Less advanced HDMI ARC type
    This soundbar has none as its HDMI TV-audio return type, while the average soundbar has eARC.
    none vs eARC
  • No Dolby Digital
    This soundbar does not support Dolby Digital, the average soundbar does.
  • No remote control
    This soundbar does not have remote control, the average soundbar does.
  • No USB audio input
    This soundbar does not have USB audio input, the average soundbar does.
    no (USB socket is for service only)
  • No dialogue enhancement
    This soundbar does not support dialogue enhancement, the average soundbar does.
  • Older Bluetooth version
    This soundbar uses 4 for Bluetooth version, while the average soundbar uses 5.0.
    4.0 vs 5.0
  • No AUX input
    This soundbar does not have AUX input, the average soundbar does.
  • No HDMI-CEC support
    This soundbar does not support HDMI-CEC, the average soundbar does.
  • 11.58x more expensive
    Bowers Wilkins Formation Bar is more expensive than the average soundbar (£1,100 vs £95).
    £1,100 vs £95
  • 20.8% worse value for money
    Bowers Wilkins Formation Bar has worse value for money than the average soundbar (5.58 vs 6.7).
    5.58 vs 6.75
  • Narrower bass adjustment range
    This soundbar has a lower bass adjustment range than the average soundbar (-6 to 6 dB vs -100 to 100 dB). The average soundbar offers a bass adjustment range of -100 to 100 dB.
    -6 to 6 dB vs -100 to 100 dB
  • No Dolby Digital
    This soundbar does not support Dolby Digital, the average soundbar does.
  • No USB audio input
    This soundbar does not have USB audio input, the average soundbar does.
    no (USB socket is for service only)
  • Older Bluetooth version
    This soundbar uses 4 for Bluetooth version, while the average soundbar uses 5.0.
    4.0 vs 5.0
  • No AUX input
    This soundbar does not have AUX input, the average soundbar does.
  • No USB playback support
    This soundbar does not support USB playback support, the average soundbar does.
    no (USB socket is for service/diagnostic use only)
  • Less advanced HDMI ARC type
    This soundbar has none as its HDMI TV-audio return type, while the average soundbar has eARC.
    none vs eARC
  • No HDMI-CEC support
    This soundbar does not support HDMI-CEC, the average soundbar does.
  • No remote control
    This soundbar does not have remote control, the average soundbar does.
  • No dialogue enhancement
    This soundbar does not support dialogue enhancement, the average soundbar does.
  • 42 mm higher height
    This soundbar is taller than the average soundbar (109 mm vs 67 mm). The average soundbar is 67 mm tall.
    109 mm vs 67 mm
  • 478 mm wider width
    This soundbar is wider than the average soundbar (1,240 mm vs 762 mm). The average soundbar is 762 mm wide.
    1,240 mm vs 762 mm
  • 3,500 g heavier weight
    This soundbar is heavier than the average soundbar (5,500 g vs 2000 g). The average soundbar weighs 2000 g.
    5,500 g vs 2,000 g
  • 21 mm thicker design
    This soundbar is thicker than the average soundbar (107 mm vs 86 mm). The average soundbar is 86 mm thick.
    107 mm vs 86 mm
  • 2 years older release
    This soundbar is older than the average soundbar (2019 vs 2021). The average soundbar was released in 2021.
    April 26, 2019
    2,019 vs 2,021

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

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Overview video
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Third-party reviews

What customers like about Bowers Wilkins Formation Bar

  • Exceptional sound quality with a wide, powerful soundstage and neutral profile
  • Stunning, unique industrial design with high-end build materials
  • Excellent dialogue clarity thanks to a dedicated centre channel
  • High-resolution wireless audio support (up to 24-bit/96kHz)
  • Robust proprietary mesh network for seamless multi-room synchronization
  • Easily expandable to a 5.1 system by adding other Formation speakers
  • Simple initial setup process through the mobile app

What customers don't like about Bowers Wilkins Formation Bar

  • Lacks HDMI connectivity, relying solely on an optical digital input
  • No support for immersive or lossless audio formats like Dolby Atmos or DTS:X
  • Does not include a physical remote control, requiring a mobile app or TV remote learning
  • Limited low-end bass performance without the expensive optional subwoofer
  • Hefty price point compared to competitors with more built-in features
  • Software and app interface are frequently described as glitchy or unreliable
  • Tall profile can block the bottom of many modern TVs if not wall-mounted
  • Reports of reliability issues, such as crackling sounds or connectivity drops over time

Verdict

The Bowers & Wilkins Formation Bar is a premium 3.0-channel wireless soundbar featuring nine optimized drive units—three 1-inch double-dome tweeters and six 2.6-inch woven glass-fibre mid/bass drivers—powered by six 40W digital amplifiers for a total of 240 watts. It delivers a wide, high-resolution soundstage (up to 96kHz/24-bit) with a dedicated centre channel for crisp dialogue and a frequency response of 40Hz to 28kHz. Main characteristics include its sleek, cylindrical 48.8-inch design and the proprietary Formation Mesh Network, which ensures nearly imperceptible 1-microsecond synchronisation between multi-room speakers. Pros include exceptional musicality, easy setup via the B&W Home app, and support for AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, and Roon. However, notable cons include the lack of HDMI (ARC/eARC) ports, reliance on a single optical input, no support for Dolby Atmos or DTS:X, and the absence of a dedicated remote control.

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