As sonos did before it b w has developed a proprietary mesh networking technology dubbed not surprisingly formation.
B w formation bar vs sonos.
Like sonos the system will be controlled by b w s formation app ios android though the company didn t release any details around which music services the app will support at launch.
A futuristic looking stereo pair that borrows drivers from b w s premium 700 and 800 series speakers while incorporating dsp to further improve the sound.
Unlike sonos b w also supports hi res streaming so great if you re a user of tidal hifi or deezer elite which streams all music in 96 24 bit lossless cd quality.
Behold the bizarre and beautiful shapes of b w s formation speakers see all photos.
On first impression we re fans of how the whole formation family looks and the bar and bass are no different.
B w the flex certainly looks like a formation speaker.
The black and silver styling looks sleek and reminiscent of b w wireless products past and everything feels solid and well put together as you d expect for the price the formation bar is 1199 the formation bass is 999.
The bar has been designed to deliver a big performance from a sleek and relatively discreet cabinet.
B w is first and foremost a speaker company.
The bowers wilkins zeppelin wireless 700 is effectively the older and cheaper version of the wedge although it s not able to sync with other formation speakers in a multiroom system.
The bowers wilkins formation bar is a three channel multiroom single unit soundbar and it forms part of the company s formation suite of products that also includes the flagship duo stereo speakers audio music streamer wedge speaker flex speaker and bass subwoofer.
Huge difference in in house knowledge.
Sonos starts at a reasonable 200 for the superb sonos one while the cheapest formation speaker is 900.
Sonos has been a technology company which builds speakers.
The sonos play 5 is a more affordable option that sounds good and supports airplay 2.
In the formation duos we heard intricate details in the music that we never knew existed from the artist breathing in the mic to subtle hi hats to snares.
Their in house experience is all about speakers not electronics and computers.
And like sonos b w is also embracing several other lesser wireless.