The Bowers & Wilkins Formation Wedge is a premium home speaker that distinguishes itself with its unique design and high-performance features. This review will explore its design, audio performance, connectivity options, multi-room streaming capabilities, voice control, and how it integrates into a complete home theater setup. The Formation Wedge is not only a technological marvel but also an elegant addition to any home decor.
Design and Aesthetics
The Bowers & Wilkins Formation Wedge stands out with its distinctive 120-degree elliptical shape, reminiscent of the iconic Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin 2021. The design is not just for show; it plays a crucial role in the speaker’s ability to deliver high-quality sound. The wedge shape allows for optimal placement of the drivers, enhancing the audio experience.
The cabinet, housing the five angled drivers, is both functional and artistic, making it a striking addition to any room. Whether placed on a bookshelf, stand, or table, the Formation Wedge’s sleek and modern design adds a touch of elegance to your decor. Its appearance is as much a conversation starter as its sound quality.
Audio Performance
High-Resolution Stereo Sound
The Bowers & Wilkins Formation Wedge is engineered to deliver room-filling audio with remarkable clarity and precision. It features:
- Two 1″ double-dome tweeters: These handle the high frequencies, ensuring crisp and clear treble.
- Two 3.5″ FST midrange drivers: Responsible for the mid frequencies, these drivers provide a balanced and natural sound.
- One 6″ woofer: This handles the low frequencies, delivering deep and powerful bass.
Powered by an 80W Class D amplifier, the Formation Wedge ensures that every nuance of your music is heard. The combination of these drivers and the amplifier results in a dynamic soundstage, making it perfect for movies, music, and TV.
Enhanced Sound Transmission and Clarity
The unique 120-degree elliptical cabinet houses the five angled drivers in a configuration that enhances sound transmission and clarity. This design allows for a wider sound dispersion, ensuring that the audio fills the room evenly. Whether you’re sitting directly in front of the speaker or off to the side, you will experience consistent sound quality.
Connectivity Options
The Bowers & Wilkins Formation Wedge offers a range of connectivity options to suit various needs:
Bluetooth 4.1
With built-in Bluetooth 4.1, you can easily stream music directly from your mobile device. This ensures a stable connection and high-quality audio transmission, making it convenient to play your favorite tracks without the need for cables.
Wi-Fi
The speaker’s Wi-Fi capability allows for seamless integration with your home network. This opens up a world of streaming possibilities, enabling you to access your digital music library or online streaming services with ease.
Apple AirPlay 2
For Apple users, the Formation Wedge supports Apple AirPlay 2. This feature allows you to stream audio from your iPhone, iPad, or Mac directly to the speaker. It also enables multi-room audio, allowing you to play the same song on multiple AirPlay 2-compatible speakers throughout your home.
Multi-Room Streaming Capabilities
One of the standout features of the Bowers & Wilkins Formation Wedge is its ability to synchronize multi-room streaming. Using the iOS/Android compatible Bowers & Wilkins Music App, you can:
- Play the same song in every room: This feature is perfect for parties or events where you want a consistent audio experience throughout your home.
- Play different songs from different sources in each room: Ideal for households with varied musical tastes, this allows each room to have its own soundtrack.
The speaker supports state-of-the-art music streaming at 24-bit/96kHz resolution, ensuring high-fidelity audio throughout your home.
Wireless Audio Playback
The Formation Wedge offers versatile wireless audio playback options. In addition to Bluetooth and AirPlay 2, it supports popular streaming services such as:
- Tidal
- TuneIn
- Qobuz
- Spotify Connect
If you have a subscription to these services, you can stream music directly to the speaker. The speaker is also Roon-ready, allowing for seamless integration with Roon’s high-quality streaming platform.
Voice Control
Although the Bowers & Wilkins Formation Wedge does not have built-in voice assistant support, it can be controlled via an Alexa-enabled device (sold separately). With simple voice commands, you can:
- Play, pause, or skip tracks
- Adjust the volume
- Access additional wireless streaming services like Pandora, SiriusXM, iHeartRadio, and more
This integration provides hands-free control, making it easy to manage your music without needing to reach for your phone or remote.
Integrating into a Home Theater Setup
The Formation Wedge is more than just a standalone speaker; it can be part of a complete home theater setup. By adding other components from the Bowers & Wilkins Formation series, you can create a high-performance wireless surround sound system. Options include:
Formation Bass
The Formation Bass wireless powered subwoofer adds deep, rich bass to your audio setup. It enhances the low-end frequencies, providing a more immersive listening experience, particularly for movies and music with heavy bass lines.
Formation Bar
The Formation Bar sound bar complements the Wedge by delivering clear and powerful audio for your TV. It enhances dialogue clarity and overall sound quality, making it perfect for home theater setups.
Formation Flex
Adding two Formation Flex speakers as rear surrounds creates a true surround sound experience. These speakers handle the rear audio channels, enveloping you in sound and bringing movies and games to life.
By combining these components, you can enjoy a high-quality, wireless home theater system that delivers exceptional audio performance.
Conclusion and Recommendation
The Bowers & Wilkins Formation Wedge is a remarkable piece of audio technology that combines striking design with high-performance features. Its unique elliptical shape is not only visually appealing but also enhances sound quality by optimizing driver placement. The high-resolution stereo sound delivered by the combination of tweeters, midrange drivers, and a woofer, powered by an 80W Class D amplifier, ensures a rich and immersive audio experience.
Connectivity options like Bluetooth 4.1, Wi-Fi, and Apple AirPlay 2 provide flexibility in how you stream your music, while the multi-room streaming capabilities allow for a seamless audio experience throughout your home. Although the speaker lacks built-in voice assistant support, it can be controlled via an Alexa-enabled device, adding convenience and functionality.
For those looking to build a complete home theater setup, the Formation Wedge integrates seamlessly with other components in the Bowers & Wilkins Formation series, creating a wireless surround sound system that rivals traditional wired setups.
In conclusion, the Bowers & Wilkins Formation Wedge is an excellent choice for anyone seeking a high-quality, stylish, and versatile home speaker. Its combination of design, audio performance, and connectivity options makes it a standout in the premium speaker market. Whether used as a standalone speaker or as part of a larger home theater system, the Formation Wedge delivers exceptional sound quality and an elegant aesthetic that will enhance any home.
Recommendation:
If you’re in the market for a premium home speaker that offers both style and substance, the Bowers & Wilkins Formation Wedge should be at the top of your list. Its unique design, high-resolution audio, and versatile connectivity options make it a perfect addition to any home. For an even more immersive experience, consider expanding your setup with other components from the Bowers & Wilkins Formation series.
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