B&W Formation Suite - suitable replacement?

[da2001]

i am tired of devialets promisses.. found this and thinking about to give it a try. 
https://www.bowerswilkins.com/de-de/formation/duo

what do you think? roon, spotify, airplay2, 24bit, no stream delay and a dsp. phantoms look way better, but the specs and also the subwoofer are very nice.

[Cylob]

Really love the looks of the formation Duo and the soundbar.
I would say compare both Phantom and Duo at a dealer who sells both.
And only buy something that's working already as you want it.
Don't wait for Devialet to fix something in the near future. It might take 'em forever. If ever at all.

[audio_engr]

I am a "big time" Bowers & Wilkins fan and had been patiently waiting for them to come out with a stellar replacement of their earlier Panorama-2 Sound-bar that had digital connectivity issues. I will be evaluating the NEW Formation series soon and gut feeling tells me that their DUO will be quite an excellent product (having own their computer speakers MM-1) which is also bi-amped and digitally processed DSP etc. 

Roon connectivity of their new systems also seem to be a boon for many of us deep into Roon now.

NOTE : Many of you who will audition the Duo will feel its not loud enough (yet you'll be surprised its doing a healthy good SPL when you check them using a SPL meter). This is also the same with their MM-1 computer speakers that upsample, run DSP and are bi-amplified. Yes, B&Ws don't blast .. they're polite ! 

[cudifying]

Was thinking the same when I saw the Duo specifically. Absolutely gorgeous and as a huge B&W fan im sure they will sound amazing, too. Will definitely give them a listen, I have been waiting for Phantom (software) updates such as airplay 2 for far too long now

[audio_engr]

Attended the Bowers & Wilkins "Formation series" product launch last evening ...

The DUOs are superb and totally fuss-free with today's digital technology and was completely taken aback hearing the very small footprint WEDGE that's big sounding, open and goes pretty deep for its tiny size and very affordable price.

DUOs (Pair) $ 3,999 incl of stands
Wedge $ 899
Bar $ 1,199
Bass $ 999

[Jean-Marie]

That would be interesting to do a side by side listening comparison of a pair of gold Phantom and a set of Formation Duo + Formation Bass.

On the paper these are two systems with similar characteristics and price.

Jean-Marie

[booshtukka]

No mention of the latency with other sources or how these could work for home cinema.

[Jean-Marie]

No mention of the latency with other sources or how these could work for home cinema.

Looking at the photos and specs, I fail to see any input that is not either network (Ethernet or WiFi) or Bluetooth. 

Jean-Marie

[Rodrat2]

You have to buy the add on box which I believe only has one analogue source.

[audio_engr]

No mention of the latency with other sources or how these could work for home cinema.

According to B&W, the latency & sync within the systems and with other sources is supposed to be the 'best in the industry' i.e. of such low diminishing levels thats not audible to the human ear. There's a device in the formation series called AUDIO which is intended to be used with non-wireless & legacy products.