As a general rule, audiophiles are skeptical of wireless audio.
It runs counter to the audiophiles stereotypical desire for purity.
But then this past April, the venerable audio company Bowers & Wilkinsannouncedits Formation suite of wireless speakers.
Using custom-made wireless technology, it set out to prove latency and signal degradation neednt afflict wireless speakers.
At $4,000 a pair, it has the price tag to match.
In some respects, its not really fair to compare the Formation Duo to passive bookshelf speakers.
As well see later, the Formation Duo leverages its digital technology to offer bass that rivals gianttowerspeakers.
All that sound emanates from a svelte package that looks like nothing else out there.
Do note, however, that the grilles are not removable.
The elegant design continues with the software experience.
For a first attempt at wireless speakers, B&W nailed the initial setup.
I wish all wireless speakers were this simple to set up.
These are the only high-end wireless speakers Ive seen that do not have a single input jack.
No RCA, no optical, not even a simple 3.5mm jack.
For that, youll need to pony up an additional $700 dollars for the Formation Audio module.
It supports RCA and optical inputs, and also includes a line-out for some reason.
This annoyance aside, B&W delivers on its promise of wireless performance.
With so much care put into wireless transmission, the speakers had better deliver on the actual sound.
I wasnt totally sure what to expect coming into this review.
Those impressions have remained in at-home listening.
Bowers & Wilkins rates the Formation Duo as reaching down to a remarkable 25Hz.
Its not just flabby bass to impress either.
Double bass strings have a well-defined snappiness to them.
The frantic bassline in PendulumsWitchcraftdoes not resemble a cavalcade of wet farts.
Orchestral climaxes hit with a kind of palpable authority that seems unreasonable for a pair of 6.5-inch drivers.
In fact, I think the Duos bass is a little too heavy by default.
The speakers overall tonality is even, albeit vocals and instrument attack are a perhaps a little laid back.
These filters can have a dramatic effect on the sound.
However, its worth noting the Formation Duo requires careful positioning both of the speaker and my own seating.
A look at some measurements taken in my apartment further reveal some of the Formation Duos qualities.
The Listening Window graph is arguably the most important of these figures.
Its a studio monitor which uses digital signal processing to achieve a ruler flat response.)
Lastly, I tested the speakers bass output at various volume levels.
