Bowers & Wilkins Formation Duo £3,499
Bowers & Wilkins transformed the hi-fi industry with the Zeppelin ipod dock, a product BEST BUY that looked good, sounded great and didn’t clutter the living room. The new Formation range, consisting of amplifier, one-box speaker, soundbar and the Duo wireless stereo speakers, expands and updates that principle with multi-room hi-res streaming brilliance.
Based around B&W’S own wireless mesh network – guaranteeing connectivity regardless of what else is using your home’s Wi-fi – you can stream using Spotify Connect, Airplay 2, Bluetooth (aptx HD) or Roon, a new subscription service that pulls all your sources onto one app. The speakers, each blessed with two 125W digital class-d amplifiers and 165mm woofers, aren’t encumbered by standard inputs (just a USB), so you can easily position them around the room.
I’ve lately listened to some fabulous wireless speakers and lusted after the £2,000 KEF LS50 Wireless, but with high-quality recordings, the Duo sound every bit as exceptional as they should for the price. Whether it’s Bach or bombastic Bruckner you’re listening to, there’s a wonderful energy to this kit. bowerswilkins.com