Two networked active speakers form a stereo system without source-to-speaker signal cables.
Formation Duo pairs a top-mounted Carbon Dome with a 165 mm Continuum cone.
The pair of Bowers & Wilkins Formation Duo speakers is an amplified wireless stereo system. Each unit includes 125 W of digital amplification, a 25 mm Carbon Dome tweeter in its upper housing and a 165 mm Continuum bass/midrange driver. It needs no external stereo amplifier, but does need power and a suitable network setup for the chosen sources.
Key features
- Active wireless pair; each speaker has a 25 mm Carbon Dome and 165 mm Continuum driver
- 125 W digital amplification per speaker; DSP and Dynamic EQ
- Wi-Fi or RJ45 Ethernet; Bluetooth 4.1 with aptX HD, AAC and SBC
- Apple AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Roon Ready and Bowers & Wilkins Music app
- Each speaker 395 × 197 × 305 mm and 10.6 kg; USB is service-only
Network and playback
Network connection can use Wi-Fi or RJ45 Ethernet. It supports Apple AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Roon Ready and Bluetooth 4.1 with aptX HD, AAC and SBC codecs. The Bowers & Wilkins Music app provides control. The USB port serves maintenance, not music playback from a memory stick.
Drivers and placement
DSP and Dynamic EQ manage the digital system. The upper tweeter housing changes its profile from a conventional standmount with a dome in the front baffle. Each unit measures 395 × 197 × 305 mm and weighs 10.6 kg. Dedicated stands are sold separately; if fitted, their footprint should be included in planning the available space.
The quoted response is 25 Hz-33 kHz without a tolerance on the same specification line, so it should not be compared directly with ±3 dB figures for passive speakers. Formation Duo is an active pair; the 705 S3 and 706 S3 need an external amplifier and speaker cables. The choice also depends on how sources, network and power are to be arranged in the room. Dimensions and weight are per unit: the pair needs two positions and two mains outlets. Ethernet allows wired networking, while Wi-Fi removes the network cable; neither removes speaker power requirements. Bluetooth codec support also depends on the source device. The 125 W figure applies to each speaker, not to the pair as a combined rating.
