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  #21  
Old 06-01-2019, 03:12 AM
Edgeyboy Edgeyboy is offline
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Does anyone know if the Audio box does MQA? Thank you.
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  #22  
Old 08-03-2019, 12:27 PM
silversurfer6 silversurfer6 is offline
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So anyone tested the new line?
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  #23  
Old 11-27-2019, 05:57 PM
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Briefly heard the Formation Wedge and the Duo today.

The Wedge, for 899€ seems like the king in its class.
I only streamed some of my favourite tracks from my iPhone via Airplay 2, but this unit still showed amazing clarity, bass and soundstage.
It sounds much more natural than the Zeppelin I've had for years.
At first I thought the bass was a bit shy in comparison with the Zeppelin, but I soon realised it just wasn't as bloated as in its older brother.
It was just tighter.
I think this Wedge in the class of the Naim MuSo.

The Formation Duo is different animal all together as it really offers a total package.
For 4K + stands (400€ each) it's an entry into real hifi.
I don't think with separates, for 5K in total, of 5.5 if you count the streamer, you could reach this quality.

B&W has more Formation products in the pipeline.
If they get their app together - it doesn't seem to work too well yet - this is a line to consider!
For now, you can already work your way around the app with bluetooth and Airplay.
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AV: Hegel C-53, Marantz AV8802A, Oppo BDP-203EU, Pioneer Kuro 60", Vivid Audio C1 & V1w's, Wireworld Platinum Eclipse, SE & E
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Last edited by bart; 11-27-2019 at 06:03 PM.
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  #24  
Old 11-27-2019, 11:30 PM
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This is why Sonos is King. If the App sucks who cares how good the product is.
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  #25  
Old 11-28-2019, 03:53 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RaceCarDriver View Post
This is why Sonos is King. If the App sucks who cares how good the product is.

Yes, but Sonos isn't anywhere this series is regarding sound.
I've heard all Sonos products.
They're good in their class.
But they don't come close...at all.


When B&W'll get their app done, and they will, this will be a series a lot of beginners will start with.
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Stereo: Hegel H590, Grimm Audio MU1, Mola Mola Tambaqui, Burmester 948 - V3 & V6 racks, Vivid Audio G2 Giyas, REL Carbon Special (pair), Silent Angel Bonn N8 Ethernet Switch & Forester F1, Wireworld Platinum Eclipse IC and SE SC, Furutech Digiflux
AV: Hegel C-53, Marantz AV8802A, Oppo BDP-203EU, Pioneer Kuro 60", Vivid Audio C1 & V1w's, Wireworld Platinum Eclipse, SE & E
Second system (veranda): Halgorythme preamp and monoblocks, Burmester 061, Avalon Avatar, Sharkwire & Wireworld cables
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  #26  
Old 11-28-2019, 04:17 AM
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They don’t need to come close on sound. Sonos doesn’t offer $4,800 stand mounted bookshelf speakers.

I have been meaning to pick up a Formation Audio to compare it to my Sonos Connect and Bluesound Node 2i
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  #27  
Old 11-29-2019, 04:53 PM
PeterMusic PeterMusic is online now
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RaceCarDriver View Post
They don’t need to come close on sound. Sonos doesn’t offer $4,800 stand mounted bookshelf speakers.

I have been meaning to pick up a Formation Audio to compare it to my Sonos Connect and Bluesound Node 2i
With all due respect, I think you're conflating business success with audio success. While Sonos does not need to "come close on sound" to sell millions of units, none of us would confuse them with an audiophile product.
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  #28  
Old 11-29-2019, 08:39 PM
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Who said anything about Sonos being an “audiophile product”

This isn’t directed at B&W, but in general who cares how good your product sounds if it sucks to use. I didn’t say the app doesn’t work to well, someone else did.
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  #29  
Old 11-30-2019, 04:29 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RaceCarDriver View Post
Who said anything about Sonos being an “audiophile product”

This isn’t directed at B&W, but in general who cares how good your product sounds if it sucks to use. I didn’t say the app doesn’t work to well, someone else did.

Hey hey, I thought I wrote quite a positive review.
The Formation series absolutely doesn't "suck" for me.
I quote myself: "the app doesn't seem to work too well yet".
B&W is working on it.
For now, the Airplay 2 works already pretty well.
I connected my iPhone in 3 seconds to all devices.

I'm sure the new owners of the company, who are very ICT oriented, will get there soon.
In fact, if I recall well, I've heard they see active speakers as the future.
That way they can tune their speakers how they are supposed to sound, to them.

We have several B&W products: a 5.1 XT series, built-in speakers (kitchen), a Zeppelin. Also a portable bluetooth speaker.

We were very close to buying 800 D2s at the time, but ended up with Vivid Audio.
If the 800 series then would have been as good as the D3 series now, we might even have stayed with the brand.
Although the Missus prefers the looks from our speakers now.
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Stereo: Hegel H590, Grimm Audio MU1, Mola Mola Tambaqui, Burmester 948 - V3 & V6 racks, Vivid Audio G2 Giyas, REL Carbon Special (pair), Silent Angel Bonn N8 Ethernet Switch & Forester F1, Wireworld Platinum Eclipse IC and SE SC, Furutech Digiflux
AV: Hegel C-53, Marantz AV8802A, Oppo BDP-203EU, Pioneer Kuro 60", Vivid Audio C1 & V1w's, Wireworld Platinum Eclipse, SE & E
Second system (veranda): Halgorythme preamp and monoblocks, Burmester 061, Avalon Avatar, Sharkwire & Wireworld cables
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  #30  
Old 11-30-2019, 05:45 AM
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The Duo sounds like a B&W. No two ways about it.

Even the Wedge was fun to listen to in my living room.

The streaming tech is amazing. The wireless mesh works so well if I want to add a sub. Just seamless.

Yes the streaming app isn’t great. But it’s Spotify Connect or Airplay out of the box which would cover most use cases. I use Roon which is the audiophile option.
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