So you want to upgrade your home theater or music listening experience with a premium soundbar? Smart move!
As your resident home audio guru, I always recommend Bowers & Wilkins and Sonos as two of the very best options on the market today. But how do you choose between these stellar brands to pick the model that‘s right for your needs and budget?
I‘m going to dig deep into everything from audio components to smart features to wireless capabilities across B&W and Sonos lineups to reveal the key differences. My goal is to shape the perfect recommendation based on your listening habits and space. Let‘s get started!
Sound Quality Showdown
Let‘s kick things off by taking a listen and dissecting what makes each brand‘s audio rendering so distinct.
Renowned for audio excellence across decades, Bowers & Wilkins spare no expense engineering soundbars to please even the most discerning audiophile ears. Take the Formation Bar. By packing its muscular metal frame with potent Class D amplifiers plus dedicated center, left and right ellipse-cone drivers and tweeters, the Formation Bar pumps out 1100W of blistering, heart-quaking sonic glory.
Dolby Atmos and DTS:X 3D audio decoding paired with proprietary signal processing give B&W models astounding dimensionality. Cinematic sound effects wrap completely around you as you become enveloped in the mix. The clarity and impact across bass, mids and treble frequencies stays consistently pristine, no matter how loudly you crank the volume.
While Sonos can‘t match that brute low frequency muscle, their soundbars produce wonderfully balanced, natural audio tailored for long-term listening pleasure. Using Trueplay tuning, Beam and Arc models analyze surrounding room acoustics then optimize audio output specifically for your unique space. Even in challenging areas like wide open concept plans with cement floors.
Four full-range woofers give Sonos‘ top-shelf Arc soundbar plenty of dynamic versatility too. Combined with the processing might of Dolby Atmos on board, you can expect immersive surround sound imaging at a scale beyond the speaker‘s physical proportions.
The Sonos app grants simple EQ adjustment as well. Dial in a bit more brightness or bass as desired without affecting speech intelligibility. Such fine tuning flexibility caters well to picky preferences.
Design & Build Quality
Are aesthetics important to you? Both brands serve up plenty of style while maintaining sturdy construction.
Bowers & Wilkins products cast an undeniably premium aura. The curved glass top plate, precision perforated metal grille and brushed steel finish of the Formation Bar, for example, transform it into a striking audio centerpiece. Chamfered edges add dimensional depth while tapered ends reduce unwanted cabinet diffraction resulting in cleaner sound.
You can expect Sonos soundbars to assume a less conspicuous visual footprint. Think matte black or white casings with matching removable fabric grilles held magnetically in place. Tasteful, minimal – intended to disappear neatly against your TV rather than grab attention away from the on-screen action.
The brands share robust manufacturing values too. Sonos refers to a meticulous 61-step process from prototype to finished product while B&W soundbars undergo similarly exhaustive testing and machining to satisfy expectations. Both result in flawlessly constructed hardware safe to proudly display for years on end.
Smart Features & Voice Control
Ease of use ranks highly today as users expect their soundbars to interface seamlessly with the rest of their connected home. How do our contestants compare on the smart functionality front?
Once again, Sonos leverages their heritage networking speakers with contemporary environments. Built-in microphones make commanding tunes via Apple AirPlay 2 or summoning Alexa / Google Assistant entirely hands-free. New Sonos Radio HD stations or the latest Spotify playlists start instantly through WiFi.
By keeping the focus acutely on audio, Bowers & Wilkins outsourced virtual assistant support to Amazon Alexa / Google Assistant. This lets you skip songs, check weather, control smart devices and more through connected Echo/Nest hardware with your voice instead of onboard chipsets. A trade-off for some but one that pays serious sonic dividends.
Either approach works smoothly but Sonos forfeits no convenience connecting you quicker to the music and information you desire most. For larger smart homes especially, that broader ecosystem harmony can make all the difference.
Wireless Capabilities & Signal Stability
In terms of wireless connectivity, both B&W and Sonos operate reliably within standard WiFi confines. formation-ready Bowers components unlock proprietary signal transmission resiliency even where most networks falter however.
But Sonos retains the edge for serving up seamlessly expandable whole-home audio sans the clutter of cables. Add matching rear surrounds and a subwoofer then wave goodbye to wiring woes forever. Everything links wirelessly back to the television centered soundbar.
Bowers & Wilkins Formation series models can likewise combine wire-free over WiFi or the more dependable Formation mesh network. Expanding systems further involves wired connections however so plan accordingly. With the right distributed speaker layout including satellite speakers and bass modules, the realization matches Sonos albeit with the former‘s audiophile sensibilities shining through.
Price Considerations
Let‘s discuss the ever-important value proposition. Which brand gives you more performance for the money?
Given the custom components hand assembled largely by skilled technicians in their Worthing factory, Bowers & Wilkins rightfully command premium pricing. Their higher-end offerings eclipse $1K while more reasonably outfitted models hover around $700. Think admission prices to an exclusive club with the pedigree to back it up.
Although cheaper, Sonos hardly sounds cheap. Rigorous quality control ensures their listeners enjoy commensurate refinement at below equivalent rival prices. The Beam 2nd gen can be yours for under $500 for example – hundreds less than comparable B&W entries without sacrificing compelling features. If budget counts, Sonos deserves your shortlist.
Ultimately both brands retail fairly relative to the technology and craftsmanship involved. While Bowers & Wilkins touts cutting-edge sound, you pay appropriately for their acoustic artistry and stately form. Meanwhile Sonos makes a science of maximizing value where it counts sonically and beyond. Choose what resonates best with your wallet.
The Bottom Line
We‘ve assessed some key differences between heavyweight home audio titans Bowers & Wilkins versus Sonos across critical categories. Where do we net out?
There‘s no universally ideal option – personal sound taste and lifestyle factors should guide any buyer here. Mediate any trade-offs accordingly.
If pushed for an outright audiophile‘s reference, stick with Bowers & Wilkins and their uncompromising acoustic engineers. Revel in Dolby Atmos soundstaging that transports you inside the on-screen action via the superb Formation Bar. Expect moving musicality rendered with spine-tingling accuracy designed to please even golden ears. Just prepare to pay suitably for the privilege.
For our smart-home multimedia fans, Sonos makes streaming your content in any room easier than ever. The Beam 2 keeps pace as your needs evolve via simple WiFi updates while controlling everything through intuitive apps or voice. Affordable scale across whole households solidifies their mainstream appeal.
Whichever route you choose, either brand handsomely rewards their respective investors with many years of wireless entertainment. My advice? Book extended in-home demos from a top dealer to experience that custom synergy firsthand. Then let your ears make the final judgement call. Feel free to reach out anytime for advice tailoring components into the perfect whole-home fit!
