Hey friend! Upgrading to a premium soundbar for your home entertainment center or media room is an exciting investment. As you shop around, two brands likely on your list are consumer tech giant Sony and high-end audio legend Bowers & Wilkins, aka B&W.
Both make fantastic soundbars but they take rather different approaches. In this side-by-side comparison guide, we’ll assess how Sony and Bowers & Wilkins soundbar offerings stack up across critical categories like:
- Audio quality and performance
- Soundbar design aesthetics
- Features, connectivity and expandability
- Overall value and pricing
I’ve analyzed expert reviews and testing data to provide my tech enthusiast perspective. My goal is to equip you with everything needed to confidently choose the ideal soundbar fit based on your personal priorities around sound, design, compatibility with other gear and budget flexibility.
Let’s dive in!
Brand Histories – Experience Meets Audio Focus
As we compare what Sony and Bowers & Wilkens bring to the table today, it’s important to understand where each company comes from…
Sony Background
Sony hardly needs an introduction as a pioneer in categories ranging from portable music players to top-tier televisions and mirrorless cameras. Founded in 1946 in Tokyo by Masaru Ibuka and Akio Morita, the company also boasts a strong audio pedigree.
Innovations like the Walkman cassette player propelled Sony’s mastery of miniaturized sound reproduction. This focus carries over to present-day home audio gear, where immersive spatial effects and clarity rank among development priorities.
Bowers & Wilkins Heritage
Unlike multidivisional Sony, Bowers & Wilkins (B&W) began life in 1966 with a singular mission – producing the world’s finest loudspeaker systems for faithful audio reproduction in high-end HiFi and home theater applications.
The British company carries 50+ years of acoustic engineering refinement into its current lineup. Reviewer and buyer consensus agrees – if an audiophile-like listening experience matters most, B&W consistently bests the competition. Their pursuit of sonic excellence does demand loftier price points however.
Now that you understand the differing specialities these two audio titans bring to the table, let’s see how it translates to their latest soundbar offerings vying for a spot in your living room!
Sound Quality Showdown
As I’m sure you’ll agree, sublime sound is priority one for any soundbar purchase. Delving into the acoustic engineering differences proves insightful:
You’ll notice right away Bowers & Wilkins reputation for audio excellence holds true based on reviewer sentiment and technical performance. The natural warmth and articulate midrange clarify game dialogue and vocal tracks perfectly. Robust bass from large wireless subwoofers also impresses though low frequency demands can push costs higher.
What about Sony? They emphasise a clear, detailed spatial soundscape to immerse listeners rather than outright fidelity improvements. Proprietary Vertical Surround Engine and 3D mapping technologies replicate cinema-esque audio for movies and games. Integrated subwoofers often suffice for tighter budgets too.
Now for your usage – seek maximum audio realism and bass impact? Bowers & Wilkins should be your friend. Crave wrap-around, 3D effects for gaming and films? Sony becomes a strong contender. Choosing the right sound profile for you takes priority here.
Soundbar Aesthetics and Design Compared
You invest good money and install a soundbar in a main living space so aesthetics and visual flair likely matter too. Weighing design and style reveals more differences:
Build quality with Bowers & Wilkins impresses across the board. Aluminum assemblies, glass fiber accent panels and fabric speaker grills scream durability. Front-facing drive units covered by a signature spiral grill mesh project high style. If you fancy an audio upgrade that also elevates room decor – B&W brings a compelling case.
Sony opts for familiar, understated matte black enclosures that disappear from sight below a TV rather than catch the eye. That said, the wrapped fabric grills protecting all speakers project a pleasing simplicity. For those merely seeking capable audio hardware rather than decor statements, Sony streamlined soundbars more than satisfy.
Your room, decor taste and desired aesthetic statement should guide preferences here. A process of elimination helps too – place both Sony and B&W options before you virtually and see which visual design language you naturally gravitate towards.
Features and Connectivity Comparison
Key considerations beyond the speakers themselves include which streaming options are supported? How intelligent and voice control capable is each platform? Comparing available features tells a story:
For Spotify loyalists, Apple Music subscribers or Google ecosystem households in particular – Sony brings tighter, more polished integration today. Bowers & Wilkins catching up in key areas however, recently adding Chromecast built-in capability for mobile casting flexibility sorely missing before.
If you ever want to expand into wireless surround sound with satellite additions too – Sony shines. Nearly all models support wireless rear speaker pairing without quality or latency compromises I sometimes notice from competitors. B&W trails here for now unless you buy deeper into their Formation wireless speaker platform.
Overall both tick all boxes for modern connectivity and voice-capable operation. I suggest focusing on which ecosystems and use cases mesh with your household habits and devices. You can‘t go wrong though I believe Sony still out-innovates in feature-set at multiple price points.
Soundbar Costs and Overall Value
Inflation and supply uncertainty make us all price conscious so what should you expect to budget for one brand over the other?
Sticker shock kicks in faster as you climb Bowers & Wilkins lineup tiers. Comparing their cheapest $800 Dolby Atmos model to equivalently-equipped Sony choices often $200+ more expensive proves the point. Is the premium justified?
General consensus says yes IF you are an audio enthusiast willing to pay for the very best home theater sonics money can buy. Sony produces still excellent sound and flexibility for hundreds less. Evaluate if your ears find extremely refined acoustic subtleties worth the higher B&W pricing.
Personally I believe Sony hits the audio performance, features and design quality sweet spot for 75% of buyers. If ultimate audio fidelity matters above all else – open your wallet a but wider for Bowers & Wilkins! But most will be thrilled saving some cash with Sony.
The Best Soundbars Are…
We‘ve covered a lot of ground comparing these two audio heavyweights. Where do Sony and Bowers & Wilkins shine brightest when it comes to delivering the total soundbar package?
Bowers & Wilkins turns out exceptional, cinematic audio combined with all the modern features expected in a clean, gorgeous aesthetic bound to earn compliments. What they deliver comes at a cost however.
Sony impresses nearly as much for hundreds less money. Owners praise clear, hard-hitting audio that envelops viewers in everything from sports to action flicks. Plus flexible expansion and seamless integration with Sony TVs and PlayStations cater to their faithful customer base.
In closing, I suggest narrowing choices according your unique soundbar usage plans and budget flexibility. Can‘t go wrong either way but giving Sony first consideration is my recommendation knowing what excellent value they provide sonically and feature-wise!
I welcome any other questions coming to mind around Bowers & Wilkins and Sony home theater options too. So feel free to reach out or comment below! Want to dive deeper into home audio? Browse my speaker shopping tips next…
