Bowers & Wilkins Formation Audio Hi-res Audio Streamer

The Bowers & Wilkins Formation Audio is a purpose-built wireless audio hub, designed to bring traditional hi-fi systems into the modern streaming era without compromising signal integrity. Positioned within the Formation ecosystem, it acts as a bridge between analogue and digital domains, allowing legacy components to integrate seamlessly into a high-resolution, multi-room environment.

At its core, Formation Audio is engineered around high-performance analogue-to-digital (ADC) and digital-to-analogue (DAC) conversion stages, enabling both directions of signal flow. This means you can stream digital music into an existing system, or conversely, distribute analogue sources—such as turntables—across a wireless Formation setup with precision and stability.

The platform is built on Bowers & Wilkins’ proprietary Formation wireless mesh network, designed to deliver robust, low-latency synchronisation between rooms, independent of typical home Wi-Fi limitations. The result is a system that prioritises timing accuracy and signal stability, key elements in maintaining high-fidelity playback.

Specifications

• Product Type: Wireless audio hub / network streamer
• Maximum Resolution: Up to 24-bit / 96kHz high-resolution audio
• Streaming Technologies:
  • Apple AirPlay 2
  • Spotify Connect
  • Roon Ready
  • Bluetooth (aptX HD, AAC, SBC)
• Conversion Stages:
  • High-performance ADC (analogue → digital)
  • High-performance DAC (digital → analogue)
• Inputs:
  • 1 × Optical (Toslink)
  • 2 × RCA analogue
• Outputs:
  • 1 × Digital (RCA coaxial)
  • 2 × RCA analogue
• Network Connectivity: Ethernet (RJ45) and Wi-Fi
• Multi-room Capability: Formation ecosystem synchronisation
• Bluetooth: v4.1, Class 2
• Dimensions (H × W × D): 44 × 215 × 263 mm
• Weight: approx. 1.0 kg
• Power Consumption: <6.8W (standby)

In practice, the Formation Audio is less about replacing components and more about enhancing system flexibility. It allows a traditional two-channel setup to access modern streaming platforms, while also enabling analogue sources to participate in a broader wireless ecosystem—without sacrificing the core character of the system.

Its strength lies in integration and signal transparency, rather than feature overload. When used within the Formation range, it becomes a central node—maintaining timing coherence, high-resolution playback, and system-wide synchronisation.

A bridge between classic hi-fi and contemporary streaming—executed with precision and purpose.

Unit is part of clearance stock.

Condition: Excellent – Demo Stock

Colour: Black & Rose Gold

Note: Product is demo stock and contains all accessories. Unit contains original box.