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Bowers & Wilkins Formation Bar vs Samsung HW-Q950A
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
Bowers & Wilkins Formation Bar
Samsung HW-Q950A
Tested using Methodology v1.0
Updated Jan 12, 2024 07:36 PM
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BestBuy.comTested using Methodology v1.2
Updated Jan 12, 2024 07:39 PM
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Amazon.com
Channels3.0
Channels11.1.4
Variants
- Formation Bar (Black)
- HW-Q950A (Black)
Our Verdict
Bowers & Wilkins Formation Bar
Samsung HW-Q950A
The Samsung HW-Q950A is better than the Bowers & Wilkins Formation Bar. The Samsung is an 11.1.4 setup with a dedicated sub and satellites. Unlike the Bowers & Wilkins, it supports Dolby Atmos content and has HDMI inputs. It can reproduce a more extended low-bass, and it has better soundstage, center, and surround performances. There are also more sound enhancement features, like room correction. That said, some users may prefer the Bowers & Wilkins' standalone design.
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Black
Formation Bar
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HW-Q950A
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Formation Bar
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HW-Q950A
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Formation Bar
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HW-Q950A
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Formation Bar
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HW-Q950A
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Formation Bar
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HW-Q950A
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Finding storeMain Differences forMixed Usage
Mixed Usage
Threshold
Mixed Usage
6.5
8.4
Stereo Frequency Response
7.1
8.2
Height (Atmos)
0.0
6.6
Audio Format Support - ARC
0.0
10
Surround 5.1
4.2
8.3
Audio Format Support - Full HDMI In
0.0
10
Dialogue Enhancement
No
Yes
Auto-Volume/Night Mode
No
Yes
Sound Enhancement Features
1.0
9.5
Full Comparison
Design
Style - Bar
Style photo - bar
Style - Subwoofer
Style photo - sub
Sub Wireless
No
Yes
Enclosure
No Subwoofer
Ported
Style - Satellites
Style photo - satellites
Satellite Wireless
No
Yes
Dimensions - Bar
Dimensions photo - bar
Width
49.0" (124.5 cm)
48.4" (123.0 cm)
Height
4.3" (11.0 cm)
2.8" (7.0 cm)
Depth
4.3" (11.0 cm)
5.4" (13.8 cm)
Dimensions - Subwoofer
Dimensions photo - sub
Width
N/A
8.2" (20.9 cm)
Height
N/A
15.8" (40.2 cm)
Depth
N/A
15.9" (40.3 cm)
Dimensions - Satellites
Dimensions photo - satellites
Width
N/A
4.9" (12.4 cm)
Height
N/A
8.0" (20.2 cm)
Depth
N/A
5.5" (14.0 cm)
Mounting
Bar Mounting Holes
Satellite Mounting Holes
Mountable Bar
Yes
Bar Brackets Included
Yes
Mountable Satellites
Yes
Satellite Brackets Included
No
Build Quality
7.5
7.5
Build quality photo
In The Box
In The Box photo
HDMI Cable Length
N/A
Digital Optical Cable Length
1.0 m (3.3 ft)
Back - Bar
Back photo - bar
Bar Mounting
Proprietary
Back - Subwoofer
Back photo - sub
Enclosure
No Subwoofer
Ported
Back - Satellites
Back photo - satellites
Mounting
No
Sound
Stereo Frequency Response
7.1
8.2
Stereo Setup
Raw Frequency Response
Frequency Response Small
Tested Preset
No Preset
Standard
Slope
0.02
0.30
Std. Err.
3.32 dB
2.65 dB
Channels
3.0
11.1.4
Low-Frequency Extension
53.4 Hz
33.2 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.9 kHz
19.1 kHz
Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
7.1
8.4
Frequency Response Calibrated
Suggested Preset
No Preset
Standard
Suggested Bass Setting
0
2
Suggested Treble Setting
0
0
Slope
0.02
0.01
Std. Err.
3.32 dB
2.19 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
53.4 Hz
30.4 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.9 kHz
19.6 kHz
Stereo Soundstage
7.0
7.5
Crosstalk Error
4.10 dB
2.24 dB
Stereo Dynamics
7.8
8.8
Dynamic Range Compression
SPL @ Max Volume
96.0 dB SPL
98.8 dB SPL
DRC @ Max Volume
2.23 dB
1.08 dB
Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion
8.4
8.4
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.20
0.18
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.10
1.27
Center
7.8
8.8
Center Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Discrete
Discrete
Slope
-0.02
0.28
Std. Err.
5.04 dB
2.19 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
96.5 dB SPL
96.6 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.20
0.17
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
5.13
0.86
Surround 5.1
4.2
8.3
Surround Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Stereo (Downmix)
Discrete
Slope
-0.69
-0.36
Std. Err.
3.50 dB
2.92 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
94.2 dB SPL
89.8 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.43
0.52
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.07
2.31
7.1 Rears
No
Yes
Height (Atmos)
0.0
6.6
Height Setup
H Frequency Response
Localization
Not Supported
Phantom (Up Firing, Bar & Satellites)
Slope
N/A
-0.28
Std. Err.
N/A
4.20 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
N/A
90.5 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
N/A
0.54
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
N/A
1.03
Sound Enhancement Features
1.0
9.5
Room Correction
No
Yes
Dialogue Enhancement
No
Yes
Auto-Volume/Night Mode
No
Yes
Subwoofer Level Adjustment
No
Yes
Bass Adjustment
Yes
Yes
Treble Adjustment
Yes
Yes
EQ
No
Graphic + Presets
Surround Level Adjustment
No
Yes
Rear Level Adjustment
No
Yes
Height Level Adjustment
No
Yes
Virtual Surround
No
Yes
Connectivity
Inputs/Outputs - Bar
Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
Physical Connections Bar Photo 2
Optical Audio In
1
1
HDMI Out
No
eARC
HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth
No
Full HDMI In
No
2
Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux)
No
No
RCA In
No
No
USB for Files
No
No
Ethernet
1
No
Subwoofer Output
No
HDMI ARC
No
Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC
0.0
10
Dolby Atmos
No
Supported
Dolby Digital
No
Supported
Dolby Digital Plus
No
Supported
Dolby TrueHD
No
Supported
DTS
No
Supported
DTS:X
No
Supported
eARC
No
DTS-HD MA
No
Supported
PCM Channels
Up To 7.1
5.1 PCM (eARC only)
No
Audio Format Support: HDMI In
0.0
10
Dolby Atmos
No
Supported
Dolby Digital
No
Supported
Dolby Digital Plus
No
Supported
Dolby TrueHD
No
Supported
DTS
No
Supported
DTS:X
No
Supported
DTS-HD MA
No
Supported
PCM Channels
Up To 7.1
5.1 PCM
No
Audio Format Support: Optical
6.0
10
Dolby Digital
Yes
Supported
DTS
No
Supported
PCM Channels
2.0
Latency
7.3
7.7
Latency Video
ARC
N/A
80 ms
Optical
81 ms
60 ms
Full HDMI In
N/A
59 ms
Video Passthrough To TV
0.0
8.5
1080p Max Refresh Rate
120Hz
1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
120Hz
4k Max Refresh Rate
60Hz
4k @ 120Hz @ 10-Bit
Not Supported
4k @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
60Hz
8k Max Refresh Rate
30Hz
HDR10 Passthrough
No
Yes
HDR10+ Passthrough
Yes
Dolby Vision Passthrough
Yes
HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough
Yes
4k @ 60 Hz Passthrough
No
FreeSync Passthrough
No
G-SYNC Passthrough
No
ALLM Passthrough
Yes
4k @ 60 Hz @ 10 bit Passthrough
No
4k @ 60 Hz @ 4:4:4 Passthrough
No
Wireless Playback
9.0
9.0
Bluetooth
Yes
Yes
Wi-Fi Playback
Yes
Yes
Chromecast built-in
No
No
Apple AirPlay
Yes
Yes
Spotify Connect
Yes
Connectivity - Subwoofer
Physical inputs subwoofer photo 1
Physical controls subwoofer photo 1
Sub Wireless
No
Yes
Connectivity - Satellites
Physical inputs satellites photo 1
Physical controls satellites photo 1
Sat Wireless
No
Yes
Additional Features
Interface
Interface photo
Display
No
Yes
Bar Controls
Controls photo
Remote
Remote photo
Universal Remote
No
Voice Assistants Support
Amazon Alexa
No
Yes (Built-in)
Google Assistant
No
No
Apple Siri
No
No
Microphone Mute
Yes
App
App image
App Name
Bowers & Wilkins Formation Setup and Bowers & Wilkins Music
iOS
Yes
Android
Yes
Acts As A Remote
Yes
Controls Soundbar's Settings
All
Casts Device Files
Yes
Other Features
Power Saving
Standby
HDMI CEC (TV Remote Control)
No CEC, limited IR remote
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Black
Formation Bar
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HW-Q950A
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Formation Bar
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HW-Q950A
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Formation Bar
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HW-Q950A
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Formation Bar
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HW-Q950A
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Formation Bar
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HW-Q950A
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HW-Q950A
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Bowers & Wilkins Formation Bar
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Bowers & Wilkins Formation Bar vs Samsung HW-Q950A: Main Discussion
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