Bowers & Wilkins Formation Flex

Martins Hi-Fi is the second oldest Bowers & Wilkins dealer in the world — and the Formation Flex is the most versatile speaker in the Formation range. Compact enough to sit comfortably in any room, yet technically accomplished enough to hold its own in the company of serious hi-fi, the Formation Flex refuses the usual compromise between size and sound quality. It streams at 96kHz/24-bit high resolution, integrates seamlessly into the Formation wireless ecosystem, and delivers a performance that transforms every room it occupies — from a standalone speaker in a kitchen or bedroom to a surround channel in a full Formation home cinema system.

Formation Wireless Technology

The Formation Flex is built around Bowers & Wilkins' proprietary Formation Wireless Technology — a dedicated wireless mesh protocol engineered specifically for high-resolution audio, operating independently of the congestion and variability of a standard home WiFi network. Formation maintains synchronisation between multiple products across the network to within a microsecond — an accuracy that eliminates the timing errors and dropouts that undermine competing wireless audio systems. Whether the Formation Flex is playing alone or as part of a multi-room Formation installation alongside a Formation Wedge or Formation Audio, synchronisation is perfect and sound quality is uncompromised.

Drive Units from the 600 Series

The Formation Flex's drive unit complement is drawn directly from Bowers & Wilkins' 600 Series loudspeakers — a lineage that sets it apart from competing wireless speakers that rely on generic drivers with no pedigree in serious audio. A 25mm double dome tweeter handles high frequencies with the speed and precision that a mass-produced wireless speaker cannot match, whilst a 90mm FST midrange driver — a technology derived from Bowers & Wilkins' reference loudspeakers — reproduces the critical midrange frequencies where the human voice and the body of most instruments live. A dedicated bass driver extends the Formation Flex's low-frequency performance well beyond what its compact dimensions would suggest.

96kHz/24-Bit High-Resolution Streaming

The Formation Flex streams at 96kHz/24-bit — a resolution that preserves the full dynamic and tonal information of a high-quality source. Apple AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, and Bluetooth with aptX HD support are all included, ensuring compatibility with every major streaming platform and source device. The Bowers & Wilkins Music app provides straightforward control of the Formation system — grouping rooms, adjusting balance, and managing streaming accounts with minimal complexity.

Versatility by Design

The Formation Flex has been engineered for maximum placement flexibility. It can be used in portrait or landscape orientation, mounted on a wall, or positioned on a shelf or worktop — a versatility that reflects the genuine thought Bowers & Wilkins have invested in making this speaker work in any room and any context. An optional stand is available for those who wish to use the Formation Flex as a freestanding speaker in a more formal listening environment. Available in black and white finishes, the Formation Flex is discreet enough to disappear into its surroundings yet considered enough in its design to hold its own as a visible object in the room.

Technical Specifications

Who Is It For?

The Formation Flex is for those who want genuine Bowers & Wilkins sound quality in a compact wireless speaker — whether as a standalone room speaker, a stereo pair, or an additional zone in a broader Formation system. Its size makes it the ideal choice for rooms where a larger speaker would be impractical, yet its technical pedigree ensures it never sounds like a compromise. Those building a complete Formation system should consider pairing it with the Formation Wedge for the primary listening room and the Formation Audio to bring an existing passive system into the Formation ecosystem.

Buying from Martins Hi-Fi

Martins Hi-Fi has been in Norwich since 1968. Elizabeth Gould runs the business today, and we stock only brands we have heard properly and stand behind. As the second oldest Bowers & Wilkins dealer in the world, we have a depth of knowledge and experience with the brand that very few retailers can match. Dave or Chris will be happy to demonstrate the Formation Flex and the broader Formation ecosystem in our Norwich showroom — and to advise on the configuration that best suits your home and listening habits.

Contact us at info@martinshifi.co.uk, call 01603 627010, or WhatsApp on 07554 687137. You can read more about how we work on our Why Martins Hi-Fi page. We are at 85–91 Ber Street, Norwich, NR1 3EY.