Bowers & Wilkins introduced its first Panorama in 2009. Sound & Vision reviewed both that model and its successor, and we more recently reviewed the company’s Formation soundbar offering. Unlike those last two models, the new Panorama is specifically designed to be used without a subwoofer. The 47.6 x 2.5 x 5.5-inch (WxHxD) bar has a low-profile for placement beneath a TV screen, and also comes with wall-mounting hardware.
The new Panorama features 13 total drive units, with its dual upfiring drivers accompanied by a left, center, right configuration with each featuring dual 2-inch midrange drivers and a fully decoupled 0.75-inch titanium-dome tweeter. Dual 4-inch subwoofers are provided, and according to the company’s press release, these are “mounted in a substantial acoustic volume that forms the majority portion of the enclosure, ensuring deep, extended bass….” The bar boasts a total of 400 watts amp power, with 40 watts each allocated to the tweeters, the midrange drivers, the upfiring Atmos Elevation units, and the individual subwoofers.
Connections on the gen-3 Panorama include one ARC/eARC HDMI port plus an optical digital input. When hooked up via HDMI, the soundbar can be controlled with a TV’s remote using HDMI-CEC; if an optical connection to an older TV is used, the Panorama 3 can also learn key TV remote control commands. Capacitive-touch buttons that illuminate when you approach can also be used for control. Alexa voice command is supported.
Along with its hardwired connections, the new Panorama supports AirPlay 2 and aptX Adaptive Bluetooth wireless streaming, along with Spotify Connect. It can also be used with the Bowers & Wilkins Music app, which provides access to Tidal, Qobuz, TuneIn, Deezer, Last.fm, Soundcloud, with more services to come. According to the company, the bar’s digital ‘brain’ can be upgraded, and it plans to add multi-room support in the very near future.
The Panorama 3 is available now from the Bowers & Wilkins website and select dealers. Click here to learn more.
