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Bowers & Wilkins A5

Bowers & Wilkins A5
Bowers & Wilkins A5Bowers & Wilkins A5Bowers & Wilkins A5Bowers & Wilkins A5Bowers & Wilkins A5Bowers & Wilkins A5Bowers & Wilkins A5Bowers & Wilkins A5Bowers & Wilkins A5Bowers & Wilkins A5
alaScore 91

128 reviews

Apr, 2024

alaTest has collected and analyzed 128 reviews of Bowers & Wilkins A5. The average rating for this product is 3.9/5, compared to an average rating of 4.3/5 for other products in the same category for all reviews. Comments about the sound and size are generally positive. The design and usability are also appreciated. Some have doubts about the reliability and price.

usability, design, size, sound

price, reliability

We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other products in the same category the Bowers & Wilkins A5 is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 91/100 = Excellent quality.

Review analysis

(Based on 128 reviews)

Expert Reviews  

User Reviews  

Review Ratings

  (49% of reviews)
Show all 5 star reviews   (19% of reviews)
Show all 4 star reviews   (11% of reviews)
Show all 3 star reviews   (9% of reviews)
Show all 2 star reviews   (13% of reviews)
Show all 1 star reviews

Features

usability
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design
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price
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size
  Show positive (78%)Show negative (23%)(Show all)
reliability
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sound
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Showing 83 review(s)

Expert Reviews User Reviews

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Showing 1 - 76 of 83 Show Reviews: in English | in other languages (35)

Consumer review (amazon.co.uk)

Amazon.co.uk review summary for Bowers & Wilkins A5

 

alaTest has collected and analyzed 66 user reviews of Bowers & Wilkins A5 from Amazon.co.uk. The average user rating for this product is 3.7/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.4/5 for other products in the same category on Amazon.co.uk. Reviewers really like the size. The design also gets good feedback. There are some critical opinions about the reliability and price.

usability, design, size

price, reliability

73% of the reviews on Amazon.co.uk give this product a positive rating.

Apr, 2024

Expert review by : What Hi-Fi? (whathifi.com)

B&W A5 review

 

A masterclass in wireless speaker design

Great design ; Easy AirPlay set-up ; Tons of detail that competitors lack

Sound is on the small side ; Treble can be a little bright

A masterclass in wireless speaker design. At this price, there are few AirPlay devices that can better the A5

Jan, 2013
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Expert review by (t3.com)

B&W A5 review

 

Can the B&W A5 make us fall in love with Airplay all over again?

Style and build ; Superb sound ; Effortless setup

Lack of display ; Wobbly bass ; Premium price

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Expert review by : Jim Martin (techadvisor.co.uk)

Bowers & Wilkins A5 review

 

B&W is a premium speaker manufacturer and is well known for its Zeppelin dock for iPods and iPhones. The A5 is smaller than you might imagine, but retains a similar design with black cloth and polished metal details.

B&W speakers are never cheap, but the A5 seems a little overpriced. Sound quality is good but not excellent, and it's strictly for Apple devices since there's no Bluetooth. For £70 less, the Minx Air 100 is much more versatile, yet sounds just as good.

Jun, 2013
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Expert review by : Bryan Gardiner (wired.com)

Review: Bowers & Wilkins A5

 

The A5 may be the smaller of Bowers & Wilkins' two new AirPlay speakers, but this impeccably designed 80-watt rig has no trouble delivering the...

Hands down the easiest AirPlay speaker I’ve set up. A 3.5-mm input and an Ethernet jack on the rear panel handle direct wired connections should you decide to forgo AirPlay

Bass can be overbearing when you crank the volume. Flimsy plastic remote is in direct opposition to premium metal and black cloth design of the speaker

Jan, 2013
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Expert review by : Tim Gideon (pcmag.com)

Bowers & Wilkins A5

 

Bowers & Wilkins is now several products deep into its consumer-level headphone and speaker line, and as pricey as these offerings are, they're nothing compared to the high-fidelity speakers B&W manufactures for recording studios and living rooms of...

Robust, crisp audio performance over AirPlay. Substantial bass response at moderate-to-loud volumes. Easy set up process using free app. Attractive, sleek design

Distorts on deep bass tracks at top volumes. Egg-shaped remote is awkward to operate. A tad overpriced

The Bowers & Wilkins A5 delivers excellent wireless audio via AirPlay at moderate levels, but struggles at top volumes on some deep bass material.

Nov, 2012
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Consumer review (johnlewis.com)

Superb sound for that size

 

Nice surprise sound quality from such a small device !

Sep, 2015
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Consumer review (johnlewis.com)

Do not buy

 

Agree with a lot of comments on here. I've had the A5 for over a year and it has always been temperamental. I've tried it in different places and different wifi connections. The wifi seems to have no trouble streaming films but cant get a signal for...

Apr, 2015
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Consumer review (johnlewis.com)

Excellent product as you would expect from B&W

 

I went for this product over a similar Sonos product because of past experience of having B&W speakers and the fact it was more appealing to the eye. I wasn't disappointed, sound is superb, more than loud enough, no connectivity issues at all and looks...

Feb, 2015
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Consumer review (johnlewis.com)

Avoid this very poor product

 

I have been a great fan of B&W's speakers for several decades but this product is a disaster. It is simply unusable given the unreliable and inconsistent wifi connectivity. I use it for 10 minutes and it drops the connection and have to reset software...

Dec, 2014
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Consumer review (johnlewis.com)

GREAT SOUND IF YOU CAN GET IT TO LAST!

 

Great sound but connectivity a real problem. Have persevered for months and still can't prevent this unit dropping signal. Barely get through a track before I have to switch off and start again. Methinks Bowers&Wilkins are in denial!

Dec, 2014
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Price comparison for Bowers & Wilkins A5