Short answer: the Bowers & Wilkins Formation Flex. It ranks #11 of 24 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality (rated 3.5/5); the Monoprice Monolith MM-3 ranks #16 (rated 3.2/5).
The case for the Bowers & Wilkins Formation Flex: ASR’s Klippel data gives a 6.43 predicted preference score with an ideal subwoofer and broad horizontal coverage. The tradeoff: Standalone preference is only 3.69.
The case for the Monoprice Monolith MM-3: With the ports plugged, Erin’s Klippel data yields preference scores of 3.82 standalone and 6.24 with an ideal subwoofer, and a measured -3dB point around 62Hz. The catch: These measurements describe modified, port-plugged speakers, not the stock product.
Buy the Bowers & Wilkins Formation Flex. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Monoprice Monolith MM-3.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Bowers & Wilkins Formation Flex | Monoprice Monolith MM-3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £898 per pair | $299.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #11 of 24 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #16 of 24 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Enclosure | 2-way active wireless | 2-way active, rear slot port |
| Drivers | 1" decoupled double-dome tweeter, 4" woven-glass woofer | 0.75" silk-dome tweeter, 3" polypropylene woofer |
| Dimensions | 8.5H x 5.1W x 5.1D in | 8.3H x 5.5W x 6.3D in |
| Weight | 5.1 lbs (2.3 kg) each | approx. 7.9 lbs (3.6 kg) each |
| Amplifier Power | 100W each (2 x 50W) | 50W total, bi-amplified |
| Wireless | AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Bluetooth, Formation mesh | - |
| Country | United Kingdom (design) | United States (design) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.69 | 3.82 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.43 | 6.24 |
| Inputs | AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Roon Ready, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi | Bluetooth aptX, RCA, 3.5mm |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| RCA Input | No | Yes |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes, 4.1 | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 28kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 50Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC, aptX |
Related Speaker Comparisons
How Bowers & Wilkins Formation Flex compares with other leading options:
- Cambridge Audio L/R S vs Bowers & Wilkins Formation Flex
- HiVi Swan X3 vs Bowers & Wilkins Formation Flex
- Sovox MiniMax3 vs Bowers & Wilkins Formation Flex
- Bowers & Wilkins Formation Flex vs Fostex PM0.3
- Bowers & Wilkins Formation Flex vs Audioengine A2+
Prices on this page were last checked September 23, 2026 at 11:24 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Bowers & Wilkins Formation Flex: £898 per pair Bowers & Wilkins eBay
Pros: ASR’s Klippel data gives a 6.43 predicted preference score with an ideal subwoofer and broad horizontal coverage. Its wireless stereo-pair capability and network streaming can suit a minimalist system without conventional source cables. The measured tonal result is more credible than judging sound quality from the compact wireless format alone.
Cons: Standalone preference is only 3.69. The response rises toward the treble, and the -3dB point is about 95Hz, so lower bass is substantially reduced even though the preference model’s separate LFX metric is 62Hz. Those two bass metrics are not interchangeable. A stereo pair is costly, and the lack of conventional analog input limits system flexibility.
Full Bowers & Wilkins Formation Flex review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 100W each (2 x 50W) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes, 4.1 |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Country | United Kingdom (design) |
| Dimensions | 8.5H x 5.1W x 5.1D in |
| Drivers | 1" decoupled double-dome tweeter, 4" woven-glass woofer |
| Enclosure | 2-way active wireless |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 28kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Roon Ready, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.69 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.43 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 5.1 lbs (2.3 kg) each |
| Wireless | AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Bluetooth, Formation mesh |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Bowers & Wilkins Formation Flex vs Fostex PM0.3
- Bowers & Wilkins Formation Flex vs Audioengine A2+
- Bowers & Wilkins Formation Flex vs Sovox MiniMax3
- Bowers & Wilkins Formation Flex vs Monacor SOUND-4BT
- Bowers & Wilkins Formation Flex vs Kanto YU4
- Bowers & Wilkins Formation Flex vs HiVi Swan X3
- Bowers & Wilkins Formation Flex vs Klipsch ProMedia Lumina
- Bowers & Wilkins Formation Flex vs Audioengine HD3
- See all 9 comparisons
Monoprice Monolith MM-3: $299.99 per pair Monoprice eBay
Pros: With the ports plugged, Erin’s Klippel data yields preference scores of 3.82 standalone and 6.24 with an ideal subwoofer, and a measured -3dB point around 62Hz. The reviewer found blocking the ports improved the bass peak and midrange resonances. Bluetooth, analog inputs, a headphone jack and angled stands provide a convenient compact desktop package.
Cons: These measurements describe modified, port-plugged speakers, not the stock product. Even in that configuration the review identifies substantial tonal problems and recommends off-axis placement to reduce excess treble. The score therefore does not justify ranking the stock MM-3 alongside better-balanced monitors. Small drivers limit its application, and the proprietary inter-speaker cable complicates replacement.
Full Monoprice Monolith MM-3 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 50W total, bi-amplified |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Country | United States (design) |
| Dimensions | 8.3H x 5.5W x 6.3D in |
| Drivers | 0.75" silk-dome tweeter, 3" polypropylene woofer |
| Enclosure | 2-way active, rear slot port |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | Bluetooth aptX, RCA, 3.5mm |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.82 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.24 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | approx. 7.9 lbs (3.6 kg) each |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
- Monoprice Monolith MM-3 vs Klipsch ProMedia Lumina
- Monoprice Monolith MM-3 vs Audioengine HD3
- Monoprice Monolith MM-3 vs Kanto YU4
- Monoprice Monolith MM-3 vs Monacor SOUND-4BT
- Monoprice Monolith MM-3 vs Fluid Audio C35BT
- Monoprice Monolith MM-3 vs Audioengine A2+
- Monoprice Monolith MM-3 vs Fiio SP3
- Monoprice Monolith MM-3 vs Monoprice DT-3
- See all 9 comparisons