This half-price Black Friday Dolby Atmos soundbar deal is almost too good to be true

This 55%-off Black Friday Dolby Atmos soundbar deal is almost too good to be true
(Image credit: Bowers & Wilkins)

If you're in the market for a Dolby Atmos soundbar that doesn't cost the earth and have been waiting for the Black Friday deals to make your move, your patience has been rewarded: the Bowers & Wilkins Panorama 3 is now just £399 at Amazon and Peter Tyson thanks to a £500 (or 55 per cent) discount.

Unsurprisingly, that's the lowest price we have ever seen this premium, single-unit bar drop to, though it has fluctuated around and above £499 since earlier this year. Considering we awarded the B&W Atmos soundbar four (out of five) stars at its original price of £899, you'd be right in thinking that it's highly recommendable at this knockdown price.

We might prefer the Award-winning Sonos Arc as far as premium Atmos performers go, but despite a £106 discount at Amazon it still costs £694. For the current price of the Panorama 3, you won't find a better TV sound-boosting solution from such a discrete package.

Bowers and Wilkins Panorama 3 was £899 now £399 at Amazon (save £500)
New product

Bowers and Wilkins Panorama 3 was £899 now £399 at Amazon (save £500)
Bowers & Wilkins's first Dolby Atmos soundbar is a sleek, standalone soundbar that delivers 3.1.2 channels of audio from a single unit. There’s Amazon Alexa onboard for hands-free voice commands and streaming via AirPlay 2, aptX Adaptive Bluetooth and Spotify Connect. This Amazon deal is sold through Peter Tyson, so unsurprisingly is also available at Peter Tyson's webstore too.

The Panorama 3 measures 121cm long, so you'll need to make sure you can accommodate it and that it looks in proportion to your current TV. It's 6.5cm tall, which isn't too tall by modern standards so it should slip in below most modern flatscreens.

Inside the bar are 13 individual driver units powered by ten 40-watt amplifiers in a 3.1.2 configuration. Across the front, in a Left-Centre-Right arrangement, each channel group includes twin 5cm midrange drivers partnered by decoupled 19mm titanium-dome tweeters. Meanwhile, two angled 5cm drivers are on the top to deliver height effects.

The result of such build and engineering is, as we said in our Bowers & Wilkins Panorama 3 review, a "dynamic and detailed Dolby Atmos presentation" – one that is insightful and engaging. We also praised its bass performance as unusually good at this price point, with it adding "welcome weight to lively action films and scores".

Not bad for B&W's first attempt at a Dolby Atmos soundbar at all, even if we would like the next to excel more at midrange (voice) clarity and have a broader, more spacious soundfield on par with the Sonos Arc's.

At the rear is a single HDMI eARC input and optical digital for owners of older TVs, while streaming smarts come courtesy of AirPlay 2, aptX Adaptive Bluetooth and Spotify Connect. High-res streaming is accessible through the Bowers & Wilkins Music App where you can play the likes of Tidal, Deezer and Qobuz if you have the relevant subscription.

A class-leading rival like the Sonos Arc might deliver a more accomplished all-round performance, but given the enormity of this Panorama 3's saving, it makes the B&W's case a lot more convincing, to the point where you really should consider introducing it to your living room. If your budget doesn't stretch to the Arc, you won't regret it.

MORE:

Best Dolby Atmos soundbars 2023: budget to premium home cinema sound

Our longer list of the best Black Friday soundbar deals available

Black Friday deal alert! Spectacular savings on this five-star Sony LCD TV

Becky Roberts

Becky is the managing editor of What Hi-Fi? and, since her recent move to Melbourne, also the editor of the brand's sister magazines Down Under – Australian Hi-Fi and Audio Esoterica. During her 11+ years in the hi-fi industry, she has reviewed all manner of audio gear, from budget amplifiers to high-end speakers, and particularly specialises in headphones and head-fi devices. In her spare time, Becky can often be found running, watching Liverpool FC and horror movies, and hunting for gluten-free cake.

Read more
Dolby Atmos soundbar: Harman Kardon Citation Multibeam 1100
This Dolby Atmos soundbar's price tag has been slashed in half
Sonos Arc standing on a wooden unit beneath a TV screen
A Christmas miracle! Our favourite Sonos soundbar is at its lowest price ever
Samsung HW-Q990D soundbar system
The best Samsung HW-Q990D deals: save big on this Award-winning Dolby Atmos soundbar system
Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 9
This five-star Dolby Atmos soundbar's price tag has dropped by £400
Samsung HW-Q990D soundbar system
Samsung's awesome, Award-winning Dolby Atmos soundbar package is on sale again
JBL Bar 1300 soundbar system
Save hundreds on this wireless JBL Dolby Atmos soundbar system
Latest in Soundbars
Samsung HW-Q990D soundbar system
You can save on Samsung and Sonos Dolby Atmos soundbars – here's which one we would pick
JBL Bar 1300 soundbar system
Save hundreds on this wireless JBL Dolby Atmos soundbar system
Samsung HW-Q990D soundbar system
2 of our favourite Dolby Atmos soundbars have had amazing discounts: but which should you get?
Sonos Arc standing on a wooden unit beneath a TV screen
Stock of the Sonos Arc is starting to dry up – but there are still savings to be found on this Dolby Atmos soundbar
Samsung HW-Q990D soundbar system
JBL's premiere Dolby Atmos soundbar’s price has crashed – but this 5-star Samsung set-up is still better
Sony Bravia Theatre Bar 9
Sony's Dolby Atmos soundbars are half price with a TV purchase: but you should only consider these 2 combos
Latest in News
JBL Charge 6 in red with carry strap
JBL upgrades two of our favourite Bluetooth speakers with bigger sound, longer battery life and more durable designs
KK DVD collection
'Laser rot' has rendered millions of Warner Bros DVDs unplayable – but you may be able to have them replaced
Damian Penaud of France runs with the ball during a Guinness Six Nations 2025 match in February
Ireland vs France live stream — how to watch Six Nations 2025 match online now, team news
Google TV Streamer
The Google TV Streamer just fixed its biggest flaw
philips gamepix 800 smart on white background
Philips' new gaming projector has some impressive specs – but it also faces some stiff competition
Q Acoustics' three Q SUB models side by side against a brown backdrop
Trio of new Q SUB subwoofers bring bass boosts for Q Acoustics' multi-Award-winning speakers