Customers praise the Panorama 2 Soundbar System for its exceptional sound quality and powerful subwoofer that delivers deep bass. The soundbar's sleek design and easy setup process are also highly appreciated. However, some customers find the remote control to be impractical and the price to be a bit high.
This summary was generated by AI based on customer reviews.
The vast majority of our reviews come from verified purchases. Reviews from customers may include My Best Buy members, employees, and Tech Insider Network members (as tagged). Select reviewers may receive discounted products, promotional considerations or entries into drawings for honest, helpful reviews.
Page 5 Showing 81-100 of 100 reviews
Pros mentioned:
Sound quality, Subwoofer
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
Nice sound but with some glitches.
Posted .
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
For a soundbar, the sound is sweet, I thought it is equivalent to the MartinLogan Vision and better than the Bose Cinemates. Considering there is not a separate subwoofer, I was very pleased with the bass. It is not surround, but I don't think any soundbar really is. It seems like a 3:1 effect.
I ended up returning it after 2 weeks. I had found enough issues with my unit in such a short time that I became concerned, especially for a unit at this price point.
1, Using the Set-Up menu, I set the on/off to auto. The Panorama 2 did automatically turn off when my TV is turned off. It did not automatically turn on when the TV is turned on.
2. The Set-Up has different bass eq settings for table or wall mount. The default is table. I changed it to wall and exited the Set-Up menu. If I turn the unit on the next day, and subsequently go back into setup, it reverted back to table.
3. When switching between HDMI sources, occassionally the video would switch but the audio would not. I had to turn the Panorama 2 off and then on, which would fix the problem.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend
Rated 1 out of 5 stars
defective
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Posted .
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
totally defective, missing parts. just turn on for 5 seconds and turn off.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Sound quality
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Perfect speaker for living room
Posted .
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
I bought the Panorama 2 to be used only for music in my living room after my wife nixed the B&W CM6's I was going to get. The Panorama 2 fits nicely on the mantle and isn't ugly.
I have this setup with an Airport Express and have the optical out from the AE feeding the optical in to the Panorama 2. The device will not automatically turn on when it sensed the signal from the AE but that is OK.
The sound is perfect. I actually bought a Dali Kubik One and loved the speaker but felt it was too bright and I missed some of the richer notes found in rock music. Guitar solo and some keyboards were lost in the Dali. After hearing the Panorama 2, I was sold and set the two up together and compared. The Panorama 2 was perfect in so many ways. The sound was so balanced and the bass response was much better. With the Dali I felt it necessary to have a subwoofer but completely unnecessary with the Panorama 2.
A feature I enjoy is the display. It is normally off except when you use the remote or wave your hand in front of it. Then it comes on and then turns off 15 seconds later. Neat feature.
For those of you using it with a TV, like most people will, I cannot tell if this would be good or not but the sound is probably one of the best if not the best you can get with a soundbar, with or without a subwoofer unless you are looking for earth shattering bass.
Overall, I highly recommend this soundbar. I look forward to listening to music for many years to come.
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Sound quality
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Wow
Posted .
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
I've had this for a month an a half and am simply blown away by the sound quality and the bass response without having a seperate subwoofer. The only issue I have had is that the sound sometimes "jumps" loudly/out of sync on the side surround speakers but it appears to be related to the "distance from center" setting. Seems like my latest adjustment to this setting resolved this issue. FYI, I have not experienced any sound loss or interuption noted by two other reviewers. I run an HDMI from my cable box out to the bar then from the bar's TV HDMI to the TV which may be an alternative that helps with signal/sound loss?!? Another FYI... I bought an Audioquest Chocolate HDMI cable to replace a generic Comcast cable and it made a huge improvement in audio detail but did not so much for video quality #maybe slightly more bold colors and more smooth definition but very minimal#. Overall, I extremely pleased and my wife enjoys not looking at the missing receiver and speakers it replaced, not to mention the nest of cables. Highly recommend this sound bar. You can't get better or more natural sound, IMHO. I love B&W products.
I would recommend this to a friend
Cons mentioned:
Customer service
Rated 2 out of 5 stars
Bowers & Wilkins speaker.
Posted .
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Finally the speaker received after few months later. But the service of best buy is horrible. I bought first time, it was damaged then I returned and they said they don’t have anymore but I found in online and few months later I received. It’s really painful such a horrible customer service.
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Sound quality
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Awesome Sound if you can't do Surround
Posted .
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Purchased this soundbar as a gift to myself since it was released on my birthday and I loved it. I have a couple things from Bowers and Wilkins and this soundbar has amazing sound. Friends that come over to watch movies and the ladies that come over love the look of it and the sound that it produces is amazing even without a sub. The fact that I can watch a movie turn the bluray player off and it will automatically switch to my Cable box is awesome becasue I won't have to switch sources. I also like that you can tweak the unit for your walls for surround sound. Over I would rate this a 90+.
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Best SoundBar You Can Buy
Posted .
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
The Panorama 2 is an incredible speaker and an impressive improvement over the first Panorama. I had the Panorama but ran into a big service issue after 7 months of use. When B&W couldn't fix it, the SF Magnolia:Best Buy team gave me a full credit which I applied to the Panorama 2. It is obvious the sound is a big improvement over the first generation which was great in the first place. Also, the Panorama 2 is a passable stereo speaker too if you want to listen to music. There are several user adjustments available to make it sound best in your room of choice too. Those who have raised issues about the auto power on feature should know one thing. The speaker auto detects the "on" feature by primary input source. So, if your source is a cable box it will turn on auto when the cable box is powered on. But, it will auto off when the speaker or TV are turned off. Not a big deal for me. I am B&W fan all around and this is a nice addition to my already impressive line up of speakers in the home. I do not think you can go wrong with this speaker. Also, set up of this speaker and the look of it are improved greatly from the first generation.
I would recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Sound quality
Cons mentioned:
Price
Rated 1 out of 5 stars
Let down for $2000
Posted .
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
I read reviews about the sound cutting off before I bought this soundbar. I chalked it up to few isolated cases and thought there was no way a B&W product would have issues, especially being that it is their second panorama edition and cost $2000. I have to say the sound is amazing listening to music and watching blue ray. So far the only time the sound cuts out is when watching a movie on demand thru Comcast. Bottom line, a top of the line product, costing $2000 that has any problems whatsoever is unacceptable. I'll be returning this soundbar and getting the Martin Logan Vision which is on sale for $1200. I am a Bowers and Wilkins fan, I wish it didn't have this problem
No, I would not recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Easy setup
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Great Soundbar!
Posted .
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
This soundbar is AMAZING! It's pricey, but if you can afford it, get this piece because the sound is fantastic! It was incredibly easy to set up and has an awesome clean and simple look to it. Everytime I have company, they are floored at how this one speaker can literally fill the living room with sound. Bowers and Wilkins can do no wrong!
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Unbelievable Sound
Posted .
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
I was looking for a sound bar and checked a few out at Magnolia; i was stuck between a Sonos Sound bar and the Panorama 2. After I heard the quality of the Panorama 2, I was sold. it was easy to install and set up, the extra HDMI ports in the back are awesome. Granted, its not a cheap sound bar, but its definitely worth the money.
I would recommend this to a friend
Cons mentioned:
Remote control
Rated 2 out of 5 stars
Great Sound, Horrible Remote & Hookup
Posted .
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
I will start by saying that I love the look and sound of this soundbar. But that is really about it. My setup is simple: Samsung UN65KS8500 tv & Samsung BD-KS8500 UHD Bluray. I was sold on this because of the "Auto HDMI switching" and that it will automatically switch to DVD when I turn on my DVD player. I can tell you that this doesn't work, and emails to B&W did not result in an answer. So I decided to just go and hook it up via optical cable, and now it randomly turns itself off. I've attempted to resolve this by turning the Auto ON/OFF feature off, which requires rewiring my system so that I can see the on screen menu to adjust the soundbar. Also I noticed a significant drop in picture quality when using this via HDMI hook up. And i understand that part of the issue may be with Samsung Anynet+ CEC because this must be on to turn on sound to the soundbar, but when it's activated with the Bluray, the bluray player turns on every time the tv is turned on, and the tv defaults to the bluray. I attempted to disable Anynet+ on the bluray player, but then the Panorama 2 will not switch to the input. And when the bluray is turned off, the tv default to "TV" input, and when you switch it to HDMI input, it automatically turns on the bluray again! It'a an annoying endless cycle that I couldn't resolve and no one seemed to have the answer. And don't get me started on the Walmart remote that comes with this pricey unit. I just feel that a soundbar at this price point should be easier to set up and have a better quality remote.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Excellant sound bar when paired with the B&W sub
Posted .
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
I did not want to run more wires & drill more holes in my basement walls and ceiling. Looking for a sound bar that would satisfy our movie watching, television watching and video games was unsuccessful until the pros at Maplewood Best Buy presented me with the Bowers and Wilkins Panorma 2 with matching sub. That is when my mind was blown!!!! Great product, great sales associates and ONE HAPPY CUSTOMER!!!!!!!!!!
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
Good Sound but sucks for Smart TVs
Posted .
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
This is powerful sound bar for sure. It puts out fairly accurate sound. Its not not overly processed. However, the mid range does come across a tad too strong.
My biggest complaint though is that, on startup it doesn't handle HDMI input switching properly if connected to Smart TV via the ARC HDMI input (I have a Samsung F7100 LED). By that I mean, when I turn on the cable box, the sound bar will at first detect that the cable box is the active HDMI input, but after a few seconds, it will switch the input to the TV's ARC HDMI input, even though I haven't activated any of the TV's apps (e.g. Netflix, Pandora)! This forces me to use the Panorama remote to change the input back to my cable box.... so annoying!
When I called B&W tech support, they said this is known issue with Smart TVs and that I had not use the ARC input! That really sucks cuz then I can't use ARC and have to run an optical out from TV to sound bar :(
Again, this problem happens if you connect the sound bar to the ARC input only. The problem doesn't happen if you connect to the TV's other HDMI inputs.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
sounded good in Best Buy but
Posted .
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Wanted quality and chose this model because salesman said it was great.Sounded great at store.I bought a inexpensive sony first but returned it to get something better.I paid 1700 for Samsung LED and purchased a taller TV table to sit This Samsung on.The big problem was sound bar was 6 inches high and TV 3 and a half inches high.Top of bar getting into bottom 2 inches on TV and causing remote not to work and picture problem.It has been returned and considering other options.I did not want to spend 300-500 dollars to mount TV on wall.In conclusion sound quality not much better than cheaper units .Definitely pricey in my opinion...
No, I would not recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Sound quality
Cons mentioned:
Remote control
Rated 1 out of 5 stars
Buyer Beware
Posted .
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
I picked up this soundbar open box for only $1400, which I thought was a great deal. I got it home hooked it up and it sounded wonderful. The menu is hard to use and the remote was bad too. After a few hours of opperation it just shut off. Since the remote didn't work I had to get up to turn it back on. It did this several time. It also would change HDMI inputs on its own. I would stay away from this product!
No, I would not recommend this to a friend
Pros mentioned:
Sound quality
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
Awesome sound
Posted .
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Whats not to say about bowers and Wilkins. Amazing sound...awesome... Alittle pricy worth every penny.. Treat yourself!
I would recommend this to a friend
Rated 1 out of 5 stars
doesnt work
Posted .
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
I am having a problem where the audio seems to "drop out".
The problem has been getting more frequent. ie i can be watching a movie and there is a cpl of seconds of no sound.
i expected so much more. This issue is very disappointing. You seem to be having HDMI issues. My TV is a top pf the line Panasonic VT50. The solution i was given means that I can no longer access the menu or use my cable remote to adjust the volume?
This is what I paid $2,200 for?
Between my TV and soundbar i just spent 5800 dollars.
I talked with Best Buy today.....They told me im not alone with this problem??? Will you be doing some kind of firmware update to correct? Otherwise i will be returning this as it is DEFECTIVE.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend
Rated 2 out of 5 stars
Lots of issues
Posted .
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
I am a huge fan of pretty much all B&W brand products, but this soundbar is horrible. Every blu ray I watched at some point the sound would cut out for a few seconds, then pop back in. I contacted Bowers & Wilkins and they sent me some update discs, which didn't fix the problem. To top it off the price is way too high for the lack of greatness. You can get a really nice surround sound set for less, or even a better soundbar for way way less.
I would recommend this to a friend
Cons mentioned:
Customer service
Rated 1 out of 5 stars
Excellent Speaker, Worst Customer Service
Posted .
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Remote wasnt working. Inspite of buying BB's GSP extended warranty plan and making several calls, issue has not been resolvd. Everytime, I was put on hold and hung-up by different Magnolia/GSP technicians, not being able to locate the right part number for the remote. No call backs, emails..nothing!!.
Havent seen such worst customer service anywhere else. Very disappointed with BB!!
No, I would not recommend this to a friend
Rated 1 out of 5 stars
Sound cuts out...
Posted .
This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.
Randomly, the sound cuts out for a few seconds...as often as every 5 minutes to once every 30 minutes.