Products
Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX
Bowers & Wilkins Panorama 3
Tested using Methodology v1.2
Updated Oct 24, 2025 06:15 PM
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BestBuy.com
Tested using Methodology v1.0
Updated Jan 11, 2024 02:49 PM
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Amazon.com
Channels
5.1.4
Channels
3.1.2
Our Verdict
Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX
Bowers & Wilkins Panorama 3
The Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX is better than the Bowers & Wilkins Panorama 3. While they're both premium standalone setups, the Sennheiser has better soundstage, surround, and Atmos performances. It comes with more sound enhancement features, too. Also, the Sennheiser's integrated sub can reproduce more low-bass than the B&W's. Keep in mind that the Sennheiser is quite large and heavy, though, so it's not ideal for smaller spaces.
Variants
- AMBEO Soundbar MAX (Black)
- Panorama 3 (Black)
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Black
AMBEO Soundbar MAX
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Black
Panorama 3
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Black
AMBEO Soundbar MAX
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Black
Panorama 3
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B&H
Black
AMBEO Soundbar MAX
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Black
Panorama 3
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Black
AMBEO Soundbar MAX
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B&H
Black
Panorama 3
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Main Differences for
Mixed Usage
Mixed Usage
Threshold
Mixed Usage
8.0
6.7
Stereo Frequency Response
7.9
6.9
Stereo Dynamics
8.7
6.6
Audio Format Support: HDMI In
9.9
0.0
Surround 5.1
6.4
4.2
Dialogue Enhancement
Yes
No
Auto-Volume/Night Mode
Yes
No
Full Comparison
Design
Style - Bar
Style photo - bar
Style - Subwoofer
Style photo - sub
Sub Wireless
No
No
Enclosure
Integrated
Integrated
Style - Satellites
Style photo - satellites
Satellite Wireless
No
No
Dimensions - Bar
Dimensions photo - bar
Width
49.3" (125.2 cm)
47.4" (120.3 cm)
Height
5.2" (13.3 cm)
2.5" (6.4 cm)
Depth
6.8" (17.2 cm)
5.3" (13.5 cm)
Dimensions - Subwoofer
Dimensions photo - sub
Width
N/A
N/A
Height
N/A
N/A
Depth
N/A
N/A
Dimensions - Satellites
Dimensions photo - satellites
Width
N/A
N/A
Height
N/A
N/A
Depth
N/A
N/A
Mounting
Bar Mounting Holes
Satellite Mounting Holes
Mountable Bar
Yes
Bar Brackets Included
No
Mountable Satellites
No
Satellite Brackets Included
No
Build Quality
7.5
7.5
Build quality photo
In The Box
In The Box photo
HDMI Cable Length
1.0 m (3.3 ft)
Digital Optical Cable Length
N/A
Back - Bar
Back photo - bar
Bar Mounting
Proprietary
Back - Subwoofer
Back photo - sub
Enclosure
Integrated
Integrated
Back - Satellites
Back photo - satellites
Mounting
No
Sound
Stereo Frequency Response
7.9
6.9
Stereo Setup
Raw Frequency Response
Frequency Response Small
Tested Preset
Neutral
No Preset
Slope
1.02
-0.78
Std. Err.
4.39 dB
4.33 dB
Channels
5.1.4
3.1.2
Low-Frequency Extension
29.5 Hz
51.9 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.6 kHz
19.9 kHz
Stereo Frequency Response With Preliminary Calibration
8.3
7.0
Frequency Response Calibrated
Suggested Preset
Neutral
No Preset
Suggested Bass Setting
6
-1
Suggested Treble Setting
N/A
4
Slope
0.32
0.10
Std. Err.
2.88 dB
3.70 dB
Low-Frequency Extension
29.1 Hz
52.6 Hz
High-Frequency Extension
19.3 kHz
19.9 kHz
Stereo Dynamics
8.7
6.6
Dynamic Range Compression
SPL @ Max Volume
101.6 dB SPL
98.4 dB SPL
DRC @ Max Volume
1.72 dB
5.17 dB
Stereo Total Harmonic Distortion
8.5
8.0
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.16
0.31
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.07
1.75
Center
8.8
8.0
Center Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Discrete
Discrete
Slope
0.36
-0.76
Std. Err.
2.60 dB
4.30 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
98.9 dB SPL
96.0 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.15
0.32
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
0.73
1.21
Surround 5.1
6.4
4.2
Surround Setup
Frequency Response
Localization
Phantom (Side Firing, Bar)
Stereo (Downmix)
Slope
1.56
-0.85
Std. Err.
3.99 dB
3.99 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
102.2 dB SPL
98.1 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.26
0.29
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.66
1.87
7.1 Rears
No
No
Height (Atmos)
6.3
5.8
Height Setup
H Frequency Response
Localization
Phantom (Up Firing, Bar)
Phantom (Up Firing, Bar)
Slope
1.00
1.30
Std. Err.
4.26 dB
5.09 dB
SPL @ Max Volume
95.1 dB SPL
89.7 dB SPL
Weighted THD @ 80dB
0.41
2.16
Weighted THD @ Max Volume
1.60
0.35
Sound Enhancement Features
5.9
1.0
Room Correction
Yes
No
Dialogue Enhancement
Yes
No
Auto-Volume/Night Mode
Yes
No
Subwoofer Level Adjustment
No
No
Bass Adjustment
No
Yes
Treble Adjustment
No
Yes
EQ
Graphic + Presets
No
Surround Level Adjustment
No
No
Rear Level Adjustment
No
No
Height Level Adjustment
No
No
Virtual Surround
Yes
No
Connectivity
Inputs/Outputs - Bar
Physical Connections Bar Photo 1
Physical Connections Bar Photo 2
Optical Audio In
1
1
HDMI Out
eARC
No
HDMI 2.1 Class Bandwidth
No
Full HDMI In
3
No
Analog Audio In 3.5mm (Aux)
No
No
RCA In
Yes
No
USB for Files
No
No
Ethernet
1
1
Subwoofer Output
Yes
HDMI ARC
1
Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC
9.9
8.8
Dolby Atmos
Supported
Yes
Dolby Digital
Supported
Yes
Dolby Digital Plus
Supported
Yes
Dolby TrueHD
Supported
Yes
DTS
Supported
No
DTS:X
Supported
No
eARC
Yes
DTS-HD MA
Supported
No
PCM Channels
Up To 5.1
5.1 PCM (eARC only)
Yes
Audio Format Support: HDMI In
9.9
0.0
Dolby Atmos
Supported
No
Dolby Digital
Supported
No
Dolby Digital Plus
Supported
No
Dolby TrueHD
Supported
No
DTS
Supported
No
DTS:X
Supported
No
DTS-HD MA
Supported
No
PCM Channels
Up To 5.1
5.1 PCM
No
Audio Format Support: Optical
10
6.0
Dolby Digital
Supported
Yes
DTS
Supported
No
PCM Channels
2.0
Latency
7.5
8.5
Latency Video
ARC
72 ms
63 ms
Optical
71 ms
22 ms
Full HDMI In
88 ms
N/A
Video Passthrough To TV
8.5
0.0
1080p Max Refresh Rate
120Hz
1080p @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
120Hz
4k Max Refresh Rate
60Hz
4k @ 120Hz @ 10-Bit
Not Supported
4k @ 4:4:4 Max Refresh Rate
60Hz
8k Max Refresh Rate
30Hz
HDR10 Passthrough
Yes
No
HDR10+ Passthrough
Yes
Dolby Vision Passthrough
Yes
HDMI Forum VRR Passthrough
Yes
4k @ 60 Hz Passthrough
No
FreeSync Passthrough
No
G-SYNC Passthrough
No
ALLM Passthrough
Yes
4k @ 60 Hz @ 10 bit Passthrough
No
4k @ 60 Hz @ 4:4:4 Passthrough
No
Wireless Playback
10
9.0
Bluetooth
Yes
Yes
Wi-Fi Playback
Yes
Yes
Chromecast built-in
Yes
No
Apple AirPlay
Yes
Yes
Spotify Connect
Yes
Connectivity - Subwoofer
Physical inputs subwoofer photo 1
Physical controls subwoofer photo 1
Sub Wireless
No
No
Connectivity - Satellites
Physical inputs satellites photo 1
Physical controls satellites photo 1
Sat Wireless
No
No
Additional Features
Interface
Interface photo
Display
Yes
No
Bar Controls
Controls photo
Remote
Remote photo
Universal Remote
No
Voice Assistants Support
Amazon Alexa
No
Yes (Built-in)
Google Assistant
No
No
Apple Siri
No
No
Microphone Mute
No
App
App image
App Name
Bowers & Wilkins Music
iOS
Yes
Android
Yes
Acts As A Remote
Yes
Controls Soundbar's Settings
All
Casts Device Files
Yes
Other Features
Power Saving
Standby
HDMI CEC (TV Remote Control)
Yes
Check Price
Black
AMBEO Soundbar MAX
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
Black
Panorama 3
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
AMBEO Soundbar MAX
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
Panorama 3
SEE PRICE
B&H
Black
AMBEO Soundbar MAX
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Black
Panorama 3
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
Black
AMBEO Soundbar MAX
SEE PRICE
B&H
Black
Panorama 3
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
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Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX
Bowers & Wilkins Panorama 3
Comments
Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar MAX vs Bowers & Wilkins Panorama 3: Main Discussion
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