Advice on loudspeakers, B&O Beolab 9 or similar

[hyoga84]

I am seriously considering it...

I will connect my cable box (and listen music from some hd channels), play bluray concerts and movies, a lot of music from my macbook pro, and of course the TV.....

But what about sound quality? Do you think there is a big difference from the Naim?

 

[DocG]

I am seriously considering it...

I will connect my cable box (and listen music from some hd channels), play bluray concerts and movies, a lot of music from my macbook pro, and of course the TV.....

But what about sound quality? Do you think there is a big difference from the Naim?

I haven't heard the Oppo myself, nor the Naim, but I think they both do their job very well. There's quite a few happy Oppo 105 owners on the forum. There is no review in WHF (yet?), but Chris Martens (The Absolute Sound) is very positive while its predecessor, the Oppo 95, is featured in Stereophile's Recommended Components in the A+ category, in 2012 and 2013 (in the company of some very esoteric stuff).

So yes, I think it would make for a compelling combination. (I actually still have this combo in the back of my head for our new living room too).

As for alternatives, if you consider the amplifier + passive speakers combo too, the list is near endless... But here you need to take care of the amp - speaker matching yourself (with the help of your dealer). Wether that is worthwile will depend on the time and effort you're prepared to spend. If you like the hunt (like many of us do), it can be great fun. But at the risk of buying a less than ideal combination, after which the box swapping and tinkering can commence...

TIP: if you use the "quote" instead of the "reply" button, you get the message you reply to in your post, which is often easier to follow if several posters join the conversation.

 

[Superaintit]

I own the beolab 9s myself and would heartily recommend them with a B&O play streamer.

Then you could connect up a bluray and listen to music via streaming.

That's what I did 1 year ago and I'm still very happy with it.

What hifi gave these speakers 5 stars when they reviewed them in 2007.

I think they just sound gorgeous with music or movies alike.

Just listen to them and compare with similar priced speaker/amps.

 

[plastic penguin]

Thank you plastic penguin,

I was interested in the Beolab 9 because I think when you pay that amount of money on a pair of speakers, they of course should sound SUPERBLY, but also look gorgeous.....

Yes, the xt4 are stylish too, but they lack something to be considered special......

How much do you think am I paying for the premium? 20%, 50%.....

If I'm paying 20% of the price only for the style........hmmmmm....... I think it's okay......., but if it's more..... :shame:

They are beautifully designed and they do attract a niche clientele, so I would guess you're paying closer to 50% (this is just my opinion. I don't have any facts to back this up).

The B&O system our friends have I think cost just over 10k for an entry-level set-up. So put another way, my current set has cost close on 2k. Is the B&O kit worth 3x the amount of my total cost? I personally don't think so, but you are paying for the unique styling.

We all have different opinions, and those of many audiophiles with respect to B&O often tend to be very negative.

'Lifestyle systems', 'style over substance' etc are all comments I've read about B&O products in audiophile online forums - and not just this one.

Have you perchance listened to a pair of Beolab 9's, Plastic Penguin, or maybe done some investigation into the R&D credentials of the company?

Just to be contrare, and whilst respecting your viewpoint, I think B&O's value for money is off the scale, and especially with Beolab 9's, when you look at what you are getting in total as an consumer purchase from a company whose R&D and engineering expertise is arguably without peer...

Unlike many an audiophile brand I could name, they are not an overpriced example of the 'Emporers new clothes' syndrome...

Each to his own perhaps....

However, as Apple Mac users were once want to say, - you will prise MY Beolab 9's out of my cold, dead hands....

Happy New Year to All :cheers:

JMac... 8)

Of course it's about opinions. Forums wouldn't exist without them.

I don't think I've been negative about B&O... I'm basing my verdict or opinion on the set-up I've heard, but I still don't think, regardless of all the R&D or where or how the components are sourced, they are worth the hefty price tag.

I know that most people who own or have owned them love the brand. I clearly see the appeal - that appeal, though, doesn't extend to me.

 

[JMacMan]

Thank you plastic penguin,

I was interested in the Beolab 9 because I think when you pay that amount of money on a pair of speakers, they of course should sound SUPERBLY, but also look gorgeous.....

Yes, the xt4 are stylish too, but they lack something to be considered special......

How much do you think am I paying for the premium? 20%, 50%.....

If I'm paying 20% of the price only for the style........hmmmmm....... I think it's okay......., but if it's more..... :shame:

They are beautifully designed and they do attract a niche clientele, so I would guess you're paying closer to 50% (this is just my opinion. I don't have any facts to back this up).

The B&O system our friends have I think cost just over 10k for an entry-level set-up. So put another way, my current set has cost close on 2k. Is the B&O kit worth 3x the amount of my total cost? I personally don't think so, but you are paying for the unique styling.

We all have different opinions, and those of many audiophiles with respect to B&O often tend to be very negative.

'Lifestyle systems', 'style over substance' etc are all comments I've read about B&O products in audiophile online forums - and not just this one.

Have you perchance listened to a pair of Beolab 9's, Plastic Penguin, or maybe done some investigation into the R&D credentials of the company?

Just to be contrare, and whilst respecting your viewpoint, I think B&O's value for money is off the scale, and especially with Beolab 9's, when you look at what you are getting in total as an consumer purchase from a company whose R&D and engineering expertise is arguably without peer...

Unlike many an audiophile brand I could name, they are not an overpriced example of the 'Emporers new clothes' syndrome...

Each to his own perhaps....

However, as Apple Mac users were once want to say, - you will prise MY Beolab 9's out of my cold, dead hands....

Happy New Year to All :cheers:

JMac... 8)

Of course it's about opinions. Forums wouldn't exist without them.

I don't think I've been negative about B&O... I'm basing my verdict or opinion on the set-up I've heard, but I still don't think, regardless of all the R&D or where or how the components are sourced, they are worth the hefty price tag.

I know that most people who own or have owned them love the brand. I clearly see the appeal - that appeal, though, doesn't extend to me.

And fair enough too... personally I think asking people on a forum what they think of a brand, or product, is counter productive, as everyone is going to have different views.

I'd strongly suggest the OP do his own research on speakers, the speaker/room interface, and acoustics, from tertiary qualified experts such as Dr. Floyd Toole, Sean Olive, Siegfried Linkwitz, Dr. David Moulton and Dr. Geoff Martin as a starting point.

Also, he may choose to do some research into B&O re their R&D and engineering credentials, and see if he feels what is on offer is worth paying for, for HIM.

I also suggest he take the time to set up a serious audition of them.

After all, it's his money, and most of us, myself included, are amateurs when it comes to electrical or audio engineering, as are most dealers, expert salespeople though they may be, so what we 'think' really shouldn't have any bearing on the matter to be honest.

Some people think Naim is the bees knees for instance; I've owned a upper mid level Naim system, all bought new, and ended up replacing it with ES Sony which I thought was notably superior. I even had a private audition in an enthusiasts home of an NAC552/NAP500, and whilst it was a very good amp, it was also IMHO the most overated and over priced amplifier I'd ever heard anywhere, anytime and of any brand.

Needless to say, if you 'love' Naim you'll think me a heretic which is fine - as I say, we all have different opinions, so the OP needs to get some unbiased professional viewpoints about speakers and acoustics from the sources I've mentioned, and have a listen for himself and decide whether the B&O lab 9's are for him on sound quality as well as value grounds.

And of course, notwithstanding my Naim ownership experience, I see the appeal in Naim, but like you with B&O, the appeal doesn't extend to me..

Best Regards

JMac.. 8)

 

[JMacMan]

I own the beolab 9s myself and would heartily recommend them with a B&O play streamer.

Then you could connect up a bluray and listen to music via streaming.

That's what I did 1 year ago and I'm still very happy with it.

What hifi gave these speakers 5 stars when they reviewed them in 2007.

I think they just sound gorgeous with music or movies alike.

Just listen to them and compare with similar priced speaker/amps.

A little off topic, but I agree with your thoughts, and nice to read of another Beolab 9 owner on these forums.

Cheers

JMac... 8)

 

[alienmango]

I head a pair of B&O speakers which were £25000 I think.

Then I went next door and heard some Dali's for £1200.

I prefered the Dali's in style and performance. If I were the OP I'd go listen to some options.

 

[hyoga84]

I own the beolab 9s myself and would heartily recommend them with a B&O play streamer.

Then you could connect up a bluray and listen to music via streaming.

That's what I did 1 year ago and I'm still very happy with it.

What hifi gave these speakers 5 stars when they reviewed them in 2007.

I think they just sound gorgeous with music or movies alike.

Just listen to them and compare with similar priced speaker/amps.

What B&O play streamer do you have? can you connect your cable box to it, so you can enjoy the music from your cable box channels on your tv?

Sorry if my questions are too obvious for you, but where I live I don't have any dealer with high end speakers and I have to travel abroad to listen to them, that's why I need a lot of info......

 

[hyoga84]

[/quote]

And fair enough too... personally I think asking people on a forum what they think of a brand, or product, is counter productive, as everyone is going to have different views.

[/quote]

I'm INTERESTED in their views, because when they all are put together, they gave me an idea of the products I'm considering. Of course I will audition them, but I have to travel abroad and cannot stay many days, that's why I need some advice on wich products to listen to. All this advice are very helpful to me, including yours..... and all this it's not counterproductive.....

 

[JMacMan]

And fair enough too... personally I think asking people on a forum what they think of a brand, or product, is counter productive, as everyone is going to have different views.

[/quote]

I'm INTERESTED in their views, because when they all are put together, they gave me an idea of the products I'm considering. Of course I will audition them, but I have to travel abroad and cannot stay many days, that's why I need some advice on wich products to listen to. All this advice are very helpful to me, including yours..... and all this it's not counterproductive.....

[/quote]

Ah, I see, well in having to travel abroad to listen to things etc explains a lot more re your seeking opinons etc..I hope I didn't seem unhelpful....and apologise if that came across in some unintended manner.

I'd heartily endorse the Beolab 9, as I own a pair, bought new just on a year ago, and having been involved in this hobby for near on 40 odd years, regard them as the best overall HiFi/AV purchase I've ever made.

Did I mention they're very expensive, so I did a lot of research as well as listening to various options for some months before settling on them as my final choice, as money doesn't grow on trees, and I expect the very finest in engineering, R&D, finish, materials, technology and performance for the amount of money being asked for them, and consider that not only did I get that, but they are in fact, when taken overall, excellent value for money in the relative context of the so called high end audio scene.

I tried initially to post some links to helpful reviews and technical info in a post here, but this forum regards that as 'spam' - so may I suggest amongst your other online research that you join Beworld forums, and ask about the Beolab 9's there - especially as regards your options for setup and combining with other (B&O or non B&O equipment). There are some very highly qualified and experienced members there who will be able to answer all your B&O queries.

Beoworld is an independant, non B&O affiliated forum for B&O owners and interested parties, but nonetheless some of the technical staff from B&O do contribute on queries from time to time, so it's a formidable resource for B&O owners/potential owners, and highly recommended.

I'd also be happy to attempt to answer any questions you may have about the speakers, so please feel free to ask.

I do feel though, that there is a fundamental decision one has to make when contemplating assembling a system such as B&O

As others have mentioned, the separates components route will undoubtedly be more flexible to a degree, however in assembling such a system you are very much in the hands of biased salesmen, - often with no tertiary training in the field, and at best gifted amateurs with a qualification in sales, - attempting to guide you in how to spend YOUR money, along with well intentioned people on internet HIFi forums who will always have an opinion to offer.

Conversely, a fully active closed system such as B&O, Meridian etc, offers less flexibility to tinker, tweak, mix and match, swapping out cables and interconnects etc, which is part of the audiophile hobby for many, and thus seen as being a disadvantage for such a buyer/home hobbyist audiophile.

On the other hand, if like me, you are a music and film lover first and foremost, and a HiFi geek a distant third, you will likely find the B&O approach a godsend in terms of relieving you of all the decision making at amateur levels as regards assembling a system, but rather that the whole box and dice is developed by some of the most highly qualifed experts in the business - you simply listen, make your choice, pay your money, and sit back and enjoy the result free of all the usual audiphile anxieties about kit, cables, stands and 'upgrades' etc.

So in a way, it depends upon what you want out of the hobby. If you want to tinker and tweak, and see yourself as an audiophile, then B&O is probably not going to be the best choice for you, as they don't market to audiophiles, but rather develop an AV entertainment solution that performs to the highest levels for people who want an absolutely top tier result, but are not generally interested in getting there in terms of 'do it yourself' amateur mixing and matching of third party components.

I've made the car analogy before, but it bears repeating. Would you rather buy a Merc designed by the good engineers at Daimler HQ, who operate to the highest standards in the industry, or would you prefer to buy just the body in white, and then set about assembling bits and pieces from the specialist third party auto industry, to make up a complete car? Maybe a Honda or BMW engine in the Merc bodyshell, Wheels and transmission from Toyota, and so on...

The current mix and match HiFi retail business model is very much marketed towards the home hobbyist audiophile, and is arguably a leftover from the beginnings of the industry as a home hobbyist activity in the 1950's.

However, it is not the only method of assembling a system - I'd respectfully suggest some reflection on where you want to go with your system, and in addition to B&O, and especially if you're spending that kind of money, to have a listen to Meridians offererings re fully active speakers, along with top tier passive speakers and separate component setups such as speakers from the B&W 800 series range, coupled with commensurate amplification.

Hope this helps.

Best Regards

JMac....

 

[mmg]

I just read quickly trough this thread, but as a B&O dealer I have a few comments:

1. The Beolab 9 are VERY good speakers, there is no doubt about that

2. However, because of the name and the design you will spend more than on other brands. This will be closer to 50% than 20%

3. The overall quality of B&O has declined in the last few years. Especially their "new technology" products (like the Beosound 5) have a lot of problems. It seems to be a trend that they struggle with new technologies.

4. Don't buy into the myths: B&O doesn't produce everything in-house. We went to visit their factory in Denmark and their was almost no activity: most products are produced abroad where it's cheaper. I seriously doubt they still "source all their own raw materials". They also outsource alot: the screens in their television sets come from Samsung....

The "problem" with B&O is that their is no real alternative. Sure, you can set up a system that sounds as good (or better) for less money, but you won't have the B&O design...

 

[chebby]

...as a B&O dealer I have a few comments:

You'll need to put your trade status in your signature.

From site rules...

"10. Manufacturers, retailers, service providers and their staff are required to identify themselves as such in their signature. ‘Trade’ members of the forum failing to meet these conditions will be removed, as will those the moderators suspect to be trade members posting under an alias."

 

[mmg]

Sorry I didn't know that. I work for a dealer, but I'm not on this forum to represent or advertise for this dealer. All my opinions are my own opinions

 

[chebby]

Sorry I didn't know that. I work for a dealer, but I'm not on this forum to represent or advertise for this dealer. All my opinions are my own opinions

I guess that makes you "..and their staff... " then.

(A bit like member Dave @ FrankHarvey. He doesn't own Frank Harvey's, but he works for them and is still required to state his trade status.)

Level playing fields and all that

 

[Superaintit]

It's the B&O playmaker,IIRC the price is about 350.

Inputs are: DLNA, analogue in (tulip), airplay

Kind regards, Marc

 

[hyoga84]

And fair enough too... personally I think asking people on a forum what they think of a brand, or product, is counter productive, as everyone is going to have different views.

I'm INTERESTED in their views, because when they all are put together, they gave me an idea of the products I'm considering. Of course I will audition them, but I have to travel abroad and cannot stay many days, that's why I need some advice on wich products to listen to. All this advice are very helpful to me, including yours..... and all this it's not counterproductive.....

[/quote]

Ah, I see, well in having to travel abroad to listen to things etc explains a lot more re your seeking opinons etc..I hope I didn't seem unhelpful....and apologise if that came across in some unintended manner.

I'd heartily endorse the Beolab 9, as I own a pair, bought new just on a year ago, and having been involved in this hobby for near on 40 odd years, regard them as the best overall HiFi/AV purchase I've ever made.

Did I mention they're very expensive, so I did a lot of research as well as listening to various options for some months before settling on them as my final choice, as money doesn't grow on trees, and I expect the very finest in engineering, R&D, finish, materials, technology and performance for the amount of money being asked for them, and consider that not only did I get that, but they are in fact, when taken overall, excellent value for money in the relative context of the so called high end audio scene.

I tried initially to post some links to helpful reviews and technical info in a post here, but this forum regards that as 'spam' - so may I suggest amongst your other online research that you join Beworld forums, and ask about the Beolab 9's there - especially as regards your options for setup and combining with other (B&O or non B&O equipment). There are some very highly qualified and experienced members there who will be able to answer all your B&O queries.

Beoworld is an independant, non B&O affiliated forum for B&O owners and interested parties, but nonetheless some of the technical staff from B&O do contribute on queries from time to time, so it's a formidable resource for B&O owners/potential owners, and highly recommended.

I'd also be happy to attempt to answer any questions you may have about the speakers, so please feel free to ask.

I do feel though, that there is a fundamental decision one has to make when contemplating assembling a system such as B&O

As others have mentioned, the separates components route will undoubtedly be more flexible to a degree, however in assembling such a system you are very much in the hands of biased salesmen, - often with no tertiary training in the field, and at best gifted amateurs with a qualification in sales, - attempting to guide you in how to spend YOUR money, along with well intentioned people on internet HIFi forums who will always have an opinion to offer.

Conversely, a fully active closed system such as B&O, Meridian etc, offers less flexibility to tinker, tweak, mix and match, swapping out cables and interconnects etc, which is part of the audiophile hobby for many, and thus seen as being a disadvantage for such a buyer/home hobbyist audiophile.

On the other hand, if like me, you are a music and film lover first and foremost, and a HiFi geek a distant third, you will likely find the B&O approach a godsend in terms of relieving you of all the decision making at amateur levels as regards assembling a system, but rather that the whole box and dice is developed by some of the most highly qualifed experts in the business - you simply listen, make your choice, pay your money, and sit back and enjoy the result free of all the usual audiphile anxieties about kit, cables, stands and 'upgrades' etc.

So in a way, it depends upon what you want out of the hobby. If you want to tinker and tweak, and see yourself as an audiophile, then B&O is probably not going to be the best choice for you, as they don't market to audiophiles, but rather develop an AV entertainment solution that performs to the highest levels for people who want an absolutely top tier result, but are not generally interested in getting there in terms of 'do it yourself' amateur mixing and matching of third party components.

I've made the car analogy before, but it bears repeating. Would you rather buy a Merc designed by the good engineers at Daimler HQ, who operate to the highest standards in the industry, or would you prefer to buy just the body in white, and then set about assembling bits and pieces from the specialist third party auto industry, to make up a complete car? Maybe a Honda or BMW engine in the Merc bodyshell, Wheels and transmission from Toyota, and so on...

The current mix and match HiFi retail business model is very much marketed towards the home hobbyist audiophile, and is arguably a leftover from the beginnings of the industry as a home hobbyist activity in the 1950's.

However, it is not the only method of assembling a system - I'd respectfully suggest some reflection on where you want to go with your system, and in addition to B&O, and especially if you're spending that kind of money, to have a listen to Meridians offererings re fully active speakers, along with top tier passive speakers and separate component setups such as speakers from the B&W 800 series range, coupled with commensurate amplification.

Hope this helps.

Best Regards

JMac....

[/quote]

Wow, thank a lot JMac and all of you....

I will audition in a few weeks the Beolab 9's, a pair of Monitor Audio Pl200 and Sonus Faber Venere 3.0 (wich really look spectacular...)

JMac, I would like to become an audiophile and playing with the various equipment and speakers, but there's no high end dealers round here and that's why I am considering also some lifestyle systems, but the more I search about them, the more I realize I can save money without compromising quality and style.

I also have another problem with the placement of the speakers, I cannot put them more than 30 cm from the back wall and have to place them not in the center of my 4,5m X 7,5m room

By the way, do someone know the Veneres and some equipment wich sounds good with them?? As I read about them, the are front baffled wich means that they don't need much space from the back wall, right?

hyoga84