The BeoLab 4000s are almost incomparably better. They're one of the best balanced compact speakers on the market. BeoLab 3s are then a step up again...

The BeoSound 1 doesn't go as loud as the BeoLab 4s, but it's a better performer in some ways... Exceptionally good piece of kit IMO. If I were you though, I would go for the BeoSound 4, and then later upgrade to BeoLab 4000s (the difference is well... like night and day).

B&O are basically the best at the internals too bear in mind. Look at BeoLab 5s, 9s, BeoSystem 3, BeoCentre 6 - all examples of some of the best electronic engineering on the market...

Noticed that BeoWorld seems a lot more speedy at present. Has Van been running the server on Duracell Plus lately?

I had noticed - unfortunately I feel no need to read a review of the BeoLab 4s - I already own a pair courtesy of BeoWorld BeoLab 9s though - speakers I drool over every time I hear them.

I'll look forward to reading it. I'll admit to it having been quite some time since I last bought a hifi mag for good reasons, I feel that generally, hifi mags are more interested in iPods and iPod speakers than in proper hifi, although HiFi World has always stayed 'true' to their name. The last one I bought was the BeoLab 9 issue!

If it's a 5500 system or similar (5000, 5500, 6500 and 7000 are all part of the same group) then it's still one of the best systems B&O have made...

There is a theory that in a credit-crunch such as the one happening right now, the upper-class are the ones who are not really affected. However, bear in mind that under Torben, more products were released which were aimed at the lower-end of the 'ultra-luxury' market - namely the BeoVision 8.

j0hnbarker: [ Err..forgive me Alex, but I think you need to know how the land lies in Leeds before you make such assumptions. Roundhay is a well to do area, but it is absolutely miles out on the ring road should anyone try to access it from any other side of the city than the north. Traffic congestion on the ring road at any time other than approx 00

They will appear under DTV, which prevents you from using the DTV button for anything else. V.Aux is what's usually used. The best solution around this is the Beo5, which allows you to call 'V.Aux' whatever you want.