But part of the reason the BeoLab 8000 can produce so much low-end from small drivers is because they're so close together, they couple, and you get between 4 and 6 dB of gain at lower frequencies. Fewer cones moving = less air being pushed about = less bass. I know what you mean about dedicating a driver to the midrange. I do think the BeoLab 8000

It wouldn't be beyond the reason of man to add an EQ with low noise levels between the source and speakers.

An extra bass driver could be an advantage, but the re-design of the drivers and cabinet would need to be substantial in order to make the new thiele-small parameters between the cones and the cabinet match up. The cost of doing so would essentially warranty a complete technical redesign from the ground up, by which time, B&O could simply design

In terms of transient response and time-distortion, the BeoLab 9s are streets ahead of the BeoLab 2, which is more to do with the use of passive radiators in the BeoLab 2 than anything. The BeoLab 2 is a phenomenal subwoofer for movies because of it's raw volume levels, but for music, a fast, tight subwoofer is required, and this is not the BeoLab

It's due to dynamic range. TV broadcasts (Freeview) have all the dynamic range crushed out of them (hence why TV broadcasts tend to sound awful) whilst in movies, the dynamic range (difference between loud and quiet parts of the recording) is retained. It's the same as say, comparing an older recording (take Fleetwood Mac's Rumours) with

Forgot to say there's a possibility the ribbon elements themselves are worn. Not disastrous as they can be replaced by an expert. They're immensely fragile though. Very finicky about what they're connected to as well...

Absolutely excellent microphones. The design was effectively pinched by Royer for their 121 microphone (and many others) which has been used on many a hit record (for example most of the Michael Jackson records on the HiHat). Very well respected microphones in the recording industry. If you don't manage to sell them, I'll take them off your

Also depends on your room. Room reflections can cause a very noticeable increase in volume.

And the same to you. Enjoying Uni very much at the moment! Got a week of not much on at the moment so thought I'd pop on here!

Don't use a pair - they'll only couple and give you more volume at lower frequencies. They'll actually sound quite unpleasant at higher frequencies as you move off-axis. Stick to one speaker.