It's the same chassis as the 8-40, 7-32 mk5, and soon to be BeoVision 6-26.

But that's where I feel very few bits of hardware can actually match the BeoLab 5 as a package. No matter how good the conversion of your processor is, there's no way it can match a straightforward PCM-passthrough from your CD/DVD-A player.

In defense of the Duffy album - it's a marvel of production that they've managed to get it sounding as it does. It's meant to sound like an old-skool 60s Motown album, which is does pretty well. Unfortunately, because it's all based on plugins and computer-recording tech, it still sounds a little to 'good' to be an authentic

But then surely the quality of the D/A conversion and volume scaling in the surround sound amplifier itself comes into question. The BeoLab 5s may process things identically once the initial A/D conversion has taken place, but that doesn't mean the signal they're receiving is as good as it can be...

The BeoLab 7-1 and 7-2 are IMO among the best speakers B&O have made - massively underrated speakers. The Avant produced a stunning sound, and still does, but the 7-1 is really a huge step up...

Just as a quick overview for anybody possibly fleeting through the thread, you essentially go: BeoCenter 2 S/PDIF > in BeoLab 5 out > in BeoLab 5 out > BeoVision/BeoSystem/BeoCenter S/PDIF input. Even if the BeoLab 5 is unable to decode a digital signal (such as a Dolby Digital or DTS signal) it will still pass it through...

The reason you're seeing such a big difference is because all Macs have their own colour profiles built in - which is incorrect. It may have looked brighter/more vivid, but did it look more natural? B&O has always tried to reproduce the most natural image possible, not the most 'wow' image...

The low end is absolutely earth-shattering. Amazingly dynamic but still tight and defined. You do need a strong floor though, which we unfortunately don't have in the Bath store...

[quote user="soundproof"] Because electricity travels for hundreds and thousands of kilometers along a variety of cables, but is completely dependent upon the composition of the final 1.5m of cable. [/quote] I'll forgive your amateur mistake - the fuses! Easy to overlook!

Although we'd notice you weren't a true audiophile as you're using the out-of-the-box mains cables