Hi, I0m a new member and i'm quite confident to buy a B&O audio system.

Firsto of all i 'll try to explain what I expect from this system:

1) I would like to share music in more than one room

2) I would like to use IR system and not wifi

3) I would like to conncet my pc with it (optional)

4) I will not add amplifiers, TV or other (except iPod) 

I have looked into a lot of depliants, reviews and some forums but there are too many choices.

One think is clear the basis will be BEOSOUND 3200 or BEOSOUND 4 (9000 is too expensive)

Please help me in defining what I need to complete this system (cables, IR receiver, speakers, remote controls, etc.) and pro or cons of BS3200 and BS4

Thanks

Piero

 

 

Well i have BS4 and it's VERY good, the A.MEM is so good to use between all the music i have on the computer. BS3200 i do not like, the hard drive is "slightly" obsolete in the fact that you have to write down what and where the music is stored. If i had that i wouldn't bother using it at all. The upside of the 3200 is the design, it's magic! The everyday use is very refined, especially when listening to CD's. It's beautiful. More so than the BS4.

You can connect an ipod to all of the music systems AUX, but i don't advise doing so, i've tried it and the sound quality was a compromise. What speakers are you getting? :) I find that the sound from mp3 (A.MEM) i experience is as pure as CD.

The way i do it : I take a 2gb SD card and put it in my mac, choose all the music i want. Then all i have to do is put the small card back into the BS4 and it's all at my fingertips on the Beo4 - with the song and artist on the display. Seamless! Good value compared to the BS3200 i think. It also looks superb on the floor stand.

Options are further extended if you get a beoport to your computer, where you can enjoy n.music... but i haven't experienced this yet so i can't comment, sounds great to me though, and i hope to get one at some point 

Hey and welcome this is a super forum  

I don't know. I mean it's a question of price and of choice (second hand or new).

I was thinking about beolab 3500 because I like the shape and because they are "studied" for beolink active with IR. This type i think it would be good for the two bedrooms. For the main room I like beolab 4,

Anyway active speakers that can support  beolink active (IR).

I 'm here for suggestions

BL4 will match aesthetically to the BS4, but you'll find a BS3200 (no, an ouverture or BS2300) nice and cheap second hand. I got an ouverture for $800 AUS and BL4000's for $2000 aus (including floorstands)

I'd suggest second hand BL4000's, same price as a new pair of BL4's and 20 times better. I haven't heard the BL3500 but you're right, it's gorgeous and i've heard nothing but good things about the sound and use considering it's a compact link soloution

You can get any Beolabs with a beolink wireless or active which includes the IR kit so don't feel restricted to BL3500. :) 

elettra97:

I don't know. I mean it's a question of price and of choice (second hand or new).

I was thinking about beolab 3500 because I like the shape and because they are "studied" for beolink active with IR. This type i think it would be good for the two bedrooms. For the main room I like beolab 4,

Anyway active speakers that can support  beolink active (IR).

I 'm here for suggestions

 

If you like to hear stereo, then do not buy BL3500! I have a Beolink Active conected with BL3 in my bedroom.

I had before BL2000 but for only few weeks. Time to let it go as I was not satisfied with the sound...

Tanks for the fast answers.

let's restrict the field. I like to hear stereo so I will not buy BL4.

COnsidering that BL6000 and 8000 are gorgeous but very expensive, I think I'll look through BL4000 (can I fix them on the wall?) and BL3

I have two more questions:

To complete the system, for one main room and 2 bedrooms (2 speakers for each room i suppose!), what do I have to consider?

For sure a BEO 4 or similar remote control; cables? IR devices?

Piero

 

 

You need two Beolink Active boxes, ML cable to connect the system to the two boxes and Powerlink cables from the Beolink Actives to the speakers. I would suggest you need a remote in each room - though if you are looking to save a little, Beolink 1000s could be used in two of them.

I would go and listen to the speakers yourself. They are very personal choices and don't be swayed by anyone's view but your own. I like the 4000s personally as they combine excellent performance with a reasonable price. I would suggest getting second hand ones as they are now getting quite cheap. I do also have Beolab 3s  which are wonderful but much more expensive. They will not fill a very large room but a small or medium room would suit them well. 8000s are simply beautiful but are not as good in my view - but see what you think.

I currently use the 9k as my primary. . However, I do have many of the products you had mentioned.  I would agree that the BS4 would be a better primary system if you're wanting to use mp3 music.  The BS4 will give you 4 lines of text and allow you to see the artist and song info when played through a BeoPort.  I would definitely recommend the BeoPort for you if you like mp3 music.  

As far as speakers, I have all of them except the lab9s.  I would recommend an older set of BL4000 for your link rooms.  I love the design of the BL3500 but you will not hear much separation between the right and left channels.  However, the BL3500 has a built in version of Beolink Active which will keep you from having to set up and active and IR receiver in your two link rooms.  Another option is the Beolink wireless setup. You'd have to have 3 wireless kits to support your setup (this will be expensive).

I agree that the lab 3s are great speakers and the ALT is second to nothing on the market IMO.  They are much more expensive than a second hand set of lab4000s though.  

I believe that you would like the design of the lab8000s but will find their sound reproduction to lack a little bit of fullness and warmth compared to some of the other  B&O products.  Lastly, the lab 4s will not suit your needs.  They are the entry level product and for the price a second hand set of lab4000s are FAR superior.  

Good luck and enjoy your purchases! 

 

 

mjmedlo:

I agree that the lab 3s are great speakers and the ALT is second to nothing on the market IMO.  They are much more expensive than a second hand set of lab4000s though.

Agreed. I'm lucky enough to own the BL3s and the BL9s. The BL9s are overkill for most music, especially compressed music. Connect them to your TV and they are amazing with movie audio, particularly uncompressed Blu-ray audio. I found the BL9's to be too dynamic, too high-end for electronic music.

However, the BL3's seem to have a rounder sound, which suits audio playback (radio, MP3, CD). They are connected to my Beosound 4.

If I was to choose a pair of B&O speakers, having owned the BL6000s, BL8000s, BL3s and BL9s, I'd go for the BL3s as they are a good compromise between price and audio quality.

First of all I'll go as soon as possible to my local B&O dealer in order to hear the sound of the speakers.

I have still a doubt on speaker connection to the ML.

Main room:  ML + 2 speakers (i.e. BL4000 or BL3), how do I connect ML with the speakers?

link room: the active box has to be present in the same room, I suppose. So Do I have to spread a cable of 20 mt to connect the system to the box?

IS it clear from my questions that I'm a super freshman on this issue!!!

Thanks in advance, as usual. 

Piero

 

 

 

The speakers in the main room will plug into the audio system itself. The BS4 etc has a ML connection to go to the other rooms and Powerlink sockets for the speakers in the main room.

When you decide that you want to go ahead, it might be worth becoming a gold or silver member as you can download the Product Configuration Guide - a natty little program that will produce instructions on how to set the system up and which options and extras you will need. The dealers use this and may give you a copy of the print out for your set up. Having the guide allows you to have a play with what you can do!