wath is better?

Beolab 9 with Beolab 2 is the obvious choice!

The straight and easy answer is the Beolab 9s. But go and have a listen and tell us what you think.

i got my BL8000 about one week before the BL9 were released. I'm very satisfied with their sound, but I kind of regret that I did not save some more money and go for the BL9. i think they are the best price-value relation there is in b&o

I've had 8000s + lab2 for a number of years and love them - but having heard the lab9s there's no comparison - thoroughly recommend them. I'm upgrading (hopefully install tomorrow).

Having had a home demo, my view is that if its just audio you listen to, the lab9s alone are superb, but if you also watch surround sound movies then I think you need a sub, so I'm keeping the lab2 - as Lee suggests.

I have had the opertunity to compare the BL 8000 with BL2 and the BL9 without the BL2.

BL 9 had more clarity and te bass is much more precise. With the BL 9 you do not need a BL2, not with listening music and not with watching movies (I saw a demonstration of Pirates of the Caribbean 2 on the BV 9 with BL9 as front spaekers and BL3 as rears). The BL9 is very capable of handeling the lower area. You have to make sure that in the set-up menu the BL9 or the BL5 is selected because otherwise the lower end won't be send to the speaker. I am saving for the BL9 (I now have the BL 8000 whicjh are alsso very good but no matche for the BL( IMHO).

Best advise is to visit your dealer and ask for a side by side comparison (with and without BL2)

 

Good luck 

 

DiaBandO:

Best advise is to visit your dealer and ask for a side by side comparison (with and without BL2)

Absolutely the best advice, I got a home demo as that way you'll know how they'll really sound in your own surroundings - we all have different tastes (and rooms) so speakers are a very personal thing. Personally I like a bit of thump in my movies, hence I kept my Lab2, but as DiaBandO says, the BL9s are hugely precise and so having the sub possibly loses a bit of that precision.

For me it was a small trade-off that I preferred to go for the sub route - the only perfect solution is Lab5s - which are beyond me (and my lounge space)! 

 The danger of a home demo is that you'll definitely not want to let the speakers go! Hmmm, maybe thats why dealers offer this service

I agree with Justin, definitely best to demo at home if you can based on my experience. After having an enjoyable morning at my local dealer testing BL9 vs. BL8000 with and without BL2 for music and home cinema, I was left with the impression that a BL2 was essential with the BL9s to get the full movie effect. The showroom's ceiling height was probably double that of a normal room and I suspect the BL2 was necessary to get the effects I was expecting on "The Matrix".

However after buying (putting my money where my ears were, not where my eyes were) and setting up the BL9s I was more than happy with sub effects in my 4x3m living room and the stereo performance is amazing - I suspect the Lab5's sound much better but I'm afraid to listen them now...

DiaBandO:

I have had the opertunity to compare the BL 8000 with BL2 and the BL9 without the BL2.

BL 9 had more clarity and te bass is much more precise. With the BL 9 you do not need a BL2, not with listening music and not with watching movies (I saw a demonstration of Pirates of the Caribbean 2 on the BV 9 with BL9 as front spaekers and BL3 as rears). The BL9 is very capable of handeling the lower area. You have to make sure that in the set-up menu the BL9 or the BL5 is selected because otherwise the lower end won't be send to the speaker. I am saving for the BL9 (I now have the BL 8000 whicjh are alsso very good but no matche for the BL( IMHO).

Best advise is to visit your dealer and ask for a side by side comparison (with and without BL2)

 

Good luck 

 

I've had the same experience as you and can only second what you write. Little need for BL2 together with BL9 when set up correctly.

congratulations for your new speakers. i suppose you will no go out for some weeks now...

i will go order the new beolab9 without beolab2.

thanks all the people for your comments

Good luck - you'll not regret it. I had my lab8000s replaced with lab9s yesterday and am rediscovering my CD collection - so much more detail/precision. Currently listening to The Cardigans "Gran Turismo" - so good, and the intro really makes the floor shake (I decided to keep my lab2!!)

You'll love them! Absolutely fantastic pair of speakers, it's EXACTLY what B&O is all about.