Just bought a set of Penta Mk III (year 2000). I have to say that I think that they are much better than the critic that they receive on this forum. They have a varm and pleasant sound with a lot of depth.

Just wanted to shear this with you all ICE-POWER freaks

In addition the display (even not relevant for the sound) is an additional nice feature - which I believe that B&O should have contiued and developed further (to inlude RDS and N.MUSIC info). They where on the right track in the 90's before they started their Robotic Space Shuttle Designs - like in the androids Beolab 5 and Beolab 9. 

 

 

 

Well I changed my Penta III's to Beolab 9's about 6 months ago and I do agree with what you say. The loss of the displays is a shame really and I do miss them.

I think the overall sound is pretty similar, but the 9's are more compact and modern in the room than the Penta's. Both very good speakers.

Mike

I have to say that I have generally only read good things here about Pentas! I've never heard anyone 'dis' them (except jbg)

I've never said that Pentas were that bad, I just prefer the more in your face sound of Lab 5000's.

I was watching a pair of these on Ebay and they just went for £999 from B&O Exeter - always wanted a pair of Penta's - they look great and sound very very nice too. £1000 for a pair of Penta MkIII isn't too bad.....

Nothing wrong with Pentas at all! One of the best of the column speakers. They lose on absolute bass compared to those speakers with bigger drive units and the top end is not quite as well defined as some of the later active models, but they produce a well balanced sound in my view. I still have a pair as my sitting room speakers. Would probably only change them for BL5s.

Peter :

Would probably only change them for BL5s.

Go on Peter! You know you want to!

Really not sure I do! I have been offered some at about half price in the past so it is not the money. I just don't think I listen to enough music and am very happy with what I have.

Have started collecting pens... 

Who's been saying bad things about Pentas???

Send them round here and I'll instill some sense into them.........with the wrong end of a Beo4.

Andy T.

I was telling Peter last week that I found a pair of 1999 Penta 3's still with the original boxes and accessories for $1000US (about 500GBP).  I'm having trouble dealing with the 2 week wait before I'll have a chance to drive down and pick them up.  Of course I won't be able to prevent myself from trying to tweak the internals.  I'll start a modding thread once I get them.  I know there are better output transistors out there for the main amp, and I think the crossovers will need some work.  I still don't know though whether I feel like trying to make a whole new crossover.  Designing a new 3-way crossover is no easy task, at least not for me.  I'm glad you're happy with them though.  Makes me even more excited about picking them up!

Austin
 

By the way, is there an easy keyboard shortcut to make the GBP sign?  I can't say it's a major loss, but it's not included on US keyboards

Hold down ALT and press 0163

£

Andy T.

£  haha.  ok.  I'll never remember that number again, but thanks Andy!

Peter :

 

Have started collecting pens... 

 

don't do it Peter! ha ha

Have you purchased a Krone yet?

Maybe a Blue Gold or if you feel keen a  Mozart?
 

Starting with Conway Stewart! My first pen was one of these and I have a soft spot for them!

camshaft:

£  haha.  ok.  I'll never remember that number again, but thanks Andy!

You don't need to remember it my friend. Just put a £ sign in the search box and click search. It will tale you to this thread.

Jandyt:

You don't need to remember it my friend. Just put a £ sign in the search box and click search. It will tale you to this thread.

Wont work Andy! You can´t search in this forum on only one letter, but four digits will do so just search for 0163 to find this topic.

[:'(]

I modified a pair myself last months in a way that's (not complety as it is not the right way to go in my opnion) discribed in the workbenchsection.

I have achieved a big effort/result and I dare the comparison between the 9's and the Penta.

I've modified:

- the speakercloth

- the filtercomponents both active (capacitors and opamp) and passive (capacitors)

- the leads to the speakers (seperate the bass section from the mid's) and instead of 0,75 mm2 now used 2,5 and 5mm2.

- the leads in the amplifiersection

- the anti-blob modification

 

Made a (mono)cd with favourite tracks I know with the help of Adobe Audition and listened to the difference between the modified and the not-modified one.

A really big difference in my humble honest opinion.

Beobuddy:

- the anti-blob modification

What is that ?

Most Penta's have the "problem"when they turn on, that a "blob" sound comes through.

There is a modification to eleminate that.

After that you won't hear it anymore and only thing you notice is the red led turning into green.

Can you describe what the modification entail

You can PM me if you do not think that it is general interest 

Does anybody know if you can connect a standalone display (like the pentas have) on the powerlink ?
It is nice to see what device is playing at the moment or what radio station is playing

A couple of years ago, i think I saw such a standalone display on the net, but i can't find it anymore.

 

nico vercammen:

Does anybody know if you can connect a standalone display (like the pentas have) on the powerlink ?
It is nice to see what device is playing at the moment or what radio station is playing

A couple of years ago, i think I saw such a standalone display on the net, but i can't find it anymore.

 

I believe you're thinking of Ridax's display, but I'm not sure whether he's still doing them:

http://home.swipnet.se/ridax/display.htm