Hi,

With the increasing prices by B&O in 2 weeks, I have to make a decision on what to do next.

I can afford to buy a new BL9 pair, however it would be possible, but a real struggle to get the BL5.

My appartment is small and I'm always moving houses for my job, but my question is this:

• Is it worth getting the BL9 now? Or waiting until I have enough money to get the BL5 next year or later?
  
• Should I just get a pair of BL3s (coupled with my BL2 and BL7.4) and whenever I can afford the BL5, move the BL3s to the rear and sell the sub?
  
• Or should I get the BL9 now, sell the sub and use it for a year or two, then sell it or PX it towards a BL5 pair?

The BL9 is a perfect size for my room really, but I'm worried that the 'second-best'/ 'not-quite there' factor of the BL9 might """"dissapoint"""" in the future?

Go for the BL9 now, no doubt about it in my opinion. Eventually you will buy the BL5, but the BL9 will give you lots of pleasure while you save your way to your beloved BL5. Sell the sub, keep the BL3's as rears.

Any dealer will take your BL9's as PX for the BL5's. The sell very well (the 9's).

My 2 cents. Good luck. Nice problem you have.

Thanks for your comments beobeo :)

I guess it would be nice to hear from others too why they went for the BL9 as opposed to the BL5's in the end...

Initially I didnt like the design of the BL9, but being small and simple, gets kinda catchy

I guess the good thing about BL 9 is that they also don't seem to lose too much value if you were to sell them and upgrade to a BL 5 in the future.

 

Plus... if you have a small apartment they will look great and probably be sufficient? 

Maybe the BL 5 will annoy the neighbours?

 

I don't know how it is there but in Switzerland your neighbours get angry if you sneeze LOL

haha, thanks luke. I live in Paris, so noise and is an everyday thing, but sure, I know my limits I guess :)

I've got the BL9s and BL5s. I'd recommend the BL9s for day-to-day use in most environments. The 5s are overkill. Even the 9s are mega-powerful.

There is NO WAY the 9s will disappoint! I think you underestimate how powerful they are!

Youre probably right moxxey. I guess i should listen to them again.

Did you get them both together, or seperately, I.e. BL9 then BL5?

From what you say, I'd recommend the BL9s now.  I think they are great speakers for small-to-medium rooms, and I love the way they sound.  I'm using them in a sparsely furnished room in a 1750 home, approximately 6m x 7m, 2.5m ceiling.  No acoustical treatmernt.  They sound glorious!  I haven't gotten tired of them at all after two years of continuous listening.  

I don't think you'll ever tire of them, and youll only want to upgrade when you have a room where bass is problematic and/or you're ready to tackle REALLY high-end listening.  

I hope this helps.  

 

Enjoy!  

 

Dave 

6m x 7m.

I call that a big room!!

timhanna:

Did you get them both together, or seperately, I.e. BL9 then BL5?

BL9s first, connected to my BV7-40. Listen to a Blu-ray movie, with uncompressed audio, and they blow the room. I only bought the BL5s as they were a good offer - barely listen to them. BL9s are more than adequate for even large rooms. BL3s are fine for most scenarios, never mind the BL9s!

Thanks for everyone's feedback on this. It does look like people are recommending the BL9. I definately have to listen to them again I guess to make my mind up. Also viewing them again would be good because such a speaker was out of reach not too long ago and there wasn't much consideration going towards it. Moxxey, do you have the bl9 and bl5s in different rooms? What rears do you use in each?

Yes, different rooms. BL5s in the bigger room and connected to a BC2. The BL9s are connected to the BV7-40. The BL5s would be a step up from the BL9s in every scenario, but they are also more than twice as expensive. I don't think they are twice as good, for sure. The only reason for moving up to the BL5s would be if you had a staggeringly big room and/or you were a professional sound engineer. If you're using them at home, the BL9s are fine.

I appreciate your help moxxey. Everyone's help as well.

Do the BL9 and the BV7 look nice together?

timhanna:

Do the BL9 and the BV7 look nice together?

Oh yes. Good combo. I was tempted to move the BL5s next to the BV7-40, but I think they'd dwarf the TV and make it look 'smaller'. BL9s look relatively small next to the TV, but that's good.

My advice is this Tim: go for the BL9s now at the current price of £5500. They'll be over £6000 from 1st of June. Keep them for a while and, if you need to trade them in, I think you'll either get a good price against the BL5s or second hand.

Alternatively, you could just buy my mint BL5s from me... :)

Thanks buddy. You are really helping me here :)

Ok, I guess ill probably do the BL9 :) buuuttt .... hehe

just so that i can not have any future regrets, if you are really selling your BL5, can you pm me the age and cost :)

There is no doubt that the BL9s will give you more flexibility in terms of positioning, colours, and how they set into the surroundings of your room. In terms of sound, the BL9s are fantastic and as with all BeoLabs (except BL4s) they are great value in my opinion. The BL5s are just up on the next level and the complete package whether they are used for music only, home cinema, or both.

If I were in a similar position, with budgeting in consideration, I would probably go for the BL9s now and continue saving for the BL5s. Try not to be too sure that you will sell the BL9s to help towards your BL5s, it's very hard to part from your B&O.

timhanna:

 

Do the BL9 and the BV7 look nice together?

Not a very good picture but my avatar shows 9s with a BV7.

Thanks Razlaw, yes i can see it and thanks... do you have it in hi res that i could see

.

I should wait for the 5's because imho they look better (and sound too).

timhanna:

just so that i can not have any future regrets, if you are really selling your BL5, can you pm me the age and cost :)

Done. We'll have that conversation via pm or by email.

sweet photo :)

thanks.

Depends if you want Darleks or an upside down waste bins...... :-(

lol

 

Hi all. I have finally placed my order today for a pair of bl9 (black) and a pair of bl3 (black). I really tried to afford the bl5 but it was too much for me right now, so the BL9 will act as a step closer. Ill be getting them when I'm back from holidays. Thabks for everyone's help! Tim