After buying my BL8000, I sold the BL3.  I had more speakers than rooms.  The 8000 has much better definition, clarity, and transparency, but the bass is not as good.  The BL3 is not as good in the midrange.  I'm glad I made the switch.   

Just my own personal review.  Comments?

Best to all!

Kevin

Hi Kevin,

Are your 8000's the later 'bass enhanced' ones or the earlier mk.1's?

Just curious as i'd quite like a pair myself.

Michael

I've both, and for me it's the opposite : more definition for the 3's, also more bass. 8000's are really close, but not as good to my ears. I've got mkI 8000's and mkI 3's

Hi Michael.

I bought my 8000s just a couple months ago.  B&O Union Square was having a demo sale and I got a markdown.  I'm quite sure they have the ABL.

I can never keep up with mk1, mk2, etc.  How many marks are we up to on the 8000?  The bass enhanced ABLs were made after 2005 methinks.  I haven't listened to a pair of pre 2005.  

Unfortunately, some folks in the secondary market don't know the difference and wind up paying more for the older series.  Such is the case for the B&W 800 series.

You will like them.  Throw in a BL2 with them and you'll be literally blown away.  

Kevin

Sonically I prefer the Beolab 3's to Beolab 8000's. As for the design, just the opposite. In the end performance was more important to me, so I bought Beolab 3's. I would still like Beolab 8000's, though...