So I'm ready to make my first ever B&O purchase - I want some speakers to replace my B&W Zeppelin.

My budget will stretch to a pair of Beolab 6002s and a Beolab 11, or a pair of Beolab 8002s. I intend to connect them to an airport express and stream over iTunes - which is how I currently connect to the Zeppelin. What would you recommend?

I listen mainly to Soul, R&B and some dance music. Bear in mind that I live in an apartment and have to be conscious of the downstairs neighbours! Which option would you recommend? Or should I wait to see what is announced next week?

Thanks for your advice!

RickieH:

I listen mainly to Soul, R&B and some dance music.

Take your MP3 collection to a store and ask them to let you listen to the two options.

IMHO that is the only way to make the choice.

Listen to your favourite pieces and make the choice that way.

If they turn out to be line ball then look at secondary factors.

Room aesthetics play a part especially in an apartment ...

Totally agree with elephant. I would even ask the dealer to Listen to the two options in your flat. From what I know the speakers I would prefer the BL6000/BL11 combo over the BL8000. The BL11 frees the 6000 from Bass and they win a lot in treble and mids.

You can also search for a pair of used 8002 or 8000mk2 combined with a new bl11 to stay in the budget. I prefer the desing of the 8000 way over the 6000.

Clearly, you need to listen to the music you like on both speakers before making a deciding.  If you can get a home trial, all the better as most B&O showrooms have more hard surfaces than normaly found in a home (and this can impact the sound significantly).  In fact, being able to listen before you buy is one of the big reasons (IMHO) to buy new vs. used so if you're going to pay the extra money for new, take advantage of this.  From the music you like, I think the subwoofer might be preferred.  If you said, "classical, jazz and vocals", then I'd say forget the subwoofer.  Then again, I have not really listened to either of these combinations (these recommendations are based on my experience with BL8000 mk1 + BL2.  I started with the mk1s, then added the BL2 a few years later as I found the bass lacking).  Make sure you have room to place the subwoofer between / near the front speakers as this is important to get the best sound, and that you like the look of whatever you choose.

Stan

Thanks for all your comments and advice guys.

Given that I want the speakers primarily for streaming music from iTunes, I'm going to wait and see what new B&O products are launched next quarter.

If you're listening B&O, I'd love a Bang & Olufsen version of the Parrot Zikmu speakers - with Airplay and/or an optical input for playing movies & music through my Apple TV.  I'd happily pay a significant (but not ridiculous) premium over the Parrots for B&O quality and design - and there's money burning a hole in my pocket. I already have the B&W Zeppelin (which I plan on moving to the bedroom) so I don't want another sound-dock. As much as I love the Zeppelin, I want proper stereo separation.

Hope they come out with something that fits the bill!

Rickie,

 

Good luck with your B&O purchases, but don't hold your breath thinking B&O will be listening...

 

Do remember that the AE is equipped with an aweful D/A converter. You should pull the signal from it digitally and use some sort of pre-stage.

Hey Rickie, my 2¢. I have the original versions of the BL8000 and 6000.  Both will play more than loud enough to annoy your neighbors in an apartment.  I feel that the 8000 has a better sound field, when you stand up, the treble of the 6000 is diminished.  I also feel like adding a sub is really only necessary for home theater applications where you are listening to big explosions etc. 

Finally, you're not going to get great results playing an airport directly into these. I can really tell the difference playing the airport into 8000's - they expose the poor quality of the DAC. On the plus side, you will hear things in recordings that you might not have otherwise. 

I might suggest something like this to have a few inputs, good DAC and volume control for your speakers:

http://emotiva.com/xda1.shtm