I would have the BV5 but would have Beolab 8000s at the front because they sound better. Beolab 6000s are fine at the rear though. You are of course completely correct that the BV7 route will have a more detailed picture and the sound from the Beolab 3s will also sound more detailed because it is brighter. However I am not sure that this will make your listing and viewing experience better.

The only proviso is the lack of connections on the BV5. The BV7 Mk3 really can connect to anything and everything which the BV5 cannot. I don't know if the BV5 will offer the same experience with the BS5 that the BV7 will.  

I'd wait for the mk3 BV7 as you state before you make any decisions! It's a bit of a stormer according to the US members...

I agree with Peter RE the 6000s vs 8000s. The 8000s are hugely superior speakers! Another option would be the BeoLab 9s, which are a huge step up again, offsetting their increased price easily...

BV5 plasma screen's 'touchy' surface and small kids' fingers that indeed want to touch  'everything' right before they start to chase their favorite cartoon character accross the screen, can potentially be a a rather disasterous combination - and an experience which in strictly monetary terms I suspect will not make one richer. Unless, of course, the set is wall mounted safely out of reach ...

Sadly, I feel like starting to investigate if a damage to the outer layer of the screen - done by the cute little fingers - can be somehow fixed. Can anyone confirm if yes, by the way? I hope changing the whole screen is not the only alternative [:'(]  

Regarding Beolab 9 and children.
The Penguin's mouth looks a great place to shove a purple crayon.....

Andy T.

saf:

BV5 plasma screen's 'touchy' surface and small kids' fingers that indeed want to touch  'everything' right before they start to chase their favorite cartoon character accross the screen, can potentially be a a rather disasterous combination - and an experience which in strictly monetary terms I suspect will not make one richer. Unless, of course, the set is wall mounted safely out of reach ...

Sadly, I feel like starting to investigate if a damage to the outer layer of the screen - done by the cute little fingers - can be somehow fixed. Can anyone confirm if yes, by the way? I hope changing the whole screen is not the only alternative [:'(]  

What are you going to do with your current setup , I mean in words of picture and sound you will fall back.

 I would suggest to spent more money on the speakers to stay on the same audio level(I ques you own now a pair of B&W XT speakers ?). Look at a pair of Beolab 5's and I can tell you that you really don't need surround speakers when you have a good pair of fronts. I know a second life pair for around 11k (euros), so if you're interested you can pm me.

jandyt:

Regarding Beolab 9 and children.
The Penguin's mouth looks a great place to shove a purple crayon.....

Andy T.

And a half eaten slice of toast, a drink carton straw, a plastic cow boy figure hat, a malteser and a sheet of paper. Items I found in my video player after a two week trip away when my son was about 4.

Kids, eh?
I blame the parents you know.
When they rock them to sleep, they're not using a big enough rock!

Andy T.

jandyt:

Kids, eh?
I blame the parents you know.
When they rock them to sleep, they're not using a big enough rock!

Andy T.

I have seen BL 8000  wall mounted with out the black heavy "floor sockets". It looked relay nice.. I don´t have the picture left sadly, but it is possible if you wont to... 

And if you go for the BV7 you can read my tread about my (Euro Edition) BV7 BS3 MK III here: http://forum.beoworld.org/forums/thread/53190.aspx 

Regards

Pushkin:

Hi

So its looking like the bv7 mk iii with a bl7.2 wall mounted beats the bv5.  In terms of surround sound speakers which can be wall mounted (to prevent destruction from small child) I only have three choices - BL3, BL4000 and BL6000 with new wall mount option.  

Given about a 50:50 split between music and TV and given they will be paired with BL2 (the only thing on the ground) does anyone have any experience of the difference in sound of the options - thanks

Well the only thing I have discovered recently is that I have gone off the BL2 for music! At low levels it is great and adds in my view. At medium volumes it is OK, but at higher volumes it is just not right. We tried my main system (Pentas and BL2) against M100s and discovered that at good volumes, the BL2 just made the bass ponderous and out of control. It sounded better switched off (easy to do). The M100s stayed well controlled though out. For home cinema, the BL2 is fantastic though and I would not be without it.  I would therefore want a front speaker that could deal with bass so that I could switch the BL2 off when listening to music. I don't think the 6000s or the 3s can do this well enough. It is a problem with column speakers! The Pentas do have a fair amount of bass but the top end is quite warm and  less clear than the later active speakers.

I would strongly suggest you go and have an extended listen and I would audition BL6000, BL3s,BL2, BL4000s and BL9s. I would actually suggest buying speakers that will do the front and bass well and leave the rears until finances permit. Wire for them though.

Don't listen to BL5s though. If you do you will be dissatisfied with whatever you get!!  

Graeme:

jandyt:

Regarding Beolab 9 and children.
The Penguin's mouth looks a great place to shove a purple crayon.....

Andy T.

And a half eaten slice of toast, a drink carton straw, a plastic cow boy figure hat, a malteser and a sheet of paper. Items I found in my video player after a two week trip away when my son was about 4.

When my kids were young I had an expensive TV, Hi-Fi, Expensive speakers on stands and no problem with them being touched or damaged. Why? From being babies, they were taught the word NO and what it meant. Consequently if we took them to friends' houses there were no worries about them touching what they shouldn't. Contrasted with friends' children who couldn't keep their hands off and were met with just a look of despair from their parents whose solution consisted of repeatedly lifting the child away only for it to do it again. The words 'no' or 'don't touch' were met with a look of total incomprehensibility by them. In the days prior to remote control, my children asked me to adjust the tv or change channels. It was only when they demonstrated responsibility that they were allowed to do it themselves. Education is not just about sending children to school.  

I told you not to do that!! I was planning to get some 9s till I heard the 5s against them! No comparison!! Next time I have some spare cash.... 

They are not that child unfriendly. Just tested the WAF - not good I am afraid!   My wife says a pamper weekend in a posh spa could persuade her!

B&O offer two players with a digital output, the BeoCenter 2 and the BeoSound 9000. Either will help you get the best out of the BL5s.