General Forum

Re: Which one should I buy?

Dave — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 00:29:25 GMT

I Listened to the BeoLab 4000's today, and was very very impressed, a very good honest sounding speaker if placed correctly, very versatile, and we have decided to buy them as small speakers for the bedroom. They sounded as good and as large as a pair of floorstanders that we previously considered. They look beautiful, and very stately but at the same time they are stylish.

I now understand why people have said that they are underrated, and we preferred them over the BeoLab 8000's and 6000's. Can't wait to get them!

Re: Which one should I buy?

SWISS_2 — Sun, 03 Jun 2007 13:27:30 GMT

Beo;

Two different components. One quite mobile, one more stationary. Both very enjoyable.

The Beosound 1 is a single unit of 5 speakers, and can be moved around relatively easy. Left, Right, angled, 3 metres over, outside, etc. There are optional wall mounts, a metal stand on a single leg, and a swivel-mounted metal cabinet, open at either side for CDs.

I can place my BS1 next to a TV, and then below the TV, and there is different sound quality. You can unplug it and take it in the next room, terrace, garden, or to a neighbor's house. Very good sound ( FM Radio, CD, MP3, TV ) all from one unit.

Using the AUX cable attachment at the bottom of the BS1, it will accept an MP3 player, or the stereo sound from a TV or SAT box, as a quick Home Theatre unit. . The BS1 is slightly angled, so the sound is best at ear level as Tom mentioned, or angled to be facing up towards the listener. I can place mine out on a table, and then against a solid wall, and there is a difference in the sound of the music. It's fun to play around with this way, as I'm sure it was designed to be.

The BL 4000 are single speakers only, well amplified, and not designed to be moved around in the manner the BS1 is. The speakers come with wall mounts in the box, and as mentioned previously there are metals stands (similar to the BS1 stand ), and small plastic table stands as options. Better sound quality I think.

When I bought mine, I tried all the options at home first before deciding. This is one benefit of having a good relationship with a B&O store and staff. The metal stands looked good, but didn't work for me: Interested guests, kids, etc. led to the possibility of one or both being knocked over. The wall mounts did not stop the ingenuity of the kids getting up to them, using a chair or climbing up the Plasma. When you place them too high up the wall, you lose the sound quality ( at ear level ) Tom has mentioned. It depends on your household.

I chose to place each speaker on a solid surface, each on either side of a Plasma. About a month later, I went back for the small plastic stands, as the sound angle seems to me to be slightly enhanced this way in the living room. They remain placed this way.

So, as an possible action plan, I would suggest that you consider starting out with a BS 1. Many of us did. The unit can be moved about, sounds great, and the AUX connection has a many applications today. Then consider adding to your AV system , or collection if you will, and move up the ladder as you like.

I wouldn't reccommend that you wait for the " Ultimate System " from Struer, as it suggests some finite termination, and really doesn't exist. The designs from Struer will keep coming down the Danish expressway, and will continue to do so, evolving as demand, creativity, and technology allow.

Like Skiing, if you wait for the " perfect powder " to hit the slopes, another year will go by.

Re: Which one should I buy?

Tom — Sun, 03 Jun 2007 12:05:16 GMT

the best placement for any non-ALT speaker is at earhight IMO. I think there are floorstands available for BL4000

Re: Which one should I buy?

Beo — Sun, 03 Jun 2007 06:18:42 GMT

so what do u think the best placement for beolab 4000??

also, may i ask for beosound 1, is there any tips of good placement?

Re: Which one should I buy?

Tom — Sun, 03 Jun 2007 04:29:04 GMT

good test, swiss2. I remember a very interesting thread in the old forum about toeing in speakers, which concerned only column speakers, and I particularly remember a post by soundproof. I think he mentioned that even by toeing in speakers by some degrees, the result optained could show up some important differences.

Re: Which one should I buy?

SWISS_2 — Sat, 02 Jun 2007 14:08:48 GMT

Tom makes a good point about speaker placement, and where the listener is sitting or standing with regards to the BL 4000 (and any speaker for that matter). But your post idea and subsequent comments got me thinking that little comparison might be interesting. This was strictly subjective perception, and non-scientific.

I took out a CD of Von Karajan's Ring Highlights and listened to my BL 4000's. They sit on a teak cabinet, on the B & O black plastic stands (options) which are canted back about 20 degrees. More or less they are at ear level when I'm sitting, facing both about 3 metres away. Floor is carpeted, walls wood panel in a good sized Living Room.

Sound is very good, for what I originally thought years ago to be a bookshelf speaker.

Knowing a friend with a pair of BL 4000 in the corners of his Den ceiling, I mentioned your post, and we sat down to listen to the same CD. Smaller room size. Normal ceiling height, non-carpeted floor. Also a good excuse to open a good South African wine I've been saving.

Major difference noted: Same superb clean sound, but the CD tracks on his speakers seemed farther away, as they obviously were, and Bass and Treble less distinct. Volume was noted at twice the level. The wine however was really excellent.

In turn, my friend and his wife just left repeating the same test at our place, quite impressed. They had not seen the Beoport in action, but that is another issue.( No wine this time: Just coffee )

The end result is there is considerable difference in speaker sound with placement and acoustic features encountered in two houses, using the same music source and speaker model. In hindsight, again subjectively, I don't think that I would place mine so high where I sit or watch TV, or against the ceiling.

I hope this is helpful.

Re: Which one should I buy?

Dave — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 02:33:14 GMT

I'm pretty sure that i can just buy the specific cable needed from B&O. That would be a bit dodgy making one myself. :)

Re: Which one should I buy?

Beo — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 01:12:33 GMT

i guess beolab 4000 is perfect choice for your need. but you have to custom-made a wire to connect to mini-jack of computer.

but on the other hand, you have to make sure your files in computer have good sound quality. I am sure any b&o speakers will magnify the bad quality sound of low bitrates.

Re: Which one should I buy?

Dave — Thu, 31 May 2007 23:02:26 GMT

Hi,

If Beolab 4000 are as good as you guys say they are, then i may now consider them as bedroom speakers, sound is very important to me, and the beosound 1 is good, just not good enough considering separation and detail. At the moment i listen to the wonderful A8's in my bedroom (on the computer also which is in the bedroom).

Before i go and listen to them, are they anywhere near as good as listening to the earphones if it's in a small room?

Re: Which one should I buy?

Beo — Thu, 31 May 2007 22:20:50 GMT

well, thanks for your recommendations. you are very helpful. Actually I just believe in the bpo.

Back to b&o, now i prefer beosound 1, as if I choose beolab 4000, i must buy beosound 4 or other players finally. As the temptation never ends. So the budget will be few times more.

Re: Which one should I buy?

Tom — Thu, 31 May 2007 17:09:03 GMT

well beo, this is very interesting. when I entered into classical music, karajan an BPO was a must for me. I used to buy records or copy them to MC only if there was Karajan on it. It sure was never a totally wrong way, but with the years passing and the experience in music growing, I started to notice that all Karajan wanted was to record and sell. He used to make up to 20 records a year which sure is impressive, but if you listen to them, you will notice that all he wanted to do was record and sell. To me, he missed the point to really enter into an oeuvre.
The only occasions in which I could recommand Karajan would be for the Beethoven and Brahms, may be for Schumann and Schubert. For the rest, there are much more interesting conducters and records than Karajan; try Celibidache, you won't be disappointed!

Re: Which one should I buy?

Beo — Thu, 31 May 2007 13:34:18 GMT

well, the formula is of course not as simple as that. but personally, i love four seasons, i prefer karajan and berlin philharmonic. In listening classical music CD, i am in beginner level, although i played instruments, orh and even choir for a period of time before. I just share my little understanding only. But i am sure the partners (karajan and bpo) were never disappointing before.

I look forward to sharing some good recordings here between us. thank you.

Re: Which one should I buy?

Tom — Thu, 31 May 2007 10:02:08 GMT

Beo:

well, i do not mean beolab 4000 is worse than beosound 1, but beolab 4000 is not that amazing. Maybe because it is placed at the ceiling.
by the four seasons by berlin philharmonic under Karajan, the performance is great, the recording is great, the CD quality is great, but still... it is not that amazing...

placing BL4000s at the ceiling sure is not the ideal solution if they are used as main speakers. For rears it would be ok, but not for main (front) speakers. I'm sure you would have been more satisfied by their sound if they had been at your ears height.

glad to hear you are into classical music, but there is one thing I do not unterstand: Karajan + Vivaldi = great performance, great sound???

Re: Which one should I buy?

nobby — Thu, 31 May 2007 04:47:07 GMT

I am in broad agreement with Peter and Graham here (as usual) ... however, it may be worth you considering something which is an earlier era such as lab4500s or 5000s ... and as they are wall mounted ... they are not intrusive, whilst still performing remarkably well.

Neil

Re: Which one should I buy?

joeyboygolf — Thu, 31 May 2007 02:39:14 GMT

I am afraid that you have to decide whether you want absolute sound quality or acceptable sound with absolute style. None of the current crop of low/medium cost B&O speakers will give you opera house or concert sound quality as no matter how much technical wizardry they put in the box, the drivers are simply too small.

I made my decision years ago and went with B&O but I am aware of the limitations of the marque. I am afraid you have the same decision to make.

I agree with Peter by recommending a second user Ouverture with Lab 4000's. Excellent value.