General Forum

Re: Opinions On This Setup...

SiliconTi — Sat, 28 Jul 2007 20:18:45 GMT

BL-5s are out of the question, even if budget constraints were not there - they are too big and too "out there" looks wise for this installation. I agree that BL-3s would be a better choice for rears if the 9s are used in the front. I'll have to see what the client thinks.

I have tried 9s and 5s. I think for day-to-day listening, the 9's may be better - again because they are more forgiving of poor quality sources. I can not imagine listening to MP3 files on a set of 5s, I think it would kill me.

Thanks for the input.

Re: Opinions On This Setup...

Dave — Sat, 28 Jul 2007 19:55:41 GMT

11048437:
David,

I have BC2 and BS4. There is no difference in listening between them!!!!!!!!!. In fact my BC2 plays everything( it is the MK2 version US) and I played almost 3-400 CD and DVD and there was no skipping whatsoever...
Perhaps yours BC2 have some problems??

regards,
constantine

I took ia CD that i knew well to the dealer, and it skipped on the BC2, when i play it on the BS4 at home, it's fine. The dealer told me that the BC2 IS more sensitive than the BS4. You just sound lucky that you have had NO skipping throughout playing SO MANY cd's

Re: Opinions On This Setup...

Alex — Sat, 28 Jul 2007 16:25:40 GMT

Listen to both BeoLab 5s and BeoLab 9s. If you prefer the 5s, then don't get the rears just yet, and put the money towards BeoLab 5s. It's better buy the right thing in the first place than have to trade it in later.

Re: Opinions On This Setup...

pedrompinto — Sat, 28 Jul 2007 15:23:04 GMT

I'd use the following setup:

Floor 0:

BV7-40 + BL7-4
BS4 or
BL9 (front) or BL5 (if you have the budget for it)
BL3 (rear)
BL2 (is a plus, not needed in with BL5 or even BL9)

Floor 1:

BL3500

I'll also check the Lutron website in order to control the lights with the Beo4 or the Beo5; do have in mind that you could also control the curtins etc..etc.; like i said before, you budget is the limit, so use it wisely :)

Re: Opinions On This Setup...

Alex — Sat, 28 Jul 2007 14:29:42 GMT

I consider the BeoLab 5s superior to the BeoLab 9s, they are much more 'open' sounding and effortless in comparison. Generally a better sound all round. However, they are more revealing, they tend to bring absolutely tiny details in the recordings right to the front of the soundstage, and you might not always want that. For example, one example I always hear quoted is the earlier Stevie Wonder recordings. Incredibly difficult to listen to on BeoLab 5s because all the 'roughness' in the recording is bought right forward with the BeoLab 5s. BeoLab 9s tend to smoothen this out a bit, and make it generally more comfortable to listen to.

That doesn't mean the BeoLab 9s are any better than the BeoLab 5s. The 5s are definitely better speakers. However, a bi-product of how incredibly analytical sounding they are is that they tend to make it really obvious when something is poorly recorded. BeoLab 9s less so, because they aren't as analytical.

I'd still personally prefer BeoLab 5s though, but the 9s are a bit more 'lounge-friendly' for most people.

Re: Opinions On This Setup...

Razlaw — Sat, 28 Jul 2007 14:22:55 GMT

Could you clarify what you mean by the statement some think 9s are preferable to 5s as easier to listen to? Thanks!

Re: Opinions On This Setup...

Alex — Sat, 28 Jul 2007 13:38:37 GMT

The BeoLab 9s are a little more forgiving than the 3s (which can be a bit harsh with poorly recorded content). That doesn't mean to say, the BeoLab 9s flatten any detail out of the sound, but they are very comfortable to listen to.

I'd recommend you have a listen to the BeoLab 9s at some point. They are remarkable speakers, some would say preferable to BeoLab 5s (easier to listen to).

Re: Opinions On This Setup...

jk1002 — Sat, 28 Jul 2007 13:20:14 GMT

I think I agree, if you consider BL9 the BL4 will not hold up. I would probably then upgrade to the BL3 for the back. I like both Bl4 and Bl3 for rears because of their size.

That said, I have not yet had a chance to listen to BL9. I do own though BL3/BL2 and am super hapy with it. Reason for not going bigger is that mist CDs I listen too are not recorded well enough.

So BL9\/BL3 or BL3/BL2/BL4 would be it for me.

Cheers

Re: Opinions On This Setup...

Alex — Sat, 28 Jul 2007 13:11:03 GMT

&ot

SiliconTi:
Hey All,

I am looking at the BL4's for the rears as 1) they are small an unobtrusive 2) surrounds do not need to do any heavy lifting 3) there are inexpensive.

I may consider BL9s for the front vs the BL-3's+BL-2. In this setting, appearance will be very important.

I am looking at the BS3200 (actually, the BS3000 if I can find some - hard drive is pointless as the system will have an iPod dock integrated into it). The Music BC-2 is coming to the USA soon, but again, I just do not like it. I am also not a fan of the BS-4. I think the BC3000/3200 still has one of the best industrial designs (I still love my BC-2500).

Beo5 - gees, I hate to looks of this thing. The Beo4 is supposed to be able to do zones as well - did I misunderstand this?

The idea with system is that it be excellent out of the box, but allow for future upgrades (to BL-5's or 9'2, or BL-4000's, whatever) down the road.

If you're going to opt with BeoLab 9s as fronts, then I would advise even more strongly against BeoLab 4s as rears. They struggle as it is when other speakers from the range are used as front speakers, but BeoLab 9s or 5s will really push them way beyond what they are realistically capable of.

Re: Opinions On This Setup...

Tom — Sat, 28 Jul 2007 10:50:13 GMT

Medogsfat:

Do you have some BL4's Tom?

Chris.

no, I don't, but I listened to them extensively when I planned to upgrade my system. I had a pair of 6000s and the options were BL8000 as new fronts and 6000s as rears or BL4s as rears and a BL2. IMO, the difference between BL6000 and 8000 was bigger then between 6000s and 4s, therefor I decided myself for the BL8000s.

Re: Opinions On This Setup...

SiliconTi — Sat, 28 Jul 2007 08:33:04 GMT

Hey All,

Thanks for the input.

I am looking at the BL4's for the rears as 1) they are small an unobtrusive 2) surrounds do not need to do any heavy lifting 3) there are inexpensive.

I may consider BL9s for the front vs the BL-3's+BL-2. In this setting, appearance will be very important.

I am looking at the BS3200 (actually, the BS3000 if I can find some - hard drive is pointless as the system will have an iPod dock integrated into it). The Music BC-2 is coming to the USA soon, but again, I just do not like it. I am also not a fan of the BS-4. I think the BC3000/3200 still has one of the best industrial designs (I still love my BC-2500).

Beo5 - gees, I hate to looks of this thing. The Beo4 is supposed to be able to do zones as well - did I misunderstand this?

The idea with system is that it be excellent out of the box, but allow for future upgrades (to BL-5's or 9'2, or BL-4000's, whatever) down the road.

Re: Opinions On This Setup...

Stars — Sat, 28 Jul 2007 03:20:51 GMT

Hi SiliconTi,

As already mentioned, I would certainly not waste placing a pair of BL9s as rears in my setup. Have them as your front speakers instead. They have a lot more humfff than the BL3s and they still have the perfect precision of the ALTs when necessary. And unless you want to rumble yourself off the sofa and onto the coffee table without touching the floor, I don't think a BL2 would be necessary in my opinion.

The BV7 sounds great to me, take a wall mounted BC2 (looks so good As rears I would say a pair of BS4000s wall mounted would look and sound great.

P.S. I like the Boston store too! My BS2 hasn't returned home since.

Re: Opinions On This Setup...

11048437 — Sat, 28 Jul 2007 02:17:34 GMT

David,

I have BC2 and BS4. There is no difference in listening between them!!!!!!!!!. In fact my BC2 plays everything( it is the MK2 version US) and I played almost 3-400 CD and DVD and there was no skipping whatsoever...

Perhaps yours BC2 have some problems??

regards,

constantine

Re: Opinions On This Setup...

Dave — Fri, 27 Jul 2007 23:31:19 GMT

I know for a fact that there is a difference in listening with a BC2 as opposed to a BS4. The BC2 can be annoyingly sensitive - the CD's must be in perfect condition in order to play without skipping. I've had minimal issues with CD playback with the BS4, i even plays some of my old and abused discs without qualms. Happy customer!

Re: Opinions On This Setup...

jk1002 — Fri, 27 Jul 2007 22:53:11 GMT

If you are not planning to use all 4 speakers for music, I think BL4 will be OK. Not a lot off DVDs make much use of the rear channels anyway. I would make this decision a bit based on looks. If you are planning use the floor stand with the BL4, they do have the cable outside, not hidden inside as it is with the BL3 (third party solution is available to use the Lab3 stands). The wall mount option though I find quite interesting and this is why I would consider the BL4's for the rear.

Did you consider switching the BS3200 against the BC2 music only? Not sure if that is available in the US already, but should be there soon. The BS3200 with the hard drive is quite cumbersome to use, so I wouldn't waste the money for that and either go BS3000 or BC2 Music only.

Cheers