General Forum

Re: Beolab 1 or Beolab 3?

Bulgarien — Sat, 25 Aug 2007 08:24:42 GMT

New and Improved Sound on BeoLab 1 Part I by Glenn Guillot.

After purchasing a pair of brandnew Beolab 1 I was dissatisfied with the sound.

In my opinion these big “pillar” speakers sounded razor sharp, ice-cold and screamy, when playing CDs of good dynamic qualities.

BUT

then I customised it, and I have now made my BeoLab 1s much smoother and I think I’m nearing pure sound perfection!

See the solution here!

http://www.beoworld.org/beotech/beolab1.htm

Re: Beolab 1 or Beolab 3?

Alex — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 17:54:11 GMT

Because the OP wasn't sure which they should go for.

All these discussions prove is that speakers are a very personal choice and people should really let their ears be the judge rather than other people.

Re: Beolab 1 or Beolab 3?

Luigi — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 15:49:30 GMT

I don't know why we intend make a comparison between BL1 and BL3.

Re: Beolab 1 or Beolab 3?

Alex — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 15:42:03 GMT

The BeoLab 1 may have been the flagship speaker for a brief period (and it was kinda brief), but that doesn't make it the best even while it was flagship. The BeoLab 1s are better IMO, far more musical...

Re: Beolab 1 or Beolab 3?

beoperson — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 14:55:54 GMT

I would also vote for BL1. I do love it's clean design. I would not think twice unless rooms is small
As was stated previously size of the room is important in this comparison, but if room allows BL1 size this would be my preference.
BL1 was B&O flagship speaker for many years.
I guess I'm biased as well with BL1 anodized aluminum finish and design.

Re: Beolab 1 or Beolab 3?

pf85 — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 13:35:43 GMT

Good discussion. Although a bit biased with 4 BL1 1 BL2 in main room and 2 BL1 in second room, I clearly favor the BL1 over the BL3.
However, agree that it is best to listen to different loudspeakers with your favorite music.
BL1 is quite linear and is strong from low volume up.
BL1 is quite sensitive to placement setting options (WALL - FREE - CORNER). Trial and error might be required. In a home cinema setting they benefit also strongly from the BL2.
BL1 with its imposing size makes any room stately...
You may get good deals with nearly new ones as they are out of production. BL1 are also virtually unknown in B&O repair shops.
Having said this, we will select BL3 for a small study. They are wonderful for their size.

Re: Beolab 1 or Beolab 3?

11048437 — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 12:51:44 GMT

Thanks guys for yours precious suggestions…

It was supposed to buy the BL5 this year but unfortunately I would not be able to do it...

I’m not waiting the new speaker that will be introduced next year – I’m very disappointed with BL9 and I don’t expect too much from B&O. Finally, I decided to go for BL1. I really love the design- clean and good-looking…

@ Santiago- you have a nice setup.

big thanks,

constantine

Re: Beolab 1 or Beolab 3?

Santiago — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 11:29:33 GMT

beoaus:
IMHO, BL1's are a far better speaker when setup and placed properly.

Agree 100%

I own both set of speakers and I did some test side by side simultaneously, switching between them during hours (also turning on and off the BL2) and I used some different cds audio via BS9000...
the verdict was very clear from the beginning: BL1s are FAR superior in every condition:
with and without BL2, any audio setup, or kind of music; their sound is lot more clear, natural and powerful.

Re: Beolab 1 or Beolab 3?

Alex — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 04:47:40 GMT

For their size, BeoLab 1s really can be quite disappointing when it comes to low frequency. HUGE great big speakers which you expect to absolutely belt out music.... and, no, they don't. Mids are nice and the highs are detailed although they usually sound very unnatural. The low end is detailed, but there isn't that much of it when you consider the size of the speaker. The only really really good thing I could say about the 1s is the height of the soundstage, which means they can sound quite 'imposing' when listening to them.

BeoLab 3s are much more impressive for what they are IMO. They aren't as wide as a BeoLab 1, and they are certainly not as tall, and yet they manage to reach deeper than the BeoLab 8000s. They're also much much smoother than the 1s, and they just 'play better'. They can yelp a bit at high volumes although this issue is also present in the 1s (admittedly at a much higher volume).

With the 1s, you will end up wanting a BeoLab 2 sub to make them sound impressive for their size.

Either way, whatever we say, you should really go and listen for yourself. Speakers can be a very individual choice, and you may end up preferring the rather artificial sound of the BeoLab 1s over the much smoother BeoLab 3s.

Re: Beolab 1 or Beolab 3?

Tom — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 04:44:58 GMT

If you can, you should compare them in flesh. It is difficult to tell you what is better for you, as these two speakers are very different from each other IMO. The BL1 is more powerfull, offers a bigger soundstage, whereas the BL3 are crystalclear. Even designwise, they are very different. Although being very tall, the BL1 can be very well integrated into every interior. The BL3 are somehow more eyecatching because of their shape.

As you say that you like the sound of your BL8000s, you will sure like the BL1s too. I would go for the1s to, even if they are non ALT.

Re: Beolab 1 or Beolab 3?

beoaus — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 04:31:09 GMT

IMHO, BL1's are a far better speaker when setup and placed properly.

Beoaus.

Re: Beolab 1 or Beolab 3?

beoaus — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 04:04:45 GMT

IMHO, BL1's are a far better speaker when setup and placed properly.

(double post, please delete)

Beoaus.

Re: Beolab 1 or Beolab 3?

Anonymous — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 02:00:37 GMT

This should be a no brainer.. BL1's retailing in Aus for 12k ish... BL3's are around 5.5K

So based purely on price you'd go with BL1's. However!!!! The BL3's kill the treble on the BL1's. They are smooter and don't tear your head off when pushed.

Of course the bass on the 1's is deeper and nice and tight but if you're into a balanced sound i'd have to say the BL3's. They just sound more real.

If you want to play loud then buy the 1's...

jazz

Re: Beolab 1 or Beolab 3?

Anonymous — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 02:00:31 GMT

This should be a no brainer.. BL1's retailing in Aus for 12k ish... BL3's are around 5.5K

So based purely on price you'd go with BL1's. However!!!! The BL3's kill the treble on the BL1's. They are smooter and don't tear your head off when pushed.

Of course the bass on the 1's is

Re: Beolab 1 or Beolab 3?

Anonymous — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 02:00:30 GMT

This should be a no brainer.. BL1's retailing in Aus for 12k ish... BL3's are around 5.5K

So based purely on price you'd go with BL1's. However!!!! The BL3's kill the treble on the BL1's. They are smooter and don't tear your head off when pushed.

Of course the bass on the 1's i