BeoSound 5 Forum

Re: Embedded Windows XP in Beosound 5????

mor — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 10:37:35 GMT

I had a Beosystem 6500 with the MCP and liked it.

I had (still have) the Beosystem 7000 with Beolink 7000 and like it...

I had the Beosound Ouverture first with Beolink 5000 then with Beo 4 and liked it (the Beolink 500 was poorly built though) ...

I had the Beosound 9000 with Beo 4 and liked it.

I now have the Beocenter 2 with a Beo 4 Cinema and like it.

So it's not like you suppose that I could have argueably been unsatisfied with earlier systems and their corresponding remotes. If they would have made the Beo 5 two-way, I would have understood where it's going. If the Beosound 5 would be a wireless head unit, I would have understood as well. (and mind you, we all end up looking for remotes eventually - and modern laptops last 3-5 hours easily, so I cannot accept that arguement either) I am disappointed because I had really hoped for a sound concept, which I fail entirely to see here.

Re: Embedded Windows XP in Beosound 5????

Mr10Percent — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 09:48:33 GMT

I would argue that every single audio machine made in the last 20 years has had the same features you do not seem to like. Every machine from the Beosystem 5000 to 8000, Beocenter 9000 series to the Overture and so on has had as a key function, a presence for the user to interact with it directly. Sure, they can all be controlled by remote control to select a source, track-up, track-down etc…. Everything the BS5 does. Wanna change a tape or an LP or a CD? How do you do that? With the remote?

The BS5 is the same. Big deal. The essence of B&O is surely with the direct interaction. That is why they have novel mechanisms, material finishes, hidden buttons etc…Otherwise, it would not be B&O and you may as well keep it hidden away in the cupboard.

I have no doubt electrically, electronically and mechanically the BS5 could have been made to do all things to all men. Reading the interview of Oliver Wallington it is clear to me that they made choices. These could be right or wrong choices but probably defendable in one form or another. Take your point, the head unit for example:-

Two major issues I can see:-

First, illuminating a 10.4inch LCD for lengthy a period of time. Great if you’re using it as a big remote with a 20 second dim but if you really wanna play how long will it last? How long would a laptop last out of its charger? 4 hours, 8hours a day? How long would the battery keep a decent life with that power output? I know I go through a laptop battery once a year so forking out ££££’s for a replacement would not be a good idea. What if I forget to recharge? Would I have to get of my a*** and use it on the charger?

Second issue. Say I do take my wifi enabled battery operated head unit around the house with me. I listen to music in the bedroom. Door bell rings and friends come to visit. I leave the head unit on the bed while I answer the door. We chat, drink tea etc… Someone suggests music? Ah! Where did I leave that head unit? Uncool. Better get the Beo4.

Finally, if you really want to sit on the sofa, use the Beomaster 5/TV option. It’s kinda called Beomedia 2 and will save you a couple of thousand Euros and solve most of your problems you foresee in this device.

10%

Re: Embedded Windows XP in Beosound 5????

mor — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 07:14:25 GMT

To me a High-End Audio System from B&O must not only give best in audio play-back but has to be high-end in usability. An Audio system that can no longer be remote-controlled with all key functionalities here clearly fails. Having to get up from my sofa to control the system because the rich visual interface feedback is not available but from anywhere else but in front of the machine is a step back to me.

I do not buy B&O because I want High-End Audio only - or High-End Video only. I want best in usability, design and compatibility with existing equipment ... to be honest very good Audio and Video is enough for me. The other aspects are more important. Otherwise I would have a collection of independent components like so many "audiophiles" do

Re: Embedded Windows XP in Beosound 5????

Mr10Percent — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 06:13:13 GMT

wonderfulelectric:
I remember that I read somewhere that the sound quality of the latest iteration of Windows has better sound performance than a Mac OS. So guess it's okay. You guys should know that Mac don't really support HD 24bit audio well right?

I don't know if there is a difference between the sound quality of an Apple OS and that of a MS OS. I think that would be subjective. However, I would be pretty certain in wagering that the BS5 does not have the cheapest SoundBlaster inside and that the Codec would have been tweaked to give the "B&O sound" if the combination of OS and processor were not right in the first place.

On the other extreme, the whole unit could have been custom made and be of very high quality. Regardless, it's one of the technical's that B&O should be advertising (rather than specs) to discern it from the crowd.

10%

Re: Embedded Windows XP in Beosound 5????

wonderfulelectric — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 03:03:46 GMT

I remember that I read somewhere that the sound quality of the latest iteration of Windows has better sound performance than a Mac OS. So guess it's okay. You guys should know that Mac don't really support HD 24bit audio well right?

Re: Embedded Windows XP in Beosound 5????

Alex — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 02:11:10 GMT

Agreed! I would like to know why it can't be considered high-end audio. B&O have designed the sound chips themselves, as well as the volume controls and output stages - they've taken it all very seriously. With Lossless, it could potentially sound better than a lot of CD players. As for BeoLab 5s, it has a digital output, meaning the sound will be identical to using a CD as long as you use Lossless. I expect you would struggle to hear any difference with 320 kbps MP3!

Re: Embedded Windows XP in Beosound 5????

Mr10Percent — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 23:20:22 GMT

mor:
- but it is clearly NOT high-end audio.

Please explain the foundation of your assumption?

10%

Re: Embedded Windows XP in Beosound 5????

mor — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 19:27:45 GMT

Alex:
If the BeoSound 5 is a BeoGram for MP3s, then the BeoSound 9000 is a BeoGram for CDs.
The BeoSound 5 handles radio, and high quality storage medium playback, just like a BeoSound 9000. It can't be compared to the BeoCenter 2, as this is an audio & video source.

Alex, I am really glad that you like the BS5. But I have to point out to you that in the specs there are video formats clearly mentioned. In other words the BS5 somehow is video source. I have trouble as many here saying what the BS5 wants to be - but it is clearly NOT high-end audio.

Re: Embedded Windows XP in Beosound 5????

mor — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 18:56:51 GMT

Not so sure about the exit of DAB ... really only beginning to take off on the continent...

Re: Embedded Windows XP in Beosound 5????

Alex — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 18:49:24 GMT

Admittedly the BeoSound 5 is more of a future product, and it will, if anything, become more relevant as DAB makes it's exit (which it is already doing) along with CD.

The BeoSound 5 won't do DVD as it's not a BeoCenter. 'SACD', or more accurately high-definition audio is a possibility; I'm not sure what sample rates and bit depths the BeoSound 5 supports!

Re: Embedded Windows XP in Beosound 5????

mor — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 18:09:23 GMT

beoberlin:
To me the posts 158063 to 158094 sum up quite good my personal reservations about bs5.
The product is discussed since I don´t remember anymore when, but way to long and was highly charged with expectations. I was ready to get rid of my bs9000 and change it for bs5 the moment it would become available. But I was expecting a full "real" beosound, as it is named and marketed. But after careful observation it seems at least to me more like a beogram only for mp3 etc., which is highly dependent on a lot of additional gear. To load it with content, I need an additional pc. To play my existing sources, I need an additional beosound. But if I already have all this stuff, why should I buy this product, which does nothing more then offering a slightly different way of playing digital music? Especially in my case, as I´m a Mac-only guy, having already the necessary equipment, I´m completely clueless. Plus it does so much more "not" (no video, no wireless, no 2way, no fm, no cd...I´m tired of listing it all), than what it´s actually doing (playing digital music).
Kind regards, beoberlin

I could not have put it in better words! I was VERY hesitant before getting my BC2 last year. Just because BS5 was already announced / teased as THE one audio system that would be B&O's step forward. And if the BS5 would not be stationary but mobile with docking station I might still have been tempted. But as announced it does nothing I do not have, yet. I am disappointed just because I like B&O and not because I want to put it down. Honestly I love new toys - but they have to be of some value.

And to the above I have to disagree: the BS9000 is no Beogram for CDs .... When launched it played all up-to-date music formats (cd and FM) ... down its way it way even able to access digital media. The BS4 added SD card and DAB. Same for BC2 ... played all current formats: CD, DVD, FM - latter versions DAB. Now you may have a differing opinion about the BS5 than I have - but you will agree that it skips key formats that people use today: no DAB (for Europe), no XM (for the US), no CD, no DVD, no SACD, no DAB, no DMB, no FM, no digital AM .... OK - I did not expect them all - but a lack of them all is really putting me down.

Re: Embedded Windows XP in Beosound 5????

Alex — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 17:35:10 GMT

If the BeoSound 5 is a BeoGram for MP3s, then the BeoSound 9000 is a BeoGram for CDs.

The BeoSound 5 handles radio, and high quality storage medium playback, just like a BeoSound 9000. It can't be compared to the BeoCenter 2, as this is an audio & video source.

Re: Embedded Windows XP in Beosound 5????

beoberlin — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 17:03:22 GMT

To me the posts 158063 to 158094 sum up quite good my personal reservations about bs5.

The product is discussed since I don´t remember anymore when, but way to long and was highly charged with expectations. I was ready to get rid of my bs9000 and change it for bs5 the moment it would become available. But I was expecting a full "real" beosound, as it is named and marketed. But after careful observation it seems at least to me more like a beogram only for mp3 etc., which is highly dependent on a lot of additional gear. To load it with content, I need an additional pc. To play my existing sources, I need an additional beosound. But if I already have all this stuff, why should I buy this product, which does nothing more then offering a slightly different way of playing digital music? Especially in my case, as I´m a Mac-only guy, having already the necessary equipment, I´m completely clueless. Plus it does so much more "not" (no video, no wireless, no 2way, no fm, no cd...I´m tired of listing it all), than what it´s actually doing (playing digital music).

Kind regards, beoberlin

Re: Embedded Windows XP in Beosound 5????

PhilLondon — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 16:22:15 GMT

I think what Alex want to say is that if you look at the features only, nothing would justify buying a BC9000 or a BC2. It is not the features that makes a B&O product, but the design, elegance, usablility, etc...

Hopefully it will be the same with BS5, in term of features, it does the same as an iPod, an Airport Express or another digital juke box, but it will do it with style.

Re: Embedded Windows XP in Beosound 5????

joeyboygolf — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 15:13:21 GMT

Alex:

If you can't see the BeoSound 5 for more than 'it plays the same sources as my BM-Link, so why buy it?', then you're missing the point entirely.

What is the point then Alex?

I like quality in everything I buy and I have used B&O since 1976 or so.

I watch TV. Some terrestial and some Sky.

I listen to some music. Not every day but just when I feel like it. 100% on CD. I don't have many cd's. Perhaps a couple of dozen or so. I only buy what I like and my taste is limited.

I listen to the radio, mostly R2 or R4 from the BBC but occasionally to local radio, all on FM

Come on Alex, what is the point? Sell it to me.

Am I an oddball or is there a considerable market out there made up of people like me.