Hi,

I currently have 2 BL8000's as front speakers and two BL6000's as rear speakers and am just about to get a BV 4 with a BL 7.1 front speaker, and have considered having the wiring put in place so I can possibly add a BL 2 at some point.

Do you feel that a BL 2 will add anything significant to the overall sound experience of my speaker set-up or will there be little detectable difference for the cost involved ?

Regards

Keith

Agreed! However, I always insist that you would be better off getting a pair of BeoLab 9s! They provide almost everything the BeoLab 2 delivers, and also vastly improve all other aspects of the sound when compared to the BeoLab 8000.

Another advantage is that you would be able to move the 8000s as rears and have a true 7.1 setup, which is really quite astonishing to hear! 8000s either side of the sofa with 6000s or a single 6000 wall mounted behind you.

I have send mine for repaint and I have BL8000 as front and BL3 as rear.

All I can say is that sound is so bad without BL2 - Believe me

Depends entirely on the main speakers used. It will never sound 'poor' without a subwoofer, just often lacking in bass. BeoLab 8000s are always going to struggle to fill a medium or large room with powerful bass without a subwoofer, but BeoLab 9s can cope quite easily.

Alex:

Depends entirely on the main speakers used. It will never sound 'poor' without a subwoofer, just often lacking in bass.

The BL3s sound better without the BL2. In fact, most of the more recent B&O speakers sound better without the BL2.

I find myself amazed by this statement but I believe you since you have the speakers and I do not. Makes it very difficlt to know what to buy for s surround sound setup though for the BV7-40.

Simon.

For surround sound I would almost always want a BeoLab 2 unless BeoLab 9s or 5s were in the equation, or the room in question was relatively small.

The_Beonic_Man:

I find myself amazed by this statement but I believe you since you have the speakers and I do not. Makes it very difficlt to know what to buy for s surround sound setup though for the BV7-40.

Why amazed? A BL2 doesn't add much to the playback of audio CDs. In fact, it makes the sound more 'dull'. It can't keep up with fast electronic music either.

I thought you said by PM you'd discounted the surround sound idea? I'm not going over the whole discussion again.

LOL Chris! I am always changing my mind. On the one hand I'd like to have some kind of surround setup because I enjoy my movies and I think they sound much better with at least a 5.1 setup. Having said that, I find myself balancing that up with an interior design viewpoint as well, which is equally (if not more) important to me. I don't really feel that the dimensions of my flat allow for surround sound, no matter what speaker in the range was used. There simply isn't enough space. Its an ongoing issue but one I love coming back to and thinking of every time!!

Well it keeps me on my toes! 

Simon,.

Back from repainting

Looks very nice with the White 8000's. Having it close to the 8000's makes the Black bases look good too. As I always though they should be White too.

Craig

I agree with Craig here, the black bases fit quite well with the contrasting colour of the wall and the drivers of the BL2. Love the paint job, I've never liked the original grey colour.

Fantastic look in white! 

Contemplating our BL 2 in black.  If the white frets were available for my Beolab 1's, I might have to consider paint the BL 2 in white.

Thank you for the photo.

That looks very nice in white color.

I have a BL2 in my A/V setup (BL8000 in front and BL4000 for the rear). It is worth every penny.

Guy

Very nice indeed - the contrast between the black and white is great.

If buying for a music system, the new sub-woofer sounds interesting though.

moxxey:

It can't keep up with fast electronic music either.

Agree 100%

Even though i love the Beolab2 for the way it delivers low frequencies, especially in a surround setup,

it struggles with fast electronic music, the bass isn't "tight" enough.

akeithj

Referring back to the original question, it is always clear from the differing answers, and comments in other posts on this topic that speakers are a very personal topic, so other people answering the question for you will never confirm your question.

Realistically, if you are going to spend £1,500 on a BL2 I think you can expect a dealer to bring the speaker to your home and demo the effect of with, and without. Only then will you know whether it is right for YOU.

I have had your set up of 8000/6000s and certainly enjoyed the effect of BL2 to the surround sound. Certainly I suggest that you at least have the wiring in place to give you the option of adding the BL2.

I then upgraded to a BL9/BL3 set up, and had the 9's demoed at home - my dealer was fully expecting to trade in my BL2 along with the 8000s and 6000s, on the basis of what others say here, that the BL9s do not need a BL2. When listening to music, I agreed that this was the case, but in a surround sound movie, I personally felt there was something missing without the BL2, so ended up keeping it with the 9s and 3s.

Just my view and certainly suspect not that of others

Justin

Justin,

Thank you, that was very useful.

Regards

Keith

The point stands, BL2 is great with movies and TV but you're better off without it when listening to music. I much prefer my BL4000's with out the BL2, the BL2 seemed to tarnish the well balanced sound.

What about adding a good non B&o sub and hide it away, if the budget is tight?

Dave,

The concensus of opinion appears to be that with my current speaker set-up a BL2 would enhance the cinema experience, however there is talk of a replacement for BL2 later this year so I think I will wait and see what that's like. I would prefer to  stick with B&O, rather than go for another make.

Regards

Keith

Keith,

Why don't you simply wait for the new subwoofer to be launched? I have a very good feeling about the new sub since it will contain opposing drivers which will greatly improve bass speed and definition. If you can't wait till then, I suggest you get a B&W PV1 instead? 

But from your post it seems that you are just planning to do some prewiring in the event that you might get a sub so I suggest. Wait. 

Happy hunting!

Alexander

You wouldn't beieve how many times this has been discussed, try searching in the little box at the top of the forum screen for "beolab 2" The consensus is that it will improve your cinema experience but the BL2 is very clumsy with music. If you don't listen to much music then you should get a beolab 2.