BeoLab 20... or 18... or 5?

Hi guys, first post on here

The time has come.. and I have decide to upgrade from our old Avant 32dvd, beolab 8000's and beolab 2. B&O have a nice 0% offer on atm and it'd be rude not to!

I am thinking either Avant 55 or 11-46. Like the look of the 11-46 more, but the temptation of the 'newer' Avant appeals.

Speakers are the bit i am really finding hard to choose ( i fully appreciate i need to audition all these first, but going by looks and placement etc in our room ). I could possibly stretch to the 5's - i think they look awesome in the glossy brochures etc but a bit worried about the size of them - 49cm diameter base!!  The new BL20's are quite a bit smaller - has anyone heard them and can comment? Would i need a separate sub with these? The other speaker is the BL18's - look fab, but do they sound as good as the 20's?

I will also attach a Blueray player to the rear of the TV - any recommendations of the best for music CD's and DVD's?

Apologies if some of the above are numptie / daft questions but i have been so out of touch with technology over the last 5-10 years that i need to re-learn!

 

Cheers

Let's see now...

TV...I'd go for the biggest you can afford, unless you are hyper critical about how it might look in the house. In my experience once you get a big set, it at firsts seems like "oh my, why did I get something that big?" and in a couple of days it's impossible to imagine going to something smaller once you get used to the immersive quality it can bring.

Speakers...neither the BL5 or BL20 will need a sub. I haven't heard the new 20, but have 8000s and 9s, and I wouldn't use a sub with the 9s either, and the 20s have better bass. I think the 18 would sound better than the 8000, but would still need a sub.

For BluRay and such, I highly recommend the Oppo players. I have their BDP103 and it is truly impressive, in both performance and build quality.

Sounds like you're on your way to an impressive setup.

Welcome LR2015

Go to your Beodealer, and test yourself this configuration.

See, listen and finally order !

Hi Jeff, you are absolutely spot on re bit scared of the size of the set - bearing in mind we have had a 32" (Avant 32) TV for the last 10 years - i penciled on the wall 129cm (size of the Avant 55). erm.... ITS HUGE!! In comparison :)

Good to hear the BL20's might not need a sub - i actually quite like the look of them, and being a fair bit cheaper than the 5's - are a serious contender. I am actually looking forward to auditioning them more so than the 5's! I would need to position the speakers close to the wall and TV and worry that the 5's would be just too overkill? 

I will look into the 'Oppo' players

 

 

Thanks for the replies - great site/forum!

BeoBoy68:

Welcome LR2015

 

 

Go to your Beodealer, and test yourself this configuration.

 

 

See, listen and finally order !

 

 

 

Yeah, that combo does look rather good! I will probably buy the motorized floor stand for the time being but think i will change it for the table-top version in the future (when i re-arrange a few bits of furniture!)

 

Table top is only available on 55"

just in case you are thinking of going really huge

you might be. Surprised by how small the 85" can look

What I find interesting is that B&O Chose to keep the speaker dimensions (width) the same across all sizes of new Avant, 55, 75, 85.

The speakers unfolded look disproportionately TINY at the 75 and 85 sizes. Obviously making one mechanism makes sense from a logistical standpoint, but at the price points that the larger models would sell, B&O might have through to make wider speakers for them.

LR2015:

Hi guys, first post on here

The time has come.. and I have decide to upgrade from our old Avant 32dvd, beolab 8000's and beolab 2. B&O have a nice 0% offer on atm and it'd be rude not to!

I am thinking either Avant 55 or 11-46. Like the look of the 11-46 more, but the temptation of the 'newer' Avant appeals.

Speakers are the bit i am really finding hard to choose ( i fully appreciate i need to audition all these first, but going by looks and placement etc in our room ). I could possibly stretch to the 5's - i think they look awesome in the glossy brochures etc but a bit worried about the size of them - 49cm diameter base!! The new BL20's are quite a bit smaller - has anyone heard them and can comment? Would i need a separate sub with these? The other speaker is the BL18's - look fab, but do they sound as good as the 20's?

I will also attach a Blueray player to the rear of the TV - any recommendations of the best for music CD's and DVD's?

Apologies if some of the above are numptie / daft questions but i have been so out of touch with technology over the last 5-10 years that i need to re-learn!

Cheers

There are still a few new 7-55's around. Cheaper, better picture, fantastic sound AND an awesome inbuilt Bluray player. Just saying.....

Iv'e heard the beolab 20s and think they are amazing speakers, you definitely don't need a sub in my opinion.

I also have heard the 20s and think they are amazing.

Oppo +1

Beolabs. I have 5s and 9s. 9s are stellar and I'm sure the 20s are as good or better!!

TV- I just picked up an 11-55 and love it.

I have a 7-55 too. The 7-55 is huge compared to the 11. It's just feels and presents much bulkier!

You can't go wrong with any of this my friend!!

Happy shopping!

20

Re TV - would definitely go with the Avant-55 over the BV11-46. The 9 extra inch will improve your viewiing experience and the actual set is not so materially different in size. If BV7-55 or BV11-55 are also in your consideration set., that's worth a considerations. But you indicate only the first 2, so I limit my reply to this. Re speakers - for me, the choice between the BL5 and BL20 is solely dependent by the size and style of your living room. The BL5 has the better sound and is the most iconic speaker of all times. At the same time, the BL20 is quite close in sound and not as huge. The BL5 will be center of all attention in your living room unless your living room is very very large. The BL18 is closer in performance to your BL8000 than the BL20/BL5, but also a lot cheaper. So, let me sum up what I would do. If price is not an issue and your living room is large, I would go with the BL5. If not as large with the BL20. And if you have some price considerations, go with the BL18, which will still be an upgrade over your BL8000.

Re TV - would definitely go with the Avant-55 over the BV11-46. The 9 extra inch will improve your viewiing experience and the actual set is not so materially different in size. If BV7-55 or BV11-55 are also in your consideration set., that's worth a considerations. But you indicate only the first 2, so I limit my reply to this.

Re speakers - for me, the choice between the BL5 and BL20 is solely dependent by the size and style of your living room. The BL5 has the better sound and is the most iconic speaker of all times. At the same time, the BL20 is quite close in sound and not as huge. The BL5 will be center of all attention in your living room unless your living room is very very large. The BL18 is closer in performance to your BL8000 than the BL20/BL5, but also a lot cheaper. So, let me sum up what I would do. If price is not an issue and your living room is large, I would go with the BL5. If not as large with the BL20. And if you have some price considerations, go with the BL18, which will still be an upgrade over your BL8000.

Many thanks again for all your replies!

 

Good to hear the positive comments re the BL20's! If the 5's do sound MUCH better then it would be hard not to go for them, but i am really hoping the 20's run them close. Bonus being able to connect wireless too!

 

steve1977:

Re TV - would definitely go with the Avant-55 over the BV11-46. The 9 extra inch will improve your viewiing experience and the actual set is not so materially different in size. If BV7-55 or BV11-55 are also in your consideration set., that's worth a considerations. But you indicate only the first 2, so I limit my reply to this.

Re speakers - for me, the choice between the BL5 and BL20 is solely dependent by the size and style of your living room. The BL5 has the better sound and is the most iconic speaker of all times. At the same time, the BL20 is quite close in sound and not as huge. The BL5 will be center of all attention in your living room unless your living room is very very large. The BL18 is closer in performance to your BL8000 than the BL20/BL5, but also a lot cheaper. So, let me sum up what I would do. If price is not an issue and your living room is large, I would go with the BL5. If not as large with the BL20. And if you have some price considerations, go with the BL18, which will still be an upgrade over your BL8000.

 

Great reply - thanks!

I mentioned the 11-46 because i think (to me) this is best looking set out of the b&o range - not toooo big, and would be ideal for hiding a few cables at the rear (no need for an av stand)

 

I take on board your point about room size and the 5's. I am really looking forward to hearing the 20's :).

 

Again i appreciate i need to audition the speakers for myself, but in your opinion what kind of improvement would the 20's be over my 8000's and BL2?

 

Cheers

 

LR2015:

Great reply - thanks!

I mentioned the 11-46 because i think (to me) this is best looking set out of the b&o range - not toooo big, and would be ideal for hiding a few cables at the rear (no need for an av stand)

I take on board your point about room size and the 5's. I am really looking forward to hearing the 20's :).

Again i appreciate i need to audition the speakers for myself, but in your opinion what kind of improvement would the 20's be over my 8000's and BL2?

Cheers

Just my 2 cents

My starting criteria would be wireless because it is such a useful thing to have I would say not to forget the 17s will give you an excellent run for the money; an excellent gem of a product

I have 2 pairs 18 and 1 pair 17 in my living room and they all sound fantastic

Good luck

I have 9s and like them very much. Although every time I visit a B and O store and listen to the 20s, I want a pair. However, having just purchased a pair of 12-3s to use as rears with the 9s, I won't be getting the 20s. They sound much better to me than the 9s. Also, I have had the dealer lend me a pair of Beolab 5s to try in my house. I had them for a couple weeks. In my house, to my ears, the 5 sounded different than the 9s, but not better. I really wanted to get the 5s, but after hearing them in my house, it was an easy decision to say no to them.

LR2015:

I mentioned the 11-46 because i think (to me) this is best looking set out of the b&o range - not toooo big, and would be ideal for hiding a few cables at the rear (no need for an av stand)

If the BV11-46 is to you the best-looking set, why not look out for the BV11-55?

LR2015:

Again i appreciate i need to audition the speakers for myself, but in your opinion what kind of improvement would the 20's be over my 8000's and BL2?

Agree with the previous posts that WISA (wireless) is a great reason on its own. I personally found the BL2 too boomy for music, so the BL20 will be better for music in my personal view. I don't own the BL20, but have listened to it at friends. It is a pretty complete speaker!

And ultimately, it also depends whether you still have some use for the BL8000. These are such great speakers that it would be a pity for you not to keep and otherwise use them.

And thanks again for replies - much appreciated!

Update:

Listened to the 18's, 20's and 5's today. The 18's sounded very good - better than my 8000's, looked lovely with the wood fronts too! I did consider these with either the new wireless sub, or my existing BL2.

I then listened to the 20's. In the flesh i thought they looked quite good - not as 'arty' as the 18's, but much better in the flesh than in the pictures. Sound quality was obviously another stage up from the 18's - much more bass (admittedly i didn't listen to the 18's with a sub) and more 'complete' if you know what i mean.. :)

Lastly was the 5's. I really didn't want to like these - size AND price both equally jawdropping. But.... again clearly another stage up from the 20's! Above 65 (sound level) on the Avant and the sound was just incredible. Switching back to the 20's and it was like someone had turned the volume down 4or5 clicks.

 

Conclusion.. i walked away purchasing the Avant 55 and the BL5's. I think i need a stiff drink tonight.

Lol... Congrats you seem to have made a decision that only you could make, by listening to the speakers which sounded best to your ears.

the lab5s are awesome speakers and with the avant you are going to definitely have an amazing audio visual system.

Congratulations!

Working six months for a TV and a pair of speakers ...

My best wishes for many hours of good entertainment. I hope you make a good saving the next decades while other people replace their equipment several times spending more than you did.

LR2015:

Conclusion.. i walked away purchasing the Avant 55 and the BL5's. I think i need a stiff drink tonight.

My word that's quite some investment, which I'm sure you'll thoroughly enjoy.

Is this your first BeoVision?  I am happy with my Avant.

Congrats!!! A masterpiece and I am sure you will enjoy them!

Man, when you upgrade you don't mess around! Congratulations, I think you'll be well pleased.

 

Yeah, it was a BIG jump from our previous set up, but justified by the 0% deal B&O are doing at the moment

 

Aussie Michael - i have owned the previous Avant for approx 10 years. Brilliant tv! Starting to look a tad small now though....

 

I will add a pair of wireless rear speakers at a later date - probably BL17's?

 

I look forward to asking many questions on beoworld