BeoSound Century or BeoSound 1?

 

Hi,

thinking about buying a little BeoSound for my study room. So I don´t know which one of the two - BeoSound Century or BeoSound 1. I like both systems. So what do you think?

 

regards, Adrian

As both systems have been discontinued, a consideration in buying either on the second-hand market could be the availability of mint replacement frets. The metal fret of the BeoSound 1 is rather easily dented. The frets for the Century are fabric and easy to clean or even re-cloth if necessary. It might be harder to find good frets for the BeoSound 1 than it is for the Century.

Hi,

I have had a bs1 since new and have had only I issue regarding dust in the cd mech (£30) it cost for it to be cleaned, other than that it has been brilliant 

And have linked to a dab rec via the aux , it still draws attention from folk regarding what it is when they first see it, and it has for more power than needed for my kitchen area. In my view unless you play tapes .....go for bs1 rather than the century.

Luckily I own both and my question is how do you want to mount, to show off the BeoSound I prefer it floor mounted and it does have a rather large footprint. The only down side I have with the BS1 is it's internal aerial for FM and the retractable aerial makes no difference apart from being cool buy hey it has an AUX so connecting to airport express cures this.

In my eyes the Century looks better wall mounted and you can easily sneak an airport express behind to maximise performance and minimise untidiness.

The Century is a more iconic design and the sense of theatre with the glass door is the icing on the cake.

Sound wise I feel the Century is slightly better... happy hunting and let us know what you go for.

I've had both systems in for audio testing recently and I have to admit that sound wise the BeoSound 1 wins hands down. Although I was supriced by how well the Century performed overall it just could not handle more modern and bassy music. When crancked up at "party level" it resulted in a horrible plastic rattle noise from the cabinet. The BeoSound 1 was able to play the same tracks with no noise thanks to the superior casing.

I have BS1 wall mounted with airport express hidden on the back for airplay.

I'm very pleased with this solution

hfat

Have had a Century from new in 1997 and its been great. Less vulnerable to damage and vibration as bolted to the wall £1100 well spent !

almost a quarter century old 

I've had a bs1 in my office for > 10 years. It has never let me down. My attenna does in fact improve reception. It can pull in stations better than my bs9000.  

It is a old thread but I was looking for a small, portable stereo with CD and good sound.

My first choice was the Bose Acoustik Wave - the only one which can buyed as new.

So, I believed the ads and was shure Bose is the right choice - I have the Soundlink Mini and was very excited about the sound that this small Box is able to produce, so the acoustic wave will do the same but much richer, more voluminous etc. -  my thougts and what a big mistake!

The sound is one of the ugliest I've ever heard! No bass, no treble - not good! 

So, return to sender. Next, a used Beosound 1.

Wow, that sounds much better! But, where is the bass? Only a tiny,small bass is to hear - not good!

So, the next one return to sender (I've made this ability to return if I'm not satisfied with the seller)

Hm, what should I do now? The century was not really in my plans - to big and with this small case, the sound could not be full . . . .

So, I give the Philips AZ1 a try. Wow, that is a base! But thats was all - The Mids and Treble? Huh? Where are they? I sounded like an bad AM Radio with some treble on top - the most horrible sound!

Return to sender .. . .

Next, Teufel Musicstation: Great bass, great mids but no treble? 5 fixed EQ for the sound and wheres the rest?

Return . .  .

Last try - the century (came yesterday evening) and what should I say?

That's it! Rich, warm full sound - treble and bass on my demand, Loudness - Great!

I've listened 4 CDs the whole evening an can't get rid off! Thats the sound I was looking for!

Even at low volume! 

Much better than the beosound 1!

Btw, a Question is left:

On the B&O Label on the back is the (C) sign with 1993 in roman numbers, but the serial number starts with 14 which mean it is build in 2000.

Is that right?

That is correct. The roman letters on the back tells the year the patent was made, if I remember correctly. The first two figures of the serial number marks the year of manufacturing.