ARCHIVED FORUM -- March 2012 to February 2022READ ONLY FORUM
This is the second Archived Forum which was active between 1st March 2012 and 23rd February 2022
So... I'm finally considering B&O TVs, but I need some convincing. I have 5s and 17s (with Playmakers), A9, A1, but have always felt B&O TV are just too pricey. I could make the plunge, but I am unsure it's worth the investment.
I currently have a 40" Sony in my bedroom and a projector in my living room. I could purchase a 55" Avant and maybe a 40" Horizon for the bedroom.
Why do you love your B&O TVs? What makes it worth it for you?
Cheers!
Hi Austin, since no one has shared their opinion, I thought I might start. For me, it was design and build quality, and the opportunity to get back into the B&O ecosystem (and interplay) after a time being away. That being said, even with all of the design considerations and bells and whistles, if I were to do it again, I don't know if I would purchase an actual B&O television. TV's with arguably better picture quality are much less expensive from other brands, and much easier to move around. No, they don't look as nice, but some do come close.
However another consideration is the "brains" that B&O televisions contain (the sound processor, multiroom capabilities out of the box, as well as the video engine). If you value those, along with the design, the only thing stopping you is your wallet.
As I mentioned above, if I were to do it again, I may purchase a Beosystem 4, or whatever future Beosystem B&O has to offer and purchase a screen separately. For me, my BV11, is something that HAS to last for at least 10 years before I consider upgrading, so if you're into movies, and having the latest and greatest technology, then perhaps a B&O television is an unwise investment.
For me (not very original) it is primarily good sound, design and picture quality, all in one.
Good (integrated) sound is usually not prioritized by other manufacturers; let alone they include the sound processing capabilities of the BS4 platform.
B&O's designs are iconic; Beovision 10-11, Beoplay V1 although they have a totally different approach are good examples i.m.o. (Avant / Horizon a bit more conventional)
Picture quality. B&O televisions might not be specified according to the latest and the greatest, but in practice, under real life circumstances they perform exceptionally well. A good / excellent picture depends on a lot more factors than specs (in the same way this is true for audio / sound specification and ultimate sound)
What I like about B&O both with sound and picture is that they take a sensible & practical approach based on science and real life testing under different circumstances, without letting their decisions influence by "audiophiles" or reviewers testing audio / televisions in a way that has little to do with normal usage.
Secondary I like the user friendliness (remote controls) and the integration with other B&O equipment.
What I do not like is the price (surprise surprise) and I think they have to up their game in regards software quality and release cycles.
Good luck with your decision.
Best, Peter
To me my B&O-tv is the hub of my setup.
Sal and PeterBOBP already have made more specific points in their posts - I agree with most of them.
If I could not afford buying a new B&O-tv, I'd rather keep the one I have or buy a (better) second life-BV.
MM
There is a tv - and there is a BV
BeoGreg: The remote is phenomenal, the motorised stand magic like the electronic curtains, the speakers in movie mode leave me speechless like the beauty of the alu frame and blue speaker cloth. It's not a tv it's a multi purpose device (music with Spotify, Tune in..., direct Youtube...).
The remote is phenomenal, the motorised stand magic like the electronic curtains, the speakers in movie mode leave me speechless like the beauty of the alu frame and blue speaker cloth.
It's not a tv it's a multi purpose device (music with Spotify, Tune in..., direct Youtube...).
When you compare a BV14 to a BV11 - what is it, that you miss with the 14?
If you want to buy a B&O tv as an 'investment' then you are starting from the wrong place since it is a luxury item at best. One to be bought with 'disposable' income if possible. Otherwise a secondhand older B&O tv represents the best value for money. I have bought new and second hand. I would buy new again but only with the price being c£7,000 or below. That is because I attach my own personal value for money on what I buy and regardless of brand or capability that's all a TV is worth to me. The same with cars, £10,000 is my maximum budget. Watches I will pay more (I collect Rolex specifically) because depending on the model purchased they are investments, and of course property, but everything else has a ceiling price that I won't go beyond. But that's just me.
B&O products are V1-32, BS2, H95, E8 and an Essence remote.11-46 now replaced with Sony A90J 65”, Sony HT-A9, Sony UBP-X800M2 and Sony SRS-NS7.
Austin: So... I'm finally considering B&O TVs, but I need some convincing. I have 5s and 17s (with Playmakers), A9, A1, but have always felt B&O TV are just too pricey. I could make the plunge, but I am unsure it's worth the investment.
They aren't an investment now in terms of great resale value. Those days have gone. Up until a few years ago, I traded in my B&O TV every three years as I found my dealer would be a) keen to take it and b) offer an excellent price against a new one. Neither a) or b) apply now.
Investment in terms of longetivity, perhaps. I have an old BV12-65 and HD is amazing. Can't see any reason to upgrade. It still offers a top notch picture and sound, years later.
I think thats a little strong - i have a BV14-55 so have experience.
The design and craftsmanship are superb, and while some may hanker after the aesthetic of many years ago, the BV14 is still a standout design compared to the black rectangle everyone else puts out. The sound is still also leagues above what other tv's produce.........the picture on the newer Avants / 14s / Horizons may not be class leading, i'll give you that.....though again that may change with the LG / B&O screens.........and the remote is still outstanding.....
if the 11 is a 'smile on your face', then not sure why the 14 isn't the same.........
StUrrock:Why not wait to see what the LG B&O TVs bring to the table, at that point we will have a much clearer idea in terms of design, performance and cost as to where the TV side of the brand is heading.
Beosound Stage, Beovision 8-40, Beolit 20, Beosound Explore.
Austin:So... I'm finally considering B&O TVs, but I need some convincing. I have 5s and 17s (with Playmakers), A9, A1, but have always felt B&O TV are just too pricey. I could make the plunge, but I am unsure it's worth the investment. I currently have a 40" Sony in my bedroom and a projector in my living room. I could purchase a 55" Avant and maybe a 40" Horizon for the bedroom. Why do you love your B&O TVs? What makes it worth it for you? Cheers!
My few cents,
Invested in my Beo Setup for a year ago, and my tipping point for considering Beo including Avant as my selection of choice was based on the total experience and ease of use. One integrated system with a very smooth and slick Remote control, and also the capability of utilizing the WISA technology.
Today I´m running Avanat with Beolab 17,19 in living room, and it is very easy for everyone to use. On daily basis we use ATV4 and, you never need to instruct anyone how to use, or need of being the focal point as "Home IT service Provider". All-in all it works, and picture quality including the perfect sound (with looks) is superb. Of course there will always be "a better" version of something, it´s the nature of technology era - an thank god for it:)! - but it certainly gives you an always pleasant experience and usable!
What I learned (I´m not audió file och tech geek) since my investment in Beo Setup, is that the complete experience is better than I could imagine, and also my family enjoys it! If there is other choice, similar to Beo giving the total feeling/experience I dont know, I can only recommend based on what I know.
To summarize my point of view - it´s Useful, Usable and Beautiful. Sure there are other vendors jumping on the next hype curve and are first movers. When I made my investment, I favored other things then just full tech spec...right or wrong, for each one to decide! Good luck!
Cheers,
Think thats a perfect summary - i suspect that captures the motivations of a large part, though for sure not all, of B&O customers.....
These are all fantastic posts! Exactly what I was looking for.
My main reason to upgrade is for simplicity and stability purposes. Also to add surround sound as I only have stereo now. My current setup with AirPlay just isn't stable and disconnects often. To have a solid working theater setup/multi room would prevent me from losing all my hair...
I'm not as concerned with the latest 4k technology so a used Avant 55" may be my best option. I may wait until next year to see the LG B&O TVs. At that point, either buy those or buy a used Avant as there may be more out there.
I do have a few questions.
1) I know the Avant can support many WISA speakers. If I'm still in WISA range, can I set up 2 or 3 stereo speaker pairs as a group? My bedroom and living room are very close and wondering if I could use the Avant to stream music to both rooms. Also, if I put an Essence remote (with no Essence) in the bedroom, would that control the Avant volume for that group? The rooms are very close and not too large.
2) I have Philips Hue lights and Serena Lutron automatic shades. Does the Avant support both of those products with the BeoRemote One? I was unsure if it supports the Serena line and how it controls the hue colors and scenes.
Thanks again for all the input!
BeoGreg:I have a BV 11 mk2 (blue fret, danish tag, wisa and quick panel on the back). My wife and I use the quick panel almost everyday for usb access, I don't understand why it's gone. All my tv's had a blue "touch" (MX, Avant, BV10 and BV11) and that color is gone on BV14. The speakers of the BV11 have a 32w power that whent down to 30w. Maybe it's stupid to think it's a downgrade but I don't see it as an improvement, just like the Czech/Poland sign (and craftmanship). Like my dealer and technician I also don't see the android OS as an improvement, I just prefer the pure B&O OS that worked just great. Of course overall the BV14 is very similar to the BV11 and I like it and it's 4k !, but with all the downgrades to my eyes it should be priced much lower and it isn't (900 € + for a wooden fret realy ?).
Austin:These are all fantastic posts! Exactly what I was looking for. My main reason to upgrade is for simplicity and stability purposes. Also to add surround sound as I only have stereo now. My current setup with AirPlay just isn't stable and disconnects often. To have a solid working theater setup/multi room would prevent me from losing all my hair... I'm not as concerned with the latest 4k technology so a used Avant 55" may be my best option. I may wait until next year to see the LG B&O TVs. At that point, either buy those or buy a used Avant as there may be more out there. I do have a few questions. 1) I know the Avant can support many WISA speakers. If I'm still in WISA range, can I set up 2 or 3 stereo speaker pairs as a group? My bedroom and living room are very close and wondering if I could use the Avant to stream music to both rooms. Also, if I put an Essence remote (with no Essence) in the bedroom, would that control the Avant volume for that group? The rooms are very close and not too large. 2) I have Philips Hue lights and Serena Lutron automatic shades. Does the Avant support both of those products with the BeoRemote One? I was unsure if it supports the Serena line and how it controls the hue colors and scenes. Thanks again for all the input!
Ah. I didn't realize it requires the gateway. And good to know about the speaker groups!
I've been toying with the idea of a 48" Horizon on the roller stand and roll it between my living room to bedroom (they are very close and all wood floors). I could have it connect to WISA speakers groups for each room and use the my buttons to accomplish that. True to 'Flexible Living' that B&O is touting these days!
Austin: Ah. I didn't realize it requires the gateway. And good to know about the speaker groups! I've been toying with the idea of a 48" Horizon on the roller stand and roll it between my living room to bedroom (they are very close and all wood floors). I could have it connect to WISA speakers groups for each room and use the my buttons to accomplish that. True to 'Flexible Living' that B&O is touting these days!
not sure if you were planning to, but note that beolab 5 cannot be made wireless with the beolab receiver.
- Peter
I do realize that. I may end up selling the 5s and getting a few more 17s. I'm so impressed with those 17s, especially for smaller spaces.
Austin: I've been toying with the idea of a 48" Horizon on the roller stand and roll it between my living room to bedroom (they are very close and all wood
BS Moment, BS Core, BG 4002, BC 4500, BS1, BL18, BL19, BL8000 + RCV1, A6, M5, M3, A1, P6 (tks Botty), H5, TR1
I'm probably the exception to the rule as I only use an Apple TV 4. I stream everything. Would even consider moving to just the Android TV platform then you could do one wire...
good luck with that.....the apps on Android TV are, for most part, beyond awful.......quality and choice wise....at least in so far as what is available through the new BVs.......the ATV4 is incredibly slick, i'd stick with that for the moment.......
Austin: I could have it connect to WISA speakers groups for each room and use the my buttons to accomplish that. True to 'Flexible Living' that B&O is touting these days!
I could have it connect to WISA speakers groups for each room and use the my buttons to accomplish that. True to 'Flexible Living' that B&O is touting these days!
Be sure to make a Speakers Group consisting of both set of speakers, that you can manually pick (by choosing it on the remote), if you should want music 'in every room'.
Thanks for the advice! Which music can you send via multiroom? Deezer, Spotify, iTunes server? Can you send music to all the WISA speakers via Apple TV?
Austin:Ah. I didn't realize it requires the gateway. And good to know about the speaker groups! I've been toying with the idea of a 48" Horizon on the roller stand and roll it between my living room to bedroom (they are very close and all wood floors). I could have it connect to WISA speakers groups for each room and use the my buttons to accomplish that. True to 'Flexible Living' that B&O is touting these days!
Wisa speakers are just speakers connected wirelessly to the BV/tv.
B&O calls this connection WPL/wireless powerlink.
This way you can play anything, that plays on the tv.
Multiroom is different - that is when more devices are connected through NL/NetworkLink, (examples a BV11, a BeoPlay A9, a BeoSound Essence or a BeoSound 1).
Due to restrictions you can not distribute everything (e.g. not an AirPlay stream) over the network.
Yes, all of those should work......any audio that is playing out of one B&O multi room enabled device can be shared to others......doesnt really matter whether you are streaming to the first device, or using connected / internal sources on that device......once something is playing, you can share it, and is very easy.......
i do the same at home........sometimes i will leave the main lounge setup playing TV and add the sound to my A9 in my bedroom, and often do the same if the lounge is playing music from the Apple Music on the ATV4, or if i'm airplaying music to the ATV4.......same would apply if you use Deezer or Spotify, however delivered...............and yes, it works the other way around, if i'm in my bedroom listening to music on the A9, i can share it back to lounge....
for all the gripes, some justified, about B&O software / move to Android on the TVs.....the BeoRemote and BeoMusic apps are generally very good from my experience.......
i tend to control most of my music from my iPhone / MacBook......i find navigation on tv's a poor experience, but that might just be me.......(slight aside, and slight exception is using the Apple Music app on the ATV4, which while not perfect, does deliver (surprisingly) excellent sound, and better than airplaying music to it.....whole other conversation)