Beolab 12-3 — how good are they?

Hello all!

I was introduced to the Beolab 12-3 yesterday. My impression is that these are very good looking speakers with fantastic sound clarity.

I have long been a BL3-fan, but somehow I have lived in blissful ignorance of the existence of this speaker.

They are selling at almost half price now as they are being outphased from the product line.

I have read some posts from 2012 which are favourable to the speaker, but recently marexy reported dissatisfaction with them in the Flash your B&O-thread.

I thought it might be a good time to start a discussion about this speaker, it's role in the line-up and whether people recommend it.

From an audio-aesthetic point of view it could offer a fine combination of the latest in B&O sound technology, attractive design and a very reasonable price point.

Am I overlooking something? Is it being discontinued for a reason?

I heard them in the Glasgow shop a few short years ago, and I was massively impressed. Ok they were paired with a sub but that's just part of the deal.

They look fantastic, and in the correct colour would almost disappear in a room. Aren't these all the trade marks of a modern Beolab? Considering TVs are now being stuck to walls as a panel, I would have thought this was their time, not to disband them as a product. I'd love a pair

Hi!

Actually I can say that I am in love with both my bl12-3 and my bl12-2.

From an aesthetical point of you, I can say that I love the way the aluminum is shaped and the way they literally merge with the wall, in particular light conditions. David Lewis made a design work of art.

If I have to speak about their performance, I can say that I am very satisfied with them. I mounted them so that the acoustic lenses are at the height of ears, when sitting on the sofa. I have used them for some years alone, with no sub, and I have never felt the need for one (until the day when I tried my bl19... The bass performance of the bl12-3 alone is outstanding. Not only they are very well balanced, with excellent midrange and incredibly clear treble, but they improve a lot when placed and set correctly (either against the wall (which is the position they were meant for), in a corner or in the middle of the room (really you want to them there?!!).

P.s. Marexy's 12-3 have probably been installed in a not completely correct way. The bl12s are a great product but please keep in mind that it is very important to install the on a very solid wall (with nothing inbetween) and paying attention so that cables are placed so that they do not touch the drivers. It is also important to place cables so that they cannot vibrate (and generate noise) because of the air moved by the woofers. Woofers fire to the wall and are just some mm away from them..

i agree completely with paolo. everybody's talking about the iconic 18s, but to me it's the 12. a pure beauty attached to the wall (i added 3cm thick spacerrings), to somebody who doesn't know that this are speakers they are invisible or art work. okay, the 12-3 on floor mount looks like a pinguine, lol. sound is great. to me a pure joy to have them!!!

go out and get them for half prize, 100% recommendable. no pictures now for i'm with the iPad

paolomariano:

Actually I can say that I am in love with both my bl12-3 and my bl12-2.

From an aesthetical point of you, I can say that I love the way the aluminum is shaped and the way they literally merge with the wall, in particular light conditions. David Lewis made a design work of art..

Hello, Paolo.

Thanks for sharing your opinion. I have admired photos of your setup elsewhere. It looks remarkable and effortless.

I am thinking of getting the aluminium finish, and I too think that these will prove to be iconic over time.

Do you use them for music in addition to TV-watching?

I just wonder why they are being discontinued now when the Beolab 3 is still in the line-up.

egges:

i agree completely with paolo. everybody's talking about the iconic 18s, but to me it's the 12. a pure beauty attached to the wall

Thanks for this insight.

Are there any drawbacks at all?

Thank you stkong!

I had no idea they are being discontinued...

Anyway, yes! They are gorgeous for music! I would not change them for anything in my current apartment.

Paolo, I notice that you have the Beolab 19 in your setup.

How do the speakers fare without the sub?

paolomariano:

I had no idea they are being discontinued...

Four years seems like a short time for a B&O speaker with such a sculptural design. Does anybody know why?

Poor sales, perhaps?

StKong:

Paolo, I notice that you have the Beolab 19 in your setup.

How do the speakers fare without the sub?

Four years seems like a short time for a B&O speaker with such a sculptural design. Does anybody know why?

Poor sales, perhaps?

Hi! I have had the for years without the bl19. And they were more than enough for my living, which is just 25 square meters. Obviously they have some limits in the bass, as all of other B&O speakers except bl5 and bl90...

what I noticed when I added the bl19, apart from a punch I could not have before (you can feel 25 hertz!!), was that my bl12 sounded even a little bit brighter. The fact that they were free from managing too heavy basses, made them even better in the midrange zone. I don't know if it was only a feeling...

paolomariano:

Hi! I have had the for years without the bl19. And they were more than enough for my living, which is just 25 square meters. Obviously they have some limits in the bass, as all of other B&O speakers except bl5 and bl90...

what I noticed when I added the bl19, apart from a punch I could not have before (you can feel 25 hertz!!), was that my bl12 sounded even a little bit brighter. The fact that they were free from managing too heavy basses, made them even better in the midrange zone. I don't know if it was only a feeling...

Excellent, Paolo. Thanks again.

It could be interesting to hear from people who have used them in larger spaces, too.

Also interesting is the difference in punch between 12-2 and 12-3.