New post on the Geoff Martin blogsite

.....and guess what ---- it is about the SoundCenter of the new BeoVision Eclipse:

http://www.tonmeister.ca/wordpress/2017/09/15/bo-tech-its-not-just-a-soundbar/

MM

Seems that I was not the first one to notice.

Anyway - good read ;-)

MM

There's not much there that's not available in a number of soundbars.

Yes it's in essence a beosystem, why they didn't simply sell it as a box minus speakers as-is, is, beyond me. They could have forgone packaging shelf LG set having done so. Get out of fabricating televisions, or not!

I have no problem with a rebadge, just it is so blindingly obvious they could have boxed this as a Beosystem just as quickly. HDMI CEC is quite standard and I'd pick up one if offered.

B&o is a lifestyle brand, not a company, that sell various electronics.

MM

Jeff:

There's not much there that's not available in a number of soundbars.

Please name just one, that can live up to what the SoundCenter offers - and please name the price as well.

MM

Great article. I like how the output channels are configurable and as he says nearly all AV preamps in world are fixed. Another example of B& O doing something out of the usual box and coming up with great ideas. After listening to over 30 different speakers from almost as many makes, their speaker department is easily the best in the world.

Millemissen:

Jeff:

There's not much there that's not available in a number of soundbars.

Please name just one, that can live up to what the SoundCenter offers - and please name the price as well.

MM

Try this one as just one example. Honestly, you should pay attention to more than one company in the consumer electronics market:

http://www.sonos.com/en-us/shop/playbar.html?utm_campaign=YHO_US_EN_SONOS_B_PLAYBAR_EXACT_360i&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=yahoo&utm_content=YHO_US_EN_SONOS_B_PLAYBAR_EXACT_360i&utm_term=sonos+soundbar&gclid=CNHqrd2CqtYCFTYvfgodK1MAXg&gclsrc=ds#features

I'm sure you'll harp endlessly on things that are peculiar to the Eclipse soundbar, minor additions which in no way warrant the excessive price delta, as proof of something or another, but the point stands. The Eclipse soundbar is nothing unusual. I can fully understand why the blog post exists, the company has to spin this as being the second coming, but it's very disappointing, the whole TV is.

Jeff:

I'm sure you'll harp endlessly.....

Oh well - if you think so.

MM

Millemissen:

B&o is a lifestyle brand, not a company, that sell various electronics.

MM

The above was a response to davidr who suggested B&O sell a box with the guts of the Sound Center as a Beosystem, which a lot of us have been asking for... a Beosystem 5. So when you say that B&O ostensibly don't sell various electronics because they are a lifestyle brand, I don't understand...  Wasn't BeoSystem 4  a B&O product when B&O were a lifestyle brand? One could consider a box with a bunch of connections "various electronics."  And today, B&O have a BeoSound Core, which is essentially a box with connections -- Lifestyle Brand is marketing speak for whatever the company wants the public think of. 

I'd buy a Beosystem 5 integrated into a "Sound Bar" in a heartbeat for 3K. And 3K would leave a hefty margin for B&O, I'd say.

Sal:

 Lifestyle Brand is marketing speak for whatever the company wants the public think of. 

Oh well, if you think so!

MM

I don't think they could make that work for 3k, more like 4.5 - 5k. Although i too would prefer that option, i still decided in the end to go for the eclipse as it always is with b&o, the sound bits are too well integrated, same goes for ease of use.

seethroughyou:

Great article. I like how the output channels are configurable and as he says nearly all AV preamps in world are fixed. Another example of B& O doing something out of the usual box and coming up with great ideas. After listening to over 30 different speakers from almost as many makes, their speaker department is easily the best in the world.

On this I wholeheartedly agree. BL50 is a bargain, if you have the space. I used to think the same about BL5 – but BL50 is on a whole another level.

As for space constraints, I am looking forward to BL30 (the successor to BL3). Hopefully it's in the works.

didole:

I'd buy a Beosystem 5 integrated into a "Sound Bar" in a heartbeat for 3K. And 3K would leave a hefty margin for B&O, I'd say.

Given BeoSound 35 retails for €2.295 – and it has impressive stereo audio & same sources as BeoSound Core – I'd gladly pay €3.500+ for a soundbar that has the guts & audio of Eclipse's SoundCenter.

And yes, my bet is that those would sell more than the Eclipse, and get new customers into the world of B&O.

This is from someone who already has an LG B7 – which has the exact same picture as the Eclipse.

@KMA

And how would you control the (LG-)tv with a BeoRemote One?

I suppose you want to control that BeoSystem with a B&O remote.

What if you wanted a stand option for that BeoSystem and your LG B7?

Or how would both look together mounted on a wall?

MM

 

I have three compelling reasons for waiting for a BeoSystem 5:

1. Shipping. Shipping a BeoVision is quite involved. They are VERY HEAVY. Dealers usually will not even ship without having the proper bespoke shipping materials shipped from Denmark. I had a store demo BeoVision 10 that had shipping delayed over a month because twice when the dealer received the shipping foam from Denmark, it was damaged. Costly crater/freighter service is always needed. I can bring home a light weight panel myself from my local electronics retailer or usually even have them deliver the same day for free. If my AV processor needs service or updating, I can just ship it to my dealer. When the AV processes is connected to my BeoVision, I'm looking at a very costly home service call.

2. Cable management. For someone with 7.2 surround with several devices connected to the TV, this results is numerous cables! I want a simple connection between the panel and the BeoSystem that manages the connections. Then, I can hide the BeoSystem and cables away in a cabinet.

3. Panel updates. Technology is improving faster and faster. It's nice to have a BeoSystem that can have its firmware updated while being able to replace the panels as needed. Panels are really quite inexpensive (disposable) these days (unless they come from B&O!). It's nice to be able to keep the vision technology up-to-date while maintaining the exceptional B&O sound and PUC integration.

After all, B&O is all about the sound.

Millemissen:

@KMA

And how would you control the (LG-)tv with a BeoRemote One?

I suppose you want to control that BeoSystem with a B&O remote.

What if you wanted a stand option for that BeoSystem and your LG B7?

Or how would both look together mounted on a wall?

MM

There is a tv - and there is a BV.

I give B&O the benefit of a doubt to make a soundbar (sound system) that looks good on a wall or on a cabinet – with any black rectangular screen above it (face it, that's what a TV is today, even in the Eclipse).

As for control, why is it that I can control everything connected to B7 with the new LG MR700? Because of CEC, and universal IR standards (to which B&O do not comply). It's actually a whole lot easier than wiring PUC IR eyes across the room.

So what is this fixation that you need a BeoRemote to have just one remote? You don't. Even Logitech Harmony offers brand-independent remotes that operate everything over IR/BT – everything but B&O, that is. If you want to go to high-end remote control, have a look at Savant.

In my setup, it's one LG remote (for everything connected to the TV) & my iPhone and iPad for music through A6 and A8 – or music through the B7 & soundbar.

I do like the Essence Wheely to control the A6. It's a convenience. Can you even pair a BeoRemote One with A6?

Anyone who thinks only B&O offers control with one remote is kidding themselves. Actually, even for certain B&O products, BeoRemote One is not optimal anymore. B&O used to be an exclusive ecosystem. Today they are mostly a mess.

As for stands, do a search on Amazon. B&O is probably the only brand that does not comply to VESA standards – because B&O is SO lifestyle, like no one else.

beojeff:

After all, B&O is all about the sound.

Yes!

This x 1000.

Today, sound is what B&O is all about.

@beojeff

How far did the bv10 have to come? When i moved recently i moved it myself in the back of the car, not much too it really. Just layed it flat on some blankets and it all worked out fine.

Btw, the eclipse isn't all that heavy and much easier to ship/move around as it comes in two pieces.

If you're able to do transport yourself, maybe its an extra bargaining chip for price compensation :)