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
I've been pondering getting a BL BM 5000 set up for some time, and have started a discussion with Frede. However, reading some of the archived threads, including contributions from Peter and Soundproof, I really don't want the bulky Beovox 5000 speakers, and also get the impression that the cube tweeters don't really add that much to the performance. Having said that, Soundproof had listened to Frede's own set-up as said it was superb, and of course Frede himself cannot recommend any alternatives to the Beovox 5000. I know that the Beovox 3000 was an alternative, and possibly more logical if the cube tweeters cut- out the main speaker internal tweeters.
The bottom line for me is whether there is an alternative modern 4 ohm speaker that the Beolab 5000 will drive....... And whether in reality the 5000 still stands comparison with modern alternatives. The other thing that makes me hesitate is the possible phasing out of FM broadcasting making the tuners redundant. (I am more than happy with my early type BM 2000 driving S45's).
Graham
Well, you pretty much ran the gamut there!
5000 and/or 3000 + 2500 for originality.
I swear there was another speaker that had the 2500 socket, but I can't for the life of me recall the model number. Of course, I could also be wrong! Martin?
At any rate, I think the simplest answer is in your final sentence! Try the single fret S45's ... I think they are a perfect match (to just about everything).
ɓʋɾɑɳɫɘɮ:I swear there was another speaker that had the 2500 socket
Scratch that!
You have a GOOD BIT OF CHOICE -if you can find them!
++++(BTW, these other "2500-able" speakers should be linked to the other relevant product pages)++++
ɓʋɾɑɳɫɘɮ: ɓʋɾɑɳɫɘɮ:I swear there was another speaker that had the 2500 socket Scratch that! You have a GOOD BIT OF CHOICE -if you can find them! ++++(BTW, these other "2500-able" speakers should be linked to the other relevant product pages)++++
Great link! (This iPad is misbehaving again..... That original post was set out as separate paragraphs but will only post like a text message!(EDIT corrected).
vikinger:Some of those speakers capable of taking the 2500 cube might get blown by by the BL 5000 though!
You meddlin' whippersnappers and your BOOMBOOM club music!
I had mine connected to pentas and it souded great. I know for originality you should stick to the older beovoxes but they are just so big and boxy
I have a fully restored system from Frede - in the rare Oak finish and have to say it is superb in every way. I have the Beovox 5000 speakers with the 2500 cube speakers and certainly in the room I have it all set up in, it sounds amazing. I also use a Beogram CDX2 and Beogram 4000 through it. I'm also about to set up a Transcriptors Saturn record deck alongside (similar to as seen in Clockwork Orange). Any one who has heard it has been blown away with it and was shocked to find out it's a system that's over 40 years old and not contemporary.
I don't feel that the 5000 speakers are too big. In one of the pictures I've shown the Beovox 5000 speaker + cube alongside a Beovox 3000 (to be used as a centre speaker in my system) and a CX100 (not connected, just on display after refoaming). Certainly for sound, They are exceptional - and originally as the system was designed to be used and enjoyed. They are very true sounding and music detail is fantastic. I do think the cubes add something to the tone and overall sound.
I suppose it comes down to why you want this system? As a collector - go for the complete system. For the original B&O experience of the era - go for the complete system. For a budget system using the original amp and tuner - by all means use different speakers but, I would try to get to listen to a complete (restored) set-up as it should be. You may be very surprised and I think it will sway your decision - it will also cost you a lot more! To my mind, it's worth every penny. If FM does go, there will be plenty of digital tuners that could be used via the many inputs so I suspect you could still have the original look with digital audio sourced sound - something I may look at soon as FM here in this region of France is very patchy.
Another picture of the system:
Last picture:
Thanks Dave. Just when I was thinking those speakers were far too big............ I have to have another re-think!
That's a great set-up. I am aware of Frede's prices, and Danish VAT, and transport.....
What a dilemma!
vikinger: Thanks Dave. Just when I was thinking those speakers were far too big............ I have to have another re-think! That's a great set-up. I am aware of Frede's prices, and Danish VAT, and transport..... What a dilemma! Graham
VAT and transport, I really want a reel to reel. and Dave has 2 of them, over here I dont find them, so its DK and transport to Mexico, feel like crying
Collecting Vintage B&O is not a hobby, its a lifestyle.
I do have the full set up, but confess to not using the speakers - I have Mk3 Beovox 5000s which have dome tweeters - as I prefer my alternatives. In this case, the Beovox 2500s, which I also have, are less relevant as the domes allow better dispersion of the treble.
Peter
Peter: I do have the full set up, but confess to not using the speakers - I have Mk3 Beovox 5000s which have dome tweeters - as I prefer my alternatives. In this case, the Beovox 2500s, which I also have, are less relevant as the domes allow better dispersion of the treble.
And the alternatives are..... ?
I have BBC LS3/5A speakers which sit on a pair of AB1 woofers. These are 70s speakers, those these are relatively new ones built by Richard Allen Loudspeakers. They are exceptional as far as vocal reproduction is concerned and with the AB1s, have a reasonable degree of bass. They were designed as a near field monitor for outside broadcast facilities for the BBC but were found to have a place as a domestic speaker. In sound, they have a strange likeness in some ways to the Quad ESL though obviously they are much smaller! Equally poor at very low bass!!
Thanks Peter: I should have anticipated the further response from the archived threads!
I take it that you live in Yorkshire, which, though clearly in the South, is not that far away from me! I would be happy to lend you my 5000 system to try , should you wish to see if it suits you. I do have the 5000 speakers, which could do with restoring but have been mended in the past so they work.
Peter: I take it that you live in Yorkshire, which, though clearly in the South, is not that far away from me! I would be happy to lend you my 5000 system to try , should you wish to see if it suits you. I do have the 5000 speakers, which could do with restoring but have been mended in the past so they work.
That's a very kind offer Peter. I'm in Wirral, which from your viewpoint is also, no doubt, in the South!
My problem is not so much what the system sounds like (which is important) but whether I really want to persuade my better half that those large speaker cabinets would be worth a room rearrangement, with the speakers then dominating the room. I am already viewed by other family members as having too much B&O, even though I really have only a tiny fraction of what many on Beoworld own.
I have another option, and that is to go for in-wall speakers, as we have some structural corner voids in our living room that could be adapted. Beovox 2 would be another possibility. B&O do not give a rating for the Beovox 2, but as it is also recommended for use with 30W Beolink, the rating may be insufficient for the BL5000.
I think that Dave Farr encapsulated the dilemma quite nicely....... It would be ideal to have a complete set-up as originally designed from a collector or purist viewpoint.
But if you don't want the visual impact of those large cabinets can you really justify going for a restored amplifier feeding non-standard speakers, or a set of lesser speakers with the 2500 connections as listed by Jeff?
My opinion is no! I would not have Beovox 5000 speakers dominating my room. But my 5000 system is not my everyday system and I have relatively limited space. I think a full 1967 system in one room is an indulgence which I would not wish to impose on my wife! My speakers are smaller and luckily the room they are in is quite large so they do not dominate too much.
Not sure in wall speakers are quite the thing though - what about P45s and some form of sub-woofer?