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ARCHIVED FORUM -- March 2012 to February 2022
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This is the second Archived Forum which was active between 1st March 2012 and 23rd February 2022

 

Should I buy a BeoLab 19 subwoofer?

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paddy2042
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paddy2042 Posted: Sat, Nov 25 2017 11:14 PM

I have had BL800's for years and have always been quite happy with them but of late feel I am missing quite a bit of music through them obviously the lowest frequencies. I have been thinking of adding a sub woofer to my setup for music. I mainly listen to classical music especially piano and am hoping that it may add the missing bits.

 

Does anyone use a B&O Sub for this purpose. I have no interest in crashing and banging noises while listening to cinema (in fact I have disconnected my rear speakers to stop this cacophony)

 

I notice that the Beolab 19 does not connect in the same way as the Beolab 2 used to. It seems to have only one conncection. Will this mean that connected to a Beocentre 2 and Beovision 8-40 it will get the right signals?

 

I would be very interested in hearing from anyone who listens to classical music using a B&O sub as I would like to know whether it is actually beneficial.

 

Many thanks

elephant
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elephant replied on Sat, Nov 25 2017 11:56 PM
We have two subs

The BL11 with BL6000 makes a quality difference

I use BL20s for most of my music pleasure (and they almost qualify as subs)

Finally there is the BL19 used in surround sound with BL3s

I suspect the BL11 is under powered for your BL8000s

We have just tested Zoltan Kocsis playing Suite Bergamasque ... with and without a BL19.

My wife voted for the BL3 combined with a BL19 describing it as producing crisper notes. Of course that is with the BeoVision mixing the frequencies differently when it knows it has a subwoofer present.

I hope that helps ...

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Fansastic
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Fansastic replied on Sun, Nov 26 2017 7:50 AM
I was told by my dealer once that the BL11 was especially designed for just a bit more low punch for classical music. The BL2 was especially designed for movies and not so much for music.

I think adding a BL11 will give you the extra punch you are looking for. Maybe someone with a BL11 can share his experience with you.

BV Harmony 65 / Eclipse 55 / BL 50 / 19 / 18 / BS 2 all brass

BV Horizon 48 / V1 40 / BL 17 / Beoplay S3 all black

V1 / BL 3 / BS Essence MKII / Beoplay A3 all white

BS Moment / BS 3000 / BS 3200 / BL 400 all silver

Headphones / bluetooth speakers / BLC NL-ML / BLGateway

I know…B&O virus has grown on me ! 

elephant
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elephant replied on Sun, Nov 26 2017 9:10 AM
Fansastic:

Maybe someone with a BL11 can share his experience with you.

I did !

And yes it made a difference with 6000s

I am just not sure about 8000s as they are much more powerful than 6000s

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rxcohen
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rxcohen replied on Mon, Nov 27 2017 6:05 PM

I have the BL19 paired with BL1s, and great sound improvement. not booming and well suited for music. I would recommend it to add it to the TV (without the rears). It is not overwhelming and adds what your current speakers have been missing. 

BV11-55, BS9000, BL1, BL19, Transmitter 1, Beo4, Beocom 6000, BeoTalk1 200, Sennheiser HD600, McIntosh MHA100

paddy2042
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paddy2042 replied on Mon, Nov 27 2017 9:12 PM

Thank you for your replies. I think I may go ahead with the purchase. 

hostler
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hostler replied on Mon, Nov 27 2017 9:38 PM

Paddy

 

I recently added a BL19 to a pair of BL18's, paired with a BV11 and a BS Moment.

 

We play a wide variety of music, and watch a range of TV & film genres, and everything is improved by the BL19. Compared to non B&O subs I've has, it's subtle & restrained.

The BV11 does allow for some very fine adjustments - it's Audio Master controls are very comprehensive - so your milage may vary of course.

 

Tom

SHEFFIELD
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SHEFFIELD replied on Mon, Nov 27 2017 9:52 PM

Yes, the BeoLab 19 will certainly add depth to classical music combined with your BeoLab 8000s. The `BeoLab 11 only really works well with 4000 and 6000 in my opinion.

With the exchange rate as it is, I could ship one to Australia and save you a few dollars 🙂

 

StUrrock
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StUrrock replied on Mon, Nov 27 2017 10:49 PM
SHEFFIELD:

Yes, the BeoLab 19 will certainly add depth to classical music combined with your BeoLab 8000s. The `BeoLab 11 only really works well with 4000 and 6000 in my opinion.

With the exchange rate as it is, I could ship one to Australia and save you a few dollars 🙂

Would that help to close a few Australian dealerships and break your distribution agreement in one go? Stick out tongue
Yendys
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Yendys replied on Tue, Nov 28 2017 2:15 AM
StUrrock:

Would that help to close a few Australian dealerships and break your distribution agreement in one go?

One in Sydney I visited to purchase a core last weekend might as well close, it was empty and salesman hopeless, I left without making any purchase....

I have a BL2 with BL8000 and very happy with them for music and movies, Did take me a while fiddling around with its switches and placement to get the sound right

paddy2042
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paddy2042 replied on Tue, Nov 28 2017 2:30 AM

I have spoken to consultant. I would need RJ45 to 5 Pin DIN for the Powerlink connection apparently. I hope the BV8 is able to distribute the frequencies between the BL19 and BL800's properly. Also the sub listed on the TV is BL2 which is old. I hope when this is chosen it is OK with the BL19.

elephant
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elephant replied on Tue, Nov 28 2017 4:49 AM
paddy2042:

I have spoken to consultant. I would need RJ45 to 5 Pin DIN for the Powerlink connection apparently. I hope the BV8 is able to distribute the frequencies between the BL19 and BL800's properly. Also the sub listed on the TV is BL2 which is old. I hope when this is chosen it is OK with the BL19.

My BV8-40 only has “sub-woofer YES | NO” as a setting.

Yes you need a din to rj45 cable.

I made no adjustment to the comprehensive settings onboard the BL19 (don’t even understand them).

I have my BL19 set to the left and below the BV8.

I used the BV8 menu to set speaker distance (equals left speaker’s) and relative volume (one notch down from the mid point) relative to other speakers.

My viewing/ listening distance is 2 metres.

I have contemplated moving the BL19 to next to the left rear speaker ... which might deafen me !

BeoNut since '75

paddy2042
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paddy2042 replied on Tue, Nov 28 2017 8:30 PM

One thing that freaks me out with B&O Subs is the access to the speaker cone. When I see them I feel nervous that the speaker cone has no protection whatsoever. Am I correct in this? What if someone accidentally kicks or knocks the cone. I imagine it would dent without too much pressure. Anyone any reflections on this. I realise that I will have to live with this fact as there are no other options. I used to have another brand of sub and it was protected with a metal grill. Made me feel much better.

elephant
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elephant replied on Wed, Nov 29 2017 1:01 AM
My granddaughter once affectionately patted the BL19 dome ... seems fine and one the worse for the experience

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Mikipidia
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Mikipidia replied on Wed, Nov 29 2017 1:42 AM

i previously had a beolab 2 for many years, it has been fine even with light knocks. as bass isn't super directional, pick a spot that you would't walk around everyday. you can even put it somewhat perpendicular to the wall if you're really worried about it.

btw, don't forget that the speaker cone of a subwoofer is much, MUCH stronger than normal speaker cones as the bass they produce can be rather violent. because of this the cone is much tougher and also the rubber surround of the cone tends to be way stiffer compared to midrange cones, not to mention tweeters.

the pressed in cones you sometimes see in big box stores won't happen to your bl19 unless you're propperly trying to ruin it :p

i would be more worried about denting the metal when vacuuming or something like that, or scratching it up, then hurting the cone when touching it even when done so firmly.

hope this helps the nerves somewhat.

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moxxey
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moxxey replied on Wed, Nov 29 2017 10:33 AM

Fansastic:
I was told by my dealer once that the BL11 was especially designed for just a bit more low punch for classical music. The BL2 was especially designed for movies and not so much for music.

I think adding a BL11 will give you the extra punch you are looking for. Maybe someone with a BL11 can share his experience with you.

No surprise, but I've owned the BL2, BL19 and I have 2 x BL11s (one isn't even in use). The BL19 was decent, but I didn't think it was as effective as the BL2, which as incredible. The entire floor rocked. I sold the BL19.

The BL11 is a decent compromise. Much more subtle, but does make a difference to you movie-watching experience.

elephant
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elephant replied on Thu, Nov 30 2017 10:23 AM
moxxey:

No surprise, but I've owned the BL2, BL19 and I have 2 x BL11s (one isn't even in use). The BL19 was decent, but I didn't think it was as effective as the BL2, which as incredible. The entire floor rocked. I sold the BL19.

The BL11 is a decent compromise. Much more subtle, but does make a difference to you movie-watching experience.

I have never had a BL2 but I agree about its movie reputation but the counter is its poor musical reputation.

I’d use our BL11 for movies and yes it made its presence known subtly.

However it’s the BL19 that rocks our floor boards with explosions and the emerging sense of dread .... and also good with music.

BeoNut since '75

paddy2042
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paddy2042 replied on Sat, Dec 2 2017 12:50 AM

Does the Beovision 8-40 have a bass management system? I have been reading up on the connection of a Beolab 19 and it talks about this.


Sal
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Sal replied on Sat, Dec 2 2017 1:02 AM

Just my $0.02. I've often shared my opinion on these forums that the most pleasing B&O product(s) I've owned were a pair of Beolab 3 with the addition of a Beolab 2. The BL2, took care of the bass management for connected speakers, at that time I had a BV8-32, actually.

That being said, before the BL3's came into my life, I was using a pair of BL8000s and a BL2, and that combination was also bonkers good.

So, perhaps an option to consider instead of a BL19, is to look for a pre-owned BL2, it was built like a tank and with 850W inside, it'll knock your socks off, and take care of the bass management as well for your BV8.

paddy2042
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paddy2042 replied on Tue, Dec 5 2017 10:41 AM

Well I went ahead and bought the Beolab 19 and have it connected. I am trying to work out what to set the Low Pass Filter to. The manual for the BL8000's says they go down to 40 Hz so I wonder if I should set the BL19 to that figure. I have done this but there seems to be a gap in the sound between the very low frequencies and the bottom notes of the Bl8000s. Does the Beovosion 8-40 have a bass management system to divide the frequencies? This is the Master that the speakers are plugged into. I hope with some tweaking I will get it to work fine. Any suggestions would be welcome.

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Tassos replied on Tue, Dec 5 2017 4:30 PM

Hello,

 

I am not an expert but I guess if beovision 8 has a menu where you can "declare" the speakers you have connected and their role then it has (at least) some kind of sound management. In a set up of beolab 18 and beolab 19 I set the low pass filter just a bit lower than the "middle" position and it sounds fantastic. The 18-19 set up is connected to an old playmaker so no bass management there!

In an other set up (where the management of sound is done by a V1) I have connected a beolab 2 and a pair of beolab 18. If you set up the correct way the position and role switches and lower a bit the low pass filter (you can do so in the V1 bass management menu) the sound almost matches the 19-18 set up.

All the above are "conclusions" made by my ears...no special equipment was used :-)

paddy2042
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I will continue to try different settings.

I find it amazing that B&O don't seem to have any interest in sound. There is almost no information from B&O on the details of the setup. There are plenty of details on subs in general on the net and the detailing needed to get them right. B&O I think have just produced their equipment for the bangs and rumbles of movie watching. Maybe this is the new market. In dealing with audio stores and brands I have yet to come across one that seems to have less grasp of actual music reproduction. B&O are pumping out compressed music into very expensive speakers which I think most audio retailers would be horrified at.

 

 

elephant
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1. Surprise B&O don’t have an interest in sound ! Do a google search for their tonmeister Geoff Martin

https://www.google.co.uk/search?source=hp&ei=5wYnWvyeHoyK8wXS0L54&q=tonmeister+geoff+martin&oq=tonmeister

2. Cool read his BL19 articles and associated pages

http://www.tonmeister.ca/wordpress/2014/03/29/bo-tech-the-naked-truth-iii/

http://www.tonmeister.ca/wordpress/stereo-recordings-bass/

http://www.tonmeister.ca/wordpress/2014/01/10/bo-tech-subwoofer-tweaking-for-beginners/

3. The BV8 only has a YES | NO setting for subwoofer (and a dedicated PL port). So basically it’s bass management is simple, yet suits my ears - although my family often say TOO MUCH BASS DAD.

I have never had a better experience than hearing my first BL5 in 2002?/3? And feeling my diaphragm quiver in sympathy.

BeoNut since '75

Mikipidia
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Mikipidia replied on Tue, Dec 5 2017 10:04 PM
Wow, that’s a statement..

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Mikipidia
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Mikipidia replied on Tue, Dec 5 2017 10:09 PM
I never had a bl19, but it depends so much on where and how it’s placed. On my bl2 i had the filter set to the middle and the placement button set to corner although it was on a flat wall. Where i live now it was perfect. When i lived in my old house, i had the filter set to low, and placement to free standing. Although it was on a wall behind a couch and that was perfect for that room.

So i would suggest playing around with it, it’s very subjective. Maybe set it to the max and then dial it down till it’s too little for you

New: Beovision Harmony, Beolab 50's, Beolab 28's, Beolab 18's, Beolab 17's, Beosound Stage & LG, Beosound 2, Beoplay M3, Beoplay A1, Beoplay Portal, Beoplay H4 gen 2, Beoplay E8 3.0

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elephant
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elephant replied on Tue, Dec 5 2017 10:27 PM
Mikipedia:

Wow, that’s a statement.. New: Beolab 50's, Beolab 18's, Beovision eclipse.

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I was quoting Paddy !!!!! And the evidencing disagreements Big Smile

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Steve_torque
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Paddy - Sorry to read your comments. I found the lab19 to be a great sub, but it was connected to a Beoplay v1. Which gave me a lot of control, I think the v1 has the beosystem 4, so I could control a lot of variables and it integrated perfectly with my lab18s.

No experience without that BS4 control, so unfortunately not able to really help with your set up. But it transformed my set up. There must be a way for you to experience what the 19 is capable of, without spending a fortune of course.
Mikipidia
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@elephant

I know, no worries. Thinking about it, it might actually be true. The crux being that B&O might like the people that like music more. The reason i love b&o speakers the most out of everything they make is that they naturally sound fairly flat with out loosing volume. That may make them sound harsh to people, but i think at B&O they know that, that’s why they make it so easy to change the speakers to what ever you like. For instance “beats by dre” or like a “tin can” and anywhere inbetween, i think they’re usually almost perfect the way they come(depending on model). I like what some call harsh, because you keep ALL the detail up high and most speakers can’t do that. That, however, doesn’t mean it’ll be lacking in bass in my home Big Smile

So just tinker until you get what you like/love, afterall it only needs to please you and yours!

New: Beovision Harmony, Beolab 50's, Beolab 28's, Beolab 18's, Beolab 17's, Beosound Stage & LG, Beosound 2, Beoplay M3, Beoplay A1, Beoplay Portal, Beoplay H4 gen 2, Beoplay E8 3.0

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