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‘m thinking of getting an Eclipse or a Harmony (both 65 inch) with a set of Beolab 18s.
Why should I choose one over the other?
Maarten
I’ve got an appointment next week to see/hear them at a dealer in Belgium. Currently I have an Eclipse mk 1 with Beolab 18 so I am anxious to hear the Harmony in that setup.
Aussie Michael:Metoo I’m picking the harmony because when it’s off it’s visually smaller and fades in the background. I like the mechanism and that the wood covers are wood and aluminium. Both TVs are great and you can still put peripherals on the back if needed.
One of the reasons to get a Mk 2 instead of a Mk 1 is Airplay. it’s used a lot in our household
I've just been through the same exercise, obviously more difficult as going to see anything at a dealer is virtually impossible!!
My choice was between 65 Eclipse V2/65 Harmony and 77 Harmony (no external speakers). In the end I went for the 77 Harmony (delivered last week) and am so pleased that I did, it's fantastic. The fact that the speakers hide the bulk of the screen when closed makes it less imposing in the room that my previous 55 wall mounted LG and Stage. Even SWMBO is happy and says it's really a piece of furniture.....
Luckily in Belgium viewings are possible for now.
A decisive factor would be if the Harmony has just 1 power lead! I find the 2 on the Eclipse so annoying, looks to me that somebody didn’t do a proper, design, job. 😁
Maarten:. A decisive factor would be if the Harmony has just 1 power lead! I find the 2 on the Eclipse so annoying, looks to me that somebody didn’t do a proper, design, job. 😁
Beofan with current setup Beovison Eclipse 55, Beosound 35, Beolab 6000, Beolab 11, Beoplay A9 Mk4, Beoplay E6
It is! 😂 I haven’t got enough sockets in the wall: 2x AppleTV, 2x Eclipse
Maarten:It is! 😂 I haven’t got enough sockets in the wall: 2x AppleTV, 2x Eclipse
Best regards - Dyssegaard
Living room: Beovision Eclipse 55, Beolab 3 / R1 (back), Beolab 2 / R1 (sub), AppleTV 4K. Bedroom: Beovision 11-40, AppleTV 4. Home office: Beoplay M5. Kitchen: Beoplay M5. Travel: Beoplay H8, Beoplay A1. NAS: WD My Cloud Home / Plex DLNA Server.
The soundcenter of the Harmony has room for an ATV and a splitter for powersupply. I prefer the Harmony above the Eclipse as the large screen will be partly hidden behind the wooden (or fabric) panels. I like the movement from the Harmony. It’s a nice start of your cinema experience.
That’s the setup I‘m looking for, unfortunately in a rented apartment you’ve got to work with whatever powers setup is available.
I'm leaning towards the Harmony, anybody (in Belgium) interested in a Eclipse Mk 1 55inch? 😁
Dyssegaard: Maarten: It is! 😂 I haven’t got enough sockets in the wall: 2x AppleTV, 2x Eclipse When my authorized B&O dealer installed my Eclipse 1st. gen he connected the power cord from my ATV4K inside together with power cords from the Soundcenter and the panel so that only one power cord leaves the tv together with the Ethernet and coax cables:
Maarten: It is! 😂 I haven’t got enough sockets in the wall: 2x AppleTV, 2x Eclipse
When my authorized B&O dealer installed my Eclipse 1st. gen he connected the power cord from my ATV4K inside together with power cords from the Soundcenter and the panel so that only one power cord leaves the tv together with the Ethernet and coax cables:
...and so did mine, only one cord coming out of TV.
Maarten: I‘m thinking of getting an Eclipse or a Harmony (both 65 inch) with a set of Beolab 18s.
This might not help, but I was speaking to my UK dealer on Friday and he told me that far more people are more interested in the Harmony than the Eclipse v2.
He was claiming - and this makes some sense - that no-one believes the Eclipse v2 (like the v1) is upgradable, which was one of the original key selling points, so more people go for the Harmony as it's more of a true B&O product.
If my needs are for a 55”, then there’s no choice. But if I wanted a 65”, Harmony all the way. I wish they made a 55” Harmony.
Currently: BeoLab 17, BeoLab 18, BeoSound Core, Beosound Level, Beosound A1 2nd Gen, BeoPlay S8 Connection Hub, Halo, Essence Remote
Previously: BeoSound 1 non-GVA
moxxey:- that no-one believes the Eclipse v2 (like the v1) is upgradable, which was one of the original key selling points, so more people go for the Harmony as it's more of a true B&O product.
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
Mikipedia on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Mikipedia
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Old: Beosound 9000 mk3, Beolab 3's, Beovision Eclipse, Beolab 1's, Beolab 2, Beovision 10-46, Overture 2300, beolab 8000's, Beolab 4000's, Beovision avant 32" etc. etc.
But there was no hardware changes the sound center for this, right Miki? It’s just that a buyer can use either of those three panels interchangeably. Right?
Yes, correct. Other than the very early models can't carry the 88'' because it was a lot heavier than projected. Most people won't have that version, I happen to have that one but never intend to go that big anyway
Wondering where in the Eclipse there is room for 3 power leads to be connected to 1 and still have room for an ATV4K?
Anyway looks like I’ll be ordering the Harmony 65 next week, using my AAPL profits, maybe Apple should do the same by buying B&O? 😁
Both Eclipse Mk2 and Harmony have Airplay 2 with WebOS 4.5 (AppleTV app is available).
Maarten:Both Eclipse Mk2 and Harmony have Airplay 2 with WebOS 4.5 (AppleTV app is available).
Duels:That’s great news Michael. Looking forward to seeing a picture or two!
Talking about LG‘s webOS version 6 is in the making (for LG‘s 2021 models), I doubt it if it will be released for older models, up to now LG has never done that. So my new Harmony will still be on webOS 5.x in 3 years time whilst LG is on version 8? What does that mean for supporting apps on the ‚old‘ webOS?
Beofan67: I never heard that usp for an eclipse told by B&O. y? They differ in soundcenter design, some specs and rsp. And it will be more a matter of taste and budget instead of upgradebility guarantee imo.
I never heard that usp for an eclipse told by B&O. y? They differ in soundcenter design, some specs and rsp. And it will be more a matter of taste and budget instead of upgradebility guarantee imo.
It was definitely a thing. Dealers discussed it with buyers and we've spoken about it numerous times on this forum - granted, more for the v1, but it was discussed.
I find it more odd people missed these discussions on the forum!
steve1977:I Does the harmony run on webos and support airplay 2? When using airplay 2 or NL, does the tv stay turned off (not opening the “butterfly”)? Do you think it will remain upgradeable in the future?
Does the harmony run on webos and support airplay 2? When using airplay 2 or NL, does the tv stay turned off (not opening the “butterfly”)?
Do you think it will remain upgradeable in the future?
As long B&O manufactures new brackets when new LG panels with different designs are released, there will be no problem. Assumed that the new LG panels also have the option for the B&O app to be installed. You will need that to setup the Harmony(Eclipse) for audio, network, beolink etc.
The tv turns on, give you information about the source and shuts down after a few minutes. Whether it comes up depends on the chosen audiosetting. You can setup the preferred audio for videosetting for when you start your tv. Just like with the older BV's. When you choose the center speaker in one of your programmable settings for your music to play, the tv will rise up.
About the version of WebOS, it doesn't matter. During normal use, you will hardly or never see the WebOS. You might be worried more about when Netflix or other native apps are changing their software whether the WebOS will support this.
Aussie Michael:Will do. Currently saving the bickies.
Beobuddy:Whether it comes up depends on the chosen audiosetting. You can setup the preferred audio for videosetting for when you start your tv.
This B&o writes about it:
Audio mode is triggered by AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Bluetooth, TuneIn, Deezer, DLNA (Music), Line-In, Music, Optical, Multiroom sources and QPlay. Audio mode is when the screen turns black, stays positioned close to the floor and is partly covered by the speakers.
Maarten: Talking about LG‘s webOS version 6 is in the making (for LG‘s 2021 models), I doubt it if it will be released for older models, up to now LG has never done that. So my new Harmony will still be on webOS 5.x in 3 years time whilst LG is on version 8? What does that mean for supporting apps on the ‚old‘ webOS?
This is a problem with any "smart" TV. I don't know of any TV manufacturer that supports more than a version or two of their underlying OS. Granted, unlike B&O, most TVs are rather inexpensive so if it bothers you that you're no longer getting new apps 3-5 years down the road, you just get a new one... can one say "planned obsolescense"? For B&O (or really any smart TV that is "out of support"), the solution is an external box - apple TV, Roku, etc. that is cheap-ish and easy to swap out.
I find the talk on upgradability of the Eclipse interesting - how many other TV manufactures out there have their customers discuss upgradability ? I have always purchased a TV, and then a new TV when it was time for a change. I have never considered a change of the "tube" or LCD panel on any TV I have owned.
When I purchased my Eclipse 2, I'll admit I found it to be a lot of money, but nothing else in the market gave me this brilliant package of a TV. Fantastic picture, sound and sound system, and I trust it will serve me well for many years - until it's time to get a new TV. Should I years from now be able to swap just the panel and then be just as happy as if I got a new TV - that would be an added bonus not offered by any other manufacturere for now.
My point - get your TV based on current specs, and your love of it
I'd say this - if you wall mounted the Harmony and had no line of sight (for example when you walked into the room) down the back side of the Harmony, then wall mounting is probably ok.
In my scenario, it doesn't work at all. When I walk in to my lounge, I wouldn't be facing the Harmony head on, but looking down its long edge i.e looking down the huge gap to the wall. Unacceptable to me.
There's no getting away from it - the Harmony is a beast
In my opinion the Harmony looks better hanging on the wall. You’ll get more floorspace as a benefit. Cables will be a bit more difficult with the wall option. They need to come out of the wall when you want the most clean solution.
The center has three channels indeed. 3.0. You can add separate surround speakers.
steve1977:Still haven’t pulled the trigger for the harmony and thinking through a few things. Has anyone wall-mounted it and how does it look? It feels a bit like a monster in the wall rather than a sleek slim frame? Does the speaker act as 3.0 (center / left / right) or as stereo speaker? If i were to add speakers to have surround, would it be sufficient to add rear speaker and a sub? or better both front and rear as well as sub?
Has anyone wall-mounted it and how does it look? It feels a bit like a monster in the wall rather than a sleek slim frame?
Does the speaker act as 3.0 (center / left / right) or as stereo speaker? If i were to add speakers to have surround, would it be sufficient to add rear speaker and a sub? or better both front and rear as well as sub?
Of cource Sandyb is right, it depends on how it is placed in the room and where you are placed or move around.
For wall placement look here:
https://youtu.be/G2jS-Orimkk
and here:
https://youtu.be/K_LVOBYGNjM
As for using the speakers of the Sound Center...
If you want to use the speakers, when they are horizontal (open), you could choose only to use the outer speakers as R and Left, yes.
In fact in the settings you can do whatever you like - but not everything will make sense!
I guess most people will let the mid-speaker work as well for regular music listening - meaning sort of Speaker 3, since the speakers are relatively close to each other and the mid-speaker unit is quite powerfull. Although, in most cases they probably would prefer to have the speakers vertical/closed (audio mode), which is default.
If you want to set up a 5.1/5.0 setup, you can do well with setting the outer speakers as L and R (the mid as Center, of course) and add two speakers as surround speakers L/R.....maybe a sub won’t be needed. Lot of possibilities for tweaking in the sound settings there.
This will give you a slick, clean looking setup, that in many cases will be sufficient.
MM
There is a tv - and there is a BV