Beoremote One vs Beo4

I couldn't remember if I had seen comparison images of the Beoremote One and the Beo4 in the same frame, so here they are, as I've just taken delivery of a Beoremote One in silk.

I haven't yet begun to play with the BROne, so I can't offer any thoughts on usage yet.

But from a look and feel perspective, my thoughts are below:

I can say that the Beoremote One (silk) is one quality unit. It is smooth, svelte, solid, and reeks of utter uncompromising quality. The remote is very light -- significantly lighter than the Beo4, but without sacrificing the feel of something engineered very well. And although actually not much narrower, the remote feels MUCH narrower than the Beo4; due likely in part to the difference in overall height/depth of the remotes. This narrowness makes the BRone feel a lot like a magic wand, seriously. It is remarkable in how wand-like it feels.

The buttons on the Beo4 have that traditional rubber feel we are all used to. I could be wrong, but the buttons on the BRone appear to be made from the same materials, the same sort of rubber. If you hold both remotes close to your ear and gently run your fingers across the buttons, the sound is nearly identical, as is the feel. Good job B&O for keeping with some of the original DNA.

The press-feel of the buttons on the other hand is worlds apart. I'm sure that the BRone will end up being just as assured with use, but the lack of button travel compared with the Beo4 is significant to mention. As is the fact that as others have said, I'll have to look down at the remote before making my selections to be sure of what button I'm pressing. The Beo4's raised layout was a dream for the tactile. Here's where the aforementioned perceived accentuated narrowness of the BRone could allow for some muscle memory when it comes to blind operation.

Finally, I think the button layout of the BRone makes a bit more sense to me from a logical standpoint. Having the Playback buttons grouped together with volume and pages, the symmetrical placement of the standby buttons, and ostensibly the least often used button at furthest reach (LIST) from most normal hands. It seems as though the BRone is the real life physical embodiment of a very user centric touchscreen UI if designed by an experienced programmer.

Overall, I like the feel of the BRone in my hand a lot more than the Beo4, which now, to my hands at least, feels dated from a materials perspective.

 

 

New Tricks for an Old Dog...

That is the title of this post. After setting up the BeoRemote One and using it for a bit (coming from being very accustomed to a Beo4 for all of my previous B&O experience), here are my first impressions:

I REALLY REALLY want to like it. The remote itself is fantastic, build quality and looks, etc. But there’s just something about the intuitiveness of the Beo4 that this is lacking, at least at this point. I know a lot of it has to do with the newness of it. 

I have several of the same complaints.

My biggest complaint is the inability to 'feel' your way around the remote.

With the beo4 you can feel the star and know what buttons you're pressing. The br1 doesn't have the same feel.

I do LOVE the source naming and ability to add things such as control and light functions with names.

It takes some getting used to but I bet you'll learn to love it.

Sal:

....But there’s just something about the intuitiveness of the Beo4 that this is lacking.... The disappearing display of the BeoRemote One, I seem to be a little uncertain about what setting it is in each time I pick it up.... 

Thank you for the fine report.

That's exactly whats holding me back to buy the One remote.

I already mentioned it in another thread: I could test BR One several days with my masterlink system to decide replacing my Beo4. Beo4 is still the best remote because you can use it blind, with BR One you always have to look which button to press. Another point is the lack of many commands (especially LINK and AV commands) on BR One that I really need. With BR One you have only five buttons to select sources, with Beo4 there are 7 buttons (and I need them all). And I like the heavy feeling of Beo4 although built quality of BR One is excellent. Finally I took BR One back to the dealer, I will stay with Beo4; the only thing I'm missing on Beo4 is an illuminated display.

Regards

Räuber