Any thoughts on Beosystem 10?

Hi Alls,

What do you think about the Beosystem 10 - Portable Radio + Cassette Player ?

There's no much talk on it on beoworld forum and the very little i found on the web is saying it's a "fake" B&O product. Is it really the black duck of the family or an acceptable product?

Thank you for your insights.

It's mainly Hitachi as far as I'm aware, but it's good!

I always thought it was quite good looking. I remember the way the B&O brochure describe it to this day: "The Beosystem 10 is a personal, portable audio system designed with such care and attention to detail that carrying it about will not cast aspersions on your social position."

That's a quite interesting marketing choice for that product when you know most of the haters think B&O is all about looking before sounding.

It was (is) a nice machine,but nothing special.We didn't sell many,as they were relatively expensive,and after all it was only a "radio/cassette",something utilitarian that people didn't seem prepared to splash out on.

I think that B&O were trying to capitalise on the success earlier of their portable radio's,but the sum's didn't add up with the system 10?

They have missed another opportuning nowaday's too,where there is still a buoyant market for portable radio's,particularly here in the U.K.

I'd love to see a modern B&O radio,with Dab,Bluetooth and internent radio,but not forgetting good old fm,which can still beat the other media hands down for sound quality.

Nick

matador43:

That's a quite interesting marketing choice for that product when you know most of the haters think B&O is all about looking before sounding.

Isn't it though? The Beoworld page on it says in production from 1984-91. I remember looking longingly at the brochures for the whole line they did then, gorgeous pictures, no specs.

solderon29:

It was (is) a nice machine,but nothing special

More or less what i read about and what i was suspecting. I may have found one very cheap but needing some attention and it may be my next toy to refurbish (well, try to). Thank you for your answer.

Jeff:

Isn't it though? The Beoworld page on it says in production from 1984-91. I remember looking longingly at the brochures for the whole line they did then, gorgeous pictures, no specs.

I believe the new generation is really missing the pleasure and the magic of the paper brochure.
By the way, you dont have that one lying around somewhere ?  

matador43:

Jeff:

Isn't it though? The Beoworld page on it says in production from 1984-91. I remember looking longingly at the brochures for the whole line they did then, gorgeous pictures, no specs.

I believe the new generation is really missing the pleasure and the magic of the paper brochure.
By the way, you dont have that one lying around somewhere ?  

Sadly no, the few various brochures I had disappeared long ago. Wish I did still have them, looking at them was always a pleasure. The stunning photography of such modernist homes. I agree, there is something missing with web pictures, the hold it in your hand brochure was a thing of beauty.

I’ve owned a Beosystem 10 since 1992 when I bought it new from a local dealer. I am well aware of the failings of the unit - Japanese-made, no Dolby noise reduction, single unit speakers, etc. However, its radio section is excellent, the amplifier is quite powerful and it is a stereo unit, unlike the earlier Beolits.

It also has the capacity to connect other kit, both at line level (CD unit, iPod, additional tape player) or via a simple switch on the rear of the unit, a record deck with a moving iron/moving magnet cartridge. You can also connect external speakers - the CX50 and the CX100 are good visual matches.

In the 26 years I’ve had the unit it’s been a mobile source of music both inside and outside the house, and used via both mains and battery. It still looks stunning and makes me smile to use it.

Cleve

I remember seeing the Beosystem 10 in my mid teens and thinking it was one of the most beautiful thing I’d seen. Having grown up with a Beolit 400 I could see the family resemblance.

Many years later I acquired one. Still does it for me looks wise but I don’t actually use it

This is the thing with B&O of course.Often the spec of the equipment isn't great,but you are still drawn to it somehow.

The VX5000 vcr that I'm currently tinkering with is a good example.

It's over-engineered,but the build is super.All the typical B&O innovations make it a joy to use too.

Nick