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
Dear members,
how would you compare the Beosystem 7000 and the Beocenter 9500 in terms of a) design and b) sound? Would be happy to get any impressions from fellow members.
Greetings,
Kai
Hi Kai,
I've never owned a Beocenter 9500 so I can't provide any comparisons on the sound, but I've lived with my Beosystem 7000 for around 10 years and I absolutely love it. I'm sure you'd enjoy the rich sound, ample power and flexibility the system offers (plenty of inputs, comparable with master link with a 1611 converter, power link and passive speaker outputs). Having said that the same is probably true of the 9500(?)
In terms of design, I think most of us would agree that the 9500 is more in keeping with the classic B&O DNA with its long, sleek and flat form factor together with the sensitouch operation. The 9500 is much more radical in design than the more conventional 5000/5500/6500/7000 'pizza box' stacking systems, which were apparently only added to the B&O line up to compete with similar systems from the likes of Sony: Apparently Jacob Jensen hated the design, and insisted the Japanese should be copying B&O rather than the other way 'round so make of that what you will.
That being said I love the looks of my 7000 - it's got a sort of brutalesque thing going on and looks solid, imposing and very shiny. Many people don't believe me when I tell them its design is almost 40 years old now (the 5000 was introduced in 1983) and it still looks fresh!
I've heard good things about the 9500 and often thought of buying one as a second system myself so interested to hear from others who have tried both
All the best
Luke
Like Luke, I have no experience with the BeoCenter 9500, but also as he mentioned, these units are getting up there in age. The BeoSystem gives you the ability to swap out units as needed, rather than having an all-in-one approach. I've had a BeoSystem 5000 and swapped to a BeoSystem 6500/7000 in white and find it absolutely amazing. Just something to think about.
Dom
2x BeoSystem 3, BeoSystem 5000, BeoSystem 6500, 2x BeoMaster 7000, 2 pair of BeoLab Penta mk2, AV 7000, Beolab 4000, BeoSound 4000, Playmaker, BeoLab 2500, S-45, S-45.2, RL-140, CX-50, C-75, 3x CX-100, 3x MCL2 link rooms, 3x Beolab 2000, M3, P2, Earset, A8 earphones, A3, 2x 4001 relay, H3, H3 ANC, H6, 2014 Audi S5 with B&O sound, and ambio
Both the Beosystem 7000 and the Beocenter 9500 are old technology on todays world. I still use my Beosystem 7000 connected to a pair of BL5 and some much more modern equipment. I think it´s fantastic that it´s possible to integrate 30 years old B&O equipment. Mostly I stream music, but it´s nice to be able to play vinyl and cd´s at times. I will not part with my Beosystem 7000 any time soon.
I also own a Beocenter 9500 since many years. But it´s been in storage for most of the time ever since I bought it second hand. Compared it once with the Beosystem 7000 and truth to be said the Beosystem 7000 sounded better. Had them connected to a pair of BL8000 at the time.
I think it´s up to ones individual taste if one prefers one over the other in terms of design. The sleek design of the 9500. It was very futuristic looking when it came out. The Beosystem 7000 not so much. Other brands had stacked units too. Today both are all design icons from B&O.
The Beocenter 9500 is more front-panel-friendly, i.e. fewer things require a remote. (In fact, the only thing I can think of is the IR Option setting.) The Beosystem 7000 cannot tune radio by frequency without a remote, and the track selection is increment-only by pushing on the front panel, and... even the volume settings cannot be done without a remote! On the 9500, everything is controlled by the front panel, and the remote is just a convenient option. (Unless you are using a combination audio/video setup, where you pretty much need the remote regardless.)
As to the BeoLab 8000's sounding better from a system 7000 than a center 9500, I see no evidence that the low-level signals are impaired in any way, thus no reason to expect such a thing. Obviously if you will use non-powered speakers, the 9500 has a claimed 80 watts/channel into 8 ohms, and the 7000 has a claimed 110 watts/channel (specs say a fan for active cooling too, but I have never heard it).
Supposedly the Beocenter 9500 was manufactured thru 1993 while the Beosystem 7000 was manufactured thru 1995, so it's possible that you *might* have longer without repairs (fresh capacitors) with a 7000. Also the 9500 is packed in pretty tightly so probably the whole thing runs hotter, which means repairs sooner. If you had available or were willing to switch to a Beocenter 9300, you might luck into one made sometime up thru 2000!
If you must have the system shipped to you, forget the 9500 -- you absolutely *must* pick it up yourself because it's heavy and fragile both, plus the glass plate glue dries out eventually, and nobody ever notices when they pack it up, until it's turned sideways in the box and they slide across the metal. It is *possible* to pack it properly, just not likely.
Playing cd´s the 7000 sounded ´better´ than the 9500 when I compared the two. Better or different is a matter of opinion. The reson for that difference in sound is for other people to explain. Other than that the BL8000 should play exactly the same given that the internal amplifier is not in use. Maybe there are other differences in components or specifications between the two that can explain the difference heard than the speakers. The amplifier is suppose to have higher spec in the Beomaster 7000. I did play a pair of cx-100 just to see if the amplifiers/connections where working in both systems. I would not put any conclusions from that other than that they where working as they should. More heavy driven speakers would be a better test. It´s nice that they are able to be used with both passive and active speakers thou. If amplifiers are needed for high end passive speakers I believe there are better options out there.
Good point mentioned is that the Beocenter 9500 is more friendly to use upfront. The remote i needed for almost everything on the Beosystem 7000. If that is a consideration I would choose the 9500 over the 7000.
This thread needs some photos!
Whilst I can't comment on sound quality comparison as I have never owner a BS7000, I have been very happy with the performance of my BC9500 since purchasing it from Lifestyle in 2008. I have used it with both passive speakers (such as the Grundig Audioramas shown here) and with my BL4000s in a different set up. It has also been used with a mixed MCL/ML setup and had no problems delivering sound to two rooms.
As stated above, I do value the ability to use the front panel for most functions (even setting up daily timers), but tend to use the remote to avoid having to clean finger marks off the front panel.
Perhaps have a think about where the unit will sit in your house - clearly the BS7000 would look out of place on my cabinet below!
Thanks everybody for replying. Actually I own both and have compared the two quite extensively. My result is that the Beosystem sounds better with CD, although the difference is not dramatic. The Beosystem 7000 is clearer, which is particularly noticeable with the highs. However, the Beocenter 9500 quite clearly outperforms the cassette of the Beosystem 7000. All units have recently been fully refurbished and are 100% working. Running out of specs is therefore not an option for an explanation. Technically, many components internally seem to be the same. Therefore I was quite surprised to see the 9500 be quite significantly better with cassette. In fact, the cassette section of the 9500 is the best cassette sound that I have heard with any of my B&O kit.
Looking forward to get to know about what others have experienced.
Hubbe:Playing cd´s the 7000 sounded ´better´ than the 9500 when I compared the two. Better or different is a matter of opinion. The reson for that difference in sound is for other people to explain. Other than that the BL8000 should play exactly the same given that the internal amplifier is not in use. Maybe there are other differences in components or specifications between the two that can explain the difference heard than the speakers.
I am probably unique in my responses here?....
I have a 7000 system owned from new. So now 30 years old? I have no intention on replacing it as every B&O product since then has been inferior. (In my opinion).
if I were wrong I would have replaced it?
it went through Beovox 140’s, Beolab Penta Mk 2, Beolab 9, Beolab 5 and now Beolab 50!
I also bought a Cambridge CD transport. It worked with the Lab 5’s (with certain music) but with the 50’s this machine is obsolete. The CD7000 kills it!
So. I don’t know? I guess the only conclusion Ihave is that...it fends on what speakers you are driving?
trackbeo: You are surely correct: Since the CD players were "packages", probably the DAC changed between generations, even ignoring any signal path differences. I haven't actually looked inside my 7000; my mistake.
You are surely correct: Since the CD players were "packages", probably the DAC changed between generations, even ignoring any signal path differences. I haven't actually looked inside my 7000; my mistake.
That´s alright. It´s just opinions at the end of the day. Many times it´s just placebo effect when we discuss things in the audio field. One of the reasons I bought B&O to start with was people within the high end audio who where never satisfied with what they got. Always trying to improve by changing cables, changing up to the next years model and so on.
From what I understood the Beogram cd 7000 has been built to high standard. You can read more here:
https://www.hifi-advice.com/blog/classics/digital-classics/bang-olufsen-cd-player-classics-cd-7000/
I don´t know about the cd player in the Beosystem 9500.
I think the 9500 used the Philips CDM2 transport with the TDA1541 DAC
the Beogram CD 7000 used a special version of the Philips CDM-4 transport and the TDA-1541A DAC
I have no idea which is better either technically or from a sound perspective - all I can say is that audiophiles gush enthusiastically about the radial arm Philips transports, and there is reverence for these DACs. Note the 9300 in its later versions used Philips linear tracking transports (CDM12) and bitstream DACs and these are less well regarded.
I'm sure they all sound great if you don't worry about it!
I agree fully.
I had a Ouverture system with the Beolab 2500 speakers,and found it to be..less involving.
In the same room I had CD7000 and Beomaster 7000 hooked up with Penta III`s.
I sold the Penta`s before moving,and then hooked the Beolab 2500`s to the 7000 system..
The transparency and level of detail where on totally different level than with the Ouverture,
in fact I liked the Bl2500 better than the Pentas!
Also had a shock experience when driving Revel speakers with a Beomaster 5000
-the preamp/amp section of the 5000-5500-6500-7000 series Beomasters are very,very good indeed.
I would like nothing better than to have a complete brand new 7000 system..
Good thing I have a 6500 cd and Beomaster coming my way!In short-the source and preamp will limit what signals the speakers has to work with,
wether they be active or passive.When it comes to design I think both the 7000 and the 9500 are excellent.
Have had them both - agree what has been said above - the 7000 sounds better but the 9500 is wonderful to use close up and almost as versatile. The Beolink 7000 works with both though the 7000 system does a few more things. I would personally have the 9500 as it is truly beautiful!
Peter
I personally also like the 4500 series a lot. Modular and with many connections on the BeoMaster that drives both labs and voxes. Controllable from the front and packed in an elegant form factor (that started with the BeoMaster 1900).