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The new Beoplay S8... Not sure what to say.

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Rob - Danish AV
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Rob - Danish AV Posted: Thu, Aug 21 2014 9:36 AM

So I have just seen on Facebook via the Beoplay page.. The new S8 speaker system...

 

it it looks like a Beolab 14 with 2 speakers and a sub!

 

http://www.beoplay.com/products/beoplays8

 

i'll let everyone give their thoughts on this but I don't really know what to say about it!

mbee
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mbee replied on Thu, Aug 21 2014 9:45 AM

It's a BeoPlay product, they use the word "streaming" in the presentation.

I'm disapointed that the connections are only line in + Powerlink, and that there is no straming device embedded for Airplay+DLNA, like an A9 for example. For me it's a product positioning mistake.

Rob - Danish AV
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I have just compared specs between the 2 systems. It all seems identical to the BL14 but the S8 has outputs for 2 speakers?(still the same 6 amps..) It Has 3.5mm, RCA and powerlink inputs..

 

Millemissen
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Have a look at the price Smile

If you like the sub/sat sound, this is all you need for a music system/streaming device/small tv.

Why did they wait that long for this version to be launched?

N.B. You could simply use the sub (alone) as sub in a 5.1 setup.

MM

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Jonathan
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Jonathan replied on Thu, Aug 21 2014 10:47 AM

I feel like we've been a little cheated as it's not really a new product. BUT, it's cheap! Yes - thumbs up

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Mark
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Mark replied on Thu, Aug 21 2014 10:53 AM

very Mac Pro in looks too ...

I like the idea and price point

we tend to forget there is more to design than designing.

Mikael
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Mikael replied on Thu, Aug 21 2014 11:26 AM

The technical specifications states that it only has 2 amps for satellite speakers.

So in short: It's an amputated Beolab 14 in Black.

Price point is very interesting though! 40% cheaper than the A9. Hard to compare the two systems, as the S8 is meant to be an add-on for your television, and double as a speakers FOR a music system. It can't stand on its own.

The only problem for me is that it makes the Beolab 14 look ridiculously expensive! Essentially its double the price for the ability to add 2-3 extra speakers.

 

Beovision Eclipse gen2 (GX) w/ floorstand, Beolab 14.2, 4 speaker Shape and ATV4/Chromecast.

Beoplay A9mk4 GVA, Beosound 1 GVA, H2, H3, H8, E6, Beoplay EQ

Paul W
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Paul W replied on Thu, Aug 21 2014 11:52 AM

I think you're maybe missing the point here guys. Is this not aimed at the young generation who connect speakers and sub to their laptops? Since 2002, the majority of people that I know seen too be listening in this way so this could be a great market. Quite whether they'd spend as much as £1000, I'm not sure - a £200 amp with B&W CM1's would blow the system away.

I do wish them well with it though!

Millemissen
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Sure the S8 is aimed at 'the young generation' (whatever that is). That is the reason for it being a BeoPlay product, which will be sold through the new BeoPlay channels.

But it might be interesting to the 'common B&O user' as well - or at least to those, who are willing to have a fresh look at their setup.

As I already wrote above, it might be used as a subwoofer for a 'normal' B&O/BV 5.1/7.1 setup - just let the satellites away! You could call that a budget solution, but certainly not a bad one.

When I look at the connections of the S8, I can imagine, that it could be used for the Avant as well - for those who don't want/want to invest in a big setup.

The Avant has a center and the front channels built in as well. You would only need a subwoofer and a set of rear speakers to make a slim 5.1 setup!

Connecting the sub to the Avant should not be the problem.

As I see it you have 2 separate PL connections for sub and satellites.

If you configure the satellites as rear speakers in the setup menu (of the Avant), it must be possible to use these as rears.

Have a look at the drawing - am I right?

MM

 

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Jonathan
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Jonathan replied on Thu, Aug 21 2014 12:17 PM

seriously? Another negative post?? Why are you here if you hate B&O?

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Puncher
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Puncher replied on Thu, Aug 21 2014 1:38 PM

Paul W:

I think you're maybe missing the point here guys. Is this not aimed at the young generation who connect speakers and sub to their laptops? Since 2002, the majority of people that I know seen too be listening in this way so this could be a great market. Quite whether they'd spend as much as £1000, I'm not sure - a £200 amp with B&W CM1's would blow the system away.

I do wish them well with it though!

Isn't there a forum for the younger generation B&W fans that you could post on instead of here?

Ban boring signatures!

vikinger
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vikinger replied on Thu, Aug 21 2014 1:47 PM

Puncher:

Paul W:

I think you're maybe missing the point here guys. Is this not aimed at the young generation who connect speakers and sub to their laptops? Since 2002, the majority of people that I know seen too be listening in this way so this could be a great market. Quite whether they'd spend as much as £1000, I'm not sure - a £200 amp with B&W CM1's would blow the system away.

I do wish them well with it though!

 

Isn't there a forum for the younger generation B&W fans that you could post on instead of here?

After all, this is the pipe and slippers forum.

Graham

markiedee
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markiedee replied on Thu, Aug 21 2014 1:55 PM

I'm going to be a little bit honest in saying that i feel cheated, only in the sense that it really is a beolab 14 2.1 in black.

when I brought my speakers i said to the salesmen that if B&O did the beolab14 in black or even the option to have it as an additional colour it would have been my preferred choice.

I was then told that because of production and costs that they wouldn't do that, and look we have the S8.

I think it looks so much better in the black and looks exactly how i envisioned that they would look in a different colour.

however i really do love my beolab14s and don't regret buying them however if I knew about the S8 then I would of held off.

Beoplay A2

vikinger
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vikinger replied on Thu, Aug 21 2014 1:58 PM

Paul W:

..........a £200 amp with B&W CM1's would blow the system away.

I do wish them well with it though!

Like the guy who has built a DIY kit car and can claim that it's better than a Rolls or Bentley on any individual specification point.

But overall it's actually a pile of cr*p in comparison when the car is looked at as a whole.

Graham

Millemissen
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vikinger:

After all, this is the pipe and slippers forum.

Graham

You'll take the slippers, I'll take the pipe 💨

MM

There is a tv - and there is a BV

moxxey
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moxxey replied on Thu, Aug 21 2014 2:32 PM

Millemissen:

Connecting the sub to the Avant should not be the problem.

I haven't read through the specs in any detail, but am I right in saying I could use the S8 sub with the Avant, replacing the BL11, then use the satellites as rears?

WISA-driven?

mr_anders_son
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I have order a set today to have with my BV8-32 in master bedroom...will arrive 3/9Smile

BeoVision Haermony 65"...BeoLab 28 Anthracite....BeoLab 17 as REAR....BV10-32....BC6-26....Beosound 9000....Beosound 1 New York edt....Beogram 4002....Beoplay Emerge....Beoplay M5....Beoplay M3....Beoremote Halo....BeoRemote One BT....Beo6....Beo4....Beo4 Cinema....BeoLink 7000....Serene....H95 Black LTD....H9i Rimowa....6 x H6....Form 1....U70...

olvisab
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olvisab replied on Thu, Aug 21 2014 6:13 PM
I own a bl14 mostly used as a sub and fortunately bought secondhand for a very bargain price.

What's surprising me is that it is a copy of a bl14 (bang olufsen range) whereas it is a beoplay products.

It is really a mess if they use the design in both range. It is a pity as the beoplay range began to have some personality.

Like some beoforumers I always thought they should launch a sub version of the bl14 as it is a really good sub that you can adapt to your needs.

As it has only 3 amps built in, Considering the price as think it is a really good product for second room where a 5.1 is not needed or like MM said as a sub for a tv.

The bl14 in white can be hide easily compared to the black one, I don't think it is an improvment in black.

4 beolab 5,  beolab 9, beolab 10, beolab 5000, beolab 8000 mk2, beolab 6002, beolab 3500, beovision 7 55 mk2,  2 beovision 11 46 mk4, beotime, beosound ouverture, beosound essence, beoplay A8, beomaster 900 RG de luxe and the collection continues...

olvisab
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olvisab replied on Thu, Aug 21 2014 6:18 PM
moxxey:

I haven't read through the specs in any detail, but am I right in saying I could use the S8 sub with the Avant, replacing the BL11, then use the satellites as rears?

WISA-driven?

If it works like the bl14, you can use the sat as rears if you send the rear channel to it from the avant or any other b&o tv. I have used this kind of setting with rears bang olufsen Iws 2000 in walls speakers.

4 beolab 5,  beolab 9, beolab 10, beolab 5000, beolab 8000 mk2, beolab 6002, beolab 3500, beovision 7 55 mk2,  2 beovision 11 46 mk4, beotime, beosound ouverture, beosound essence, beoplay A8, beomaster 900 RG de luxe and the collection continues...

Millemissen
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I guess you did see my post on page one - the one with the connection-pic.

MM

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Millemissen
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In the end it might turn out, that the BL14-subunit and the S8-subunit are exactly the same (apart from the colour) - the only difference being the software!

 

MM

There is a tv - and there is a BV

elephant
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elephant replied on Thu, Aug 21 2014 8:48 PM
mr_anders_son:

I have order a set today to have with my BV8-32 in master bedroom...will arrive 3/9 BeoVision 11-55....BeoLab 14 4.1....BL 6000....BV8-32....BV6-26....Beo4....Beo4 Cinema....BeoLink 7000....Serene....BeoSound Ouverture....BeoGram 4500....H6....Form 1....U70....BeoLit 600...

Before and after pictures and an Audio report would be greatly appreciated !

BeoNut since '75

Rob - Danish AV
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It Looks like the website is a working progress. this part has been half updated.. now says 3 amps, but still the half a dozen reference..ConfusedConfused

 

AMPLIFIERS

“Half a dozen reasons”

Despite its compact size, there are 3 powerful class-D amplifiers in here! And they certainly deliver on Wattage - 2 x 140 W for the satellite speakers and 1 x 280 for the subwoofer.

BeoMegaMan
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BeoMegaMan replied on Fri, Aug 22 2014 12:09 AM
The BL14 2.1 and S8 are identical except color and branding. The S8 will only ever support 2.1. The black is lent only to the S8 with the thought that very few 2.1 systems are wall mounted. The black color lends itself better for setting in/on existing furniture. The BL14 is positioned to grow with the end user and at it's heart has always been a 5.1/4.1 concept to attach to non & B&O equipment. By the way the 14 kit has undergone a price drop as well to be competitive with the S8 offering now. All 3 variants.

Ah, you know... A little B&O here, a little there 

BeoBoy68
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BeoBoy68 replied on Fri, Aug 22 2014 3:53 AM
mbee:

It's a BeoPlay product, they use the word "streaming" in the presentation.

I'm disapointed that the connections are only line in + Powerlink, and that there is no straming device embedded for Airplay+DLNA, like an A9 for example. For me it's a product positioning mistake.

diisign.com

Completely agree.

+

Satellites are not wireless.

Limited customers edition ...

No - thumbs down
mbee
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mbee replied on Fri, Aug 22 2014 7:05 AM

I'm not sure there is so much difference price wise between S8 and BL14 : if you look carefully, you can see that there is a new "invisible" table stand (only a round thing where the satellite stands), whereas the smallest table stand for bl14 was an aluminum pedestal with a brushed aluminum disc and a 20cm pole. Replacing one by the other can lower the price point... Unless the price of bl14 was only with wall bracket.

Chris
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Chris replied on Fri, Aug 22 2014 8:02 AM

A] No streaming device embedded.

B] No wireless satellites.

BnO missed a great opportunity to sell a product aimed at a new market of young customers and family's, who are in search for a better sounding and design-wise good looking audio/video system. Now, for the average customer it will be no more as a ordinary speaker-system with a greater price tag if comparing this to other brands.

I know the price would go up with my points, but still... My meaning is it could have been a great complete entry system for BnO.

"Believe nothing you read and only half of what you see, let your ears tell you the truth."

olvisab
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olvisab replied on Fri, Aug 22 2014 8:57 AM
Again, I don't understand, after the bang olufsen beosound 8 without airplay, we have now the beoplay A8 with airplay.

If you always want a more performing beoplay product than a pure bang olufsen product, then this will not serve the main brand and its image.

I will wait the beoplay avant without the center speaker (you see what I mean MM Whistle).

4 beolab 5,  beolab 9, beolab 10, beolab 5000, beolab 8000 mk2, beolab 6002, beolab 3500, beovision 7 55 mk2,  2 beovision 11 46 mk4, beotime, beosound ouverture, beosound essence, beoplay A8, beomaster 900 RG de luxe and the collection continues...

expoman
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expoman replied on Fri, Aug 22 2014 3:50 PM

BeoMegaMan:
The BL14 2.1 and S8 are identical except color and branding. The S8 will only ever support 2.1. The black is lent only to the S8 with the thought that very few 2.1 systems are wall mounted. The black color lends itself better for setting in/on existing furniture. The BL14 is positioned to grow with the end user and at it's heart has always been a 5.1/4.1 concept to attach to non & B&O equipment. By the way the 14 kit has undergone a price drop as well to be competitive with the S8 offering now. All 3 variants.

Could this mainly be an effort to breath life into a product that's sales have not been as good as expected.  I'm sure this design included some very high development costs and this would spread those costs over more units if it sells?  I imagine they expected this product to sell in the quantities that the other "B" brand sells.

Millemissen
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Why so negative?

If you don't like it - it's ok.

I suppose it will sell well - especially at that price point.

MM

There is a tv - and there is a BV

w5bno123
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w5bno123 replied on Fri, Aug 22 2014 4:30 PM
I think this is a welcome addition to the portfolio and at a very attractive price point for B&O Play.

The sample is due in next week and we will be setting it up on the B&O Play wall and connect it to the V1 40.

A 2.1 system of this size is a very attractive proposition for London apartment living spaces. We will welcome S8 and embrace them Big Smile
Jeff
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Jeff replied on Fri, Aug 22 2014 5:16 PM

A B&O answer to the Bose Acoustimess systems. Seeing as how a lot of  people want those type of systems as they are minimally visually invasive, this seems like a good idea. Of course time will tell if they sell. And I can guarantee without hearing it this will sound better than the Bose alternative, those Acoustimass modules are dreadfull, very poor transient response and damping, at least this has a "normal" bass reflex sub.

Jeff

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Chris Townsend
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And all for the same price of a 10 year old Beolab 2. Having simple shelf stands was a good idea too.

Beosound Stage, Beovision 8-40, Beolit 20, Beosound Explore.

StUrrock
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StUrrock replied on Fri, Aug 22 2014 10:12 PM
Millemissen:

Why so negative?

If you don't like it - it's ok.

I suppose it will sell well - especially at that price point.

MM

There is a tv - and there is a BV.

In 12 months time the S8 will be half the price being sold in Costco if it follows the trend of previous BeoPlay speaker offerings, think I'll wait!!

In order to lift B&Os profile the answer is obvious, according to my MBA professor.

BeoPlay needs a Sub Brand Stick out tongue

Millemissen
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Where are the people, that used to complain about B&O being too expensive?

MM

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StUrrock
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StUrrock replied on Fri, Aug 22 2014 10:16 PM
Millemissen:

Where are the people, that used to complain about B&O being too expensive?

MM

There is a tv - and there is a BV.

They don't shop at B&O shops anymore.
Beoberg
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Beoberg replied on Fri, Aug 22 2014 10:20 PM

I think it is a fantastic addition to the B&O Play range. Come on, guys; where is the love?! A fantastic sounding 2.1 system at a mere price of 8.999,- DKK! I am personally thinking of adding this prudukt as rear speakers and supporting sub for my existing 3.0 system. It is indeed a steal!

BeoVision Eclipse 55, BeoPlay S8 (sub+rears), BeoPlay A9 MKII (living room), BeoVision Avant 32 DVD (retro gaming, basement), BeoLab 4000 (entertainment room, basement), BeoSound 8 (workshop), 2x BeoPlay S3 (PC), BeoPlay A1, BeoPlay H2/H3 (on the go)

kimchr
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kimchr replied on Sat, Aug 23 2014 7:18 AM

This is a game changer - in combination with the Avant.

Until now when you considered a Beovision the higher price was justified with built in "surround processor" as one thing. However, as a new B&O customer, you would have to shed out the same amount or even more than the TV to have at least 4 additional speakers just to have a minimal surround setup. This was really not an obvious deal to all but existing B&O customers who already have some speakers.

With the Avant you already have 3.0 audio. An inexpensive 2.1 set will now give you 5.1.

Later when you are hooked, add a pair of front speakers and use the Avant speakers as 1 center channel.

An upgrade path with small steps like this is so important for new customers.

I am so pleased with this. I think the power of BS4 becomes so much more obvious and available. That is well deserved.

 

Millemissen
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That is exactly what I intended to say in my post on page one.

Hopefully the dealers will actively promote this set - for costumers who want to make their first steps into the 5.1 world.

This might even generate more sales in the B&O shops.

I am sure - as kimchr wrote - that some of those costumers will return some day for an upgraded setup.

MM

There is a tv - and there is a BV

PhilLondon
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Unfortunately, there is only one power link socket on this set. So if you use it as rear speakers, the sub will only get the base that are directed to the rear.

Beoworld app with direct photo upload and emoticons.

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