Beovision 11 or avant

I would like to buy my new beovision 55 inch but I don't know which television to buy. I don't care about UHD, I can't see the difference anyway. Which tv is best?

jabr35:

I would like to buy my new beovision 55 inch but I don't know which television to buy. I don't care about UHD, I can't see the difference anyway. Which tv is best?

I posted this in another thread and succinctly explains my personal decision to order a BV11-55. Haven't yet taken receipt of mine, (next week is going to be exciting).

I didn't care about UHD either, FYI. And I think the BV11 is more "classically B&O" again, my opinion.

If you wanted to just watch SD, I'd say get the original Avant because that's what it's designed for and best at.

If you wanted to just watch HD and a bit of SD I'd say get the 11, because that's what it's designed for and best at.

If you want to watch to watch UHD I'd say get the new Avant.

It's a bit like selecting the right car and engine for the job. I'd personally prefer taking the kids to school in a Fiat 500, because that's what it's geared up for. Once I've dumped them off and picked up the mistress, it's back to 100 mph and the Maserati

Easy answer - Which one do you prefer the look / design of as they are coming from opposite sides of the drawing board. Have a look at them at your B&O boutique and your heart will tell you instantly which one. Always follow your heart never your head in life - that way you'll be happy :) Better still have both installed in your house and you'll instantly know which one! 

Chris Townsend:

If you wanted to just watch SD, I'd say get the original Avant because that's what it's designed for and best at.

So many times my friends (and I as well), were so impressed with the SD picture of the original Avant, still to this day, that is the finest B&O product I have ever had the pleasure to own.

Forget the unbelievably awesome picture, it was and is a quintessential B&O design, built like a tank, and in so many ways the Rolls Royce of televisions! 

I'm not sure guys, you're reminiscing of the best of the old CRT days - in reality they produced high pitched buzzing and were gigantic room swallowing things with to most of today's TV viewers a small screen. You guys are buying 55" TVs - sorry but I'm not over confident that you really would love a 28" or 32" non HD screen. CRT was rather incapable of reproducing verticals and try reading small text on one.

Paul W:

I'm not sure guys, you're reminiscing of the best of the old CRT days - in reality they produced high pitched buzzing and were gigantic room swallowing things with to most of today's TV viewers a small screen. You guys are buying 55" TVs - sorry but I'm not over confident that you really would love a 28" or 32" non HD screen. CRT was rather incapable of reproducing verticals and try reading small text on one.

I've got a BV7_55 HD and still can't read the small print on the SKY adverts!  None of my old Avants made any buzzing noises and yes, the picture quality was amazing.  Certainly my BV5 isn't a patch near it.

The previous comments about looking at them 'in shop' or better still 'at home' is the best advice.

Dave.

Easy. Just ask a store what they buy for display... Avant 55, 75, 85. Why? It's a better b&o product; surprising experience, better sound, enhanced technology, future proof display.

This year 4k kicks off and you don't want to buy a 1080p product today, you'll kick yourself tomorrow.

The picture quality from Sky Hd is outstanding and will only get better. And you can't say the for the bv11.

mawheele:

Easy. Just ask a store what they buy for display... Avant 55, 75, 85. Why? It's a better b&o product; surprising experience, better sound, enhanced technology, future proof display.

This year 4k kicks off and you don't want to buy a 1080p product today, you'll kick yourself tomorrow.

The picture quality from Sky Hd is outstanding and will only get better. And you can't say the for the bv11.

Not entirely true; and then there is the very important question of design — which one looks better.

I wouldn't buy this generation of Avant for the reason of 4K alone, I'd wait a year or two to jump on the 4K bandwagon, and no doubt the Avant Mk II or Mk III will be better by then. On the other hand, for 95% of content today — and in the next year or two — Beovision 11 is a mature product.

My store as more 11 than Avant on display does that make the 11 a better tv then ?

The Avant has all the technology BV11 has and more. So why choose BV11 from a technical standpoint? I agree that BV11 has a design that is very elegant but I also like the design of the Avant, with its moving speakers and slimmer design.

Pros for the Avant:
• Has a center speaker for better dialogue, plus stereo speakers.
• Measures and adjust colors after the light temperature (not only light level).
• 4K screen
• Microphone for measuring sound from all your connected speakers, to allow for the best sound where you are seated and for your room.
• Mounting options (table stand not available on BV11)+stands/mounts are more flexible (turns both direction for wall and floor stand moves "out").
• Web.radio (perhaps on BV11 too?).
• Backside looks way better with aluminum that you easily move to the side to reveal all cables, easy to fit an Apple TV inside + SSD/HDD.
• You can use a regular HDD/SSD to make recordings, no need to pay extra for a built in hard drive.
• Dual tuner built in so you can record one show, and watch another.

KMA:

Not entirely true ; and then there is the very important question of design — which one looks better.

I wouldn't buy this generation of Avant for the reason of 4K alone, I'd wait a year or two to jump on the 4K bandwagon, and no doubt the Avant Mk II or Mk III will be better by then. On the other hand, for 95% of content today — and in the next year or two — Beovision 11 is a mature product.

KMA

Current setup : BeoVision 11-46 with Apple TV, Sony BDP-S790, Mac Mini, BeoLab 11 , BeoPlay A8, Beo5, BeoRemote One . B&O product history since 1991: Ridiculously long to list in a signature.

Of course the Mkii will have improvements. What do you think is missing that makes you suggest people should wait a year?

4k TVs are already highly common from Samsung, Sony etc. the display technology is very mature. The problem is content, content providers and the associated boxes.

BeoGreg:

My store as more 11 than Avant on display does that make the 11 a better tv then ?

Oops. Hope they sort that out soon.

The choice between both TV's won't likely be a pure technical one. The designs are wide apart, with in my view the BV 11 as the set that shows 'art', a real B&O design, while the avant looks more like a 'nomal' TV. 

Technically, the most important difference is the 4K, but at this moment, and presumably for some time to come, 4K is useless, and the HD picture of the 11 looks terrific. Perhaps it is reasonable to expect some new technical developments when the time has come that 4K finally will be mainstream, and then the Avant as we know it now will also be old, with (then) newer designs around.

I have a BV11 on a motorised hinge. An Avant on its very clever floor stand simply would not look right in my particular situation. The hinge suits me because the TV only needs to rotate in one direction to cover all the possible viewing positions.

I have the built-in hard disk which comes with a satellite tuner. You can record and view from two different satellite channels or two different Freeview channels. I haven't got around to exploring motorised dish options, but all broadcasting satellites are already programmed into the BV11 satellite tuner.

Of course, I have no idea whether any of the specificarions have changed with the very latest BV11's.

The new Avant is probably technically superior and has moving speakers which some think of as a gimmick. To my mind, discounting the moving speakers, it looks much more like a standard television than anything B&O have produced in the recent past. Folded flat against the wall the BV11 looks like a work of art.

Graham

The BV11 isn't really B&O design it's MARK ROTHKO art inspired. I believe Loewe have a very similar looking TV on the market too. 

mawheele:

Of course the Mkii will have improvements. What do you think is missing that makes you suggest people should wait a year?

1) More built-in 4K capabilities, once the standards have set (codecs) — such as Netflix and eventually perhaps a 4K capable tuner. Today I use the dual HD tuners with built-in HDD on my BV11, so I can watch TV without external boxes, and I like the TV experience that is completely B&O.

2) Also, I'm still uncertain how many HDMI 2.0 connections with HDCP 2.2 the Avant actually has, after the firmware update. If there is only one fully compliant input, and if we need to rely on external boxes for 4K content (Blu-ray, streaming devices, 4K TV tuners) I'd prefer to have more than one connection for the sources. HDCP 2.2 is important for protected content, and 1 input on a new TV won't be enough with external boxes. (To my understanding, the Avant has only one 2.2 connection: the rest are HDMI 2.0 compliant BUT with only HDCP 1.4.)

More on the matter: http://www.cnet.com/news/hdcp-2-2-what-you-need-to-know/

1 & 2 equals to doubt as to how future proof the Avant actually is right now.

3) Better build quality — there have been a few too many manufacturing issues with the Avant (and its motorized stands). By Mk II, I'm sure these have been ironed out.

4) Also, as panels seem to be having a leap of improvement right now, to comply with new 4K standards, there'll most likely be a better panel in the Avant in a year or two. See for example what is out this year because of 4K: UHD OLED and Quantum Dots, which serve the wider color gamut of future 4K content.

More on the matter: http://www.wired.com/2015/01/primer-quantum-dot/

So in my view, the Avant is too much a Mk I UHD product, especially if you look for something new that is actually future proof beyond 2015/2016.

While I wouldn't like to call it "beta", it has issues similar to beta releases. As usual with B&O, the 2nd generation will be better — and given how fast technology moves on, Mk II will be out sooner than later.

In all fairness, if I was buying my first B&O TV right now, I'd probably try to find a 2nd hand BV11 Mk II. I'd keep it a year or two to see where the Avant (and perhaps BV11) evolves.

As mentioned by many in the industry, if you don't need to buy a new TV right now, don't. Wait for the new models that will be out later this year. In B&O's case, this probably translates to 2016.

Paul W:

The BV11 isn't really B&O design it's MARK ROTHKO art inspired. I believe Loewe have a very similar looking TV on the market too.

I have to disagree. BV11 may be inspired by art (just as BV5/9/10 before it were) but it's very much a B&O design. I just had a good look at a Rothko replica (No. 10, 1950) I have on a wall, and I see no B&O in it. Granted, it has rectangles.

Michael:

Pros for the Avant:

• Has a center speaker for better dialogue, plus stereo speakers.

BV11 has better stereo speakers

44 - 22.800Hz, whereas Avant's bass response starts at 60Hz

Michael:

• Web.radio (perhaps on BV11 too?).

YES, on BV11, too.

Michael:

• Backside looks way better with aluminum that you easily move to the side to reveal all cables, easy to fit an Apple TV inside + SSD/HDD.

The importance of the look of the backside depends on placement . I have Apple TV inside my BV11, and there's plenty of room for another, or a SDD/HDD (but I have HDD built-in).

Michael:

• Dual tuner built in so you can record one show, and watch another.

BV11 has Dual T2/C/S2 tuner, too (might depend on the market).

I kinda like how the BV11 vs. Avant discussion is turning into BV wars, much like iPhone (BV11) vs. Android phones (Avant). (Kidding!)

KMA:

BV11 has better stereo speakers

44 - 22.800Hz, whereas Avant's bass response starts at 60Hz

YES, on BV11, too.

The importance of the look of the backside depends on placement . I have Apple TV inside my BV11, and there's plenty of room for another, or a SDD/HDD (but I have HDD built-in).

BV11 has Dual T2/C/S2 tuner, too (might depend on the market).

I kinda like how the BV11 vs. Avant discussion is turning into BV wars, much like iPhone (BV11) vs. Android phones (Avant). (Kidding!)

KMA

Current setup : BeoVision 11-46 with Apple TV, Sony BDP-S790, Mac Mini, BeoLab 11 , BeoPlay A8, Beo5, BeoRemote One . B&O product history since 1991: Ridiculously long to list in a signature.

You can't add a usb hard drive for recording to bv11. My friends bv11 (updated) does not have webradio (just web media). The BV11 speakers are inferior for a surround setup. The fact that the bass might go deeper makes no difference for me since I use beolab 9s too.. And the bv11 bad goes to 44hz, probably but not on a high volume just playing low. Turn it up and I think avant sounds better (my experience).

B&O speakers use ABL so hz comparison really doesn't mean -anything-.

The bv11 without built in hdd has only one tuner.

The BV 11 does not have net radio, only Avant has that options :-(

- Hope to see an update to adds this feature, but I am no longer holding my breath.

KMA,

I have to respond to some of your points, because they will mis-inform others. As has been said many times, Netflix HEVC onboard is a non-issue since you'll derive this from an external box anyhow. And yes, 4K terrestrial tuners may be needed someday, but the likelihood for all of us is extremely low as the bandwidth required will likely push us to taking this content over IP.

We have to stop thinking about TV's like we have in the past. Its far better to put the rapid changing technology outside of the screen.

Your points about having multiple ports at 4K would make it more future-proof, I agree.

On the build quality - as everyone knows, some of the first buyers experienced some screen issues. B&O were outstanding and replaced these immediately. The issues were done and closed in 12 weeks. I wouldn't touch a BV11- do you remember the screen fogging issues? But you bought one. Quality is outstanding and its B&O's best selling TV - move on.

 

 

KMA,

I have to respond to some of your points, because they will mis-inform others. As has been said many times, Netflix HEVC onboard is a non-issue since you'll derive this from an external box anyhow. And yes, 4K terrestrial tuners may be needed someday, but the likelihood for all of us is extremely low as the bandwidth required will likely push us to taking this content over IP.

We have to stop thinking about TV's like we have in the past. Its far better to put the rapid changing technology outside of the screen.

Your points about having multiple ports at 4K would make it more future-proof, I agree.

On the build quality - as everyone knows, some of the first buyers experienced some screen issues. B&O were outstanding and replaced these immediately. The issues were done and closed in 12 weeks. I wouldn't touch a BV11- do you remember the screen fogging issues? But you bought one. Quality is outstanding and its B&O's best selling TV - move on.

 

 

If you want (maybe the last) Struer made tv...BV11.

Think you for the replies. I Will try out the BV 11 and Avant in the shop today.

Please let us all know what you think of the two tv's.

Michael:

You can't add a usb hard drive for recording to bv11. My friends bv11 (updated) does not have webradio (just web media). The BV11 speakers are inferior for a surround setup. The fact that the bass might go deeper makes no difference for me since I use beolab 9s too.. And the bv11 bad goes to 44hz, probably but not on a high volume just playing low. Turn it up and I think avant sounds better (my experience).

B&O speakers use ABL so hz comparison really doesn't mean -anything-.

The bv11 without built in hdd has only one tuner.

You're right: I checked that the BV11 has "Radio", which lets me listen to broadcast radio available through cable broadcasters. My mistake; Webradio is a different source.

As for sound quality, when using only the TV's speakers, I do find the BV11 has better sound for example for music. As you point out, the case may very well be different with different setups. I was merely comparing the TVs, Avant vs. BV11.

mawheele:

On the build quality - as everyone knows, some of the first buyers experienced some screen issues. B&O were outstanding and replaced these immediately. The issues were done and closed in 12 weeks. I wouldn't touch a BV11- do you remember the screen fogging issues? But you bought one. Quality is outstanding and its B&O's best selling TV - move on.

There is a case of an Avant with faulty (smudged) glass being replaced with another Avant, which has another issue with its front glass. Not that reassuring, as the new issue was also confirmed by another Avant buyer.

Then there were the reported issues with noisy / defective movement of the speakers, and the same with the floor stand. And a case of the table stand failing.

B&O has addressed and will address all the issues in a superb manner, as always. Yet it does not mean that the issues do not exist, and they should not exist in a premium TV at all. I love B&O, and if anything, I've been surprised by the issues with Avant. Best selling or not — I've been given enough reasons on Beoworld alone to steer away from the Mk I.

As for moving on, dismissive / condescending remarks are not very polite. I'll be upgrading to a new Beovision, a 4K model, when what I see as shortcomings have been resolved. In the time being, I'll enjoy a superbly performing BV11 and its very fine design & finish.

Maybe I'm coming at this from a very different perspective. That is to say, many folks who jumped on the Avant were folks with a long and continuous history with B&O, they upgraded from another B&O television, it was almost as simple as removing one component in their BeoLives and welcoming a replacement.

I, on the other hand was a recovering Beophile, that is to say, had almost no B&O for years, and considering a new television, a B&O Television, no less, meant that I would need to basically start from scratch again. (As I'm packing my current receiver and speakers to post on eBay and Craigslist hoping for a decent buyer to give them a nice home, when my Beovision 11 arrives). 

As a BeoPhile Mark II, I was considering much more than just latest and greatest. Design, reliability, bulletproof-ness of the build quality and technology were all considerations my wife and I discussed -- well, I discussed, she was likely paying attention to something else. Cautiously, I also considered that more actual moving parts means more chances for a fault, something breaking. I didn't want my new plunge into B&O to be one I'd regret. Now, mind you, I tried out both televisions in multiple dealers.

I don't claim to say that the BV11 is better than the Avant, nor do I think the Avant is better than the BV11, they both have their advantages, but it all comes down to what the user will value.

My wife and I value something we can buy and it looks good, and will function well for years, we don't have to fiddle with it, don't have to be concerned with moving it, etc. (ie. stand positions)... As for 4K, we don't care. We're happy and will be happy with our lowly 1080p (which will still kick the ass of any other non B&O TV in it's class).

In then end we're receiving a Beovision 11 next week. We were moved by the design, build quality, ease of use, sound, modularity (ie. we can change the speaker grill to different colors should we want to). Heck, if we wanted to we could at a likely significant cost, change the frame from our ordered black to silver if we wanted to as well. And we valued the fact that we wouldn't have to be worried about some of the issues that MkI avant users have posted here as well. 

We're the boring people who wanted to buy something which used established technology, pushed to perfection.

That's what I was going to say.

If I didn't had a BV11 today I will go for it because I prefer the look and picture quality and sound are just superb.

Having a BV11 after a BV10 (same design) my mind is attracted by the new toy (ie Avant) but, I'm still reluctant to buy it.

I'm impressed by the Avant speakers figures on paper (480 watts !) but less when listening to it in the shop.

The BV11 as "only" 192 watts but you should see the smile on my face each time I look at an action movie ! Incredible.

Sal:

 

I don't claim to say that the BV11 is better than the Avant, nor do I think the Avant is better than the BV11, they both have their advantages, but it all comes down to what the user will value.

My wife and I value something we can buy and it looks good, and will function well for years, we don't have to fiddle with it, don't have to be concerned with moving it, etc. (ie. stand positions)... As for 4K, we don't care. We're happy and will be happy with our lowly 1080p (which will still kick the ass of any other non B&O TV in it's class).

In then end we're receiving a Beovision 11 next week. We were moved by the design, build quality, ease of use, sound, modularity (ie. we can change the speaker grill to different colors should we want to). Heck, if we wanted to we could at a likely significant cost, change the frame from our ordered black to silver if we wanted to as well. And we valued the fact that we wouldn't have to be worried about some of the issues that MkI avant users have posted here as well. 

I just ordered a BV11-55 for exactly the same reason. We currently have a BV10-46 hooked up to two BL6000. The new one will replace the 10. 

It took us since May 8th last year to decide and the 11 is simply the right combination between design (and context), and tech, for us of course. Yes it's not 4K but I'm not too concerned either..

I will pick it up in Italy (with the new EUR/CHF rate, the deduction of the Italian VAT and the additional CH VAT it still cheaper by the thousands, including renting a van for the day... sorry Swiss dealers you need to bang on B&O's door to implement VAT-based pricing..).

I hope I will be able to setup the easel stand by myself - the instructions make it seem pretty easy :)

My wife and I went to the local B&O shop yesterday to compare the BV 11 and Avant. In our opinion, the two TV's are very identical in sound and picture quality when using a 1080p source. We tested the time it takes for the TV's to start YouTube app and the it seemed that BV11 was ready with YouTube app before Avant. It is not important for me to have a TV and speakers that move. 

Great choice Jabr35! 

After experiencing the constant disappointment of pure unreliability with the sliding glass door on my Century, i'd never consider those moving speaker things on the Avant. The Avant is a TV. The BV11 is a timeless design classic. You won't be disappointed.

Marcello:

I hope I will be able to setup the easel stand by myself - the instructions make it seem pretty easy :)

Congrats on the purchase!

I'm setting it up myself as well. Though, I have a friend on standby if I can't get the TV atop the styrofoam to insert the two feet by myself. Good luck, and please post pictures of your setup.

Sal... Mine came in today!

It's incredible. Pardon my mess.

mjmedlo:

Sal... Mine came in today!

It's incredible. Pardon my mess.

Mine is set to come in later this week, the easel stand is being delivered via separate carrier, so hopefully I'll have pictures soon... and forget about the mess, that television classes up any living room. Congratulations!

I'd love to see the entire setup with those sweet Lab 1's when you get a chance.

 

Hi

Does anyone know if the new software update added any new features to the BV 11?

I worked at a B&O location that for eight hours a day I could compare the two pictures and sound. I would personally purchase the BV11 over the avant. I think the sound on the bv11 is better as a center channel,  the extra speakers on the avant are useless if you have additional surround sound speakers. I am of the belief that products with moving parts will become a liability over time. Wall mounted there is no question the bv11 looks better on the wall, it is sits much closer to flush versus the avant. I also prefer the bv 11 floor stand's cable management. But i would not get the bv11 d model, thats at least what the call it in the us, it does not have a usb port in the top panel any longer and I dont like the magnetic grills, at the magnet locations they collect dust and ruin the grill cloth if you go for a lighter color. It will be many years before the broadcast tv companies have the infastructure to show 4k content. But thats just my humble opinion. 

@rams. What specific features are you looking for?

It has everything but n. Radio now.

mjmedlo:

@rams. What specific features are you looking for?

It has everything but n. Radio now.

I am missing the n.Radio