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This is the second Archived Forum which was active between 1st March 2012 and 23rd February 2022

 

Beolit 12 or Beolit 15

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Chris_Nias
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Chris_Nias Posted: Mon, Mar 16 2015 8:10 AM

Hi...

I am confused to choose between Beolit 12 and Beolit 15. Which one better for audiophile quality?

May someone can help to explain how about character both of the speaker? 

I am looking and like for detail and thick vocal.

I ask this because i can't try this speaker, i live in small town in Indonesia. Sorry abou my english.

Thx,

Christian

leosgonewild
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Non of them are audiophile quality. But I would recommend the 15. I sold my 12 in order to get the 15, and after listening at the store, I don't regret it.

But you will get different opinions here.

"You think we can slap some oak on this thing?"

Chris_Nias
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Is there a small speaker, portable, bluetooth, especially B&O have audiophile quality?

leosgonewild
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In my opinion what you are looking for do not exist. I would rather suggest head-fi, if you want "audiophile".

But the sound is very good from the 15. The A2 would disappoint you.

A pair of used Beolab 4000 would be better than the 15 for you, maybe?

"You think we can slap some oak on this thing?"

Dave Farr
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Dave Farr replied on Mon, Mar 16 2015 8:59 AM

Your English is great, don't worry about it.  I envy you being at least Bilingual.

As to your question.  I'm not convinced that any 'small speaker' will be truly audiophile quality (however that is defined?).

The Beolit 12 is not Bluetooth capable, it is Airplay and some can only fully use it if hardwired to their device - seems to be heavily dependant on wi-fi source.

If you want a portable Bluetooth device, you have either the Beolit 15 - which curently seems to have some build issues (see other threads here), or, the smaller A2.

I love my A2 and when it's in the right position - such as under a low sloped ceiling in my bathroom, it is fantastic.  Clear trebles, powerful bass.  Free standing in the middle of a room, less so.  But overall, I think it's a real winner and I've had connectivity to my iPad at over 70 metres with no drop outs.  For me, the sound is fantastic but also dependant on the quality of the file being streamed.  Others have differing points of view on the A2.

For the Beolit 12 (Airplay), Luxus Sound seem to have the cheapest offers.  Similarly for the Beolit 12 (399 €) but you can find them cheaper from a non-B&O official source.  The A2 is about 249 GBP.

The A2 will have a shorter battery life than the Beolit 15 but the Beolit 15 is obviously much bigger/heavier etc.

Dave.

Dave Farr
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Dave Farr replied on Mon, Mar 16 2015 9:01 AM

leosgonewild:
A pair of used Beolab 4000 would be better than the 15 for you, maybe?

I don't think BL4000's are very portable though!  he wants a portable device.  I agree that the BL4000's are fantastic for home use though.

I don't agree about being disappointed by the A2.  Everyone who has listened to mine has gone and bought one.

Dave.

Mark
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Mark replied on Mon, Mar 16 2015 9:02 AM

leosgonewild is correct, I use mine more for ambient and background music and would say you would struggle to find audiophile quality at this portable size....

maybe left field it and go for a BeoCentury, the sound quality is impeccable coupled with a great design look and is semi portable

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

leosgonewild
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My bad. I missed the portable in the question.

 

"You think we can slap some oak on this thing?"

Aussie Michael
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Chris_Nias:

Hi...

I am confused to choose between Beolit 12 and Beolit 15. Which one better for audiophile quality?

May someone can help to explain how about character both of the speaker?

I am looking and like for detail and thick vocal.

I ask this because i can't try this speaker, i live in small town in Indonesia. Sorry abou my english.

Thx,

Christian

Hi.

I'm thinking of selling my bL12 for a BL15 because of the Bluetooth. I find that with the BL12 it is far superior in sound than the A2 which is still good.

For an apartment and if it's the only device and you don't need to take it outside etc then I would go with an A8. I loved my Beosound 8 although I didn't use it much it sounded great. I would have used it more if it had built in AirPlay.

But in answer to your question I would pick a BL15 over a 12 because of the tech and the 360 sound.

If you have the room you could even go for the updated a9
Dave Farr
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Dave Farr replied on Mon, Mar 16 2015 11:11 AM

Aussie Michael:
If you have the room you could even go for the updated a9

But again, the A9 is not portable which is what he specifically wants.

Dave.

Paul W
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Paul W replied on Mon, Mar 16 2015 1:24 PM

TOTALLY agree with Michael, an A8 would be perfect. I think that you'd like the sound. Treble is better on it then the BeoLit 12 with slightly more bass.

As I mentioned on a previous thread, it's possible that a MKIII with Bluetooth could be on its way!

It's also a beautiful design. I hope that gives you some inspiration Chris. By the way, Indonesia is so beautiful and the people are great. Truly one of my favourite surfing spots :)

TWG
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TWG replied on Mon, Mar 16 2015 3:41 PM

If you want Bluetooth, a very good option would be to buy the Beolit 12 plus a small APT-X capable Bluetoothreceiver. The Bluetoothreceiver could be stowed away behind the flap of the Beolit 12, feed its Line-In-Jack and can be powered from the Beolit 12 USB port.

This way you have both: Airplay + Bluetooth and you can at least adjust the Volume with a Beo 4 if you like to. :)

The Harman Kardon BTA 10 could be used as he receives power through a mini USB cable. It can store up to 8 Bluetooth devices.

leosgonewild
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TWG:

If you want Bluetooth, a very good option would be to buy the Beolit 12 plus a small APT-X capable Bluetoothreceiver. The Bluetoothreceiver could be stowed away behind the flap of the Beolit 12, feed its Line-In-Jack and can be powered from the Beolit 12 USB port.

This way you have both: Airplay + Bluetooth and you can at least adjust the Volume with a Beo 4 if you like to. :)

The Harman Kardon BTA 10 could be used as he receives power through a mini USB cable. It can store up to 8 Bluetooth devices.

I did this because I wanted to have ariplay and bluetooth. But it is wuite a lot of hassel to keep turning on the BL12, then the bluetooth adapter, and also making sure it is charged. Also you have to concider the quality of the bluetooth adapter. 

Unless one is using multiple airplay-speakers through itunes or airfoil at the same time, there is no real use for airplay.

Is there anyone that actually plays the same music in multiple rooms? I like the idea, but I never do it at home.

"You think we can slap some oak on this thing?"

BeoBoy68
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BeoBoy68 replied on Tue, Mar 17 2015 12:35 AM
@ Chris_Nias

Take the BeoLit 12. Yes - thumbs up

It sounds clear, neutral and more powerfull. You can use a BeoTime remote and wake up with it.

If you are looking for a new in white contact me by private email.

crossbytje
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leosgonewild:

Unless one is using multiple airplay-speakers through itunes or airfoil at the same time, there is no real use for airplay.

Is there anyone that actually plays the same music in multiple rooms? I like the idea, but I never do it at home.

I do this quite often, I have a surround system around the sofa area, which is part of one large room that also has the dining table and annex kitchen. When dining with friends, music plays through the surround, but sitting around the dining table, it basically comes from one side. I then put the Beolit 12 on the other side, so the music feels more balanced throughout the space.

The nice thing is that itunes remembers it was playing multiple speakers, and as soon as the Beolit comes online, it automatically picks up the music. (I have itunes on an old macbook which is constantly on. It is not constantly playing, but if it is playing in the living room, it automatically joins the Beolit. If it is not playing, all I have to do is start the itunes remote app on my phone and press play. Another advantage is that it is not playing via my phone, thus not draining batteries, and it has a steady connection (which is not the case when you are walking around with the phone in your pocket.)

I do wonder however, if the same thing could be done through bluetooth, anyone knows whether itunes can play through wired speakers and a bluetooth set simultaneously? (Anyway, the Beolit is mostly at least 10m away from the macbook, so bluetooth is probably not an option?)

Beolit 12 - Beolab 4 pc (dead now) - Beoplay H5 - Beolab 9 - BeoRemote One BT - Beoplay M3

steinzeug
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steinzeug replied on Fri, Apr 10 2015 3:45 PM

I have both the Beolit 12 and the 15. I sent the 15 back, and got a second beolit 12. The sound on the 15 had lost the all the fantastic warmth of the Beolit 12, so even with the flakey wifi connection and the battery issue, for sound the Beolit is much better, and the beolit 12s sweetspot is really fantastic, the 15 was trying too hard and failing.

Go ahead and buy at Beolit 12 now that they are droppng in price!

When it comes to multipel speakers, its a great extra, I don´t user it often but its really good to have aroudn the house. I just wish that there ws some way to play left channel in one speak and right in the other, that would make a pair of beolits incredible as a stereo system, and would compete with Sonos! but I suppose B&O would be too scared of doing that as it would sound better than some of their other systems too. Wish someone had a solution for that! 

steinzeug
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steinzeug replied on Fri, Apr 10 2015 3:45 PM

I have both the Beolit 12 and the 15. I sent the 15 back, and got a second beolit 12. The sound on the 15 had lost the all the fantastic warmth of the Beolit 12, so even with the flakey wifi connection and the battery issue, for sound the Beolit is much better, and the beolit 12s sweetspot is really fantastic, the 15 was trying too hard and failing. Go ahead and buy at Beolit 12 now that they are droppng in price!

When it comes to multipel speakers, its a great extra, I don´t user it often but its really good to have aroudn the house. I just wish that there ws some way to play left channel in one speak and right in the other, that would make a pair of beolits incredible as a stereo system, and would compete with Sonos! but I suppose B&O would be too scared of doing that as it would sound better than some of their other systems too. Wish someone had a solution for that! 

Jeff
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Jeff replied on Fri, Apr 10 2015 4:48 PM

Interesting, been over a year since I've heard a Beolit 12, but I visited my dealer (only one in the state, about an hour and a half away) this past week and walked out with a Beolit 15. I'm quite impressed with it but I can't remember what the 12 sounded like so can't comment on your comparison. Anyway I'm happy with what I have, a portable speaker has uses for rooms I haven't Beolinked, or for by the hot tub or on the deck while grilling or lounging.

Jeff

I'm afraid I'm recovering from the BeoVirus. Sad

steinzeug
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steinzeug replied on Fri, Apr 10 2015 5:01 PM

Sorry about double posting. The Beolit 15 sounds great too, I just love the 12´s upfront sound

Chris Townsend
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Its a tough one this. I can't remember if my 15 is better or not soundwise. But it uses a far more stable platform in my experience, and I'm guessing B&Os considering all the Beolit 12 returns and the ditching of Airplay.

It is also substantially cheaper. Its a shame you can't play music directly to the 15 using my iPhone charging cable but that's only a smile gripe.

The Russian youth golf team are in my resort here in Spain at the moment, and they think it's simply brilliant.

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

Jeff
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Jeff replied on Fri, Apr 10 2015 6:14 PM

steinzeug:

Sorry about double posting. The Beolit 15 sounds great too, I just love the 12´s upfront sound

I find your observation interesting and if I remembered what the 12 sounded like I might well agree with you. I just wish I could hear them side by side to see which I liked better.

Jeff

I'm afraid I'm recovering from the BeoVirus. Sad

AnalogPlanet
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I think this video could provide you with some insights, next best thing to try it yourself. :) You need to put your hedphones on of course.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPfHlL7YSCA

Simonbeo
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Simonbeo replied on Fri, Apr 10 2015 7:15 PM

As has been mentioned , the lack of IR for Beo4 is the biggest loss ,but as the Airplay never worked for us we never got the iPad far away. 

Beo Century ,Beoplay V1, Beocenter 6, Ex-Beolit 12, Beotime , A8. Beolit 15 , Form 2i , Beolab 2000, Beoplay A3.Beosound 1

AnalogPlanet
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Can Beolit 15 be commanded by Essence Remote or BeoMusic App?

AnalogPlanet
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Can Beolit 15 be commanded by Essence Remote or BeoMusic App?

Chris Townsend
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Simonbeo:

As has been mentioned , the lack of IR for Beo4 is the biggest loss ,but as the Airplay never worked for us we never got the iPad far away.

Beo Century ,Beoplay V1, Beocenter 6, Ex-Beolit 12, Beotime , A8 , MX 5500 .

Why not buy a cheapy USB Bluetooth receiver and plug it into your 12. Send the music from the iPad at ones leisure Yes - thumbs up

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

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