First Timer: BeoPlay S8 or A8?

Hi All, 

Long time lurker, first time poster here. I'm a 22 year old college student, just graduated college. I've been obsessed with Bang & Olufsen products as long as I can remember. Now I'm ready to invest in my first piece thanks to the price accessibility of the BeoPlay line. 

Moving into my first non-college apartment in July, and I'm contemplating between BeoPlay S8 and BeoPlay A8. 

My priority is sound quality, volume and versatility. Application would be wall/table mounted, and connection to a non B&O tv as well as wireless streaming from my Apple laptop/iOS devices. 

Right now I'm leaning towards the S8, paired with my Airport Express and the Audioengine Bluetooth Receiver. Is there any reason I should go with the A8 instead? (Other than the portability?)

 

Thank you all in advance for your insight

I would say they are rather different solutions. I suspect B&O is discontinuing the A8. Seems rather logical since docking stations are running out of fashion very quickly. In The Netherlands it's being dumped for very low prices, around 500 euro excl. tax, which is less than half the original price. Maybe that makes it interesting for you.

On the other hand, an Airport Express seems to have much more reliable airplay functionality. And also the S8 can already be bought at a lowered price of 999 incl. tax via LuxusSound. Seems the Lab 14 is not an easy seller I'm affraid.

And you may get lucky an S8 that is fully configured with all amps. Take it as lottery win, don't base your decision on that chance !

Please remember, that you can not connect both of the mentioned devices to the S8 - you will have to switch manually between them.

With the A8 you would have built-in AirPlay and a line-in connection for the bluetooth device.

Some have problems with airplaying to the A8 - but not all!

Personally I don't expect the A8 to be discontionued - or rather I expect, that they might upgrade it to a Second Gen. A8 - like they have done with the A9.

Time will tell, who is right.

Anyway - if the current A8 has become cheaper - you could make a good deal on it. In my opinion it is a good sounding device - which has the avantage of being portable. And you can use it as an old-school dock, if you should take it with you somewhere - or just to charge your iDevice.

But - if that is not that important to you, and you can find good spots (in terms of listening) in your 'non-college apartment', you might as well go for the S8. (You will then have to find a solution for connecting both external devices.)

The S8 will be able to play a bit louder - with more bass - if that is important to you.

Either way you will get excellent sound - and good looking gear - for a reasonable price.

Enjoy whatever you choose

MM

Both very different as the guys have mentioned. Well done on graduating :) The A8 is around £589 so great value at the moment. It's possible a MKIII with Bluetooth will be launched. It was always a best seller for B&O so along with its iconic design, it would be crazy to discontinue it.

For TV use the S8 would be better. Add an Apple TV box and you can airplay your iPhone/iPad/MacBook :)

Maybe an S8 for your lounge and the A8 for carrying between your bedroom and kitchen :)

I am on the border to what you might call a apple fanboy. But I would not recommend buying a AirPlay-enabled speaker from B&O. They are moving away from it, and there is a reason why.

With a Bluetooth enabled speaker, you can connect an airport express yourself if you want the AirPlay functionality.

I won't give you my opinion between the A8 vs S8, but wait for a A8 with Bluetooth if you chose that one.

Side note. What do you demand from the setup you want? The Beolit 15 is seeing more use in my home atm than my Penta's with the Beolab 2

leosgonewild:

I am on the border to what you might call a apple fanboy. But I would not recommend buying a AirPlay-enabled speaker from B&O. They are moving away from it, and there is a reason why.

What makes you think, that they are 'moving away from' AirPlay enabled speakers.

The A9 2.nd Gen is AirPlay enabled!

If you had written, that they are 'moving away from it' in small portable speakers, you would be correct.

It makes more sense to have a connection via Bluetooth 4.0, than via AirPlay in surroundings, that does not have a wireless network.

The Moment is not AirPlay enabled, simply because the AirPlay protocol does not allow for streaming to multiple rooms (or more precise for picking up the stream in other rooms -'join') - you must use iTunes, if you want to airplay to multiple rooms.

MM

Ok, maybe not the best statement. But they can't do AirPlay the right way.

Go for the S8

the A8 has built in obsolescence

Sold ;)

 

I'm truly impressed by the speed and number of responses. Very helpful feedback, let's keep it coming ;-)

I should have mentioned, I'm US-based. Does this doom me to the will of B&O Showrooms? I don't know yet of any B&O dealers here. I know that floor models have been known to go for lower. Is there any kind of strategy to finding the optimal price?

Maybe try and have a listen to both if you can. My concern with the S8 is that they are priced at the same mark at 'proper hifi' for that price you could buy a pair of B&W CM1 speakers and an amp and quite honestly, the sound would be in a different league - a bit like compared a Vespa to a Ducati 1299 Superbike but for the same price.

Having an A8, it's worth £590 that I paid but it's not worth £850 no way. It lacks sparkle. It's very mid range. Flat. I've got the B&W CM1 in the lounge and I use a A8 in the guests bedroom. There's NO comparison sound wise - night and day to be honest! The CM1's are full, alive, capable.

Paul W:

The CM1's are full, alive, capable.

The B&W CM1 is an imponator.

MM

Get a Century. Much more modern than the CM1 things!

Hi John,

Congratulations for stepping up to the Big League. I do own A8 which is good for kicking around when I'm not using my Lab 1's and Pentas. But, if you can afford it, I'll say go for 9's. Is a Piece of Art to have either on the Stand or on the Wall. Great sound, with your Mac and can also connected to your TV. I'm not Keen of S8, eventually, you're going to Own Better Speakers from B&O and you'll still appreciate owning the A9's. So saved a little more and get it. And you'll Stand out of your Colleagues. Good Luck!!!

BeoPlay S8 is ideal of a budget for me as a college student too. It is an obvious choice for the powerful stereo acoustics and pure, goose-bump inducing power.

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