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
Chris Townsend:He asked us our opinions, to help influence his choice. I gave it.
I gave it.
I read: "Anyone have any experience with the new TV? Advice would be much appreciated"
'Experience and advice' still isn't the same as 'opinions'
MM
There is a tv - and there is a BV
Beosound Stage, Beovision 8-40, Beolit 20, Beosound Explore.
"You are actually emotionally involved in this question aren't you.?"
Rather the opposite.
I am always trying to keep 'my opinion', my likes or dislikes in the background, if I am to give an advice on which tv to choose..
The definition of 'Opinion' is:
"A belief or conclusion held with confidence but not substantiated by positive knowledge or proof"
Do you have another 'opinion' on that definition? Anyway - greetings in Venice MM
Why get so hung up?
We shouldn't be breathing fire down each others necks here... We've had enough of that lately.
Too long to list....
All I say is stop 'picking on' B&O for not making exactly 'the kind of device'' you want.
I am sure they have their reasons to do what they do.
Some like the V1/BeoPlay etc, some don't - there is nothing more to it.
Greetings Millemissen
Millemissen:I am always trying to keep 'my opinion', my likes or dislikes in the background,.................
I'd never have guessed!!
Ban boring signatures!
Punch from Puncher 👊
Millemissen:What Bang & Olufsen make is B&O!
Millemissen: You like it or you don't.
Millemissen: You buy it or you don't.
The_5F00_Beonic_5F00_Man:Hi Guys... Let's not get hung up on what is B&O or what isn't too much as I certainly don't want to see a friendly forum turn against itself when we all share the same passion. Having said that, let me explain what the magic of B&O means to me, just to be clear... For me, B&O has always represented some kind of 'magical touch' on many of the products, usually always from a design point of view, and that design rarely resembled anything else on the market before or since. The BV7 for example had the DVD drive. The magic was in the way the mechanism worked and how it hid and moved in and out from underneath the screen etc. The early Beo 7000 remote had a wonderful magical touch of rising up towards you when you placed it on a flat surface, which was nothing short of amazing for the time! BeoSound 2300/2500/3000 had the sliding glass doors, BeoSound 9000 with the wonderful (very fast and groundbreaking) mechanical movements between the CDs and the wings on the latter and current BeoSound product. All magical touches to me, and there are other products I could mention. These magical touches made me feel excited! I would smile uncontrollably and almost feel and want to behave like a teenager, even at the age of mid 40s! Like a child finding it hard to go to sleep on Christmas Eve, wondering what they'll find in their Christmas stocking the next day, or what Santa has brought them - its these kind of evoked feelings I am talking about. So, when I look at the V1 (only on pictures online as yet to see in person - dealer visit scheduled soon) I do not visibly see any magical touch. To my eyes, it does look like an Ikea made product (a good example that someone suggested) which means it looks similar to thousands of products with those type of design specs/lines etc. It also looks exactly like a Loewe tv and in fact when I fist saw it I assumed it was a Loewe and I was looking at the wrong page. That it was I mean by no B&O magic. The V1 is not alone in the current product line up missing magical touches and in my opinion it has been several years since something magical appeared and that is why I left the brand for a while. I don't doubt picture quality is good on the V1 and I never expect sound quality to be anything less than perfect with B&O since that is their speciality in my opinion. However, I cannot justify spending premium amounts of money on products that don't excite me, so perhaps I'll wait a little longer to see if something comes out that does. I do think there is a market for the V1, of course, but at close to £3,000 I think a 10-40 is at the moment sounding like the better option to me as the last poster suggested. Although, this might represents a problem as I never particularly liked the design of that either! The BV5 and BV9... YES, as they look like more solid builds, as do the BV7s, and that's what I like. Anyway, so hard to choose and much to weigh up. Lots of debate going on here, lots of questions I am asking myself and this healthy discussion is great with all its angles in helping me build a clearer picture... literally! I think we all do like different things and that's how it should be, and its great that people love what they have, that's the main thing. For me I am just trying to determine if I am better to spend around £3,000 on a V1, a used Mk 3 BV7-40, an 8-40 or pay a little more and get something else, but then I didn't want to spend too much this time round! That's what I did last time, then sold it all 2 years later!!! So want to learn from past mistakes!!! I think I get bored easily :) Enjoy the day, Simon.
Millemissen: 'Experience and advice' still isn't the same as 'opinions' MM
Millemissen: All I say is stop 'picking on' B&O for not making exactly 'the kind of device'' you want.
You sure about that...?
My personal experience is owning a V1 rather than pictures of it and ,with the wall bracket , its certainly admired by everybody who sees it. Ours is the white version and whilst I thought I was going to miss the motorised stand I don't. No shiny "piano black" plastic , just metal with a metal bar handle at one end echoing the hinge bar at the other end.
Beo Century ,Beoplay V1, Beocenter 6, Ex-Beolit 12, Beotime , A8. Beolit 15 , Form 2i , Beolab 2000, Beoplay A3.Beosound 1
One of the reasons I choose a beovision,over your typical Sony,lg etc is of the materials used ie the glass,aluminium,not your typical cheap plastic surrounds with usual exposed scratch prone screens.
The v1 too me looks cheap,maybe it has a good picture and up to date connections,but it still looks cheap and doesn't match well with B&o speakers from the range,it's a ok for a bedroom tv in white,but for a main room tv as a centrepiece,looks nothing special,and not in the same league as a bv7-40 which has the true B&o DNA ie built in sources,anti reflection glass etc.
Its like buying a used top of the range Audi,instead of a new entry model skoda,both from the same stable ie beo play and B&o,but so much different.Each to their own though,and I agree with Chris,regarding opinions and freedom speech.Not keen on the bv8-40 either,but prefer it to v1..
Like others have said you can get a bv10-40 for under £3k now,there is a store in Manchester got one for £2895 on motorised stand.If you are in to surround sound the bv7-40 is a cracking tv.
regards
Ever thought of adding a bl11 to make up for the lack of bass?V1,4000s and a lab11 would make one sweet combination imho...
I own a small V1 and the picture quality is quite impressing.The Design?love it or hate it;-)
Beovision 10-40(withA-TV and Wii) with Beolab 6000, Beolab 11 and 2 Beolab 14,Beo4,Beosound 8,Beolit 12,Beoplay V1 32,Beocom 5,Earset 3i,Beoplay H6
All of you complaining about the V1 lacking the magical "B&O experience" seems to forget that the V1 isn't a Bang & Olufsen product, but a Beoplay product. There needs to be a clear distinction between the Beoplay and B&O production lines, in order to justify asking 2-3 times the price.
Also, please don't comment on the look and design of the V1 before actually seeing it in person. There is a massive difference between looking at pictures and experience the V1 in real life. While the pictures makes it look like an Ikea TV, reality is very different. At first glance it is clearly seen that this isn't any ordinary TV, primarily due to the steel exterior which does come on as plastic on the pictures.
There is no doubt that the V1 is the best value for money product made by B&O.
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
Since the V1 has been out for over a year, I think most of us has seen it in the "flesh".
I think the white one could be an alternative for a bedroom, but for my taste the V1 could never be a center piece TV.
Mikael, you hit the nail on the head, by saying it's not a B&O TV, which is right. But once again we come to the same problem... Why on earth make two brands, that are so tightly connected? The name "Beoplay" is so strongly connected to Bang & Olufsen, since pretty much all B&O products have "Beo" in their names.
I'd like to bring up an example... Rolex makes Tudor watches. It's a cheaper version of Rolex, with (nowadays) quite different design. They don't use they manufacture movements in Tudor, but ETA movements. The name "Tudor" isn't bringing any flashbacks to Rolex. Rolex did use to have "Oystercase made by Rolex" printed on the back-case of the Tudor watches, but that is also gone now.
I do connect Beoplay to Bang & Olufsen, so I do expect the same quality.
bayerische:Since the V1 has been out for over a year,
and I was wondering if that means (in a BeoPlay world) that we should be expecting a V1.1 or V2.0 sometime soon
BeoNut since '75
bayerische: I do connect Beoplay to Bang & Olufsen, so I do expect the same quality.
You are expected to do so - see logos on websites:
Ralf
Living Room: Beosystem 4, Beolab 7-2 (Center), Beolab 9 (Fronts), Beolab 8000 (Rears), no Subwoofer. Screen: Sony KD-85XH9096Dining Room: Beosound Essence MK II with Beolab 4000 on stands, fed by Amazon Echo Show 8Home Cinema: Beosystem 4, Beolab 7-4 (Center), Beolab 1 (Fronts), Beolab 4000 (Rears). Projector: Sony VPL-HW55Home Office: Beosystem 3, Beolab 7-4, Beolab 5000, Screen: Sony KD-55XH9005 on Beovision 7-40 stand, ML to Beosound 9000 MK3 and Beosound 5/Beomaster 5 (1 TB SSD version)Bedroom: Sony KD-65XH9077, Beosound Essence MK II with Beolab 6002 and Beolab 11 (all white, wall-mounted)
In storage: Beolab 5000/Beomaster 5000 (1960s).
I didn't realise that Bang & Olufsen had created a second company, B&O (Play?) so this is an area I can't really comment on until I find out more. Very surprised. Like I say, I have been away from the 'scene' for a few years so I am playing catch up.
The reference to Rolex/Tudor is a good one and this is an area I do know well. Actually, a lot of Tudor watches have become very popular among Rolex enthusiasts with many of the recent models from the last 2-3 years at Baselworld causing much interest and and hype around the brand again. Perhaps B&O Play will do this over time?
Few direct questions if anyone can help...
- How many revisions of the V1 have there been since its release last year? is it on version 2 now or the same one? Is there a new one coming out?- Since the discontinuation of the BV7-40 (only this model) from B&Os catalogue last week, is there a new TV coming out, if so when?- Which choice would you make from these options: Option 1 - BV7-40 Mk 3 (2007 model), Blu Ray, twin tuners, 7-2 speaker, motorised stand, average viewing stats, all mint condition, £2,600 Option 2 - BV10-40, £2,800 (going on what a poster put above in reference to a store in Manchester) Option 3 - New V1, and if so, which colour? Option 4 - None of the above!!! Find yourself a VT50 Panny Plasma from last year for a few hundred quid!
No other B&O equipment to link in at this time as I sold it all! But might build up again. BeoSound 8 only for my iPhone 3Gs, which I really love by the way! Well, few BeoCom 6000s etc.
Thanks!Simon.
B&O products are V1-32, BS2, H95, E8 and an Essence remote.11-46 now replaced with Sony A90J 65”, Sony HT-A9, Sony UBP-X800M2 and Sony SRS-NS7.
I don't think it is a separate company, but just a different brand.
Although regardless of how anyone reads it, my Beoplay A8 sat next to me has B&o written on its front.
Have you looked at the Loewe Connect ID?
I had a 7-40 Mk3 and it was good picture, but not as good as my old 10-46. And noticeably so. The 7-40 Mk3 has a overly dark picture and is very much a first generation full HD panel. My sons £300 LG had a better picture if i'm honest. The Mk4 i believe was much better still, and the 5/6 excellent. The sound on the other hand was unbeatable.
Just my opinion
Thanks Chris, what you have said is most helpful and you are right actually, thinking back now, I suppose it was the first generation full HD panel. I was rather hoping the BeoSystem 3 produced an unbeatable picture, perhaps not though! Apparently there is a BeoSystem 4 in the pipeline which would makes sense as its about time.
So, is the 10-46 the way to go then? What do they go for these days and who has got one? I can't remember your earlier posts (suppose I could have a look!) about the V1, are you a fan? Have you got one? Just spoken to a dealer on the phone (better not say which one) and he said he doesn't like them either, all for the same reasons we have discussed in this thread. Having said that, he did say he sells quite a lot due to the price. I also spoke to another dealer last week who said he sells them well, but whether or not this is true is anyone's guess, after all they do have to move them on lets face it.
Am I doing the right thing entering the B&O world again? Have they lost their edge? Just sharing my thoughts out loud. Someone posted a picture of a new Philips TV (I came across it somewhere) and it looks awesome! Is that the route?
LOL. I'll get there. The problem is with TV technology itself, you just can't win and the depreciation is just as bad as with cars.
With a BV7-40 route, although old now, I would be getting a motorised floor stand and a 7-2 speaker which at least, in theory, should hold their value a lot more than the TV panel itself. So in terms of trying to not lose too much when it comes to trading in or selling up again for the latest TV, that could be the right option. I assume there would be little to no value on the rest of the line up including the 10-40s and V1s. When I read about your son's £300 LG set though... Oh dear!!! I feel this is a journey with no end!
Just looked at the Loewe and don't like it I am afraid. If i was paying those prices I would always go B&O and to be honest, it looks like they have completly used B&O designs in their TVs anyway! Perhaps B&O's V1 offering is their latest way of biting back?!!!
Simon.
Thanks Chris, I think you are right, 10-40 is the way forward. Could you please explain the dealer search bit as I am unfamiliar with this and how to access etc.
Cheers,Simon.
Try this...
http://preowned.bang-olufsen.com/preowned
And of course the dealers specialising in pre owned B&O.
They can really improve your lifestyle a lot
The_Beonic_Man: - How many revisions of the V1 have there been since its release last year? is it on version 2 now or the same one? Is there a new one coming out?
- How many revisions of the V1 have there been since its release last year? is it on version 2 now or the same one? Is there a new one coming out?
There is only one revision of the V1. All V1 have the same specifications and features. Some features are add-ons that you need to pay extra for, e.g. Smart-TV. All features are unlocked by a code and no extra hardware is necessary.
I don't think we will see a new version of the V1 anytime soon. The Picture, sound and platform is among the best. My bet is that you will see a new TV from Beoplay before the V1 is updated. (The V1 uses the same video engine as BV11)
The_Beonic_Man: - Which choice would you make from these options: Option 1 - BV7-40 Mk 3 (2007 model), Blu Ray, twin tuners, 7-2 speaker, motorised stand, average viewing stats, all mint condition, £2,600 Option 2 - BV10-40, £2,800 (going on what a poster put above in reference to a store in Manchester) Option 3 - New V1, and if so, which colour? Option 4 - None of the above!!! Find yourself a VT50 Panny Plasma from last year for a few hundred quid!
- Which choice would you make from these options: Option 1 - BV7-40 Mk 3 (2007 model), Blu Ray, twin tuners, 7-2 speaker, motorised stand, average viewing stats, all mint condition, £2,600 Option 2 - BV10-40, £2,800 (going on what a poster put above in reference to a store in Manchester) Option 3 - New V1, and if so, which colour? Option 4 - None of the above!!! Find yourself a VT50 Panny Plasma from last year for a few hundred quid!
I’m what you call the "new generation" buyer. I.e. I expect a lot more flexibility from my products, and I'm not afraid to do it myself. The only TVs from B&O which fulfil these demands are the BV11 and V1. Both use the new UI and have loads of flexibility. The user has control over almost every setting. You don't have to call your B&O dealer every time you want the new update, or when you want to add your Apple TV remote to the TV. All that can be done on by you (even with the help of an extensive help menu).
Although I love the design of BV7 and the BV10, they are just obsolete I my point of view. I would never spend that much money on a TV based on old technology and a business model where every change has to be done by your dealer.
I would gladly own a BV11, but could never see myself buying a BV10 even though a preowned model might be half the price point.
For a first time buyer I have a hard time recommending any TV launched before the V1. They are beautiful products but they belong in a museum.
Wow! This is a very informative post, thank you. It is very interesting that you say the V1 has the same video engine as the BV11. This affects my decision a lot now. I also like the fact that updates can be done at home rather than go into the shop or have the dealer drive over to you with a laptop every few months. You are advocating this product well! I can't wait to see one now in person and I hope so much that I can like it as it does seem the most up to date tv for the money. Decisions decisions...
Chris, thanks also for the link which I will now check out to see what's out there...
Very good idea from B&O, LOL!
Now why would BeoPlay products have less quality? Who says it is? The Form2, Earset3, A8 headphones used to be a B&O. Now it is BeoPlay. So did they admit the quality could be better after so many years and decided to name it BeoPlay? Did they come to the conclusion it misses the “magic” thing?
For me BeoPlay products are simply Cash & Carry products. There is no need for dealer’s assistance, except maybe for the V1 which has a by the way a lot more features and far better picture then the first BV7’s.
Chris Townsend:Well as they are nearly 10 years old so it should be.
Then why they didn't they mark the 20 years old BL3500 as BeoPlay? Because it sounds way better as the BeoSound A8??? IMO it's the opposite...
OK guys... chucking in a BV9 Mark 2 into the equation! Early 2009 model. Does this change things?
So now we have: 10-40, 7-40 Mk 3, 8-40, V1 and 9 Mk 2
How does a Panny D9 (might be D10 maybe) screen from a 2009 BV9 Mk 2 compare against the above? Any further thoughts? Also, is a mono speaker good enough without adding any extra speakers for a while? Is the Mk 2 any good anyway or a little dated now?
As a guy who has owned all your speaking of I would stick with the V1 or BV11. All things aside on design - the speaker, audio engine and video engine is superior (as it should be) to all others listed in major ways. Once you adjust to taking an older screen home you will always have that thought in the back of your head saying what if I were to have gotten...... Silence that voice now :)
Ah, you know... A little B&O here, a little there
Thanks for this response. I was hoping you wouldn't say this to be honest as I sort of wanted to go down the BV9 route! it's a £3,500 purchase and when you consider the tv was £16,000 in 2009 it does get the old grey cells arguing with each other over design vs practicality etc! And I do love my designs. I struggle to believe that a V1 set beats a BV9, especially on audio, but if you say it does then I believe you. I am sure I would be opening up a can of worms buying older sets but 2009 doesn't seem that long ago!
If I do follow your advice it would absolutely be the V1 then as I am not prepared to buy a B&O tv new again. Well, at least not at the £5,000+ mark. A new V1 price is fine.
I wonder if anyone has recently bought a BV9, say in the last year or so? Would be really good to hear from them and whether or not they are still happy, or, as you suggest, maybe they are now having these niggling thoughts and and the 'what ifs?'
Thanks,Simon.
The_Beonic_Man: Wow! This is a very informative post, thank you. It is very interesting that you say the V1 has the same video engine as the BV11. This affects my decision a lot now.
Wow! This is a very informative post, thank you. It is very interesting that you say the V1 has the same video engine as the BV11. This affects my decision a lot now.
I should point out that the BV11 does have a picture which is superior to the V1. The same goes for the sound. It's only the settings and menus that are identical. That being said, the V1 does have a really nice picture out of the box, and the sound is far superior to any other non-B&O TV.
If 40" is enough for you and you like the design, doesn't mind not having 3D or the possibility to record, then there is no doubt that the V1 is the best value for money. But B&O have never been about value for money, but more about feeling :)Another nice feature is the surround-decoder and the sound possibilities. But again this is true to both the V1 and BV11. In my opinion the biggest limitation in the V1 series is the lack of bigger sizes. But I think this comes down to the design. The 40" V1 seems a lot bigger than 40" when you compare it to the newer Samsungs etc. where the bezel is really thin. So a 46" V1 would demand a lot of space, and might seem odd in size. Some designs just doesn't scale that well.
I really love my V1 and even though I am a tech geek, I've never regretted buying the V1. It does lack some of features that is more or less standard with other brands, but the design, feel and usage of the V1 is in my opinion a step in front of the competition. I don't mind not having 3D, but sometimes it would be nice to be able to record. A feature you can add when buying the BV11 (which also features 3D) :)
Thanks again! Great info here. Do you think the V1 is good enough as a main room tv or better suited as a second room one, like a bedroom?
Don't get me wrong the BV9 is a great screen even by todays standards, but the V1 & 11's are just better. I love what the BS3 can do but compared to the video/audio engine on the V1 or 11 there is no real comparison. The BV9 does have an equivalent of BL7.4 but unless you are in 5.1 or greater with BL5's then I would not hold my decision up on the sound portion either. BV11 keeps up with BL5's perfectly with the new A/V engine. Something I couldn't say with say a BeoSystem 3 and 7.2 or 7.6.
Thanks, I appreciate what you are saying. Problem with the V1, and please forgive me for being honest, but I think if my decision came down to just a V1 then I would probably just get an up to date Panasonic plasma, like the GT50 from this year or last year as they are fairly identical. The panel and engine is the same across the ST, GT and VT models so it doesn't really matter which way to be honest.
I don't imagine there will be much difference between those and a V1, possibly even favouring the Panasonic's more. Problem is you see, the design of the V1, it just doesn't do anything for me, and I have always bought B&O for design purposes. Thanks for your thoughts though...
"....I have always bought B&O for design purposes."
That explains quite a lot!
Not that you couldn't (or shouldn't) buy B&O for that reason, but you surely don't NEED a company like Bang & Olufsen for that reason.
Bang & Olufsen (and the subbrand B&O BeoPlay) is a lot more than 'design', and that is the difference!
Is it? If I paid over £16,000 for a BV9 in 2009 and then read your last comments I would want to know how a £2,600 tv 'only' a few years later beats it? Please explain what B&O offered me in the original BV9 purchase for the price? What was the premium I was paying on top for?
Greetings back,Simon.