Speaker / Beosound Choices: What would you choose?

I tried to post this yesterday, and I was presented with a "moderated posts" screen and it never showed up, so I'm trying again.

As some background, I will be listening to music from my always on Mac Mini [and] I don't mind using my iDevices either. I generally pick what I want to listen to (rarely use Apple Genius or even random), but I have never had experiences with things like MOTS or pattern play / mood wheel, so I don't know if I'd even like it. I listen to everything from Bach, to Philip Glass / Steve Reich, to Tool and Nine Inch Nails and everything in between.

So the choices:

Music System

A. Beosound Moment

B, Beosound Essence MkII

Speakers:

1. Beolab 3 pair (+ floorstands) second hand + Beolab 19

2. Beolab 17 pair (+floorstands) + Beolab 19

3. Beolab 20 pair

(On paper, the "statistics" of Beolab 17 and 19 combination look the same as the 20)

So, which would you choose? Why? (Please consider all of the possible variables, looks, functionality, performance, your experiences, price, biggest bang for the buck? etc).

I realize that everyone has different tastes, I'm asking for opinions. I've auditioned all A, B, 2, 3. I used to own a pair of Beolab 3's so I know how they sound as well. I like them all!

PLEASE DISREGARD MY POST from 9/11/2015 asking the same question (that one was caught up in moderation before being approved). PLEASE ANSWER THIS POST. Thanks so much!

Mods, can you please delete the other post? Thanks again!

Take these

For Music System I would and will go essence over moment. Essence is more flexible in regards to music sources, connecting via bluetooth, line in or wifi/airplay/dlna gives me lots of options. I can rip my own CD to lossless and stick them onto my ipad and add apple music or spotify or whatever service on top. Moment seems to limited to me, giving how quick things change even though I believe that in future B&O will try to integrate more services just like sonos is doing.

For speakers, I don't know the BL3/BL19 combination but what I liked about BL3/BL2 combo was that the 3's got some relieve on lower frequencies since the BL2 filters them out. I understood the BL19 does not do this.

For me, personally I'd go with the Essence, and the BL20. I've found it always much easier to get good bass integration using a full range larger speaker over a sat/sub setup. You can get them integrated well, but it takes a lot more fussing with position and xover settings and such, and the BL19, as mentioned, does not have a high pass filter for the satellite speakers.

I am also considering an Essence or a Moment. I really do not think I would use the mood wheel. Is there any difference in connectivity and functionality, or sound quality, between the two other than the mood wheel and touch screen?

In other words, if I were to choose an Essence, would it connect to and play through my TVs the same as the Moment, in the same quality, but I would just have to use the App on an iPad to control and select music instead to the Moment's integrated touch screen/controller?

Or is the Essence only for direct connection to speakers and not for use with speakers connected to TVs?

Thanks!

1. Depends on whether the "tv" has a NL "join" function for picking up the Essence's source (and vice versa)

2. Essence over Moment because (a) price (b) future proof as was suggested (c) the Moment's tablet seems it's weak point - if they have a Moment Mk 2 with an upgraded tablet I might change my mind .... also the design of the Essence sort of permits having multiples ... Like Beoactives in link rooms, you might like to consider that potential

3. I would have thought the price maths would have favoured augmented BL3s over BL20s. If not go for the BL20s.

4. I had not realised the BL19 was a little limited. I checked the manual and the configuration diagrams either have it as a BV's sub-woofer or at the END of a daisy chain of BL8Ks/ BL18s. I do love my BL19 when playing music through the BV and its BL3s.

5. Remember the BL19 has one big advantage ... WISA should you need position flexibility in the future

Hi Sal,

From a personal experience, bass in the Beolab 17 are extra generous, so I'll suggest to not consider a sub at first or you may add it later when watching movies, I understand you're only listening to music.... Since I upgraded them from a pair of Beolab 4500 I barely notice the effects of the beolab 2 I'm using as a sub. it's set in a corner position and the sub level is at 25%. Audio Loundness on,  Bass level at 50%.

This is again a personal perception.

Good luck with your choice.

I can't comment on the moment v essence decision. But as far as speakers go, from your three options the BL20s are the clear winner for me if price isn't an issue. They are the most expensive option of the three clearly. I have heard them on a number of occasions and struggle to find much difference between them and the BL5s at "normal" listening levels. Hugely capable speakers.

You haven't mentioned BL18s which I guess you don't like? They are my personal favourite (I am currently considering adding a BL19 to mine but not sure if they really need one) because to me they look absolutely beautiful and sound fantastic too. They never fail to get admiring comments from any visitors and to me they have the real B&O wow-factor.

 It's all personal of course.

 But what a fantastic decision to have to make.