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if anyone has listened to both of them then they could get a comparison i have never heard a beolab 5000 and am not sure whether it would sound better , i have looked on other forums and some people compared them but as this thread is just for one thing it should get more opinions and be more accurate
"What sounds best"?I can't help pulling a smile when I read questions like this.It's in line with: "Does Whitney Houston sound better than Nat King Cole?"It's a matter of personal opinion.I don't like the CX speakers. Always preferred the 1970s speakers, but if the 70sones were the best, the CX wouldn't have been such a succes.- But I would not fit B&O speakers to my daily system. I like something else better.Beomaster 4400 and Beolab 5000 are different beasts but I like both - for different things and in each their own way.But I was never particularly fond of the Beomaster 4500.I suppose the big question is not what other people like, but what you like, - right ?
Why don't you listen for yourself?It's not that difficult but remember to compare fully restored units only.
My current system:Beomaster 8000Beogram 6006Beocord 8004Technics something equalizer on the BM8000 EXT sockets4x JAMO POWER 555
Martin
My opinion (and that of another well-known British B&O enthusiast!) is that the Beolab 5000 is better than the Beomaster 4400 - good though the latter is. If you fancy a Beolab 5000 then go for it - you won't regret it. It is truly one of the best amplifiers out there.
As to my system - which one of them do you mean? ;)
Dillen: "What sounds best"?I can't help pulling a smile when I read questions like this.It's in line with: "Does Whitney Houston sound better than Nat King Cole?"It's a matter of personal opinion.I don't like the CX speakers. Always preferred the 1970s speakers, but if the 70sones were the best, the CX wouldn't have been such a succes.- But I would not fit B&O speakers to my daily system. I like something else better.Beomaster 4400 and Beolab 5000 are different beasts but I like both - for different things and in each their own way.But I was never particularly fond of the Beomaster 4500.I suppose the big question is not what other people like, but what you like, - right ? Why don't you listen for yourself?It's not that difficult but remember to compare fully restored units only. My current system:Beomaster 8000Beogram 6006Beocord 8004Technics something equalizer on the BM8000 EXT sockets4x JAMO POWER 555 Martin
Gosh Martin I would never think that you wouldn't use B&O speakers? Not even one pair that you like?
Well to avoid your dilemma - I have both.
What condition is your 4400 in ? Has it been restored ?
I like both and would not part with either. The 4400 I use as a radio and really enjoy its warm full sound. The 5000 I use for vinyl with all its additional speakers and it sounds fantastic.
If you want a minimal set up with bang for buck its the 4400.
If you have the space and are like me prepared to drive up north to a little island in Denmark.... you can have either.
Oh yes, Ben, I like lots of them but for daily use there's just something I like better. :-)
Dillen: Oh yes, Ben, I like lots of them but for daily use there's just something I like better. :-) Martin
Fair enough :) Although I do think that B&O speakers are prettier ;) Sound wise I wouldn't know but I trust your judgement completely so I'm sure the JAMO sound really great.
I have and use both regularly. The 5000 I use with BBC LS3/5As and AB1 speakers along with a Beogram 3000 Thorens. The 5000 is a lively amplifier - slight lift at the top end and because it is indirectly coupled, the bass is quite blousy as the damping factor is low compared to todays amplifiers. This does give an attractive sound well suited to the speakers which are bass light.
The 4401 I use with M100s. More accurate and bass more controlled. However used with a Beogram 4004 so less bass supplied than the 3000.
Which do I like more? I like both - both were restored by Frede so both are superb. Like both of them more than the 8000 I had and more than any of my more modern amplifiers. But like the vinyl over CD arguments, I possibly like distortion!
Peter
Well said, Doc.
I too have both and use them daily in different rooms. The full Beolab 5000 and the 4400 with M70s. The 8000 sounds flatter and is less liked.
Which is my favourite?
Reading Tim's prose, it's the Beolab 5000. But reading another article he also wrote, it's the 4400.
Jacques
Tim, last time I looked, mainly uses a Beomaster 5500 with RL140s - though he may well have changed! He has a good collection though and has fixed just about everything so I respect his opinion. He likes a slightly bass light approach in my experience.
The 8000 is probably the 'best' amplifier - the design parameters were to make a signature piece, like the Beolab 5000 and, dare I say, the Beolab 90. In other words, make it as good as possible regardless of cost.
Tim indeed has a Beomaster 5500 with RL140s in his lounge but his listening room mainly alternates between a Beomaster 8000 with MS150s and the Beolab 5000 with Mk1 Beovox 5000s.
If we're considering other models, then I still prefer my Beomaster 8000 to the Beolab 5000 in pure sound quality terms. Considering everything (including sound, facilities, styling, not being huge and weighing a ton!) I still think you've got to go a long way to beat the 1980s Beomaster 5000.
Have you tried the 4400? Final incarnation of the slide rule era and beautiful sound!
I have, and it's superb. However I'm happy with my Beolab 5000!
Incidentally, I spent the evening with Tim yesterday and we listened to Beogram 1800 (1960s) - Beolab 5000 - Beovox MS150. Also set up were The Beomaster 5000 and a cassette deck and CD player by two companies called Sony and Philips, whoever they are... :-)
Oh yes, the N2521 I guess.
I am going to try out my Beogram 1800/SP10/12 on my classic Beolab soon. How does it fare then Adam?
I don't know about the 80's 5000, but I find the 5500 a tad disappointing.
AdamS: I have, and it's superb. However I'm happy with my Beolab 5000! Incidentally, I spent the evening with Tim yesterday and we listened to Beogram 1800 (1960s) - Beolab 5000 - Beovox MS150. Also set up were The Beomaster 5000 and a cassette deck and CD player by two companies called Sony and Philips, whoever they are... :-)
He didn't like my MS150s - said they were too big!! Though he did fix the sticking protection relay which made them sound like one driver had blown! Give him my regards!
chartz: Oh yes, the N2521 I guess. I am going to try out my Beogram 1800/SP10/12 on my classic Beolab soon. How does it fare then Adam? I don't know about the 80's 5000, but I find the 5500 a tad disappointing.
No - Philips CD-303 and Sony TC-229. He no longer has the N2521.
The Beogram 1800 is very good but I sold mine after finding an Acoustical Beogram 3000.
As an aside, Adam, do you know whether Tim is planning on reviewing the BM 8000 in HFR ?
That never happened in Hi-Fi World, unfortunately...
We were both jokingly 'discouraged' from reviewing it in Hi-Fi World by the editor David Price, until he found one to buy for himself. I actually found him two but he missed out on the first one and took so long to sort out buying the second one that I jumped in and bought it instead!
I believe a review in News has been discussed but I don't know what the outcome was.
AdamS: The Beogram 1800 is very good but I sold mine after finding an Acoustical Beogram 3000.
Have you listened to the Thorens Beogram 3000 in comparison? I have had both and the Thorens (which is of course a TD124 Mk II) seems far superior - my Acoustical is on permanent loan elsewhere but I could lend you the Thorens with 12" arm some time - would need to work out transport!