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
Im looking to acquire a pair of B&O Vintage speakers from the 1970's and I was hoping that people could point me in the direction of what is regarded as the "best" that they made at this time. Size is not an issue and I have no preference on size. However, Id prefer to avoid crumbling foam surrounds, rubber, paper, fabric etc all fine.
What is best will depend on what you like.
The M100, is the biggest and best specified speaker. However it is big and really only suits big rooms. In many ways, the M75 is better for most rooms. However for complete accuracy, the S45.2 are wonderful and perform much better than they should.
Of the others, P45s are also surprisingly good and take up no space as they are wall mounted. P30s are nothing like as good. S75s are a good party speaker as they have lots of bass but are an exaggerated version of the S45s with less finesse. I am lucky enough to have owned all of these in my time except the M75 and quite a few others. I still have a pair of S45.2s and the M100s.
Peter
What about MC120.2s? I've always liked that speaker. It's pretty rare though...
Im more into having a true representation of the music and I like quick responsive speakers. We all like bass but its not something im hung up on. I still regret selling my pair of custom Linn Kans - at about 25cm x 18cm x 22cm you can imagine the bass was not amazing but god were they a lovely pair of speakers.
Im far more interested in the speakers ability to sound musical, well balanced and convey micro-detail. The latter not always something vintage speakers are good at due to cabinet noise coloring and masking the sound. I dont know what B&O speakers are like for this but its usually a simple job to cure most of it - my sort of "hobby" is upgrading vintage speakers and these will be my next project.
The S45.2's and the P45's sound interesting and i think both are available locally at the moment (M100's are but the guy selling them is an ****)
I have a pair of P45 and they sound wonderfull and balanced.
Note however that you have to be really carefull with them if the bass units have not been reglued. I have reglued all 4 bass units (see my seperate thread on this).
They have to hang on the wall to get the best results. They have 2 ways to be tilted/hanged on the wall depending on how you like your bass.
Office: Beomaster 3000-2 with Beovox P45 (all in white)
Living room: Beomaster 7000 and Beogram 7000 with Beovox RL 7000 (all in white)
Kitchen: Beocenter 2300 with Beovox 4500 (not available in white :-(
Peter: However for complete accuracy, the S45.2 are wonderful and perform much better than they should.
Is there a big difference between the S45 and the S45.2?
They look pretty much identical apart from the S45 having the resin molded rear panel..............
The P45 would be absolutely perfect for my bedroom - I have been looking for some very slim but well performing speakers for there for a while, again they are available locally but again there for sale by this **** - id LOVE to know where he gets all this vintage B&O gear from, he sells loads of it, he insists on payment up front because no one deals with him twice.
Beold:Note however that you have to be really carefull with them if the bass units have not been reglued. I have reglued all 4 bass units (see my seperate thread on this).
Is it the magnet that comes loose or the foam surround? I really dont want to be doing foam surrounds as my hands are not steady enough after the mugging i had last year; soldering is a bit of a nightmare but glue and foam and cones LOL.
I have several pairs of vintage Beovoxes.
For accuracy and imagery, the MC120 are very good. They need a suitable room though, not too big or bass will be light.
The M70 + tulip stands are my favourite with rumbling bass and a delicate, but brighter sound.
All in all, very different speakers to the Kans of course. The Kans are 3/5a BBC style on steroids, and B&O offerings couldn't sound more different. You'll have to get used to their sound. Listen before you buy, with your own ancillaries.
Jacques
StuckInBulgaria:Is it the magnet that comes loose or the foam surround?
Hi Cleve!
Do you own those Braun ESL speakers? As I've got regular QUAD ones, I was wondering...
MC120.2s are superb - Ronnie at the B&O museum said they were the best - not 70s though! Came out in 1983! S45s and S45.2s are the same speakers to all intents. On the Linn Kans, I use LS3/5As and AB1 sub woofers - wonderful for vocals. The S45.2s are warmer but certainly in the same league. More bass extension but never inaccurate.