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
Now, for the record - I love B&O. I will always love B&O - I have the virus, and it's incurable. For me, at least..
However, I'm interested to see which other AV brands a 'dyed-in-the wool B&O enthusiast' like a BeoWorlder would allow in his or her home as a credible alternative. My interest was piqued after asking about upgrades on a previous thread - and numerous brands were mentioned.
I have four more AV brands in my home (which has some form of B&O in every room) - and I won't tell you what they are - yet... But, I'm interested to see what yours are first...
Over to you! What do you have - and if you don't already have it, what would you have..
Apple. Like B&O, Apple products from across the years still share similar design elements that make them look natural together.The technology is solid and reliable. Even their packaging is extremely similar to that of B&O -- elegant and without clutter. One might argue that Apple is not really an "AV brand," but with the new speaker and the Apple TV, I feel that it's close enough.
.
Present: BL90, Core, BL6000, CD7000, Beogram 7000, Essence Remote.
Past: BL1, BL2, BL8000, BS9000, BL5, BC2, BS5, BV5, BV4-50, Beosystem 3, BL3, DVD1, Beoremote 4, Moment.
seethroughyou:Revox M100 https://www.revox.com/en/audio-systems/m100.html
https://www.revox.com/en/audio-systems/m100.html
Stunning! Do you have this already?
The only thing, that I would mention, is my Squeezebox Touch (and the LMS server running on my NAS).
Years ago I used to have more Squeezebox'es connected to my B&O gear around the house for multiroom.
Nowaday I have only one (the Touch), which is connected to the line-in of my Essence - and therefore accessable from my entire multiroom setup.
This, however is just audio - and I consider it an add-on to my B&O setup.
OK - then there is the AppleTV's/iPad's and my BRPlayers - but again just an add-on to my setup.
Speaking of A/V brands (meaning something that combines both), I haven't been able to find anything, that from an overall view, can match my B&O setup.
Sure you can find this or that A or V devices that performs better. But speaking of the entire experience/the entire A/V etc experience, I am pretty sure, that there is nothing out there.
MM
There is a tv - and there is a BV
9 LEE:What do you have
Philips Screeneo projector.
HD ready (only, but sufficient for me), ultra short focal, good sound, great image, unobstrusive, Android machine...
This is one of the few things that I rejoice to have, every day.
Beosound Stage, Beovision 8-40, Beolit 20, Beosound Explore.
Amazon Echo - I use a few of these and also have the Dots attached to various B&O. Operation by voice is simply superior to everything else and I will give up some quality to be able to get what I want when I want it. It is gradually replacing my MCL/ML system. How one is supposed to navigate music collections easily these days is beyond me - I either need glasses or a computer which means picking something up. I have a voice with me all the time.
Peter
I wouldn't mind having a pair of B&W 801 s80, they look great and sound fantastic.
9 LEE: Now, for the record - I love B&O. I will always love B&O - I have the virus, and it's incurable. For me, at least.. However, I'm interested to see which other AV brands a 'dyed-in-the wool B&O enthusiast' like a BeoWorlder would allow in his or her home as a credible alternative. My interest was piqued after asking about upgrades on a previous thread - and numerous brands were mentioned.
Are you asking for 'other A brands' and/or ''other V brands' as an alternative?
Or are you - as stated - actually asking for 'other AV brands' - such as B&O is one?
Bose SoundTouch Music System IV
my Marshall Kilburn with the mac mini makes me smile
Wohnzimmer: BeoVision Avant 55", BeoLab 11, 12-2 und 12-3 für 5.1-Sound + appleTV 4K und Philips BluRay-Player; BeoSound 2, BeoSound 3000 (fast nur noch Deko)////Schlafzimmer: BeoEssence MkII, BeoLab 4000 + Samsung 46"-TV////Büro: BLC NL/ML, BeoSound 35, Thorens TD320MkII, Samsung 32"-TV, WesternDigital 4TB-Server////Bad: BeoLab 2000; alles CAT7 verkabelt////Küche: M5 (drahtlos) plus diverse apple-Geräte (imac, macbook, ipads, iphones, timecapsule, watch)
Not an alternative, because B&O don't produce any at the moment, but Pro-Ject Turntables, great design, quality, and performance, even their low-end stuff is solid in terms of credibility when it comes to turntables. I can't speak for their non-turntable products.
From a build quality perspective, Wadia makes some truly robust components. I helped a friend move his A/V system and he had a few Wadia components and they're built like tanks, and apparently according to him, last forever. The company has amazing customer service as well.
I only have B&O, haven't been able to move to another brand. I am still buying 2nd B&O bargains for which I have no use for. Just bought a Beosound 3000 and Beolab 6000 speakers for R5000.00 which is about 312 pounds.....Where it will go....who knows. I just don't get that special feeling from other AV brands nor do they get the wow from visitors. My BV11 is still a head turner.
BeoNut since '75
Biggest hit of the year in our house has to be the Google Home in the kitchen! Mrs Punch is a real technophobe but uses it just about every day. The audio quality isn't hifi standard but it's more than good enough while cooking etc. 80's 5000 system next door in the lounge, complete with chromecast audio (and so access to same library) very, very rarely even gets turned on.
On a sidenote, I am sick to death of hearing celine dion whenever I return home as Mrs P. is rehearsing her setlist before birmingham gig!
Ban boring signatures!
And they have a CD-Player! (For all of those which are saying that the CD is dead . . . )
We had changed from B6O (Avant 32 VCR, Beocenter 9000, B&W Concept 90 Speakers) to Loewe Individual with the Loewe Subwoofer. The B&W was the Front, the Loewe Colums where the back speakers. A separate Centerspeaker is wall-mounted under the TV.
The sound was not bad, but I was more often to don't listen to music, because you had to switch on the TV, then change FM-Station or CD via the TV and the sound was not as good as the B&O! It was very far away from B&O . . ..
So, the times changed, I started with a user Century and this sound - Wow - that's what I've missed over several years . . .
Now a Beosound 9000, 2 Beolab 8000 as front a Penta 3 as back speakers - thats it!
Multiroom is where I place my Century or my Beolit 15 ;-)
Good subject for a thread Lee. I don't use B&O for video or video sound, but do for audio and a couple of ML linked rooms. I really can't think of any other brand that compares. While there are lots of decent sounding manufacturers of gear who make reliable and well built products (always had a thing for McIntosh), there is no one who makes comparable gear when you factor in aesthetics. There's more or less cool looking, but not the modernist/minimalist design oriented products such as Beo makes, anywhere. A few stylish speakers out there but not active ones.
It's sad, because there is just no company to step into the gap if B&O fails, and even for them, IMO, their latest stuff is deficient in design/style compared to the David Lewis gear.
Jeff
I'm afraid I'm recovering from the BeoVirus.
I usually trust sony for products not produced by beo.
I chose the excellent fullhd beamer hw 40 es and for quiet evenings the fantastic surround system mdr hw 700 (bought in japan).
For little rooms and liitle screens, lg or sony is quite enough.
4 beolab 5, beolab 9, beolab 10, beolab 5000, beolab 8000 mk2, beolab 6002, beolab 3500, beovision 7 55 mk2, 2 beovision 11 46 mk4, beotime, beosound ouverture, beosound essence, beoplay A8, beomaster 900 RG de luxe and the collection continues...
I am going to buy the Oppo 4K UDP 205 Blu-ray player. https://www.oppodigital.com/blu-ray-udp-205/
Also I currently have a Rega turntable connected to the AUX on a Beocenter 2.
linder: I am going to buy the Oppo 4K UDP 205 Blu-ray player. https://www.oppodigital.com/blu-ray-udp-205/
Out of curiosity - why the 205?
How will you have it connected?
Sony: Small 32' TV in the bedroom
Canton: Small Speakers (CD10) in bedroom and kitchen
Motu: Multichannel audio in the home office
Apple: ipad mini with beomusic
In general components not available from b&o
best regards, david
I have the 203, and it's fantastic!
There.. that's one of my 'other brands'. Oppo.
Millemissen: linder: I am going to buy the Oppo 4K UDP 205 Blu-ray player. https://www.oppodigital.com/blu-ray-udp-205/ Out of curiosity - why the 205? How will you have it connected? MM
Hi MM,
I am anticipating I will like the new B&O/LG TV. I plan on using the TV as my media hub not only for video but my music system also. I will connect an ethernet cable to my home network, a USB connection to my MacPro, and of course HDMI. I might also connect HDMI audio but I am not exactly sure how it would work on the new TV. I have already ordered a pair of Beolab 17s in black that will take 8 weeks to cross the Atlantic. Maybe I am being too optimistic but I already have an earlier Oppo Blu-ray player. I am really impressed with the brand. I am hoping that I can use an ML/NL adapter for the Beocenter 2. Any ideas that might help?
Only B&O in my house.
Daniel: Only B&O in my house.
Almost, I've got a Panasonic 4k blu-ray player. Was about to get an Oppo, but as we most of the times are streaming music skipped it.
All B&O except Samsung 55" curved 4K tv. Lovely picture but poor inbuilt speaker sound so got it connected to a BS3000 with MCL2P driving S80's. Apple tv3 and Samsung Bluray(which I never hardly use), all controlled by lintronic with Beo4.
Couldnt stretch the finances to a 55" avant but at least got B&O sound and Beo4 control.
Remaining music systems all B&O.
Graeme.
Hi Lee,
I don't understand...
...there are other brands?
Living Room BV Eclipse - BS Core - BL5 - BL8000 - LC2 x2 - Beo6
Lounge Beolink Passive - Cabasse Clipper - Beo4 Kitchen BL3500 - Beolink 1000
Bedroom BV9 - BL6000 (Thks Botty) - Beotime - LC2 - Beo5
Garden Lounge BC9000 - BG 6006 - BL4500 (Thks Botty) - Playmaker - Beolink 1000
Study BS1 - ML/NL Converter - BL2500 - Beo4 - Form 2 (Tks Botty) - Beoplay P2
linder: Millemissen: linder: I am going to buy the Oppo 4K UDP 205 Blu-ray player. https://www.oppodigital.com/blu-ray-udp-205/ Out of curiosity - why the 205? How will you have it connected? MM Hi MM, I am anticipating I will like the new B&O/LG TV. I plan on using the TV as my media hub not only for video but my music system also. I will connect an ethernet cable to my home network, a USB connection to my MacPro, and of course HDMI. I might also connect HDMI audio but I am not exactly sure how it would work on the new TV. I have already ordered a pair of Beolab 17s in black that will take 8 weeks to cross the Atlantic. Maybe I am being too optimistic but I already have an earlier Oppo Blu-ray player. I am really impressed with the brand. I am hoping that I can use an ML/NL adapter for the Beocenter 2. Any ideas that might help?
Just a couple of short thoughts, since this is kind of off-topic in this thread.
I suppose, that you are going to connect it to the 'new' tv directly via HDMI?
Since you have ordered the BL17s, these probably will be connected to the tv as well.
This means, that you will not benefit from almost all of the differences between the 203 and the 205.
The 205 has a dedicated analog output section for audio, which in that case won't be used....
....unless you plan to connect seperate speakers there in addition (2 channel/stereo and/or up to 7.1).
The 205 has a very good headphone amp - nice to have, if you need it (but is that worth the difference in price?).
The 205 costs a lot more, than the 203 - maybe going for the 203 and saving the money, would be a better solution.
You can get a NL/ML Converter for that money!
As you already know, the OPPO's are excellent machines.
But (especially the 205) have a lot of features, that you don't need, when they are connected to a BeoVision.
The audioengine in a modern BV can very well process the sound that comes along the HDMI with the picture of the BRDiscs and from all sources connected to the OPPO, when the speakers are connected to the tv.
I'm living in a very tolerant environment: The B&O kids are playing peaceful with kids from Technics, Sony, Alesis, Yamaha, Pioneer, Denon, Roland, Akai, Cakewalk, Tannoy, JVC, Samson, TC electronic, Crestron, B&W, Tascam and LG. They often complement each other very well.When it's getting cold in the winter they are allowed to play and happy with a T.A.C. tube amp and enjoy his warm glowing tubes.
I didn't list the things I have that aren't B&O in my video system:
Downstairs apartment:
Samsung 32 inch LCD set - Does alright for the purpose despite having the usual LCD issues.
Main AV setup:
Panasonic VT65 series 65 inch plasma - exquisite picture
Marantz 5 channel AVR - performs fine, never calls attention to itself, just works, easy setup with included mic
Infinity LCR speaker bar - sounds fine
Infinity 12 inch powered sub - an outstanding performer, even has a built in one band parametric EQ
Old Radio Shack Minimus 7 speakers for rear channels - work fine, eventually to be replaced by BL6000s after I fix them.
I'm quite happy with this approach, it works well, was affordable, and has been very reliable.
Audio Only:
BS9000, Playmaker, BG3000, BL9s in main living room
BL8000s and BL2000 in two other rooms
Beolit 15 for carrying around, BeoPlay A3 for portable video and audio
YannChris:Hi Lee, I don't understand... ...there are other brands?
As a manufacturer of HDMI products, I don't wish to poo poo many people's views on quality of products, however there is an incredibly limited number of actual parts that can be used to deliver for example 4K video.
If you wanted to compare AVRs for example, pretty much all of them are using the same silicon to do the job as such it really comes down to the analog side that you would be comparing.
If you are trying to compare and contrast for example an Oppo 4K BD Player and a Samsung one, the components are the same, because there is only one IC manufacturer and only one Lens manufacturer that can read a UHD disk. Everything else is just cosmetic fluff.
TV alternative could only be a manufacturer that has Netflix, Amazon Video and HBO apps built into TV's OS - hence Loewe does not fit (if I want to have a hassle with an extra external box - and how elegant is that btw - then I'll simply have B&O). So it can be either LG or Sony, I don't like Samsung as a brand simply.
On audio side, it would be Apple HomePod "mesh" around the apartment potentially. And even without the HomePod being launched yet, you just can't compare the convenience of Music & Siri integration (example: Hey Siri, play some vocal jazz) against B&O endless navigation through the app and no integration between Deezer and TuneIn. I imagine it will become even "sweeter" when the HomePod arrives.
And final comment: this is, I'm afraid, the same path I took after trying several B&O headphones with endless problems and then ended up with AirPods being happier than ever. I just can't be bothered with B&O complexity, not really great products recently and lack of integration. So sorry.
Agree 100%. The AirPods are outstanding and I love mine and use them all the time. The H5s were a cumbersome product in comparison. Apple can't seem to manufacture these headphones quick enough with waiting lists still at 6 weeks, which has been the case since launch around December 2016. I love that they are groundbreaking, sound amazing and work perfectly with no problems identified whatsoever since purchase. I smile every time I use them and this is how I used to feel when using my B&O products. Alas, no longer. I appreciate B&O doesn't have the resources that Apple does but at the end of the day the best product wins for me and that's Apple, every time these days. Apple are what B&O used to be. 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 have a Tandberg 1040 receiver mated with a Phillips 212 turntable pushing out of a pair of S-75's. Love that arrangement.