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
New about BeoLab 50 - Pull here.
I don’t know if this is the design brief or the design concept from the designers. But now you know why Beolab 50 looks the way it does.
Well Geoffs youtube videos aren't locked as 'private' anymore, and the speaker is up on B&Os official website, along with a couple of marketing videos.
I'm sorry to have to swim against the tide, but from the photos and measurements, I REALLY like the design aesthetically.
There are echoes of both modern and traditional B&O design elements that make it a timeless design in a modern home in my view.
To be sure, less iconic and 'futuristic' as the Beolab 5 - but I know from friends comments that as many people disliked the look of the Beoloab 5 and wouldn't give them house space as did like them - especially if they had more traditional furniture.
Whereas, I could see this speaker fitting elegantly and simply into a much greater variety of furnishing and architectural styles.
And at just over a metre tall, it is not likely to be unduly attention seeking and dominating in a room either.
If i were ever in a position to move up from my Beolab 9's which I adore, this would be the speaker.
And as for the technical achievements - simply an engineering and acoustic tour de force and nothing less.
Cheers
John.. :-)
StKong:You can trust our friends in Manchester to be first with a video on the Beolab 50. 5 views so far. Enjoy! https://youtu.be/Imnx5uoTEvA
5 views so far. Enjoy!
https://youtu.be/Imnx5uoTEvA
Interesting video, thanks for taking the time to put together. I am not keen on the look of the 50s but the acoustic lens movement is very impressive and well thought out, especially the opening/closing movement to adjust field etc. I'll have a listen next time I am in a B&O store although that'll only be if the Eclipse is worth seeing on release. Good luck with these B&O. 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.
John: There are echoes of both modern and traditional B&O design elements that make it a timeless design in a modern home in my view. To be sure, less iconic and 'futuristic' as the Beolab 5 - but I know from friends comments that as many people disliked the look of the Beoloab 5 and wouldn't give them house space as did like them - especially if they had more traditional furniture. Whereas, I could see this speaker fitting elegantly and simply into a much greater variety of furnishing and architectural styles. And at just over a metre tall, it is not likely to be unduly attention seeking and dominating in a room either.
I think these are very valid points John and agree with what you write. Of course the difficulty with designing something is that we are all drawn to different things, so there's never going to be one solution that pleases everybody. I loved the design of the 5s because aesthetically, they broke so many traditional boundaries, which really appealed to me in a non-conformist manner. However, as you mention, I too knew others who really didn't like them at all and wanted something far more traditional looking. I guess some people like change, some don't and both views are equally valid. Perhaps in this sense then the 50s might have a broader appeal? Let's see what develops and wish B&O the very best of course.
The sound, I have no doubt, is going to be very impressive. I have never questioned anything audio wise from B&O and always found all of their speaker offerings nothing but a treat sound wise. Visually though, I do feel they are still slightly too big for the average household. I think this is where 9s found a perfect fit dimension, if you will, in that they were noticeable and striking but without being too overbearing. Of course much depends on house and room size but I feel the market here is a 4+ bedroom family home. Again, let's see how the market goes.
For me personally, I would have liked to have seen a departure from wooden lamellas and aluminium, the latter of which is very signature B&O I know; but I was hoping for something a bit different, a new design statement altogether (like the 5s were) rather than a mix of what we already know from the existing product range. The posted photo of the BL2 + BL18 is very apt I think. B&O always used to surprise me, which was the excitement in the run up to a new product release. However, in recent years you can pretty much predict what they are going to design as nothing is really that different looking. I note from the other video link (thanks, a great watch) that the covers are interchangeable and they are currently developing new coloured aluminium stripped covers to be released at a later date, so that's definitely a good thing and might make them a bit more hip looking going forward.
Certainly hope these find a market though and as stated in my earlier post, I really do like the B&O magic around the lens area - absolutely fantastic; a great selling point that is at least one more way of making them stand out from the crowd.
Simon.
That's an interesting evolution. I think the lamellas on the BL50 and BL18s match and complement each other very well. 50s front and 18s rear would look rather nice.
I wonder if we will ever see a BL18 mkII with a motorised acoustic lens. Now that would be pretty cool.
A little info on the beolab 50 from whathifi.
https://www.whathifi.com/news/bo-launches-its-latest-high-end-active-speaker
Beoplay A2
markiedee: A little info on the beolab 50 from whathifi. https://www.whathifi.com/news/bo-launches-its-latest-high-end-active-speaker
They seem to get many details wrong. They claim the acoustic lens rises from the top "as on the BeoLab 20" (which it does not do on the 20), that it has three amplifiers (actually has seven) and has built-in support for Deezer and TuneIn (which it does not, being a BeoLab).
— Tuomas | Bang & Olufsen | Bang & Olufsen Create
BeoLab 50 has to lift the legacy after the iconic BeoLab 5.
Geoff Martin BL50 posts now online here:
http://www.tonmeister.ca/wordpress/
MM
There is a tv - and there is a BV
Millemissen:Geoff Martin BL50 posts now online here: http://www.tonmeister.ca/wordpress/ MM There is a tv - and there is a BV.
How do they get from 26k Euro, 23k£ to 40k$ giving that british and euro price include 20% tax
they are really doing their best to kill the brand over here
jk1002: How do they get from 26k Euro, 23k£ to 40k$ giving that british and euro price include 20% tax they are really doing their best to kill the brand over here
I saw the price as $30,000 also. However it was $40,000 on the Verge. $30,000 is still a little high considering there is no VAT in the US. It also looks like there are no North American dealers that have Beolab 50. It does seem to appear that B&O is killing the brand in the US.
Beolab 28s Beolab 9s Beolab 12-3s Beolab 1s Beolab 6000s 2 pairs Beolab 4000s Beovision 7-55 Beovision 10-40 Beoplay V1 32 inch Beovision Avant 32 inch Beosound 1 (CD player) Beosound 3000 Beosound 5 Core Essence MKII Beoplay M5
linder:I saw the price as $30,000 also. However it was $40,000 on the Verge. $30,000 is still a little high considering there is no VAT in the US. It also looks like there are no North American dealers that have Beolab 50. It does seem to appear that B&O is killing the brand in the US.
Wasn't the price set at a bit above the price of a pair of BL5's? Setting them at $30,000/pair seems a bit low from all previous indicators. I think the previous going thought was that they'd be priced halfway between a pair of BL90s and a pair of BL5's.
I sold my first pair today - less than £23k but hey ho!
SHEFFIELD: I sold my first pair today - less than £23k but hey ho!
Now I'm really curious about the price of a pair in the US. Am I so jaded with B&O that the price point seems like a downright bargain? LOL
I've seen Beolab 50s today in Munich. Great looking speakers. For me one of the best speaker designs B&O have come up with. Haven't heard them yet though.
Greetings,
Kai
BOOOOM!!!! Good man
Did you take anything in part exchange? Nudge.. Nudge...
Lee
Fortunately for me no p/ex - I'll let you know if I get anything tasty Lee😀
Do we know him, is he a Red or a Blue?
Ban boring signatures!
Puncher: Do we know him, is he a Red or a Blue?
I'd be bright red after hammering my credit card for £23k. Then my wife would turn blue. Does that count?
9 LEE:I'd be bright red after hammering my..............
Hmmm!
SHEFFIELD: Fortunately for me no p/ex - I'll let you know if I get anything tasty Lee😀
Nothing better than a straight sale. I'm genuinely delighted for you
These really are fabulous speakers. I know this may sound nonsense - but they really are worth £23k. The pleasure I could get from a pair of these, if I had the right setting for them, would be immense.
Please, everyone, and I mean this - don't judge anything until you've seen them, and properly listened to them. Once you've done this, and if you comment negatively afterwards, I will properly respect your opinion.
Puncher: 9 LEE:I'd be bright red after hammering my.............. Hmmm!
Pounch. Go to your room, immediately, and think about what you've just said.
Once you're ready to apologise to me, your Mum and Dad, and everyone else - you can come downstairs and watch telly.
Sal: SHEFFIELD: I sold my first pair today - less than £23k but hey ho! Now I'm really curious about the price of a pair in the US. Am I so jaded with B&O that the price point seems like a downright bargain? LOL
£23k is about $30k USD. I have never seen the British price lower than the US price at least by that much.
That may be because the UK pound is about as valuable as Donald Trump's pocket fluff...
SHEFFIELD:I sold my first pair today - less than £23k but hey ho!
andy_js:They are beginning to grow on me. Has anyone mentioned the likeness to Minions?
That's a different thread
Heard (and saw) them the second time today - just as impressive as last week ;-)
I had a demo yesterday afternoon. Aesthetically they are truly beautiful, to my eyes at least. There is an aire of real quality and weight to them. Bigger and more imposing than the photos suggest. Then came he audition. 5 seconds. That is all it took. They demolish Beolab 5's! Huge tight bass and a very impressive sound stage. Imaging was also very impressive. Mid detail in a different league. It was noticeable to me that they didn't sound like B&O. They have that richness and warmness usually missing from most B&O speakers. I have to say for the first time ever, I found speakers that really blew me away. And that includes the 90's which did not! I came home to my 5's and was bitterly disappointed.
So now I have a problem. I've fallen in love with this girl and just have to have her! She may be an expensive *** but when you are in love you don't care.
She will haunt me now til I have her!
Morning Julian, had them on display for over a week and been itching to shout about them. Call in and have a look and listen, with your acute ear I just know you will be mightly impressed...🙂
That's a great analogy... when I first saw them in Denmark in May it was love at first sight - I immediately forgot about the other products I had seen they very so impressive. Never heard a speaker that can go down to 15Hz before - the whole store shakes. I love sound that you can physically feel
WOW. Just WOW.
Saw and listened to the BL 50s at Sheffield B&O this morning. They sound absolutely incredible. I'm lost for words (well almost). Such clarity and precision I'm struggling to think how much you could improve with the BL90s. I got a minute into my first demo song and wanted a pair. They are bigger than I imagined but look amazing. Fabulous design that oozes quality and craftsmanship. The moving lens is a very nice touch and really does impact the sound when moving from wide to narrow mode.
If I had £23k to spend (or a little bit less according to Nick) I'd order a pair now. Right now.
Pictured below with an avant 75:
Up close
Inside
From the side
The lens
And again
Duels: WOW. Just WOW. Saw and listened to the BL 50s at Sheffield B&O this morning. They sound absolutely incredible. I'm lost for words (well almost). Such clarity and precision I'm struggling to think how much you could improve with the BL90s. I got a minute into my first demo song and wanted a pair. They are bigger than I imagined but look amazing. Fabulous design that oozes quality and craftsmanship. The moving lens is a very nice touch and really does impact the sound when moving from wide to narrow mode. If I had £23k to spend (or a little bit less according to Nick) I'd order a pair now. Right now.
Duels, Thank you for that!!!
Looks incredible! I just wish I could hear them, who know when there will be a pair near me...
Beosound 9000 MK III, Beosound Century, Beogram 5005, Beolab 8000, Beolab 5000, Beolab 4000, Beolab 5, Beovision 8, Beovision 10, Beovision 5, Beoplay A2, Beoplay E8, Beoplay H6.
Had a 45 minutes demo of the Beolab today. No doubt more versatile and digitally advanced than the Beolab 5 - but not by that large margin that some have suggested. Especially really impressive in Narrow Mode. Unfortunatly I wasnt able to choose the music, so a bit unsure about a few details. As for Wide Mode, I found it sub par compaired to the Beolab 5, quite clearly so. I will give the Beolab 50s some slack though, as they were less ideally placed in a allmost not acustically treated room. ARC will only bring you that far, no matter what a few members here seems to advocate.
.
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.