Beosystem 5500 - which speakers/remote?

Hello all, this is my first post on the forum and I am hoping for some advice. As the thread title suggests, which speakers and which remote would be the best match for a Beosystem 5500?

In terms of speakers, floor space is at a premium so they would have to be either bookshelf speakers or wall mounted. Would the CX50 or CX100 be rather lacking without a Beovox Cona? I might be able to hide one of those away somewhere...

And should I stick to a Beolink 1000 or a Master Control Panel? I would really like a Beolink 7000 but having trawled the forum it seems that this would work like "a retarded Beolink 1000" - Peter's words! What would/would not a Beolink 7000 do? 

Thanks very much in advance!

David

Hi there, 

 

I have a beosystem 5500 myself set up with 2 CX100s and a Cona. As to whether the Cona makes a huge amount of difference really depends on your personal preference. I find that it adds a nice bass element which is lacking otherwise. Having said that, others may believe there is adequate bass in the CX100s as it is. Either way, it's a lovely set-up!

I don't have much knowledge as to how the Beolink 7000 would work with your system, a MCP 5500 is very useful, but not required as such. A beolink 1000 can provide much of the features with added convenience. Both work flawlessly with your system. Hope that helps somewhat.

 

Ben

The original Uniphase S-45 and S-45.2 are a very good match to the 5500 IMHO.

I run a pair of Beovox 3702s with my BM5500. They're on stands approx 45cm tall.

Bass is warm and punchy at mid-level. Treble becomes harsh once volume goes up to "36" and beyond.

For loud playback, say 50 Cent at vol "44" I turn the treble to -6. Bass at 00 and loudness off. The soundstage is vast! Vocal cascade into the room and the bass thumps good and tight.

The 3702s shine with detail and seperation - if only my neighbours would go out for longer than they do :)

Oh.

Blues. Female vocal. Nina Simone with an orchestra behind her...

...heavenly.

Oh.

Jazz. New York City club scene - live recordings...magnificent.

I'd better stop waxing musical. But with some decent old "big box" Beovox speakers you will not find more detail, clarity and pleasure in your old cds and records than with anything else.

Beolab? Not necessarily the best.

I would agree with 3702 or S45 (from personal experience) CX50 or CX100's I don't know that well but shall be good if you can justify the price

as per the remote - your Beolink 1000 is the perfect match under my humble opinion :)

hope this help somewhat

 

David1979:

Hello all, this is my first post on the forum and I am hoping for some advice. As the thread title suggests, which speakers and which remote would be the best match for a Beosystem 5500?

In terms of speakers, floor space is at a premium so they would have to be either bookshelf speakers or wall mounted. Would the CX50 or CX100 be rather lacking without a Beovox Cona? I might be able to hide one of those away somewhere...

And should I stick to a Beolink 1000 or a Master Control Panel? I would really like a Beolink 7000 but having trawled the forum it seems that this would work like "a retarded Beolink 1000" - Peter's words! What would/would not a Beolink 7000 do? 

Thanks very much in advance!

David

 

I have the fortune of having several speakers to compare on my Beosystem 5000 and I'd set my order of preference below. My judgement is based on the overall quality of sound - frequency range, evenness (frequency response) to my late 40's ears anyway. No doubt I have a personal bias, but who doesn't?

1. Vandersteen 2Ci (nice balance, but large and a little inefficient)

2. Red Line 140 (even without the stands, but large and probably needs more power)

3. Tie - S-45 and S-45.2 (sorry, but I couldn't hear any real difference)

4. C75 (I am constantly surprised by the bass capability for the size, but I do have them corner mounted in my bathroom nook)

5. CX100

6. CX50 (fantastic imaging if you can lock yourself into a fixed position)

I have other Vandersteen speakers (1B, VCC-1, and VSM-1) in my theater that I haven't tried on my BS 5000.

I use CX100s with my 5500 as it is under my computer and acts as the computer sound system as well as allowing recording to the computer. The CX speakers fit into the surrounding bookshelves. I did used to use them and Beolab 3 speakers and to be honest, the difference in quality was not as great as you would think! Less bass but good imaging and nice detail - when you look at the incredibly basic construction and design of the cross over, this came as a big surprise to me!

 

On remotes, I have an MCP5500 which I never use except for set up as it eats batteries, and a Beolink 1000 and a Beo4 (depends which is closer!) both of which work admirably. For some reason, my Beolink 7000 never worked two way with the 5500 - not sure why but it is one of the newer 5500  and has the Beolink sticker on. The Beolink 7000 is a superb remote but you need a more modern 6500, 7000 or 9500 to use it properly. You cannot program the 5500 with it and it will be slower to use than the 1000, hence the retarded 1000 crack!

Thank you all for your advice. I only have one problem now: I really don't know what to do!

David

 

David1979:

Thank you all for your advice. I only have one problem now: I really don't know what to do!

David

David, I think you had the right idea from the start - CX100 (with a Cona, if possible) and the Beo 1000 remote