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
Hello all,I am considering purchasing a used pair of BeoLab 20 speakers, the first edition without the glowing logo. As far as I understand the only changes that have been made throughout the years of BeoLab 20 is the change of light (from tweeter to logo). I have been a bit cautious about Beolab 20 ever since I heard they might start producing the loud booming sound that several people here on the forum has experienced. I can't tolerate the risk of that happening. Does anybody here know if there is a way to see if ones speakers are affected by that defect or if B&O has acknowledged it somehow? I bought my Beolab 9s new in 2014 or 2015 and I like them but I think the update might be a nice bump both esthetically and soundwise (as I've read people seem to like Beolab 20 even more than Beolab 5 sometimes). What would you do?
Beolab 50, Beolab 8000 x 2, Beolab 4000 x 2, BeoSound Core, BeoSound 9000, BeoSound Century, BeoLit 15, BeoPlay A1, BeoPlay P2, BeoPlay H9 3rd Gen, BeoPlay H6, EarSet 3i, BeoVision Eclipse Gen 2 55", BeoPlay V1-40, BeoCom 6000 and so much else :)
B&O have not acknowledged the loud sound issue - at least not on these forums. But I'm sure that B&O know about the issue, because there are at least two of us on these forums who have had warranty repair work done to solve the issue, hence BeoCare know the part or parts which are / were at fault. Unfortunately, I don't know how one can tell whether their speakers would produce the issue. For what its worth, I haven't had it happen since my warranty repair.
On the sound front, I do like my BL20 speakers for music slightly more than the BL9s. I haven't used them in a connected TV setup, but I'm sure they'd be wonderful in that respect as well.
Aesthetics is a very personal taste (as is sound, of course), but I can't say I'm in love with their design. I've got both the BL9's and the 20s and I like looking at the 9's way more than the 20s.
Good Luck, and keep us posted on what you decide.
Thats a pity Sal. I am not feeling confident in buying them if I can't know for sure that the issue is resolved in them or that they are OK. What do you like better about the BL20 sound wise? I think the updated look is elegant but not a big difference. I still prefer the Beolab 8000s (which I have four of). Maybe I should sell BL9, use my BL8000 with a subwoofer instead. But maybe not.
Michael:Thats a pity Sal. I am not feeling confident in buying them if I can't know for sure that the issue is resolved in them or that they are OK.
Well, If B&O is worth their salt, the'd have reconciled the warranty work on a number of pair of BL20s and corrected the fault on their manufacturing line. Additionally, your speakers, if used often enough (and if the fault hasn't been corrected), would definitely show this "issue" within their three year warranty, which should give you some peace of mind.
Michael:What do you like better about the BL20 sound wise?
This is of course a personal preference, but I think they're tighter and more controlled on the low end than the BL9's, however, I prefer the BL9's mids and highs ever so slightly to the BL20s. For the kind of music I listen to, though, the complete sonic feel of the BL20s gives an edge to the BL9s. BL20s are more "clinical" to me and I prefer that. The BL9's sound "rounder" and for many kinds of music that's preferred too. I know I was wavering back and forth, but such is the case with two speakers with two different sound profiles and one human! :-)
Michael:I think the updated look is elegant but not a big difference. I still prefer the Beolab 8000s (which I have four of). Maybe I should sell BL9, use my BL8000 with a subwoofer instead. But maybe not.
I used to own a pair of 8000s with a Lab 2, LOVED their sound. I then replaced the 8000s with a pair of BL3's, and kept the Lab 2, now that was a pretty sweet setup with amazing sound. That being said, the sonic punch of either the 20s or the 9s is far superior than any one of the above options. IMHO.