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This is the second Archived Forum which was active between 1st March 2012 and 23rd February 2022

 

Beolab 12-3: Buy or not?

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Beosince98
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Beosince98 Posted: Sun, Sep 16 2018 5:59 PM

I am thinking about buying a pair of Beolab 12-3 as you can find them quite cheap nowadays and I like the aesthetics. However, I have not heard them up to now and would like your opinion on the sound wise. I found a few old posts on here but it seems that the speakers did not sell well and therefore there are not many people discussing them. What would you pay for the Beolab 12-3? Would you get Beolab 3 or Beolab 12-3 if you had the chance?

marexy
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marexy replied on Sun, Sep 16 2018 6:52 PM

As for design ..you should go for BL 12.3

But only wirh wall mount.

Sound is not so much better then Beolab 6000 or 8000.

But better than Beolab 3.

Sorry nice littel speakers but not as good as some of people say.

Fine fo rear speakers. or front with sub.

I konow as i have  all of them.

In my living room i have BL12.3 with custom made sub with range from 20HZ and if i can say it's just as nice soud as BL20 or better.

 

 

 

lawrencejmcook
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I loved the look of these speakers, and was prepared to buy them new. I’m so glad I auditioned a pair at a B&O dealer before doing so. I was very disappointed with the midrange - cold-sounding. The dealer did a back to back demo with some BL18s and the 18s wiped the floor with the 12-3s.

I strongly recommend that you listen before you buy.
olvisab
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olvisab replied on Sun, Sep 16 2018 10:09 PM

How can you rate the bl3 under a pair of 6000 !!!

 

 

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...

Beosince98
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Beosince98 replied on Sun, Sep 16 2018 11:41 PM

lawrencejmcook:
I loved the look of these speakers, and was prepared to buy them new. I’m so glad I auditioned a pair at a B&O dealer before doing so. I was very disappointed with the midrange - cold-sounding. The dealer did a back to back demo with some BL18s and the 18s wiped the floor with the 12-3s.

 

I strongly recommend that you listen before you buy.

How would you say they compare to Beolab 3? The Beolab 18 are in a different price range.

lawrencejmcook
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Beosince98:

How would you say they compare to Beolab 3? The Beolab 18 are in a different price range.

I’ve only heard a BL3 in passive listening, so I can’t honestly compare their performance.

In price terms, you can find a pair of BL3s for around 800 GBP on eBay, whereas a pair of BL 12-3 will be twice the price.

If looks are all-important, go for the 12-3 AFTER hearing it.

But my money would go on a pair of BL3s with a BL2. Together these would still be slightly cheaper than a pair of BL 12-3s, would look great, and the depth of bass would be astounding (I have a BL2).
marexy
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marexy replied on Mon, Sep 17 2018 8:46 AM

BL 6000 are very fine sounding speakers and cheap...very easy to repair.

Only error of these speakers are rubber roundings on the drivers. Repair costs 30Euro.

Beolab 12.3 are one of the best B&O looking speakers if they are on the wall.

During past 2 years i heve some probems with resonance in the speakrs. ( 50-80HZ )

And sorry to say i'm not the only one with that problems.

On the same place as now BL12.3 i heve many years BL4000 with no problems at all.

I still say that BL4000 are one of best ever made.

 

 

 

 

Adriano63
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Adriano63 replied on Mon, Sep 17 2018 10:01 AM

Just one day ago I was fortunate enough to be able to test directly at my house to listen to both the Beolab 12.3 and the Beolab 12.1. As far as I am concerned the 12.3 are significantly higher, although the clarity of sound does not repay in live sessions... The 12.1 have a more obvious sound that makes better the characteristic sound, for example, a live session of jazz... I still chose the 12.3 Even for an aesthetic factor because I find them wonderful. Obviously in the range of my spending budget! will match them to a BeoSound 5. As soon as I can I will buy a subwoofer (I was thinking of the Tulip...)

Adriano63
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Adriano63 replied on Mon, Sep 17 2018 10:01 AM

Just one day ago I was fortunate enough to be able to test directly at my house to listen to both the Beolab 12.3 and the Beolab 12.1. As far as I am concerned the 12.3 are significantly higher, although the clarity of sound does not repay in live sessions... The 12.1 have a more obvious sound that makes better the characteristic sound, for example, a live session of jazz... I still chose the 12.3 Even for an aesthetic factor because I find them wonderful. Obviously in the range of my spending budget! will match them to a BeoSound 5. As soon as I can I will buy a subwoofer (I was thinking of the Tulip...)

Adriano63
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Adriano63 replied on Mon, Sep 17 2018 10:01 AM

Just one day ago I was fortunate enough to be able to test directly at my house to listen to both the Beolab 12.3 and the Beolab 12.1. As far as I am concerned the 12.3 are significantly higher, although the clarity of sound does not repay in live sessions... The 12.1 have a more obvious sound that makes better the characteristic sound, for example, a live session of jazz... I still chose the 12.3 Even for an aesthetic factor because I find them wonderful. Obviously in the range of my spending budget! will match them to a BeoSound 5. As soon as I can I will buy a subwoofer (I was thinking of the Tulip...)

Adriano63
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Adriano63 replied on Mon, Sep 17 2018 10:01 AM

Just one day ago I was fortunate enough to be able to test directly at my house to listen to both the Beolab 12.3 and the Beolab 12.1. As far as I am concerned the 12.3 are significantly higher, although the clarity of sound does not repay in live sessions... The 12.1 have a more obvious sound that makes better the characteristic sound, for example, a live session of jazz... I still chose the 12.3 Even for an aesthetic factor because I find them wonderful. Obviously in the range of my spending budget! will match them to a BeoSound 5. As soon as I can I will buy a subwoofer (I was thinking of the Tulip...)

Beosince98
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Beosince98 replied on Mon, Sep 17 2018 12:30 PM

lawrencejmcook:
Beosince98:

 

How would you say they compare to Beolab 3? The Beolab 18 are in a different price range.

 

 

I’ve only heard a BL3 in passive listening, so I can’t honestly compare their performance.

 

In price terms, you can find a pair of BL3s for around 800 GBP on eBay, whereas a pair of BL 12-3 will be twice the price.

 

If looks are all-important, go for the 12-3 AFTER hearing it.

 

But my money would go on a pair of BL3s with a BL2. Together these would still be slightly cheaper than a pair of BL 12-3s, would look great, and the depth of bass would be astounding (I have a BL2).

Lets say same price for Beolab 3 and Beolab 12-3. What would you buy?

marexy
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marexy replied on Mon, Sep 17 2018 12:48 PM

Beolab 12.3 any day ...

lawrencejmcook
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Beosince98:

Lets say same price for Beolab 3 and Beolab 12-3. What would you buy?

lol - as I already own a BL2, it would be the BL3.

But I would listen to the 12-3 again connected through the BL2, just to check that hollow midrange.

If I owned a BV12-65 it would be hard to resist the BL12-3, as they are simply beautiful!
digi
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digi replied on Tue, Sep 18 2018 10:55 AM

Hello Beosince 98,

I have both Beolab 12-3 and 12-2. They are very beautiful wall mounted speakers. Bevor I had Beovox 5000 and the smaller 4500. In my opinion the Beolab 12-3 are comparable with Beolab 8000 but slightly worse than Beovox/Lab 5000.

Digi

 

BV 14-55 mit BL 18, BL 8000, BL 2, BeoRemote One-BT, ATV 3; BS 9000 & BS Core & BS 4500 mit BL 12-3, BL 12-2, BeoLink 1000; BeoLine mit BC 2, BC 6000; BS 8; BeoVox CX100; BeoTime (analog), BeoTime (digital); Earphone A8; Beoplay H3 + P2

allenedmonds
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I am also thinking about getting them as rear speakers- do they support WISA protocol for a wireless connect? I could find nothing on the net

marexy
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marexy replied on Sun, Jan 16 2022 5:40 PM

Noup.... no wireless option.Wired powerlink JR45 connection only.

seethroughyou
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IMHO, the BL12 sounds like a frozen dead man’s concave chest full of smashed glass. 

 

.

 

 

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
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DUPLICATE

.

 

 

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.

.

chucky
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chucky replied on Mon, Jan 17 2022 4:27 AM
I have both. 12-3 in the bedroom and 3’s as high rears in the living. I run the 12-3 with sub BL19.

I would say the 3”s are really good on low volume, no comparison to 8000 or 6000 or 4000 I have had them all. 3”s are way better.

If i would have a sub I say 12-3. Otherwise go for the 3”s. Anyway you cannot go wrong, do not go for 6000-8000 the are another leage. I am charmed of the 4000 though but they are also in another leage then 3”s or 12-3”s. I still have 4000 in the kitchen and are still playing after update drivers 15 yrs later.

Kr Chucky
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