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
So the big round A9 is meant to arrive in stores on Monday. Will you be buying one? Let me know what you think of it if you see and hear one. Have a good weekend all
Now it should be out...
Did somebody have the chance to play with it?
I'm curious about the first listening impressions.
A9 arrived in Liverpool on Monday are we are already supplying customers. Sounds incredible in my opinion. I'm surprised that there isn't comment on the forum about it now that it is in the UK stores.
Opman
In Vienna A9 with black fabric & teak legs - a bit 60's style. BIG sound
I didnt care too much for the wooden legs but it seems it can be wallmounted.
Sound is incredible ....... It has a decent sized sweet spot, I sense most will not miss that its a single stereo speaker ......
Airplay worked nicely, that is for me the way to go ...........
jk1002:most will not miss that its a single stereo speaker ......
I still wonder whether two of them operating as a stereo unit might be interesting
BeoNut since '75
Theoretically that will sound HORRIBLE. There will be tons of phase cancellations and frequency lobbing effect. Multiple drive units operating in tandem will mainly work in the lower frequency range say below 300hz or even lower. Unless that is you are trying to create a line source but that will be an entirely different execution. You will have to line the drive units up in a a Line as the name would suggest.You will ideally want sound in the higher frequency range to be dispersed like a point source bubble.
I am sure Beoplay will follow up with separate stereo speakers if the Beoplay A9 is to be successful. From my experience with the A8s I think the Beoplay range is voiced in a more monitor speaker kinda way as in the sound is more flat less tilted up in the high frequency and less boosted in the low. More accurate I will say. Albeit there was some cabinet resonance induced coloration by the flimsy plastic cabinet of the A8s which hopefully is ameliorated in the A9. BTW I recommend a high quality AC power cable and preferably filtered. Yes! B&O electronics is not excluded from the effect of good quality current. Perhaps something from Russ Andrew?
I can't wait to get my hands on the the A9 I preordered. I hope that it accepts international voltage! I am looking forward to hanging it up in the bathroom of my Singapore apartment after I am done using it during my 1 month stay in Taiwan with family. Anyone here knows about the voltage requirements? Anyone?
Anybody noticed a 2013 CES stamp of approval award now posted on the Beoplay A9 page? Is that a first for B&O or what?!
wonderfulelectric:BTW I recommend a high quality AC power cable...............
Whereas I would recommend just using the one supplied by the manufacturer - there will be no audible difference!
Ban boring signatures!
jk1002: its a single stereo speaker ......
its a single stereo speaker ......
Surely that's an oxymoron?
I accept I've never heard the A9, but surely stereo is an audio effect which to be truly conveyed needs speaker separation?
Does the A9 achieve a true stereo effect, ie; left, right & centre with a single speaker or is a pseudo effect created by electronics in the way that the effect of surround sound can be electronically reproduced without rear speakers?
Puncher: wonderfulelectric:BTW I recommend a high quality AC power cable............... Whereas I would recommend just using the one supplied by the manufacturer - there will be no audible difference!
Have to agree! What about worrying about the 50km of underground HT cable between the power station and local substation, and then that final 0.5km of 240v?
Incidentally, had a brief demo of the A9 when visiting B&O Liverpool to look at the BV11. Incredible sound!
My wife thought it looked too much like an archery target on its tripod legs: I guess many will prefer the wall bracket.
Graham
i fully agree with wonderful electric re decent quality mains lead.
I use a Russ Andrews Reference Powerkord with my A8 and it makes quite a sonic difference!!
Puncher, you are welcome to pop over and have a listen. My guess is you are an engineer type and probably have no experience trying high quality mains leads yourself - i.e. uninformed opinion. No offence old bean.
B&O types are more fit and forget / sceptical. Just glad I have a decent main lead and enjoy the sonic benefits...
Cr@ppy mains quality is the first thing to address if you are at all concerned with sound quality. The more revealing the equipment the more important it is to clean up your dirty mains supply.
If the standard cable sounded as good I would rather use it as the RA means I have to jack the A8 up on blocks so that there is space to fit the large Wattgate plug with Fig 8 adaptor.
For the record, the sonic improvements include:
Cleaner smoother treble [bit like ALT]
Deeper and punchier bass.
More transparent sound - easier to hear into the mix and pick out individual instruments.
Less fatiguing to listen to - a removal of the electronic edge that is a hallmark of poor mains.
More natural tonality.
More full bodied - making the A8 sound closer to the BL4000S.
I could go on but you get the gist.
I have no desire to go back to the inferior sounding supplied mains cable after experiencing the difference.
BeoUndies: For the record, the sonic improvements include: Cleaner smoother treble [bit like ALT] Deeper and punchier bass. More transparent sound - easier to hear into the mix and pick out individual instruments. Less fatiguing to listen to - a removal of the electronic edge that is a hallmark of poor mains. More natural tonality. More full bodied - making the A8 sound closer to the BL4000S. I could go on but you get the gist. I have no desire to go back to the inferior sounding supplied mains cable after experiencing the difference.
Post a link to any positive, statistically significant, listening test result, from any controlled double blind test you like and we'll discuss it further.
Until then I think I'll stick with the laws of physics that have served us so well thus far.
BeoUndies:Cr@ppy mains quality is the first thing to address if you are at all concerned with sound quality. The more revealing the equipment the more important it is to clean up your dirty mains supply.
That'll be a new power station then.
elephant: jk1002:most will not miss that its a single stereo speaker ......I still wonder whether two of them operating as a stereo unit might be interesting
wonderfulelectric: Theoretically that will sound HORRIBLE. There will be tons of phase cancellations and frequency lobbing effect. Multiple drive units operating in tandem will mainly work in the lower frequency range say below 300hz or even lower.
Can be solved easily - use eg. an "external" Playmaker for streaming and connect PowerLink to Line-In "L" on the left A9 and PowerLink to Line-In "R" to the right A9 (not using treble and mid of the other channel on each speaker)
Is there any truth to the rumour that Apple are soon to release an App that cleans "dirty mains"?
Puncher: BeoUndies: For the record, the sonic improvements include: Cleaner smoother treble [bit like ALT] Deeper and punchier bass. More transparent sound - easier to hear into the mix and pick out individual instruments. Less fatiguing to listen to - a removal of the electronic edge that is a hallmark of poor mains. More natural tonality. More full bodied - making the A8 sound closer to the BL4000S. I could go on but you get the gist. I have no desire to go back to the inferior sounding supplied mains cable after experiencing the difference. Post a link to any positive, statistically significant, listening test result, from any controlled double blind test you like and we'll discuss it further. Until then I think I'll stick with the laws of physics that have served us so well thus far.
power conditioners/ regenerators and etc used to be declared as snake oil like more than a decade ago but now it is more like a given that improvements are usually made with better quality mains. Just a switch of fuses on my ATCs yield tremendous improvements! More so than a power cable switch. It just goes to show that power upgrades are not just about a new way of marketing something they don't need but really just bringing the best out of your system. And notice how some of the demo pictures of A9 loaded on google have special shielded power cables? You did not notice a sheath over the power cable? It was so obvious! Plus the main difference between good dac and bad dac, good amplifiers or bad amplifiers are usually in the power supply. I mean most of them use the same chips and topologies for main processing. Just a simple ac filtration device can yield several db loss in noise and bring up the dynamic range. It is common knowledge and physics now. Haven't you seen before and after measurements of good isolated power supply with same amplification output devices vs one with switching power supplies? Plus ever wondered why would the Beolab5 sport old fashioned expensive transformer based power supply versus the switching power supply in the speakers in the rest of the range?
wonderfulelectric: power conditioners/ regenerators and etc used to be declared as snake oil like more than a decade ago but now it is more like a given that improvements are usually made with better quality mains. Just a switch of fuses on my ATCs yield tremendous improvements! More so than a power cable switch. It just goes to show that power upgrades are not just about a new way of marketing something they don't need but really just bringing the best out of your system. And notice how some of the demo pictures of A9 loaded on google have special shielded power cables? You did not notice a sheath over the power cable? It was so obvious! Plus the main difference between good dac and bad dac, good amplifiers or bad amplifiers are usually in the power supply. I mean most of them use the same chips and topologies for main processing. Just a simple ac filtration device can yield several db loss in noise and bring up the dynamic range. It is common knowledge and physics now. Haven't you seen before and after measurements of good isolated power supply with same amplification output devices vs one with switching power supplies? Plus ever wondered why would the Beolab5 sport old fashioned expensive transformer based power supply versus the switching power supply in the speakers in the rest of the range?
None of which is actual proveable evidence that a different mains cord can yield a detectable, audible difference. As an aside, the amplifiers in the BL5's are switching power supplies in all but name.
I've got mine already and I do really like it.
It sounds not that horrible ;)
My post in the German forum: http://archivedforum2.beoworld.org/forums/t/3587.aspx
Is it only me who thinks it looks kind of like a turret from the Portal-games? =) I hope it wont do the same thing to me while walking into the room however
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 :)
indeed!
Never seen this from this point of view...
pure snake oil ,,I have a 50k linn klimax system and use the supplied cables plugged into the mains,the owner of the shop who is also a bang&olufsen dealer,is a personal friend and has top of the line b&o and linn in his house, and uses standard leads,when he has access to all the fancy leads and conditioners in his shop to take home?
Puncher: wonderfulelectric: power conditioners/ regenerators and etc used to be declared as snake oil like more than a decade ago but now it is more like a given that improvements are usually made with better quality mains. Just a switch of fuses on my ATCs yield tremendous improvements! More so than a power cable switch. It just goes to show that power upgrades are not just about a new way of marketing something they don't need but really just bringing the best out of your system. And notice how some of the demo pictures of A9 loaded on google have special shielded power cables? You did not notice a sheath over the power cable? It was so obvious! Plus the main difference between good dac and bad dac, good amplifiers or bad amplifiers are usually in the power supply. I mean most of them use the same chips and topologies for main processing. Just a simple ac filtration device can yield several db loss in noise and bring up the dynamic range. It is common knowledge and physics now. Haven't you seen before and after measurements of good isolated power supply with same amplification output devices vs one with switching power supplies? Plus ever wondered why would the Beolab5 sport old fashioned expensive transformer based power supply versus the switching power supply in the speakers in the rest of the range? None of which is actual proveable evidence that a different mains cord can yield a detectable, audible difference. As an aside, the amplifiers in the BL5's are switching power supplies in all but name.
I believe when you look at the "Scans" of the beolab 5s you will see evidence of a humongous transformer.
Exactly what have you tried to make such "informed" decision about writing off power cords making any noticeable differences at all to sound quality?
Lol. I too own a Linn Klimax 350A system coupled with a stepped resister based DAC along with Atcs etc and I still do believe in proper power conditioning and even regeneration. I mean come on! On bad days sometimes B&O speakers hum a little and on others they don't. Why is that?
What supplied cables are you using in your Klimax? Have you gone on to the Linn forums? And since you currently own a Linn system you must truly be put off by the fact that they offer Dynamik power supply upgrades.
Anyway to each his own. Look at the photos of the power cords used in the demoes of the A9. What's with the special sheath? I doesn't add at all to the clean aesthetic of the system btw. The sheath is in fact a little fugly.
Why do hospitals need special plugs? Why are you not allowed to charge your phone using their special grade outlets? I believe in measurements then my ears pure and simple. Power cords and electrical power quality can cause huge discrepancies in measurements. Unless you are one of those who thinks that sound quality has nothing to do with measurements then why buy any electronics from the 21st century at all if...... Hello...
wonderfulelectric: I believe when you look at the "Scans" of the beolab 5s you will see evidence of a humongous transformer. Exactly what have you tried to make such "informed" decision about writing off power cords making any noticeable differences at all to sound quality?
I'm making no claims about whatever picture you're looking at of BL5's, I'm merely stating that each of the ICEpower amps in the BL5 are based upon exactly the same switching technology as SMPS's.
I'm writing off power cords making any noticeable differences at all to sound quality on the basis that I can't find any documented, repeatable evidence that says they do. I'm not even talking about measurements, I mean statistically significant, repeatable, independantly adjudicated listening trials. None.......................... not one.
If I were in the business of making power cables and I truly believed that my cables made an audible difference to an audio system, I would assemble a group of golden ears that can reliably hear the difference (10 should probably be enough, from any of the thousands out there that claim they can hear the difference), I would even pay them a fee. I would then approach any of the major Hifi publications to cover the event, and then have an independant test house design and administer the testing. Afterwards, when all results were in, I would be in possession of a certified test result, comprising real scientifically gathered data which fully backed my claims, which was then published in a leading Hifi magazine. I would finally be able to silence the detractors and sell even more cables ..... the cable world would be my Oyster, my fortune would be assured.
None ...................... not one.
wonderfulelectric: power conditioners/ regenerators and etc used to be declared as snake oil like more than a decade ago but now it is more like a given that improvements are usually made with better quality mains. Just a switch of fuses on my ATCs yield tremendous improvements! More so than a power cable switch. It just goes to show that power upgrades are not just about a new way of marketing something they don't need but really just bringing the best out of your system. And notice how some of the demo pictures of A9 loaded on google have special shielded power cables? You did not notice a sheath over the power cable? It was so obvious! Plus the main difference between good dac and bad dac, good amplifiers or bad amplifiers are usually in the power supply. I mean most of them use the same chips and topologies for main processing. Just a simple ac filtration device can yield several db loss in noise and bring up the dynamic range. It is common knowledge and physics now. Haven't you seen before and after measurements of good isolated power supply with same amplification output devices vs one with switching power supplies? Plus ever wondered why would the Beolab5 sport old fashioned expensive transformer based power supply versus the switching power supply in the speakers in the rest of the range? None of which is actual proveable evidence that a different mains cord can yield a detectable, audible difference. As an aside, the amplifiers in the BL5's are switching power supplies in all but name.
Give me data and measurements that power cords do not make a difference in published measurement results and give me reasons why do labs have regulated electrical power.
Do you even know what you believe in?
Seriously... Give me a break! Please do inform every electronic giant out there that they are making mistakes on how they are measuring equipments and please inform them that only what you think matters and that their measurements are not your "measurements". Oh yes and please do tell every stereo publication out there that heir measurements are lies. Only you know the truth to audio. Measurements and graphs are lies! Oh yes and please do rewrite physics that all electronics are not powered by electricity and will not be affected by electricity.
augs: I've got mine already and I do really like it. It sounds not that horrible ;) My post in the German forum: http://archivedforum2.beoworld.org/forums/t/3587.aspx
Yes !
I saw your review in the German forum ... liked the hammock and the Ikea Ivar we have lots of that for our books and my B&O "museum"
You have a very interesting arrangement -- the A9 looked very lonely in its eagle like eyrie !
If google translated your post correctly, I understand you are getting a red A9 for the lower level ?
wonderfulelectric: Give me data and measurements that power cords do not make a difference in published measurement results and give me reasons why do labs have regulated electrical power. Do you even know what you believe in? Seriously... Give me a break! Please do inform every electronic giant out there that they are making mistakes on how they are measuring equipments and please inform them that only what you think matters and that their measurements are not your "measurements". Oh yes and please do tell every stereo publication out there that heir measurements are lies. Only you know the truth to audio. Measurements and graphs are lies! Oh yes and please do rewrite physics that all electronics are not powered by electricity and will not be affected by electricity.
Im not sure where you're going, or what you're asking - all I'm asking is for you to point me to rigourous documentary evidence that these cables make a difference, either measurements or listening tests. If there is no proof then by default the null must be considered true until proved otherwise. I cant find any proof to support power cables as a significant contributer to audio quality.
wonderfulelectric: Puncher: wonderfulelectric: power conditioners/ regenerators and etc used to be declared as snake oil like more than a decade ago but now it is more like a given that improvements are usually made with better quality mains. Just a switch of fuses on my ATCs yield tremendous improvements! More so than a power cable switch. It just goes to show that power upgrades are not just about a new way of marketing something they don't need but really just bringing the best out of your system. And notice how some of the demo pictures of A9 loaded on google have special shielded power cables? You did not notice a sheath over the power cable? It was so obvious! Plus the main difference between good dac and bad dac, good amplifiers or bad amplifiers are usually in the power supply. I mean most of them use the same chips and topologies for main processing. Just a simple ac filtration device can yield several db loss in noise and bring up the dynamic range. It is common knowledge and physics now. Haven't you seen before and after measurements of good isolated power supply with same amplification output devices vs one with switching power supplies? Plus ever wondered why would the Beolab5 sport old fashioned expensive transformer based power supply versus the switching power supply in the speakers in the rest of the range? None of which is actual proveable evidence that a different mains cord can yield a detectable, audible difference. As an aside, the amplifiers in the BL5's are switching power supplies in all but name. Give me data and measurements that power cords do not make a difference in published measurement results and give me reasons why do labs have regulated electrical power. Do you even know what you believe in? Seriously... Give me a break! Please do inform every electronic giant out there that they are making mistakes on how they are measuring equipments and please inform them that only what you think matters and that their measurements are not your "measurements". Oh yes and please do tell every stereo publication out there that heir measurements are lies. Only you know the truth to audio. Measurements and graphs are lies! Oh yes and please do rewrite physics that all electronics are not powered by electricity and will not be affected by electricity.
I think you are looking for this - interestingly a test performed by one of the fathers of the Beolab 5.
Peter
Thanks Peter.
Given that there seems to be no documentary evidence (that can stand up to examination) to substantiate that a mains cable can impact on the sound quality of an audio system or the picture on a TV, are there any legal implications when the manufacturers make unsubstantiated and unproven claims? Or the Hifi press?
iven that there seems to be no documentary evidence (that can stand up to examination) to substantiate that a mains cable can impact on the sound quality of an audio system or the picture on a TV, are there any legal implications when the manufacturers make unsubstantiated and unproven claims? Or the Hifi press?
Hi puncher fancy leads are a load of crap. I know i am talking about another brand, but I spoke to a senior linn engineer and he told me the internal power supply dynamik which is built into linns components,is so good at cleaning up the mains noise fancy leads are not needed.
Also they use the same leads from the entry level gear to the top high-end,he then said if the leads made a difference they would use them,as they are on a pursuit for better sound,also aftermarket leads colour the sound.
I have always used B&o own supplied cables and leads also,if their was a warranty claim and I was using aftermarket power cable,I know what would be blamed.
I heard the A9 today at one of my local dealers here in Aarhus. Here whe have the extreme luxury of choosing among three dealers within a radius of 500 metres
Design wise I was positively surprised - what a fantastic looking device (and much smaller than I expected). In this shop they had the model with white cover - and it looked stylish and discrete. We listened to some random songs from the managers iPhone and I must say that I am very very satisfied with the sound. I would say that I had expected it to sound fantastic giving that it is a stand alone stereo system at 14.999 DKK but I was not at all disappointed!
As we were all alone in the shop he cranked it up close to maximum power and I noticed no distortion whatsoever. Just pure, deep sound with a punchy bass - what a beast!
I would, however, say that the stereo perspektive was rather narrow walking around the unit at close range. But I also expectet that.
If I did not own Lab 3's and a Lab 11 I would seriously consider getting one of these
BeoVision Eclipse 55, BeoPlay S8 (sub+rears), BeoPlay A9 MKII (living room), BeoVision Avant 32 DVD (retro gaming, basement), BeoLab 4000 (entertainment room, basement), BeoSound 8 (workshop), 2x BeoPlay S3 (PC), BeoPlay A1, BeoPlay H2/H3 (on the go)
Thanks Sir Beo berg for your interesting opinion about this new loudspeaker.
Has anyone seen the hanging wall unit ? Wood legs don't pass for my modern flat.
Beosound Stage, Beovision 8-40, Beolit 20, Beosound Explore.
Im getting my A9 and wall bracket on december 4th.
I can post some photos for you if you like? :)
Beovision Eclipse gen2 (GX) w/ floorstand, Beolab 14.2, 4 speaker Shape and ATV4/Chromecast.
Beoplay A9mk4 GVA, Beosound 1 GVA, H2, H3, H8, E6, Beoplay EQ