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
Thanks so much Geoff - the BL90s are incredible, you did an incredible job on them!
Out of interest, what do you use as a high-end source when connecting via the analogue inputs?
Hi Mike,
I've used / am using a bunch of different analogue sources - some with better spec's than others. The primary ones are:
I've tried others - but those are the ones I use on a weekly basis.
Cheers
-geoff
If anyone should want to question the quality of OPPO105, he might be well off reading some of what Archimago writes about it in his blog.
You can start here:
http://archimago.blogspot.com/2017/04/measurements-oppo-bdp-105-rca-xlr-hdmi.html
It should still be possible to get this gem - or maybe the successor 205:
http://archimago.blogspot.com/2018/06/measurements-oppo-udp-205-part-3-jitter.html
IMO the OPPO (x05-) devices are (or rather were) excellent options for a B&O setup including speakers like the BL90’s.
Also - since it is very versatile - it helps to declutter the setup, which might be inportant to many B&O users.
There is a tv - and there is a BV
Hi Joey thought I'd share my setup and experience with the BL90s. I'm very happy with the SQ. Did you get them in the end?
I have a few sources connected to it:
USB- Innuos SE server. This setup is a breeze, I am able to use Roon + Qobuz/Tidal on the Innuos. I can rip my own CDs easily and play my library from Roon. Most of the time I use this setup. I bought the Innuos Zennith Special Edition last year and highly recommend anyone who has the BL50s or BL90s to take a look at Innuos's USB servers. SQ is phenomenal and ease of use is a big plus. Originally I had considered getting the Aurender N10 but realized the advantage of Roon and ripping would make things much easier and I'm very happy I went the the SE instead. Innuos has a newer higher end version called the Statement that just came out, SQ is even better, spacier. Also I can play DSD material via Roon + SE, the SE will convert DSD to LPCM prior to sending to the BL90s.
XLR - Oppo 205. I use this for the occasional SACD as some DSD material is only available in disc format still.
Optical - Beosound Core. This is mainly for casual streaming of Spoitfy. The SQ is still quite good and I find Spotify's native app a much better way to discover music even over Qobuz/Tidal+Roon. Also this is a bit cheeky (yet I find cool) but I have a google home connected to the Core so I can simply voice command "hey google play jazz in the living room" and boom I have instant music coming from the BL90s.
Powerlink - BS3. I use this for surround processing for an ultra short throw projector setup and also a BS9000. SQ is better if I rip the CD to my Innuos server and play from the SSD via USB but the BS9000 is a classic to keep.
I also have the IR eye for the BL90s + beoremote so I don't always need to go into the app to adjust volume. Very happy with the SQ especially after room calibration was done.
I have been having some trouble with the BL90s where it keeps needing to be powercycled to properly function and B&O is looking into that.
Would love to hear your experience if you decided to get them
Karl
hi The Beolab 90 has so much computing power with that much electronics the probability of failure is high. My beolap 90 has developed a click on the master speaker almost a click per second.
Bang & olufsen are sorting it out but due to size and complexity it will take many weeks.
the sound quality is very good when working well and correcctly set up. The imaging and dynamics are fabulous. The ability to shift the sweet spot is a bonus for me, but for some not so much. I am sure many high end speakers sound as good i am now committed with these not disappointed but am concerned about future issues and parts.
B&O have not given a full answer to these questions.
A few of us share the concern over the long-term reliability of these complex loudspeakers.
Serviceability (beyond modules to component level), parts availability and replacement parts cost.
So far yours is the first BL90 that I have heard any fault with that is not a software blip. Please keep us posted on the repair, resolution process and B&O Service commitment.
Thanks
Hi joey,
Not to tempt fate but my experience has been entirely positive. i am running a Lumin X1 streamer/dac into either the XLRs on the 90s or via USB to them. Although the XLR Lumin signal into the 90s gets converted to digital it does make a difference to the SQ - at least to my ears it does.
Virtually all my listening is streamed by Qobuz and Tidal and any radio listening is via the Lumin app which provides stations’ streaming FLAC across the various categories of music - excellent!
My music listening is entirely stereo and ( as you would expect for the money ) sound really good. However, where they really score from my viewpoint, in comparison with other very high-end speakers, is the relative ease of operation and ability to change and redo things such as room compensation combined with their sound. To alter room compensation or tweak many high-end speakers to different listening positions requires half a day and really specialist, expensive help. I can recalibrate four or five different positions or furniture/equipment change in around an hour and the results are quite remarkable. Combined with my B&O TV which changes all the various speaker options in my system with hardly a glitch it’s perfect for me.
Hope this helps.
sirjohn: hi The Beolab 90 has so much computing power with that much electronics the probability of failure is high. My beolap 90 has developed a click on the master speaker almost a click per second. Bang & olufsen are sorting it out but due to size and complexity it will take many weeks.
My pair developed the same fault. Is the clicking coming from a particular driver? In my case, it was, and the fault was resolved fairly simply by replacing the amplifier for that driver.
Hi many thanks for your reply
the ticking is from the master most pronounced on the top section, but can be heard on the woofer ( could be just transfer from internal wiring)
my concern was parts availability in the long term and fixes/getting parts from them may prove difficult
take care John
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i will certainly keep this forum posted on my experience the retailer seems to gloss over the complex scenario of repairs
i just hope Land Rover had nothing to do with these LOL
update the clicking is from one of the front facing tweeters that have failed (rather the driver)
so as an interim measure i covered it so the clicking is very much softer
not perfect but is OK as a work around and does not affect the speaker
sirjohn: update the clicking is from one of the front facing tweeters that have failed (rather the driver)
My suspicion is that it's the amplifier that has failed rather than the driver.
If so, it's approximately a £250 part and should take less than an hour's labour to replace.
where can i obtain the amp and part number if pos
many thanks for your help
sirjohn: where can i obtain the amp and part number if pos many thanks for your help
You'd need to go through your B&O dealer for that, unless somebody on here has access to that information. But it should be a pretty simple item to replace.
many thanks will find out what the warranty is worth lol