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
I was wondering what people think are the hidden gems in the B&O catalogue of products and also if there are items that some think are liked more than they should be. There are a couple of things which I just dont know why people buy, but there you go.
So please list what you think is the most underrated and overrated things in your opinion.
Underrated - Beomaster 1500. I think this is a terrific sounding little amp. Its designed like a mini 4400 and it shows.
Overrated - Beolab 6000. People might not like this one! Lovely looking things but I dont think they sound good at all. I would much prefer the 4000's if going active and there are loads of passive speakers that are much, much better sounding but lose out on the Wife Approval Factor.
There my choices, lets see what others think.
Underated - Beomaster 2200 - lovely sounding & great looking.
Overated - Would have to agree with Beolab 6000.
Cheers
Nigel
Interesting! The 1500 and 2200 share a very similar circuit design and this is , as stated above, similar to the 4400. The 1500 of course was the basis for many music centres and therefore is probably more common than you think!
Over rated - Beomaster 6000 quad - outstanding design but it really just doesn't sound that good. Too much fitted into the box, indirectly coupled, perspex top, keys that bend up. I know this will be strongly disagreed with, but owning a good one, with remote , it remains a disappointment to me.
Peter
I agree with you on the BeoLab 6000, especially when those foam rubber woofer gaskets start to fail. I've had mine for 17 years. They still sound better than your average set of computer speakers - which is what I use mine for. Do keep in mind that these were originally marketed by B&O as rear surround speakers only.
Other products I thought were somewhat overrated are the BeoLab 1, BeoSound 2, BeoSound 3.
The BeoLab Pentas were underrated in my opinion... most likely because they weren't as physically attractive as some of the other B&O products.
Having worked for B&O, I have had the opportunity to listen to every product that came out over the past 20 years. My favorite product that I still don't yet own are the BeoLab 5s, which received the reviews they deserve.
BeoLab 5, BeoVision 7-55 MK2, BeoSound 5 Encore, BeoSound 9000, BeoLab Penta III, BeoLab 8000, BeoLab 6000, BeoLab 2, BeoLab 7-6, BeoSound 8, BeoTime (analog clock), Beo 4 remote.
I agree with everybody else that amplifiers with Beomaster 4400 output design are underrated; they are small champs!
Today I think that many people underrates the later reel-to-reel decks. Bogen heads and a sturdy transport design made these decks very very good, today's tape aficionado usually tend to avoid them.
The Beomaster 6000 4 channel was overrated. If they just had designed the output stage as the "champs" instead of using the old-fashioned capacitor coupling... That made the Beomaster 3400 (Which had the 4400 design) vastly superior in my opinion.
Vinyl records, cassettes, open reel, valve amplifiers and film photography.
Beosound Stage, Beovision 8-40, Beolit 20, Beosound Explore.
Of the BGs I find the BG 5000, maybe for the design, totally underrated , in sound and construction it beats any of the tangential.
Also the BG CD50 is underrated, very good sounding, and you can buy them today for nearly nothing.
Collecting Vintage B&O is not a hobby, its a lifestyle.
Søren Mexico: Of the BGs I find the BG 5000, maybe for the design, totally underrated , in sound and construction it beats any of the tangential. Also the BG CD50 is underrated, very good sounding, and you can buy them today for nearly nothing.
The radial tracking Beograms are excellent and indeed much overlooked by their fancier linear tracking brethren.
Chris Townsend:Without trying to hijack a thread, in that range what would any of you recommend then. Beolab 6002 v Beolab 3 v Beolab 12-3?
consider the thread officially hi-jacked
the BL3s have their ALTs - how important is that for rears I don't know - but I would think the bass they deliver would be important.
on the other hand my wife loves the BL 6000s for their looks and their treble and mellowness (we have 6000-1s) and won't exchange them for BL3s.
can't speak for BL 12-3 ... I would not buy simply on the basis of looks.
BeoNut since '75
I don't think the 6000 sounds that bad, warm, and pleasant would be how I'd describe it! It performs better with some speakers than others too!IMO the only problem that cannot be overcome with the keys is the creasing (the result of the switches become less sensitive and requiring more force to operate), although I am about to start refurbishing my 6000 with minor creases and I will be applying a new layer of lacquer, so we shall see if this hides them to some extent!!! I have straightened the keys out nearly perfectly on a few examples now; just requires a little jig being setup so that you can clamp the top panel down and bend the keys slightly (and I mean very slightly!!!) inward, and then re-stick the plastic widgets!Wonderful machine, and if I had the room it would take pride of place :-)
Peter: Interesting! The 1500 and 2200 share a very similar circuit design and this is , as stated above, similar to the 4400. The 1500 of course was the basis for many music centres and therefore is probably more common than you think! Over rated - Beomaster 6000 quad - outstanding design but it really just doesn't sound that good. Too much fitted into the box, indirectly coupled, perspex top, keys that bend up. I know this will be strongly disagreed with, but owning a good one, with remote , it remains a disappointment to me.
Olly
I really like the Beomaster 6000 Quad. Maybe its not the best souding but it does still sound really good. I think its a favourite often beacause its an amazing design especially for the year it was launched. Its a one of a kind design even for B&O. I sold my 4400 and kept my 6000 quad (Both Mint). I bet Peter will have a look of horror on his face when he reads this!!!!!!
I love sound of my Beocenter 3300, based on BM2200, so uderrated? Prehaps. Touhgt I'm looking for a BM2200 to use as refurb base for my BC3300, they are not so easy aviable anymore, ratings are raising?
Overrated? Dont know, really... Newer stuff...? No, thats because I like vintage and have not so much experinted new B&O.
blah-blah and photographs as needed
BenSA: I really like the Beomaster 6000 Quad. Maybe its not the best souding but it does still sound really good. I think its a favourite often beacause its an amazing design especially for the year it was launched. Its a one of a kind design even for B&O. I sold my 4400 and kept my 6000 quad (Both Mint). I bet Peter will have a look of horror on his face when he reads this!!!!!!
Not surprised at all - I have kept my 6000 for exactly the same reason. However as the flagship model in the B&O range, it should not only look great but have the performance to match. In reality, it was outperformed by many of the other models available at the time - 2000, 4000 and 3400. It does look wonderful though!
Penta's are underrated due to their looks and having owned a pair and stupidly sold them, i regret that every minute when i turn on either my 8000's, 6000's or 4000's.
I wouldn't say overrated product as i don't think anyone rates them - the Beolab 4 speakers! Even for PC speakers they are poor in my opinion. They are the worst B&O product for me.
Dave - Birmingham, UK
Of the 20+ pieces I own, the one that gets about zero mention here is the Beovox S40. A wonderful loudspeaker capable of sounding much, much bigger than its relative small size. As they are subject to foam rot, one can probably get a pair for next to nothing and have a go at your first refoaming. (At least that's what I did a couple years ago.)
Also underrated: the MMC4 cartridge.
Peter: BenSA: I really like the Beomaster 6000 Quad. Maybe its not the best souding but it does still sound really good. I think its a favourite often beacause its an amazing design especially for the year it was launched. Its a one of a kind design even for B&O. I sold my 4400 and kept my 6000 quad (Both Mint). I bet Peter will have a look of horror on his face when he reads this!!!!!! Not surprised at all - I have kept my 6000 for exactly the same reason. However as the flagship model in the B&O range, it should not only look great but have the performance to match. In reality, it was outperformed by many of the other models available at the time - 2000, 4000 and 3400. It does look wonderful though!
Very good response Peter!! I fully agree with what you have said!
Rich: Of the 20+ pieces I own, the one that gets about zero mention here is the Beovox S40. A wonderful loudspeaker capable of sounding much, much bigger than its relative small size. As they are subject to foam rot, one can probably get a pair for next to nothing and have a go at your first refoaming. (At least that's what I did a couple years ago.) Also underrated: the MMC4 cartridge.
Agree, the older Beovox speaskers are highly underrated, take a look at the S45 (83) simple crossover, and then the crossovers in older 2 way speakers, I love my Bvox 1600s
As for the MMC4, I have one and a SMMC4, and had for a short time a MMC2, I could not hear difference between the MMC2 (maybe too old) and the MMC4, and the new SMMC4 was a bit to the high tones (more like CD sound), all tested in my 5000 stack with Beovox 3702. My hearing is not the best, but no hearing aids yet
Hi,
I might well be alone on this one... Beocord 5000 type 4715. I currently have two working perfectly. I kid you not. Engineer's folly perhaps, but definitely one of the most purposeful cassette transports I've ever come across... when it works!
And I'd like a 6000 quad to keep it company, even if it's not the best!
Beocord 5000 type 4921.
Beomaster 2000 : a small Beomaster 4400 to my ears!
Beocenter 3500. Really a Beomaster 3000 with a Beogram 3000. With an SP12 it sounds just great. And what a superb lid!
Jacques
chartz: Hi, I might well be alone on this one... Beocord 5000 type 4715. I currently have two working perfectly. I kid you not. Engineer's folly perhaps, but definitely one of the most purposeful cassette transports I've ever come across... when it works
I might well be alone on this one... Beocord 5000 type 4715. I currently have two working perfectly. I kid you not. Engineer's folly perhaps, but definitely one of the most purposeful cassette transports I've ever come across... when it works
But would you trust it with your only recording of your child's first words?
To me, overrated items could the ones witch I cant imagine to be in use after 10-20-30 years. I mean, I bought BS4500 new 22 years ago, still in everyday use. Later on bought BC3300 from 70's, in everyday use now. Several other vintage items from late 60's, 70's, 80's, mainly in usable condition or could be fixed to.
How many of nowdays Ax devices is, or even can be in use after that time? Or do they transform to nice little ornaments?