Beolab 50 sound quality

I have noticed the Beolab 50s sounds rather flat when playing streamed sources even with Deezer (both iDevice and app within TV) where the sound is better when streaming directly from Apple TV music app. The 50s are connected to Avant NG. I have played the same song using the same source through the Beolab 50: and Beolab 5s - have to say the 5s sounded better. 

is this a setting problem that can be fixed? 

The beolab 50 sounds a bit harsh before breakin. Took me maybe 100 hours of playing. You must have some setup issues.

Room compensation not done properly?

I would say the BL5s sound different. 

The ALT lenses distribute sound in a certain way and this effect will be more pronounced in the BL5 over the 50s.

Additionally, the 15inch bass brought a real thump to the 5s, whereas in the BL90s (my reference), the bass is significantly less but much more defined and structured. 

Takes some getting used to and some reall consideration in setup, but with the 90s (and I assume with the 50s) a far more natural sound full of image, depth and detail will come with experiment.

Couple more points, 1) IMHO, Beovisions are too dominant in effecting the sound quality of the BL90, you need to optimise with a very good digital source, 2) I don’t like listening to low res Deezer/Spotify (especially via a Beovision). To that effect, the BL5 is probably more forgiving

 

The beolab 5 is firering the sub against the floor and probebly shaking it all up unless you have concreate floor. It vill also have a deaper inpact ond the rest of the room structure. Beolab 50 and 90 have active room compensation and less impact.

The beolab 9 and 20 have the same difference.

The old speakers feels like the play louder because of that.

also not all sources play at the same start DB to begin with and or do the obvious first and check your settings in your BV

 

Esax:

The beolab 50 sounds a bit harsh before breakin. Took me maybe 100 hours of playing. You must have some setup issues.

I have acquired a set of Beolab 50 speakers and a calibration microphone. I have listened both with Beovision Eclipse as the source and mostly an Oppo 203 player connected via coax SPDIF using the speakers D/A converter.

In a well calibrated mode, the speakers sounds really detailed, but... after listening for a while even at moderate volume I feel I get tired in my head and ears from listening to them, have actually expected a “warmer” more ear friendly sound. Then fell over that you write they sound a bit harsh before break-in.

Is this the same experience you had with your Beolab 50.

I hope my experience with the speakers get better over time, so far I only have maybe 30-40 hours of use.

 

Hi Bestsound, I use also an Eclipse with powerlink to my BL 50. I have also an Oppo 203 with digital coax cable connected. I f I compare sound quality when listening to music from these two sources I feel that the Oppo with digital connection (DLNA music) have slightly deeper and more detailed sound vs the Eclipse with powerlink connection (when listening to the same DLNA music).

 

Best regards

Martin

Hi Bestsound, I use also an Eclipse with powerlink to my BL 50. I have also an Oppo 203 with digital coax cable connected. I f I compare sound quality when listening to music from these two sources I feel that the Oppo with digital connection (DLNA music) have slightly deeper and more detailed sound vs the Eclipse with powerlink connection (when listening to the same DLNA music).

 

Best regards

Martin

Hi Bestsound, I use also an Eclipse with powerlink to my BL 50. I have also an Oppo 203 with digital coax cable connected. I f I compare sound quality when listening to music from these two sources I feel that the Oppo with digital connection (DLNA music) have slightly deeper and more detailed sound vs the Eclipse with powerlink connection (when listening to the same DLNA music).

 

Best regards

Martin

Hi Bestsound, I use also an Eclipse with powerlink to my BL 50. I have also an Oppo 203 with digital coax cable connected. I f I compare sound quality when listening to music from these two sources I feel that the Oppo with digital connection (DLNA music) have slightly deeper and more detailed sound vs the Eclipse with powerlink connection (when listening to the same DLNA music).

 

Best regards

Martin

Hi Bestsound, I use also an Eclipse with powerlink to my BL 50. I have also an Oppo 203 with digital coax cable connected. I f I compare sound quality when listening to music from these two sources I feel that the Oppo with digital connection (DLNA music) have slightly deeper and more detailed sound vs the Eclipse with powerlink connection (when listening to the same DLNA music).

 

Best regards

Martin

Hi Bestsound, I use also an Eclipse with powerlink to my BL 50. I have also an Oppo 203 with digital coax cable connected. I f I compare sound quality when listening to music from these two sources I feel that the Oppo with digital connection (DLNA music) have slightly deeper and more detailed sound vs the Eclipse with powerlink connection (when listening to the same DLNA music).

 

Best regards

Martin

If you like the sound of the 5s more, then you have the option of running the sound profile of the 5s on the 50s. 
It really adds a little more punch to these great speakers. I like that personally and I called this loudspeaker group Party!

Mikipidia:

also not all sources play at the same start DB to begin with and or do the obvious first and check your settings in your BV

I agree.

My BL50’s are connected to my Harmony.

I have increased the input level on the Harmony sound centre with 3db when streaming from Deezer via the B&O app to the Harmony.

In comparison the input is set at 0db for following sources:

- HDMI from ATV connected to my Harmony

- Airplay to the Harmony

- Deezer app on/from LG webOS

Martin:

Hi Bestsound, I use also an Eclipse with powerlink to my BL 50. I have also an Oppo 203 with digital coax cable connected. I f I compare sound quality when listening to music from these two sources I feel that the Oppo with digital connection (DLNA music) have slightly deeper and more detailed sound vs the Eclipse with powerlink connection (when listening to the same DLNA music).

 

Best regards

Martin

Hello, Martin

I have stored my CDs as FLAC lossless on a server and play exactly like you DLNA from either Oppo or Eclipse.

You are right about the sound is more "high end" from the Oppo digital out, but I also experiences playing the CD itself in the Oppo player, the sound significantly improve over the DLNA.

Have you try comparing between CD direct/DLNA, could actually be interesting to know if you would experience the same.

It is a somewhat tedious problem which is probably difficult to explain or do something about.

You mentioned Deezer. Deezer’s paying Premier subscription is now in FLAC and an annual membership is £107. I would never use more than minimum CD/FLAC quality with these speakers and preferably a digital signal rather than analog over powerlink.

Maybe not the proper threat for my comment…I have the 50’s since August and they have grown on me to a level that I want to state: what a amazing speaker it is! I’m so enthusiastic about them and feel the need to share this with you all.

I know there are a lot of opinions about all speakers and I’ve owned quite a few in the past decades. I always felt there was something missing. Now I know what I was missing: the shear easiness a speaker could handle every type of music at every level you would play it. The purity, the clarity, the full spectrum, the controlled bass, the stereo image. Unbelievable.

The 50’s are so good…they have made me experience sound as an art form. I consider them as pure art. As someone would be proud to have an piece of art at their wall of their beloved artist, I’m grateful that I can enjoy the beauty of the 50’s.

Bang & Olufsen should upsell this product way more as it is too unknown to the world.

To Geoff Martin, what a great job, even as the 90’s are your masterpiece, I consider the 50’s your best next thing!

One more song and then I stop listening..