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
Hello guys,
I really want to get a B&O speaker.
Recently, I found a website selling 2nd Generation A9 for A$2160.
Currently, 4th Generation is selling for A$3200.
I'm wondering whether there are huge difference between 2nd Gen and 4th Gen.
Do you guys think it's still worth to get 2nd Gen?
May I have some comments and feedback from you guys please?
Thank you
hee8336: Recently, I found a website selling 2nd Generation A9 for A$2160. Currently, 4th Generation is selling for A$3200.
I'd go for the MK-2 personally. I own(ed) a MK-1 and it was phenomenal. No idea why it would need to be more powerful. I did a test in the Berlin B&O store compared the Edge, Stage and A9 and the A9 came out on top, over even the Edge. And the dealer agreed.
I'd save some cash and get the MK-2. I hate those silly 4 red LEDs you see behind the speaker cloth, too, on the MK-4.
thank you for the reply!
BeoFrederic:A9 4th gen has, iirc, some DSP magic that will correct for listening-room variances. I believe that I saw a B&O engineer talk abou it on a YT video. Or was it Geoff M.?
Who knows? It's not worth an extra $1000. Trust me on that. And 'magic' really is something I take with a pinch of salt. I think 'magic' is used by B&O staff to convince potential purchasers you're paying for something really special...
The A9 MK2 is what I have an absolutely recommend it. The sound is solid and it’s very versatile for all types of music. It gets really load so volume is not a problem. However, B&O might have improved the overall sound of the A9. The recent updates by B&O have all led to decent improvements.
Personally, I’d save the $1000. I can use Siri from my iPhone or iPad with AirPlay 2 on the A9 MK2 with no problems.
B&O in my life 😊:
I'm also the happy owner of a mkII (90years rose golden special edition), and I absolutely love it, feature wise and sound wise.
If that's interesting for you, there is Spotify Connect on the MKII, and it has disappeared since the MKIII. I use it as the main music source of a Google Home mini which is hidden nearby, so Google Home integration can be done without getting a mk4.
I've not heard the mk4, but it should be a nice improvement of the sound with more amps and more loudspeakers. The issue is that the price has jumped to another level.
But the biggest issue of the mk4 is that i've heard on this forum that someone complained of hearing a hissing sound on standby : if the amp is always running just to answer your voice requests, I fear for the longevity of the electronics and I would buy another MKII instead of a MK4.
diisign.com
mbee: If that's interesting for you, there is Spotify Connect on the MKII, and it has disappeared since the MKIII.
If that's interesting for you, there is Spotify Connect on the MKII, and it has disappeared since the MKIII.
I use this function quite a bit on my BeoSound 2. Direct contact to the speaker and I find it never ever loses the connection or drops it in any form. Much better than going through AirPlay.
Exactly that is the reason, why I’d go for an MK2.
I don’t use Google for voice commands (she seldom understands, what I tell her to play) and Spotify Connect is what I use in my Beo-setup as my main music source.
The MK3 or 4 may be better soundwise, but - also concidering the current price difference - to me it would not justify loosing the support for Spotify Connect.
MM
There is a tv - and there is a BV
I have an MK2, but was able to hear the new 4th generation recently. To me it definitely sounds better than the MK2. However, of it justifies the cost is up to the buyer. If it were me, I’d get the 4th gen over the MK2. The MK2 is a really good sounding speaker but the 4th gen is the best single speaker system I have ever hear. It does a great job of filling the room.
hello everyone,
i was looking for Beoplay A9 since longtime.
and i saw a promotion price for Beoplay A9 2nd generation : 1700 euros.
is it really worth it?
i read somewhere that there are huge difference in POWER AMPLIFIERS: 2nd 480w and 4th 1500w
i don't know very much about speaker power but the number looks have a huge diference..
cadgui: and i saw a promotion price for Beoplay A9 2nd generation : 1700 euros.
Well, my MK1 was incredibly loud and I never went above about volume 75 and it blew everything away, so not sure why anyone would need more power.
I think the biggest difference between MK2 and the MK4 is the type of woofer/bass. But, not sure this really makes a huge improvement to the sound. For example, I prefer the sound from a BeoSound 2 or A9 over that of the Edge with the same bass system.
If I could find a MK2 for around £1500 I'd consider it, but I've seen them for much cheaper. I saw one from a dealer the other day for as low as £1200, so keep looking.
I can even find a MK4 for £1700!
thank you for your advise!
as you said, i keep looking!
have a nice evening
"You think we can slap some oak on this thing?"
I've had the A9 mk1 (essentially a mk2 with less sources - Airplay1 only as Spotify connect was dropped), and currently have a A9 mk4.
The mk4 have more power and two additional rear facing speakers for a more room filling sound. It also have an automatic room correction, where as the Mk2 is limited to three different modes (free, wall, corner). People talk about losing Spotify connect, but that is not an issue. The A9 mk4 supports Chromecast which is fully supported in every Spotify application nowadays.
The Google assistant is also a nice feature if you have other smart devices in your home, or just to start the music. It's much easier to just say "Hey google play music on Spotify", than to start from a phone or PC.
A drawback of the mk4 is that it was no physical bluetooth button. So you need to pair your phone while the speaker is connected to wifi with internet, as the pairing is activated by voice which only works with an internet connection. This can be a pain if you take your A9 to other places, and you are not prepared for it. I have had no issues with pops and bangs from the cabinet on my mk4, but this has been an ongoing issue for the mk1 and mk2 (and possibly mk3).
None of these new features are must haves, but they all add value. If that is enough to justify the extra price tag is a personal matter. The sound of the mk2 is very good, and won't disappoint. But the mk4 is even better.
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
hello,
thanks for your tips!
1200 euros for new! could you tell me about your spot?
Mikael: A drawback of the mk4 is that...
A drawback of the mk4 is that...
Don't forget the 4 (or is it 5) silly Google Assistant LEDs you can see under the fret. This was a huge visual drawback for me and a perplexing addition.
Beovision 7-55 MK1 red, Beolab 10 red. Beolab 50, all black. Beolab 17 broken ice. Beolab transmitter. Apple tv4 and apple express 2.
The four dots only show up when you interact with the assistant or light up permanently red if the microphone is muted. In the latter case just use some black electrical tape to cover them up.
It also appears you can specify the mk4 version WITHOUT the GVA, at least in the US. This avoids the red LED issue if you’d keep the GVA off for privacy, as I would.
(The speaker drivers were materially changed beginning with mk3. This is supposedly noticeably “better” than mk1 or mk2. Mk3 and mk4 use the same drivers but mk4 also has some room calibration software included instead of the free/wall/corner switch.)
Currently: BeoLab 17, BeoLab 18, BeoSound Core, Beosound Level, Beosound A1 2nd Gen, BeoPlay S8 Connection Hub, Halo, Essence Remote
Previously: BeoSound 1 non-GVA
I have the A9 MK2 and a friend has an A9 MK3, I find the audio quality of the MK3 much more punchy and would upgrade in a heartbeat. In fact, I am looking to get a MK4 and sell my mK2 at some point. I found the difference to be noticeable. My 2 cents worth.