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 just came back from my dealer in Taiwan pondering whether I should just replace the Beoplay A9 I preordered and paid for with a pair of Beolab 4000s or 6002s ( it sounds like a ready good deal when the free playmaker is thrown in and the A9s are only going to be in Taiwan late Feb, god knows where I will be then). I was then informed that shouldn't go for those options as the speakers are going to be discontinued soon and the dealer has already received a notification from the factory that the production has ceased. I really don't know whether the info I got the dealer is true but it is kind of expected since I can't imagine those speakers to be as competent as the newest range of speakers B&O have and will produce. Why couldn't they just upgrade the internals? Like entirely new driver configurations and new amplifications? I guess that will make the current owners unhappy? I really like the design of the 6002s and will buy them for secondary systems even if I don't really admire the sound. It will be so great if B&O will modify the design of the 6000s just a little double the price and triple the performance while at it. I am sure that is totally possible. I am thinking of a 3/4inch tweeter from the ALT range, mated with a 3 inch midrange, and 3( 3.5 inch heavy duty woofers) with 5 channels of ice-power amplification. Maybe too many column speakers in the market already? But what is the excuse for the 4000s to be discontinued?
A new age might really be dawning at B&O. Bye Bye 90s underperforming speakers and hello to super competent 21st century designs.
I must say that i've always loved the design of the 6000s/6002s although i've never liked the look of the 4000s even though it does have its followers. It will be sad to see the 6002s go as I think the new range of B&O speakers are totally ugly with the exception of the BL3 which i find kinda cute.
I always think it's sad when B&O's most iconic pieces are axed but if they are not selling these days then...
I do hope that the BL8002 lives on forever!!!
I would be very interested in seeing a stereo pair of speakers, each with the punch of an A9 ... that would be awesome
of course I would never be allowed to buy them ... but I would lust after them
BeoNut since '75
The modern stuff is either horrifically stupid or cheaply made . The bv11 - which is basically a David Lewis design stands head and shoulders above anything else bno have introduced in the past year or so.
They desperately need some new design talent !
Not somebody who specialises in designing tables or lampshades ..
Surprised as both the 4000 and 6002 were re-engineered not long ago. The 4000 in particular is a superb speaker - very under rated in my view. Pleased that I have two pairs! (Original ones with the AB amplifiers)
Peter
Yes you're probably right Flappo. A quick look around B&O the other day and three products seemed to stand out - the BV11, A8 Airplay dock & the BL3s all three are very nice though in terms of design. IAfter my awful experience in Selfridges, London I really don't think the old B&O snooty old man image will ever, ever fade. The showrooms still look as though they've been left in the 1990s with awful grey carpets! Just a bit boring!
Peter:The 4000 in particular is a superb speaker - very under rated
I would totally agree and they have so many placement options. I have 4 pairs and could not imagine replacing them.
wonderfulelectric: A new age might really be dawning at B&O. Bye Bye 90s underperforming speakers and hello to super competent 21st century designs.
Not really surprising news. I expect there will be more changes especially after announcements from B&O at CES in January. Whether the new offerings are a 21st century design is going to be debated.
One thing is certain. The Wi-Fi connectively is not current technology but has been in use for some time. The A9 airplay supports only 2.4 GHz (b/g) networks. In urban areas this is a problem. Where I live, there are about 15 wireless networks of this type in range and do cause dropouts on my Beolit 12. I am going to solve the problem but using an ethernet connection. There goes portability. The A9 should support Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n with an option to use 5 GHz
It wouldn't surprise me. Both these speakers have been around forever and many believe the internal "upgrade" to the 4000s was actually a downgrade.
On the other hand, it also wouldn't surprise me if the dealer was being less than truthful or perhaps exaggerating the situation... There have been many reports of less than accurate information coming from dealers over the years on this site... especially if the A9 is more expensive than the alternative.
I can sort of see the Beolab 12 replace the the 6000/2, but no so much the 4000. Can't hardly put a 12 in a book case... I suppose book cases are also a relic of the past...
Stan
New developments are always essential for any business, B&o not excluded.
However, I still have to be convinced that the superb designs delivered by mr.Lewis can be equalled by his successors. The magic, artistic touch is not apparent at the moment, with the exception of the Beolit 12 that is; a very nice design by the young Danish lady whose name I can't reproduce at this moment.
Peter: Surprised as both the 4000 and 6002 were re-engineered not long ago. The 4000 in particular is a superb speaker - very under rated in my view. Pleased that I have two pairs! (Original ones with the AB amplifiers)
Totally agree Peter!!!!
They will be missed from the range available imo!!!
Jonnie
The funniest thing about salesmen and their attitudes is that most of them couldn't afford the product they're actually selling . It's a kind f inverted snobbery.
Flappo: The funniest thing about salesmen and their attitudes is that most of them couldn't afford the product they're actually selling . It's a kind f inverted snobbery.
Often true alas. Former US Secretary of State and National Security Advisor Dr. Condelezza Rice reportedly had a girl at a jewelry counter in DC insinuate she couldn't afford the jewelry and was at the wrong counter. Rice replied that if the girl could afford anything in the display case she wouldn't be on that side of it. Heh...
Jeff
I'm afraid I'm recovering from the BeoVirus.
X1000!!!!
Too long to list....
Jeff: Flappo: The funniest thing about salesmen and their attitudes is that most of them couldn't afford the product they're actually selling . It's a kind f inverted snobbery. Often true alas. Former US Secretary of State and National Security Advisor Dr. Condelezza Rice reportedly had a girl at a jewelry counter in DC insinuate she couldn't afford the jewelry and was at the wrong counter. Rice replied that if the girl could afford anything in the display case she wouldn't be on that side of it. Heh...
Awesome!
Another reason we love the apple store experience so much , eh ?;)
Gotta agree with you Flappo. The atmosphere is vibrant in there. I wanted to have a play with the A8 & BeoLit 12 so I chose the London Apple stores to do so. Unfortunitely, they didn't have any A8s on display only BeoLit 12s
Flappo write: "They desperately need some new design talent !
Not somebody who specialises in designing tables or lampshades .."
Totally agree !
David Lewis had an heritage from Jacob Jensen. Today, B&O work with some young unknown danish designers. They are creative but
not in the BeoSpirit of the brand. All traditionnal BeoCustomers ( like me- 44 years old only ) are lost with the new language of Beoplay !
Hoping that new elegant products will be launched either. I like very much the BeoLab 12's collection - last speaker designed by Lewis.
I will buy a pair of model 12.3 soon. Funny to read that B&O stopped BL 4000; because I just saled in eBay my old A/B BL 4000 !
Beofan53:The Beolab 12-1 is/will be the successor of the Beolab 4000, according to some dealers. The Beolab 12-2 will be seen as the successor of the Beolab 6002.
So basically now almost all speakers in the beolab range will be three ways?
I like the design on of beolab 12 but I kinda wish it is circular instead of rectangular. The outer circular form paralleling with the inner circular grill that reflects the circular ALT. That will be tres chic. Rectangular elongated speakers are so overdone.
BeoBoy68: Today, B&O work with some young unknown danish designers. They are creative but not in the BeoSpirit of the brand. All traditionnal BeoCustomers ( like me- 44 years old only ) are lost with the new language of Beoplay !
Today, B&O work with some young unknown danish designers. They are creative but
True, the red line of design was lost long ago. Soon 10 years now.
You know what I think is kinda strange? It's either I was just prophetic or I simply represented the taste of the new generation.
I just recalled that nearly a decade ago when I was a teen. I posted in B&O's forum that they should abandon the whole sleek 90s look and be more arty and eccentric. Like making their speakers seen because the whole invisible speakers thing is so passé and that we are heading straight back to the 80s in terms of how we like our speakers to be seen. I made this whole statement about how nerdy looks are in or something. I even suggested to replace the whole anodized aluminum look and move on to resin or ceramic. lol.... I was just a teen staying in a home full of parent's B&O electronics who couldn't afford any of them.
And just look at where the "new" aesthetic of B&O is heading?! I still think B&O is not pushing enough though. The current designs are still a little polite. I really wish that B&O will one day try using ceramic and resin instead of the cheap alternative - plastic. When I say ceramic I am referring to those used in jewelry not fragile china.
I just went to the B&O page and looked at the Beolab 12 lineup, and I have to say I'm unimpressed visually. Sonically they might be wonderful, and the wall mount ones look pretty good, but I think the Beolab 4000's on the wall look more interesting. I think the loss of the 4000, 6000, and particularly 8000 would be terrible. B&O should be careful to not throw out the baby with the bathwater when doing changes IMO, I understand the need for new product and style, but am unconvinced this is the right direction. But, given the market, who knows.
bayerische: BeoBoy68: Today, B&O work with some young unknown danish designers. They are creative but not in the BeoSpirit of the brand. All traditionnal BeoCustomers ( like me- 44 years old only ) are lost with the new language of Beoplay ! True, the red line of design was lost long ago. Soon 10 years now.
Agree - once B&O had new and groundbreaking design made by Jensen and later Lewis...Think about how different the Beolab 5000 set was in the 60's compared to other stereo sets. And the Beomaster 1900 in 1974 - a true revolution in design of a receiver...the basic design was in the B&O range for almost 20 years - and still looks good.And Lewis' classic MX tv design... a CRT tv never looked better. And the Beosystem 2500 (later Ouverture etc.) -and BS 9000 -and Beolab 8000 speakers etc...And today...well - some of the latest designs are 'retro'. The Beolit 12 is based on the design of a portable radio from the 60's (B&O even wrote that in the press release). And the A9 is, in some way, inspired by 1950's Danish furniture design... -some will say looks like a sattelite dish on three legs -or a dartboard -or some kind of an African drum on three legs...
Once B&O had a consistent design - you could always see that it was B&O. Today it's like they don't know where they're going...'A ittle bit of this, and a little bit of that'... 'Retro is 'in' -let's do a little of that! Let's give the people what they want (or what we think they want). And next year we'll try something else...'
Where's the new and innovative design..?
Jeff: I just went to the B&O page and looked at the Beolab 12 lineup, and I have to say I'm unimpressed visually. Sonically they might be wonderful, and the wall mount ones look pretty good, but I think the Beolab 4000's on the wall look more interesting. I think the loss of the 4000, 6000, and particularly 8000 would be terrible. B&O should be careful to not throw out the baby with the bathwater when doing changes IMO, I understand the need for new product and style, but am unconvinced this is the right direction. But, given the market, who knows.
Agreed! I think the Beolab 12 should remain as a line on itself. And design other loudspeaker options too that might not depend heavily on wall mounting options. Maybe B&O should start considering adding active servo technology into their higher concept speakers. You won't need as many drivers and space to provide the same amount of bass extension and distortion characteristics as with conventional active.
Like i said perhaps a few models of wireless DSP servo active speakers will serve B&O well. Just look at what were done in Abacus line of loudspeakers and Dspeaker. I hate that signals need to go through another another stage of A/D to D/A conversion in their designs though. It's impressive all active servo technology has now gained the speed to process signals up to the midrange whereas in the pass it was only applicable in the bass range.
B&O please make a few models of high-res studio monitor quality speakers for us design conscious audiophiles! Costly loudspeakers sold in the professional market sell more in volume than commercial active prepositions! I request for 64 bit processing with full 24/196khz wireless link and processing functions, most out there can just do 24bit/96khz processing for some reason. Show those overpriced audiophile brands what you are truly capable of doing! Perhaps throw in minimum phase low ringing filter topology to make it an all assault affair. You need to show the lifestyle market who is the real boss in the business. Electronics are cheap, R&D into this venture shouldn't cost you all that much.
Hmmm... I was thinking of a loudspeaker that is priced at the level of the Lab9s but slightly larger than the Lab 4000s. Aimed at the audiophile crowd. Like the Eilpson L active loudspeakers but with a propriety 24bit/ 196khz streaming technology with built-in over engineered neodymium drivers coupled with DSP active servo drive. Quality over quantity! Even a bookshelf speaker priced at Lab5 level will not be a problem for serious audiophiles if the sound quality delivers.
B&O has not remotely touched the high-end audiophile market as of yet but has the full resources and scale to do so. Kinda odd.