Surround setup: BL3+BL4 or BL12.1 or BL12.2?

Hello,

We are currently moving our TV from the living room into a designated TV lounge. The new room is about 12m2 big and quite square. 

For the beginning we want to use the current BV8-40, but sooner or later a new BV11-46 will find the way. Now I am questioning about which speakers I should buy. 

My first idea was to buy a pair BL3 as front (as I have now in the living room) and add some BL4 as rear speakers. Now I realized, that B&O brought out different versions of the BL12 (just saw the biggest ones before). 

• Does anyone here have some experience with the new BL12.1 or BL12.2? 
• How would they compare to BL3? (all on a wall)
• Is there a big difference between 12.1 and 12.2 (sound wise, I know about ALT difference)?

The rear speakers would be on the wall right next to the sofa (which is also on the wall. I think I would add a BL11 sub in any setup. 

Thanks or your ideas! Have a merry Christmas and all the best for 2013!

Heribert

Our current setup is BV10-46, BL3 as fronts, BL11 as sub and BL4000 as rears. 

I was thinking of getting a pair of BL4 as rears, because they are smaller than the BL4000. Now we are very satisfied with the big 4000 as rears - the make quite a lot sound witch is good while watching movies! So my advice would be 4000s instead of 4s.. 

BL3 is in my opinion a great speaker, very well sounding and good looking.

I also like the fuller sound of the BL4000 - makes a good combination with BL3 in my ears. Crisp fronts and full rears. 

The BL11 is a great little piece of sub, while listening to music it is there but not to much! While watching movies it is good. The bigger sub would probably be cooler in actionmovies but not too good while listening to music.. 

As said before everyone has a different set of ears and will experience the same speakers differently.. I dont know if this made you any smarter. 

 

Rikard:

I was thinking of getting a pair of BL4 as rears, because they are smaller than the BL4000. Now we are very satisfied with the big 4000 as rears - the make quite a lot sound witch is good while watching movies! So my advice would be 4000s instead of 4s.. 

I agree ... I have 4 x BL4s and they do not pack enough punch.

I bought the first 2 for special reasons (easy to transport while working remote from home, and drive off my PC) and I bought the 2nd pair to create a surround sound environment -- it was a bad choice: I should have sold the first pair and ended up with deferred gratification and either 4000s or BL3s.

elephant:

I agree ... I have 4 x BL4s and they do not pack enough punch.

I have 4xbl 4000's with bl2 and avant - they would punch you off your couch with the right sort of movie.

Hi Heribert,

having a Beovision 10-46 surround Beolab 6000 front, 4000 rear and Beolab 11, I suggest for your set-up to exchange the BL 4 by BL 4000, if going for the BL 3´s. Also add a BL 11. I did so some weeks ago and it is a big difference, a joy to listen to.

Considering the BL 12.3, I had a demo at my dealer. Wall mounted, they sound quite clear but I had the impression that they lack a bit of bass, unlike the Beolab 4500 e. g. I have to add, that I was not aware of the sound set-up he was using, so that might make a difference. And, additionally, the room there has not really a good acoustic behaviour.

If I would buy a new BV 11-46 I would go as well for new BL 12 speakers and wall mount them. I like the look and the sound. In addition, I would add a BL 11, not being experienced with the often reported better sound system of the Beovision 11, I don´t know if that makes the BL 11 obsolete. In any case, designwise it will be a stunning set-up .

My dealer also had the BL 12.1 on a floor stand available, but at that time not connected with the mains and his sound systems, so I guess, I will have a closer look next time.

If you´re going to buy at a dealership, I also would test the systems in your home first. This will give you the right impression considering the room acoustic and the sound in your real day-to-day living space.

Thanks for the good wishes, also a merry christmas, happy holidays and a very good new year 2013 to you and all the Beoworld members.

Kind regards,

Rolf

I see and try to sum up.

• BL3 are given - except I buy BL12+BL11 instead. Wall mount of BL12 as front is not easy, asspace is limited. BL3 would easier fit a little below the screen.
• BL4000 before I buy BL4. I like the possibility to have the BL4 in white. But sound is more important.
• BL12.1 or 12.2: need to do a comparison at my dealers place (if he already has both versions) or even better at home. 

Thanks for your input. If someone hears the BL12 against BL4000 the next time, please still give me your impressions. 

Heribert

I Have seen white bl4000 on secondhand market in Sweden..

Hello,

I wanted to update you on the hear test I had in my local shop. Was not so easy to have both in the shop at once. I listened to Amy Winehouse (several songs), AC/DC (hells bells), Barry White (several songs)

BL12.1: on a stand with FREE position setting. the sound was much better than expected. Of course they need a sub (same as BL12.2). But they make a clear and nice sound. Very similar to BL 4000. 

BL12.2: On a wall with wall selection. I did not like the sound - it was not as full as with BL12.1. They were lacking volume in sound. The heights are clearer than with BL12.1, but the soundstage was "smaller". Same BL12.2 free standing and FREE position sounded much better later on. I do not know why it is like that, but perhaps the Wall panels of the B&O Store are not perfect for them. 

Which one to take? Difficult choice for me. I want them as rear speakers were the couch is standing on the wall where the BL12 should be. Therefore the BL12.2 with accustic lens seem to be the better choice. For any other situation I would even prefer the BL12.1. In any case you want to have just BL12.1 or 2 as main speakers you need to add a SUB. 

What did I do? I bought a Beovision 11 and a beolab 11 to support my fron BL6000 and postponed the decision which rear speaker I should buy ;-) So I bought a little time...

Have a nice day,

Heribert

Hi Heribert,

in a pure "hi-fi stereo" configuration, do you think the BL12-2 can be compared to a pair of BL4000, or even BL3 ?

I'm ready to replace my BL4 for a new set of free standing speakers (to go with a BeoSound 5) and i really like the look of the 12 series.

Maybe a pair of 12-3 ?

If price isn't too much of a problem, and having listened recently to both, I'd go for the 12-1 over the 4000.

I think the BL12 are netter than BL4000 but do not match the performance of BL3. They would be perfect if you also have a BL11 in your setup. I did not listen to the BL12.3 as they are top big for my needs.

I had a pair of BL3 as main speakers and was happy with them. Then I added a BL11, mainly for videos, and now I would not want to miss it again. The sound stage is much better now. So you see also these win a lot when adding the sub.

Thanks guys,

I thought of a BL11 but for my BeoVision 10, not for the music set-up. And my stereo is in another room, so...

I've not heard the BL12. Maybe it's time to go to the dealer with some CDs for testing.

Anyway, thanks for your comments.

Guys,

since this article is over 1 year old, did anybody change their rear speakers for the latest BL12.1/2 or BL3as rears?

I have a pair of BL4000 MKII on B&O floor stands and last one or two month I saw some good offers for BL3/BL12.2 demo speakers. So I`m asking myself to replace my BL4000. I have to say, they only are used in TV mode.

Visual the BL4000 on original floor stand are a beauty queen in comparision to the BL3.