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’m a bit behind on Mikipedia’s podcasts so only yesterday did I learn that BeoLab 17 is entering its final round of production and will soon be discontinued. I thought it may be nice to discuss how wonderful a speaker it is, the good memories we’ve made listening to the 17s... and even what may replace it and when.
A moment ago I listened to Fiona Apple’s CRIMINAL on my BL17s and was blown away by how well it handled the strong bass lines in that song. Before I owned a pair, I remember watching John at B&O Manchester’s YouTube review of them in which he claimed they are both seriously underrated and that he prefers them sonically to the BL18. Now, as an owner of both speakers, I understand what he means.
How can such a small speaker perform so well? Pick one up and its substantial weight tips you off as to what to expect when you plug it in. Even without the acoustic lens, the treble seems crisp and clear and the mids and lows punch much lower than one would expect given its size.
Is it beautiful? To my eye, yes. Can it compete as a design icon with the 18? No, particularly with wood lamellas. But the 18s do lack the low-end grunt the 17s possess although the acoustic lens and tweeter produce very, very sweet highs that are less dependent upon room placement.
The 17s are a surprisingly good speaker in a small package and I feel very lucky to have a pair. I wonder how, and when, B&O will try to improve upon it. An updated version of BeoLab 3 with an acoustic lens and at least a 6” driver might be something!
Geoff and team, you did a super job with BeoLab 17. What a great run. Thank you!
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
lawrencejmcook:Hi Curly, I, too, love my BL17s. The bass is simply amazing for its size. But it is not a one-trick pony; the overall sonic balance of the speaker is great. I also love its flexible positioning - I have the wall brackets, floor supports, floor stands and table end caps (although I haven’t used all of them yet). The only slight annoyance (when re-configuring or re-positioning them) is the labyrinthine cable routing at the back depending on what kind of cable you use, what kind of support you use, and whether you’re moving the left or right speaker 😄. But I forgive them this for the jaw-dropping sound quality and clean exterior lines. I agree: well done to Geoff and company for pulling a rabbit out of the hat. Lawrence
BV Harmony 65 / Eclipse 55 / BL 50 / 19 / 18 / BS 2 all brass
BV Horizon 48 / V1 40 / BL 17 / Beoplay S3 all black
V1 / BL 3 / BS Essence MKII / Beoplay A3 all white
BS Moment / BS 3000 / BS 3200 / BL 400 all silver
Headphones / bluetooth speakers / BLC NL-ML / BLGateway
I know…B&O virus has grown on me !
I am one of the proud owners of a pair of Beolab 17. Bought them used for 800 EUR a pair. Don't ask, pure luck.
Currently using them as WISA speakers for my Beosound Moment, and I agree with the OP. Their sound is just amazingly... powerful, but neutral. I listen to a different mix of music, and they equally impress me with Celine Dion as they do with Jean Michel Jarre. Brian Eno? Yes, amazing.
Even if I bought them at the price level that allows me to sell them easily, I won't sell them ever. This is how good they are.
AnalogPlanet: I am one of the proud owners of a pair of Beolab 17. Bought them used for 800 EUR a pair. Don't ask, pure luck.
EUR$800?? That’s amazing! Well done, sir!
I agree with you all, the cable management at the rear can be tricky, however. Thick RCAs or Toslinks won’t work. At the moment I’m running Monoprice Toslink cables and they work just great but any of the “premium” cables that are extra thick wouldn’t work. Thankfully, they sound great despite using fairly generic cables.
Oh wow, I was actually contemplating a pair of 17's for some time. Any idea if they'll be superseded anytime soon? Would definitely be interesting to see what B&O plans on inserting into its vacant price bracket.
Does anyone know how long it was between BL4000 and BL17? Maybe that’s a clue.
Beosound Stage, Beovision 8-40, Beolit 20, Beosound Explore.
BeoFrederic:BL 17 owners - what’s your opinion on 17 + subwoofer combo? The 17 are reputed to have crazy bass for their size - B&O quotes 31 Hz (however measured). Do you recommend a sub for music? For movies?
Thanks for watching
Basically if you want some new ones now, order them asap.
The BL17's are fantastic and fantastically undermarketed imho. They don't really need a sub unless the room is huge, but then you may look at different speakers anyway.
BTW, Analog Planet, what a steal, dear lord
New: Beovision Harmony, Beolab 50's, Beolab 28's, Beolab 18's, Beolab 17's, Beosound Stage & LG, Beosound 2, Beoplay M3, Beoplay A1, Beoplay Portal, Beoplay H4 gen 2, Beoplay E8 3.0
Mikipedia on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Mikipedia
Mikipedi4 on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/mikipedi4
Mikipedia on Intagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikipedi4/
Old: Beosound 9000 mk3, Beolab 3's, Beovision Eclipse, Beolab 1's, Beolab 2, Beovision 10-46, Overture 2300, beolab 8000's, Beolab 4000's, Beovision avant 32" etc. etc.
Great question about whether pairing BL17 with a sub is wise or not.
I have only used mine for music in a fairly small bedroom and I would say, in a 12 foot x 12 foot bedroom, it’s very likely not necessary.
I do wonder, however, with movies, if a BL19 would be nice. I have a 10” separate subwoofer in my main living room and it’s really great for movies. I do not know if BL17, even at louder volumes, would satisfy me relative to having a standalone 10-inch subwoofer to compare them to. I’d love to find out though so I could stop lusting after BL50 or imagining BL20, even though I find them far less attractive.
Damn I was going to grab a pair in the next few months but I guess I'll wait to see if they have a replacement. If not I'll get some used ones off eBay.
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BeoLab 18's. Beolab 3's. A8. A9. A2. H7.
Mikipidia:No replacement on the horizon for a loooong while.
Hmmm... isn't that a bit difficult to understand? Starting your stereo speakers lineup at 6K with BL18? Meaning, target market goes all way into a luxury class? (not challenging the strategy, just asking myself - in a way of sending a lot of customers to B&W)
I love love the white end caps and ice covers! I’ve been looking for a while, but they’re hard to find. Looks great on your side tables!
B&O is probably targeting their mainstream buyers with products like Balance, A9, BS 3 etc. Balance in stereo mode sounds quite badass. My 2 cents worth.
B&O in my life 😊:
@Ferdinand that looks so nice! A BS9000 vertical on a clean wall is just magic!
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Present: BL90, Core, BL6000, CD7000, Beogram 7000, Essence Remote.
Past: BL1, BL2, BL8000, BS9000, BL5, BC2, BS5, BV5, BV4-50, Beosystem 3, BL3, DVD1, Beoremote 4, Moment.
Agreed, the ice cover is a very striking design and done beautifully.
B&O products are V1-32, BS2, H95, E8 and an Essence remote.11-46 now replaced with Sony A90J 65”, Sony HT-A9, Sony UBP-X800M2 and Sony SRS-NS7.
Must join in here and just agree that Beolab 17 is an incredibly well-playing speaker with very detailed midrange, good bass performance and not least a pleasant ear-friendly sound for all kind of music. A big improvement over the BL4000.
Was actually not aware when I decided for BL17 that they was discontinued, so very lucky I find a set.
Bought perhaps the very last set in Denmark after calling many dealers where they were sold out.
BeoVision Eclipse 65....Front: BeoLab 50....Rear: BeoLab 4000....BeoSound 9000 Mark lll....BeoRemote One BT....BeoSound Core....BeoLab 17....BeoRemote Halo....Apple TV 4K....NAS: Synologi DS218j....Disc Player: OPPO BDP-203....Projector: JVC HD-950....Screen: Stewart StudioTek 100....HDMI management: HDFury Integral