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
OlivierC:I’d like to see a BS Level Vs. BS 1 comparison. They are in the same price bracket and they seem to have similar specs. Olivier
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 !
Duels:I actually wasn’t too impressed from the initial pictures. But having seen it in the video I really like it. (I’ve also been around B&O long enough to know that everything always looks so much nicer in the flesh.) It seems like a very well thought-out product even down to the elegance of the charging solutions.
It seems like a very well thought-out product even down to the elegance of the charging solutions.
I couldn't agree more, and I like the wall bracket as well. Classic attention to details and clever solutions, well done B&O.
I really like this product from first look. Great level of detail in the design that are extremely attractive like magnetic charger, wall bracket, auto change omni directional when flat on surface vs clear stereo separation/simulation when standing, aluminium elements etc. Also very consistent b&o design with oak and aluminium elements. Well done B&O.
Now just add netlink please!
Specs wise it reminds me most of A6. Would be good to hear in real life as on paper A6 is more powerful but I think A6 lacked clarity in treble.
John from B&O Manchester are you reading here? Thank you for the very good video! The classic aluminium variant looks good. Will there be an aluminium faceplate, too or only the Kvadrat?The backlit buttons look very nice and it's a very welcome addition that you can replace the battery by yourself and that the modular hardware is future proof. A welcome step forward!The wood version is too dangerous in a kitchen: Lying on a table you could easily confuse it for a cutting board. I don't want to imagine somebody cutting fresh bread on a Beosound level... Wall mount:Can I mount it to the wall AND use line-in and Ethernet connection? John's video showed it behind the charging port with a service flap to remove... any infors on this?Will it support Bluetooth aptX codec?
TWG: The wood version is too dangerous in a kitchen: Lying on a table you could easily confuse it for a cutting board. I don't want to imagine somebody cutting fresh bread on a Beosound level...
The wood version is too dangerous in a kitchen: Lying on a table you could easily confuse it for a cutting board. I don't want to imagine somebody cutting fresh bread on a Beosound level...
I guess the dust protection doubles as a crust and crumble protection :P
TWG: Wall mount:Can I mount it to the wall AND use line-in and Ethernet connection? John's video showed it behind the charging port with a service flap to remove... any infors on this?
Wall mount:Can I mount it to the wall AND use line-in and Ethernet connection? John's video showed it behind the charging port with a service flap to remove... any infors on this?
If you don’t use the snap-on mount I guess so. You then charge via usb C instead of through the magnetic charger.
Design is top notch - I miss my original Beosound 1, and I agree with the resemblance. Seems like it's sonically solid, too.
The issue I have is that, I already have so many portable/moveable speakers. I kind of wish this was a mains-only speaker. I know some of you are probably asking why that matters... just does to me, I guess. Mind you, it seems it would be possible to simply remove the battery, and just keep it plugged in.
Price point is a bit hard to justify for me, when there are several within the same range.
I was also hoping that B&O could have planned for this a bit better, to make these connectable to the Stage, as added surround speakers ... then boom - 5.0 with 2 Levels, 7.0 with 4 Levels. Would be a bit pricey, but there you go. Not even sure if a software update would even be possible to make that happen.
*Sorry if any of this repeats opinions earlier in the thread, but they're my opinions too
Just seen John's video. Interesting that he chooses it over the BeoSound 2, I wasn't expecting that. I'd love to hear this in person as it sounds very impressive, especially given its small size. Hopefully this will be a perfect addition to my main bedroom but if it does outdo the BeoSound 2 in my lounge then I may have to swap them over! Thanks for a great video once again John.
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.
The Beonic Man:Interesting that he chooses it over the BeoSound 2, I wasn't expecting that.
With full respect to John's integrity, it is his job to make us excited about new products. As it is for other brand ambassadors.
For all new buyers I still believe it will be optimal to listen to the Level next to BS2 in the dealer's shop (if possible). That said, I am tempted to buy one just based on its looks.
The Beonic Man:Just seen John's video. Interesting that he chooses it over the BeoSound 2, I wasn't expecting that. I'd love to hear this in person as it sounds very impressive, especially given its small size. Hopefully this will be a perfect addition to my main bedroom but if it does outdo the BeoSound 2 in my lounge then I may have to swap them over! Thanks for a great video once again John. BV11-46, BV8-32, V1-32, BS2, P6, A1, E8, BR1, Essence
Earle:Design is top notch - I miss my original Beosound 1, and I agree with the resemblance. Seems like it's sonically solid, too.The issue I have is that, I already have so many portable/moveable speakers. I kind of wish this was a mains-only speaker. I know some of you are probably asking why that matters... just does to me, I guess. Mind you, it seems it would be possible to simply remove the battery, and just keep it plugged in.Price point is a bit hard to justify for me, when there are several within the same range. I was also hoping that B&O could have planned for this a bit better, to make these connectable to the Stage, as added surround speakers ... then boom - 5.0 with 2 Levels, 7.0 with 4 Levels. Would be a bit pricey, but there you go. Not even sure if a software update would even be possible to make that happen.*Sorry if any of this repeats opinions earlier in the thread, but they're my opinions too
did another video of the sound here with it all in different positions, it sounds fairly accurately representative of my headphones actually: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AcI70OKTkLI&feature=youtu.be
-Michael
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
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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.
Thanks for another video Michael - great and informative as always! Maybe for your consideration to include some electonic music and DM into the playlist... was great for example to have that rock track at the end after few more soft female vocalist/ambiental tracks that B&O typically likes to use to demo their speakers.
And I need to say... I totally feel I need BS Level! :D
kuyttendaele: Excellent new product! Good design... fantastic features! The wood version is drooling good looking. I hope that this is a seller!
Excellent new product! Good design... fantastic features! The wood version is drooling good looking.
I hope that this is a seller!
I just read a review and watched a video about the Level and this product looks fantastic. It is beautiful and what an excellent choice to make the battery and "system chip" replaceable.
Review with pictures: Test af B&O Beosound Level: Bæredygtig højttaler er B&O, når det er bedst - Lyd - Digitalt - Livsstil (jyllands-posten.dk)
Sorry I don't come on here much at all.
It was good reading through all these comment though, thanks. It's a hard label to shift as at the end of the day I work in a dealership but I do say what I really think. If I don't like something I will either bring it up as a negative or just stick to facts with no opinion or just not make a video. The E6 earphone video is an example, I remember not being very impressed and I said as much.
I'm not an official brand ambassador so B&O don't have any input into the content on my channel. It really is just me doing something I like.
AnalogPlanet you are 100% right, going to listen for yourself is always the best way, just because I prefer something doesn't mean everyone will, although it's really nice that a lot of people seem to trust what I say.
Just to elaborate a little on the BS1/BS2/Level comparison, I cut a little out as to not make the video too long.
I certainly think Level out classes the Beosound 1 sound wise in every way. (Not that BS1 sounds bad)
With Beosound 2 I said I prefer to sit in front of Level for it's more direct stereo sound. Beosound 2 is lovely and still remains a firm favourite.
Beosound 2 may fill a larger space, with it being mains powered and 360 in nature also it has a little more oomph but I find Level more pleasing to listen to, especially at low to mid volume levels.
In my living room where I filmed the video (and my kitchen for that matter) I was staggered by the clarity and composure of the sound that Level gave out. It really is a fantastic little audio system.
So much so I would like to buy a grey one to replace my M3 in the kitchen.
Hope this clears things up a bit, but it's best to listen for yourself. All the best everyone....
John from B&O Manchester.
Old thread, but anybody who reads down this far might care to look at the Wired Magazine (UK) review of the Level 2/11/2021:
https://www.wired.co.uk/article/bang-olufsen-beosound-level-review
trackbeo: Old thread, but anybody who reads down this far might care to look at the Wired Magazine (UK) review of the Level 2/11/2021: https://www.wired.co.uk/article/bang-olufsen-beosound-level-review
I've been trialing the Level for ~2 weeks now and believe this review is pretty spot on. Like the reviewer, I'm also having difficulty finding a perfect spot for it in my kitchen (one of the complaints brought out in the above review). This, and the lack of NL is what is keeping on the fence from buying it.
Stan:This, and the lack of NL is what is keeping on the fence from buying it.
After release I was only able to hold myself back a few days before ordering one. It is just such a beautiful, timeless design with fantastic audio performance specifications.
It looks and sounds every bit as beautiful as expected, but the lack of NL compatibility has had me seriously consider returning it. It is not just the frustration of not being able to join the sound stream playing elsewhere in my house. It's also the horrible integration with the app.
All the rest of my great gets control, configured, and operated through the B&O app. But the Level requires me to switch between the B&O and Deezer apps. And if I start casting Deezer from my phone I can't take over the playlist from my iPad.
There's also the problem that the streaming services available for the Level are completely different from the services on the other 10 B&O streaming devices I own. I've been using Deezer and TuneIn for the past 6 years, but neither legacy service works on the new Level. And the new services don't work on my legacy equipment, so even the terrible option of switching everything over isn't available.
The whole things just feels like such a mess.
If you don't have immediate need, I'd honestly recommend waiting until NL shows up. If I had known that it would be this annoying to use the Level I wouldn't have bought it. I finally decided to hold on to it, given the expectation that it will work with NL later this year.
Sources: 2x Beosound Moment • 4x Beosound Essence Mk II Speakers: 3x Beolab 8000 • 2x Beolab 6000 • 2x Beolab 3 • 3x Beolab 2 Integrated: 1x Beosound 2 • 1x Beosound Level • 4x BeoPlay M5 • 1x BeoPlay A6 Control: 16x* Essence Remote • 1x Beoremote Halo
* Yes, really! 🤦♂️
laseralex: There's also the problem that the streaming services available for the Level are completely different from the services on the other 10 B&O streaming devices I own. I've been using Deezer and TuneIn for the past 6 years, but neither legacy service works on the new Level. And the new services don't work on my legacy equipment, so even the terrible option of switching everything over isn't available.
Oh that's not good. I use TuneIn on both the Balance and BeoSound 2 to stream Virgin Radio! I can simply shout out to the speaker with GVA to stream it, too, so no need for a device to control.
Maybe the lack of TuneIn is regional? Definitely works here on my current products.
With GVA (you may already know this, but it was news to me, and I was pleasantly surprised when I stumbled on to this), you have more options on streaming sources. It seems that any source that can "cast" to google is available via GVA. For example, up thread, laseralex helped me add a station to TuneIn that had moved to Radio.com so my older devices can use it. With the Level, I can just say "play wxrt", and it responds "playing wxrt from radio.com". I can tell it to "play wdcb" and it responds "playing wdcb from TuneIn". This works even though the Level doesn't "support" TuneIn or Radio.com. What you lose is the abililty to "join" to the services started via GVA because Chromecast sources are not joinable. I suppose once you get used to using GVA, then maybe some of these NL features are less important. Of course, since the Level doesn't support NL, you lose nothing (except some privacy).
Also, if you start a B&O radio source by pressing one of the buttons, then you can't shut it off with GVA, but you can adjust volume. Alternatively, if you program a button with the GVA command, then you can turn it off as well, but it doesn't know how to use B&O radio... so if there's a station that is only available on B&O Radio and not another google cast-able source, then you can't voice control it.
Ok, so it seems that Level sounds better than BS1 and is close to BS2, but how about the Beolit 15/17 comparison ?
My Beolit 15 is still running strong, so appart from a design point of vue (find the Level very very nice) I suspect I'll be disappointed by the sound spending 1.200 € (vs 500 € of the Beolit).
It really depends on the music you listen to, and how much you value lower bass vs upper/mid-range. With ~90% of the music I listen to, the BS2 sounds much better than the Level, not even close. To me, where the Level ever so slightly beats the BS2 is with complex, high and mid-range heavy music (most classical, some acoustic and singing/piano-y jazz). I've never considered myself a "bass-head", but I find on most music (rock, some jazz, pop, electronic), I miss the BS2's punchy, controlled bass. The Level reminds me a lot of the BL6000s - "great for its size", sounds great for some music, but really lacking in the bottom end.... which isn't surprising when you look at the Level's design - it's only ~2 inches thick. I've really only listened to the Level in it's upright position.
I've never heard the Beolit 15/17. My guess is it would sound quite a bit better in the upper registers, and maybe a little weaker in the lower bass, but the bass it does provide is probably much better controlled. When it comes to value judgements, that's up to you. If Beolit sounds anything like the M3, I'd say its totally worth it, but, again, everyone values money differently.
The "problem" I have is that I really think the Beolit 15 sounds good for it's size, very loud and punchy for the kids (now young adults) and me.
But the Level is very nice for my eyes, reminds me of a Jacob Jensen product, and it's important !
In fact, I think I have to try the Level in the shop now that a store reopenend in my town.
Cheers !
We can't give a date yet, but we're working hard on it.
Skiniplay.com - Make your Beoplay - Beosound - Beolab unique!
Circling back on Level...
Has anyone placed the oak grill on the aluminum body? I’d like to see this very much (or would even settle for a photoshop, if someone is bored and has interest).
And does anyone know what the oak grill sells for separately? I like the wood much more than the fabric but wouldn’t buy a gold colored piece. I’d have to combine them. :)
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
well that really does look very nice.
It really is by far the best design of the recent bunch of products.
Sharp looking! Very sharp. Gracias, matador!
Very, very nice...
I checked with my dealer. You can order the aluminium version with Kvadrat and order the oak grill separately. It can be ordered by dealers for 300 euros.
matador43: It feels like somebody will come with an accessory leather strap and floor stand…
It feels like somebody will come with an accessory leather strap and floor stand…
Hi Matador,
Sorry for the late reply, but I was wondering where you found that picture of the floor stand that you posted please?
That looks like exactly what I need!
Kind regards, Steve.
Steve.
www.soundsheavenly.com
Founder of Sounds Heavenly Cables and Brand Ambassador for Bang & Olufsen
Sounds Heavenly are proud to sponsor BeoWorld!
Please check out my YouTube channel at https://youtube.com/soundsheavenlycables
@Steve
Where did you see the picture from Matador, that you refer to?
MM
There is a tv - and there is a BV
Hi MM,
Here is the link to the picture (posted in this thread by Matador on 5th February 2021 at 10:59am):-
https://archivedforum2.beoworld.org/cfs-filesystemfile.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Components.PostAttachments/00.00.33.00.71/Beolab_2B00_17_2B00_0014.jpg
I'm hoping that stand is a real thing, because I want one!
Thanks - yes, that looks nice.
Should not be too hard to make for e.g. STBBrackets, if B&O does not do it.
Have you asked Gavin about it?
Good idea MM,
I will ask Gavin!
Saw some nice renderings of the Level with natural frame and with the oak cover and loved the design. Here is a picture of this combo. Really like it and thinking about adding the Level.
Wow!
I do like the wood cover on the natural aluminium frame....very nice!