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
Hi guys,
After an extended B&O hiatus, I've been wondering about shaking up my speaker choice with the BM8000.
There seems to be a lot of love for the old 8000 here nowadays, so does anyone have any views as to whether swapping my BV Pentas for some MS150.2s is a worthwhile excercise?
All I remember from my previous dabbling is MS150.2s are VERY thin on the ground, but I'd be interested to hear what others think about swapping to the contemporaneous speaker option?
Have compared MS150s with Pentalabs - not quite the same. MS150s have much more detailed bass but the top end shrieks when very loud. I have found this with all the speakers using the tweeter like this - could have course have been the BM8000 but it doesn't do it with my M100s. For normal to loud playing it is very good though. They are very large though - Pentas fit in a room much better and if you really want more detailed bass, add a sub-woofer.
Peter
Thanks Peter
I ran the BV Pentas for some time with a Cona hooked up to the second speaker output on the BM 8000, and the bass was impressive if a little muddy.
Space isn't a problem. Finding some MS150.2s might be though.
I don't tend to play music at insane volumes - nothing above 3.7 usually. Out of interest, where was the volume setting when the MS150s started to scream?
Loud!! Clearly distortion though whether it was the 8000 or the tweeters I couldn't say. At sane levels, MS150s are excellent and the bass really is noticeably better than Pentas. I use a BL2 with my Pentas which is fine though it gets a bit excited at high volumes !
Some better bass would be appreciated, so perhaps I will put some feelers out for some 150.2 + stands :)
j0hnbarker:Thanks Peter Some better bass would be appreciated, so perhaps I will put some feelers out for some 150.2 + stands :)
I am enjoying this thread! I have an 8000 system currently paired with Jamo X870s. I don't use them as monitors, but when I'm about the house, I do use them to listen critically to my DJ mixes of electronic lounge music. I have to say they do a stellar job.
I'm having a set of RL140s refurbished, and I'm afraid they won't compare favorably to the Jamos (comparatively small bass drivers). I also have a set of Penta 1s coming to me, which will need a bit of love in order to be brought up to listening condition. In addition to those, I think I'd like a pair of MS150s just to complete the 8000 set. If I keep the Pentas in the living room, I'm thinking a Velodyne subwoofer might provide the missing oomph. Even new, Pentas were definitely lacking in the bass department. Not sure how B&O made that obvious misstep.
Pentas + Velodyne subwoofer may sound the best, although the MS150s appear quite formidable on paper. RLs may be relegated to office or bedroom duty (background listening).
Thoughts, criticism, jeers, random ridicule welcome.
Hi John
I don't know if you've heard a pair of 150's before - think I got mine after you'd been to my house - but if you want to pop down to have a listen you know you'd be more than welcome. I use a Beocenter 2300 and a Quad 405-2 with mine.
Cheers
Nigel
PS - They're not for sale!
Thanks for the comments guys :)
It's always been in the back of my mind to look for a pair of MS150.2s, but they are so hard to find in the UK that I settled on BV Pentas when I bought my BM 8000 a few years back. The last fully-fettled pair I remember seeing come for sale were some that Chris Metcalfe sold on eBay about 3 or so years ago, so I suspect the wait might be a long one!
Nigel - I might just take you up on your offer next time I am in Nottingham. You had the 2300 and the Quad gear last time I visited, but definitely not the 150s as I would have remembered them!
Ah - probably had a pair of Mission 753's. Very good speakers, but nowhere near the depth of bass of the 150's.
Hi, I sold a pair that I refurbed to a chap in west wales, biggest mistake of my life. I did make a tidy profit but now regret selling them as they are so rare (Glen if you're reading this, I want them back). These were actually MS150s original, with lovely vaneer on the back. See my pictures. Have to say, while I was running the 150s in for a few weeks before selling, I shut my eyes and couldn't really tell them apart from Beolab 5s. I also have some Penta 3s and they are great but the M150s were just lush to hear and see. Good luck with the search and if you find any and need them refoaming (best to get a pair that need doing rather than ones that some muppet has had a go at) just let me know.
http://archivedforum2.beoworld.org/members/Jackplug/files/Speakers/MS150/default.aspx
Thanks for the offer! If I find any that need doing then I will surely let you know. I haven't seen any for AGES though come up for sale. There are none for sale on eBay anywhere in the world at the moment :(
Jackplug: Hi, I sold a pair that I refurbed to a chap in west wales, biggest mistake of my life. I did make a tidy profit but now regret selling them as they are so rare (Glen if you're reading this, I want them back). These were actually MS150s original, with lovely vaneer on the back. See my pictures. Have to say, while I was running the 150s in for a few weeks before selling, I shut my eyes and couldn't really tell them apart from Beolab 5s. I also have some Penta 3s and they are great but the M150s were just lush to hear and see. Good luck with the search and if you find any and need them refoaming (best to get a pair that need doing rather than ones that some muppet has had a go at) just let me know. http://archivedforum2.beoworld.org/members/Jackplug/files/Speakers/MS150/default.aspx
Hi giles,still got them,i have a mint condition beomaster 4400 driving them and they sound amazing.i won't be selling them any time soon,but if i ever change my mind i will give you first refusal,they really are in lovely condition and you made a first class job refoaming them.
I will try and upload some pictures.
You are right about the veneers,really lovely.
all the best glen.
Hopefully some pictures of the ms150s and beomaster 4400.
All the best glen.
ms150s
And another
One more.
Beomaster 4400
Sorry about the picture quality guys,bit of an old camera.
I obviously still have all the frets giles,but prefer to use them without,i think they sound a little better and look more dashing.
Nice pictures but they need to be driven by a proper amp (for that, read Beomaster 8000) so please sell them to me and we can pair them up properly :P
I like the cheeky glimpses of the RL60s and Pentas in your photos The refurb pics I took are on here if you want to see your speakers in full frontal exposed !!!! Cheers, they were lovely but I'll stick with my Beolab 5s as a worthy alternative for now.
j0hnbarker: Nice pictures but they need to be driven by a proper amp (for that, read Beomaster 8000) so please sell them to me and we can pair them up properly :P
Interestingly, the BM8000 was designed to produce maximum power into 4 ohm speakers and as the MS150 was 8 ohm, it could only muster 100W!
Having played with all sorts of amplifiers and the MS150s, I can happily say that almost all of them were capable of driving them! The 4400 and 8000 were obviously fine but the big surprise was the Beomaster 2200 which sounded brilliant - very warm and powerful.
Hi giles nice to hear from you again,yes i have seen the refurb pictures,afraid my pictures of the ms150s don't do them justice,my camera needs upgrading,they are truly magnificent in the flesh,the veneers are to die for!
I don't blame you for sticking with your 5s they are truly a fantastic speaker,incredible sound and looks,i think swmbo would turn cartwheels if i were to bring a pair of those home,they are the holy grail of bang and olufsen speakers!
I love the beolab penta3s i have them linked up to a 5500 stack system and my tv,they are just a good all round speaker and perform well in most types of settings.
Cheers for now glen.
Peter: j0hnbarker: Nice pictures but they need to be driven by a proper amp (for that, read Beomaster 8000) so please sell them to me and we can pair them up properly :P Interestingly, the BM8000 was designed to produce maximum power into 4 ohm speakers and as the MS150 was 8 ohm, it could only muster 100W! Having played with all sorts of amplifiers and the MS150s, I can happily say that almost all of them were capable of driving them! The 4400 and 8000 were obviously fine but the big surprise was the Beomaster 2200 which sounded brilliant - very warm and powerful.
Hi peter,yes i find the 4400 coupled to the ms150s to be more than adequate and the sound quality to be very rewarding,i am more than satisfied with it.
All the best glen. ps.very interesting about your findings with the 2200.
I think the interesting one would be a fully-serviced Beolab 5000. I have one so now just need the speakers to run the test.
Done that - not as good as the 8000 or 4400. Remember it is indirectly coupled and the bass is a bit loose in comparison. It also sounds more exciting in some ways as there seems to be a very slight treble lift. Mine is a Frede special so in perfect working order!
My 5000 has been to Martin so is probably in as good condition as yours give or take. I tried it with the BV Pentas and found it very pleasing, but for about 2.5 years now it has been powering some BV 5000 flat panels to amazing effect in my bedroom. They sound loads better than the BL 5000 versions using this amp instead.