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've been in search of a stereo option for my office. I currently have a Bs2 which I adore, but lately I feel like I'm missing stereo imaging. I've been trying to justify a pair of Balances, but it just seems like total overkill for a smaller room where I normally listen at fairly low volume. I'm sure they'd be wonderful, but they're not exactly cheap, and, typically, when I drop decent money on B&O my wife decides she needs an upgrade for the house so I must consider the cost of the speakers in addition to the cost of whatever catches her fancy. Also, I don't really like any of the current color options, and, when spending this kind of money, I would prefer getting something I actually like vs. find only acceptable (with the associated worry that shortly after I buy my Balances, B&O will release a smoked oak version which I would like).
My first "budget" choice was to setup a pair of BL4000s that I'm currently not using. My office is currently wired for ML and I have an available BL Active with IR eye. However, the Chromecast audio connected to my main system is dodgy so I'd need to get a core or essence mk2, and a beo4 remote (as the one I was using prior had died). I would also have to do some reconfiguration of my office layout, and, even then, there would be some compromises with their positioning. Another downside is I would lose the ability to distribute my turntable audio as I'd move my BS2 somewhere else in the house. So, not a perfect solution from a performance and usability perspective, but definitely cheaper - 1000 - 1500.
Then, I read the recent thread where Razlaw was using a stereo pair of A1s in his office. This solves the placement problem as there's plenty of room on my desk and no fixed power or PL cables to hide. I currently use an A1 (gen1) for conference calls and travel with it so I'm familiar with the sound quality. At first, I scoffed at this idea, but it has grown on me. 2 A1s right next to me probably sound pretty good for my non-critical, lower volume office listening. I would keep the BS2 for when I want to crank things up. Best of all, the cost is just a tiny blip in the budget. I realize the useability is a bit fiddly.
So first question, am I crazy to be considering 2 A1s as a suitable substitute for "real speakers"? Secondly, would it be worth an extra 200 to get 2 A1 mk2 vs. getting just a single new A1 mk1 and a splitter cable. It seems most people prefer the sound and clarity of the mk2. I do agree that the mk1 is a bit muddy and boomy at times. However, I like the hardwired option that the mk1 offers.
I'd love to hear other thoughts and perspectives on this.
Stan
PS - I also looked into some non-B&O options. The KEF LSX seemed perfect until I read reviews that dumped on it because of usability issues (poor apps, bad connectivity, poor reliability). Similar feedback on the B&W formation duo (no hardware issues, but software issues). Sure, you can find similar complaints about B&O, but, lately, it seems B&O's software has gotten much better. I guess my point is it seems everybody struggles with software (although maybe Sonos does a better job than most), and, to me, it seems like B&O has been doing a better job lately.
I have done just this 2 x MK1 A1s with an aux coming out of my monitor and split into two aux cables into the A1s. Both A1s are also usb connected into a hub sitting below my monitor so they get power.
The reason I have them connected into my BenQ monitor is this way I can switch monitor sources i.e. HDMI 1 - Work laptop to HDMI 2 - PC to HDMI 3 - iPad Pro and the sound matches the source without needing to touch the A1s.
The sound is so good, surprisingly so, it shamed the Vita Audio R4 I had on the bookcase behind me, so that is now boxed up the loft and I have the A1s with room filling sound.
Present: Eclipse 55” Gen 2 with motorised wall bracket. Plus 2 x pairs of BeoLab 17 + 1 x BeoLab 19 using WiSA to the soundcenter.
Also LG 55” C9 + BeoSound Stage in another room. And 2 x A1 Gen1 as PC speakers.
Past: Eclipse 55 Gen 1 and before that an Avant 55” MK1.
Hi Stan, I agree the Balance would be more like cranking things up «a bit» :). I have a stereo pair and I too have gone for other than standard options in terms of colour. But I recall having tried two A1 Mark Is in stereo in the past and I was also impressed. You cannot really go wrong with that and they are definitely less costly. When reading your post I kept thinking about a stereo pair of Beosound Emerge. To me it sounded like they would suit your use case. I do like its sound which I find pleasant and at lower volumes it would be a very nice option. Now, I do realize there might be few that would even consider getting two and then stereo pairing the Emerge that costs about a third of the price of the Balance and you don’t really get a third of the sound. You also mentioned you didn’t like the standard options of the Balance, which the Emerge seems to have followed. I am not holding my breathe for a Smoked Oak or Walnut version of it even I’d prefer that. If we’re lucky, we’d get one of these for the Level, which is excellent as a stereo set, I hear. But with an in-the-middle price tag between the Emerge and the Balance. I do find the Emerge an attractive option but of course its concept is more premium than that of the A1. As I understand the more you’d spend on speakers the more upgrading your home would cost, but perhaps a second A1 wouldn’t even be noticed, neither financially nor physically :).
Stan, I love this.
I have an A1 mk2 and think it's great. I feel like "more is better" so if you are only comfortable spending on two A1s versus, say, two Levels, then fantastic. I think stereo sound really adds to the immersive feeling of the music. What a great idea.
I suppose I don't have much more to say here. I don't have much helpful to offer here than to say--what a cool idea. And you know, you could just get them off Amazon and test them and easily return them if you don't like it.
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
Beolab 28s Beolab 9s Beolab 12-3s Beolab 1s Beolab 6000s 2 pairs Beolab 4000s Beovision 7-55 Beovision 10-40 Beoplay V1 32 inch Beovision Avant 32 inch Beosound 1 (CD player) Beosound 3000 Beosound 5 Core Essence MKII Beoplay M5
@Csaba.
I briefly considered 2 Levels primarily. There's one with a small chip in the panel on OfferUp for a very low price - like $500. I trialed the Level when it first came out, and I thought it was quite nice. However, I didn't buy it then for the same reason I'm not really thinking about it now which is because it takes up too much room (and I was also skeptical about when it would actually support NL). For me, the cones (BS1, BS2) work much better than the wide and skinny Level for my furniture. If I had a need for a portable solution, I might re-consider (especially, with a cosmetically pre-damaged one I wouldn't need to be so careful - then again, is the damage only cosmetic?).
Unfortunately, the Emerge isn't available in the US, and it's not clear when it will be. As you guessed, I'm also not a big fan of its looks (black one looks like a router and I'm not a big fan of the gold/oak combination). It would probably work pretty well for my purposes.
I ordered an A1 mk2 today to compare against my mk1. I will take advantage of Amazon's 30 day return policy if necessary.
I was all set to try the mk1 approach first since I already have one, but my mk1 turns off after 15 minutes when running from the line-in while not plugged in. It didn't always work this way, but it must be an "improvement" that was added during a software update. Anyway, I'm not really planning to keep them plugged in all the time, and having 2 plugged in + audio cable is starting to get messy. As it is, I have a USB power supply that I charge my phone with, then charge the A1s when necessary.
The other think I like about the A1 approach is if something better comes along in the next couple years (non-ugly Emerge, smoked oak Balance), I don't have a lot invested. The 2nd hand market for B&O products in the US is not good... selling for a 50% discount doesn't hurt nearly as much when you're only $400 into it. Or I'll decided the stereo isn't all that (which is how I convinced myself to buy the BS2)...
You could also consider Beoplay P6 in stereo pair, an even stronger and fuller sound compared to A1 stereo paired.
No P6s to be found in the US. Also, they would be double the price of the A1s, and, at that price, I'm getting closer to the cost of my BL4000 option. I'm also not a fan of how they look. The A1s not exactly pretty, but they are quite unobtrusive. I can't say that about the P6.
@Stan, I’ve been quite slow to respond, very busy times here, I apologize! Indeed, I actually wanted to point out that it might be difficult to get hold of the Emerge. I forgot to include that point. My intention was to say that you could ask a dealer if they happened to have a pair. But then again, the price vs. performance, and the colour options… I was told the production of the Emerge was put on hold so they could prioritize meeting demands for the Level and Beolab 28 and that it would return in either March or May, in any case during the spring. It sounds like you’ve taken into account a number of pros and cons, and I think the A1 would do temporarily if you can live with the downsides for a while. I also prefer a shape like that of the BS1/2 and the Balance for placement reasons - among others. In fact, while I prefer the looks of the Balance, I could imagine getting a Beosound 2 not only for its gorgeous sound but also due to it working better as a floor-standing speaker compared to the Balance that does indeed require either a sideboard, a commode, a sidetable or a pedestal. Meaning additional cost if you have most spots taken :). As for the Level, in general I do not think it takes so much net space but you might need to account for the space between it and any other equipment you might want to use it with, such as stood horizontally next to a turntable. Especially if you have a stereo pair. It does become wide. In your case, on the one hand you know better what space limitations you’re dealing with, on the other hand the Level is also a different ball game compared to the A1. I was also considering to mention the M3, whose sound and performance I used to like for its size. (Used to = I have sold it.) However, I am not sure if B&O has made it stereo-capable. Unless an update has enabled that, I think it is not possible. Strange, considering you could pair two A1s.
When are you supposed to get them? Which dealer did you order them from?
Stan:When are you supposed to get them? Which dealer did you order them from?
Razlaw, I will look forward to your review . I didn't really seriously consider the Emerge since it had been unavailable for so long. If they are starting to trickle in to the U.S., then maybe I should. Definitely solves the useability issues.
I’d love to hear about your comparison as well! I assume you could only get hold of the GVA version?
Csaba:I’d love to hear about your comparison as well! I assume you could only get hold of the GVA version?
Stan:When are you supposed to get them?
What exactly is the issue?
Csaba:What exactly is the issue?
I realize this may not be possible in an office environment but is there any chance you can hardwire both speakers to the network. Depending on how locked down the network is, this could inspire a nasty-gram from IT about connecting unauthorized devices to the network.
Another troubleshooting question is whether the 2nd Emerge can run successfully on wifi as a standalone, and, if so, can you send music from one to the other (not in stereo)
Some office wifi networks are configured so devices can only talk to the internet, not to each other. You would need special privileges assigned by the network admin to allow them to talk to each other if this were the case.
Stan:I realize this may not be possible in an office environment but is there any chance you can hardwire both speakers to the network. Depending on how locked down the network is, this could inspire a nasty-gram from IT about connecting unauthorized devices to the network. Another troubleshooting question is whether the 2nd Emerge can run successfully on wifi as a standalone, and, if so, can you send music from one to the other (not in stereo) Some office wifi networks are configured so devices can only talk to the internet, not to each other. You would need special privileges assigned by the network admin to allow them to talk to each other if this were the case.
Hi Razlaw,
Glad you're making progress. I'm surprised at how good the stereo A1s sound for this application - close by, low volume listening. Then again, I don't think they will displace my BS2, but it's been an interesting exercise nonetheless.
FYI: It's not unusual for corporate wifi networks (or any network managed by security minded people) to not allow inter-device access on the "open" wifi network. This way, devices can come and go somewhat freely, but since the devices can only access the internet (which is what 99% of most random devices want to do), the security people don't have to worry too much about rogue devices breaking into network resources (including other devices on the network). There's usually a "closed" wifi network that people access only on a "need to know" basis which has fuller capabilities, although some places will skip this in favor of wired connections (where, speaking from experience, excitable network admins may come running if you plug in an unknown device).
Stan:Hi Razlaw, Glad you're making progress. I'm surprised at how good the stereo A1s sound for this application - close by, low volume listening. Then again, I don't think they will displace my BS2, but it's been an interesting exercise nonetheless. FYI: It's not unusual for corporate wifi networks (or any network managed by security minded people) to not allow inter-device access on the "open" wifi network. This way, devices can come and go somewhat freely, but since the devices can only access the internet (which is what 99% of most random devices want to do), the security people don't have to worry too much about rogue devices breaking into network resources (including other devices on the network). There's usually a "closed" wifi network that people access only on a "need to know" basis which has fuller capabilities, although some places will skip this in favor of wired connections (where, speaking from experience, excitable network admins may come running if you plug in an unknown device). Stan
Great to hear! So how do they sound as a pair? :) Can you describe them?
I am not sure if they can go too loud based on what I heard at my dealer’s but I also found them to be pleasant to listen to.
Do you have them placed near a wall? I think I saw a review that mentioned that they should sound better near a wall because of their rear bass port. Curious about this because I'm thinking about having them freestanding on my desk.