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
This the second part of the poll - please only answer if you have voted in the first part and have since been and looked at and listened to the Beolab 18.
Peter
The recent official pictures show a much neater product indeed. I confirm that I very, very much like the oak slats. But I also confirm that I feel (i) the proportions of the heel and the base are somewhat unbalanced; (ii) the combination of different materials/colors (wood, chrome, black) and shapes (square, cone, slats, lens) is a bit too much; (iii) the lens on the top is a bit odd (although the presentation is much better than I initially expected).
So it is a bit mixed feelings: I will be happy to consider these when my BL8000 will need a replacement, but it is not like I want and must really have them now. That being said, redesigning an icon is never an easy exercise and always causes emotional reactions and honestly here the result is not bad at all. Also, I did not see them in the flesh yet, but I expect I very high build quality. Maybe I want them after all... Just need to think about a custom made oak base maybe
Peter: ....since been and looked at and listened to the Beolab 18.
....since been and looked at and listened to the Beolab 18.
Peter, it's not out until November the 30th?
There should be another option!
Thought I'll like it then forced myself to see the potential in it and now might never consider it.
I first saw them in Copenhagen in May, and then again in Madrid in September, and get our first pair on Tuesday and believe me placed next to the Lab 8002 they look so good.
They are simply stunning in the flesh with performance to match - the oak lemellas are beautiful!
See and hear them as soon as you can - I guarantee an emotional reaction...
Where are these made? Better not be China...
They'll be made to the exact standard required wherever the company can produce them in the most cost effective way. A sensible business decision.
If you think nobody cares, try missing a couple of payments.
Stonk: They'll be made to the exact standard required wherever the company can produce them in the most cost effective way. A sensible business decision.
That's wonderful for *them*. As for me, I have my own standards and we've already had this discussion ten times over on here. As soon as someone has actually seen the production label, I'd like to know, as I'd seriously consider them. I can't vote on the poll because I have not been able to hear them, but I think they are a perfect evolution of the 8000.
We got ours in today and they are absolutely stunning. 3 of us had a good listen this afternoon, coupled wirelessly to a 11-46 with 17s wall mounted as rears and the Lab 19 sub.
We all agreed that they perform far better than the Lab 8000. My installer who has a pair of Lab 8000 at home and a classical musicians ear was so impressed that he felt they sounded better than Lab9s!
At anything other than full volume I might be inclined to agree with him... But sound is very subjective.
The Lab 17s are impressive too, considerably better than Lab 4000 and 6000 and possibly better than Lab3s.
Back to the country of manufacture - I'll check tomorrow and report back.
We are having an 'Experience Wireless Sound' event on Thursday evening if anyone fancies having a good listen to the new range of speakers.
SHEFFIELD: My installer who has a pair of Lab 8000 at home and a classical musicians ear was so impressed that he felt they sounded better than Lab9s! At anything other than full volume I might be inclined to agree with him... But sound is very subjective.
My installer who has a pair of Lab 8000 at home and a classical musicians ear was so impressed that he felt they sounded better than Lab9s!
I have been thinking of a pair to be used as rears with my 9s in front. If they are that good, I might have to consider the 18s as fronts as visually they would look better there. Am very eager to hear them.
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
Country of origin - Czech Republic
SHEFFIELD:Country of origin - Czech Republic
Yes. Thank you for the info and the excellent early analysis.
Well, Mrs S and I spent a very pleasant evening at B&O of Winchester last night listening to the new arrivals and I have to say that I take back my concerns over the visuals of the Beolab 18. In the flesh it is truly a work of art - the wood lamellae really set off the aluminium and the ALT lens looks just right sat on top. I loved the green glow of the LED from under it and the whole design just works - I'm happy to admit I was wrong on this one!
Sound-wise, they are definitely richer in the lower midband/upper bass than the 8000s and have a sparklier treble. I was a little less sure of the midrange but it's difficult to get a perfect impression when stood up in a shop and when the source is Spotify so I'd need to do a proper side-by-side with 8000s to get a really good feel for their abilities, but overall I came away witha smile on my face.
The Beolab 17s were also on demo and these were very nice indeed and look great on a desk but, for me, the star of the evening was the Beolab 19. At last B&O have come up with a subwoofer that can play music - what took you so long, chaps?!!
When added to the 18s, the 19 really kicked performance up a gear and added good punch and depth to the sound but with spot-on timing. Huge thumbs-up from me on this one!
Thanks for the review! How would you compare 18s with a 19 to a pair of 9s?
Just got in from a BL18 event (with mulled wine!) at the Bath dealership.
Very impressed with the BL18s. They look far better in person, the wood was an inspired design choice (and it's easy to swap out the wood cover for, say, the white, due mid-Jan) and they sound fantastic. Better than I expected and way better than the BL17s.
They are best described as BL3s on steroids. Far more depth than my BL3s, with the same 'bright' sound. Best of all, for electronic fans such as myself, combine the BL18s with the BL19 and you get an even wider audio experience. The BL19 makes a big difference with electronic music. I will say, however, that the BL19 is not needed for classical, regular audio.
The only minor downside is the price - they are about £4400 with the wood finish. Worth the money, but they offer me a huge dilemma over my current setup (BL3s, BL11 etc). Need to give my future setup some more thought, since listening to the BL18/BL19 demo.
Beosound Stage, Beovision 8-40, Beolit 20, Beosound Explore.
Chris Townsend: The more I look at the price of some of the competition, and the more articles I see by Geoff and Struer detailing what actually goes into this stuff, the more I think the new stuff Is an absolute bargain. Relatively speaking of course.
The more I look at the price of some of the competition, and the more articles I see by Geoff and Struer detailing what actually goes into this stuff, the more I think the new stuff Is an absolute bargain. Relatively speaking of course.
Chris, I think you might have misunderstood the point I was making (or I made my point, badly). I meant.....is it £4.4K better than my existing BL3/BL11 setup? Not sure. I'd have to give it some thought as I'd want the BL19, too! The BL19 really enhanced the 18s for electronic music.
Anyway, I was impressed. The BL18s are very desirable and look way better in the flesh.
I again agree. I too was a bit taken back when i heard the price, thats all i meant.
When we look at the range of even a few short years ago, it's great to see a constant supply of new, and brilliantly refreshed gear coming through.
Currently watching Pacific Rim(again) with my Beolab 14 and satellites. Amazing.
Hi, just to show how subjective this all is. I went to my dealer event in Bournemouth yesterday. I loved the lab17's and would take them over the 18's. That's not to say I didn't think the 18's were very good and in some ways better, but for me just too 'bright' for my liking. The sub is an obsolute powerhouse and the combo of 17's and 19 I thought was awesome. I am in the market to upgrade my lab 6000's to connect to my V1.
decisions decisions...
I voted in the first vote fully intending to view the new labs. In Birmingham to visit my son and thought B&O there would be a good start - CLOSED. Never mind, go to my local dealer in Mulhouse (France) - no labs in store and the store is in the process of closing down (last day Nov 30th). My nearest store is now a 4 hour round trip as it's in Strasbourg.
Still haven't seen or heard these. Maybe when I'm in Manchester in Feb 2014!
Why are B&O making it so difficult to get new stuff these days?
Dave.
Dave Farr: I voted in the first vote fully intending to view the new labs. In Birmingham to visit my son and thought B&O there would be a good start - CLOSED. Never mind, go to my local dealer in Mulhouse (France) - no labs in store and the store is in the process of closing down (last day Nov 30th). My nearest store is now a 4 hour round trip as it's in Strasbourg. Still haven't seen or heard these. Maybe when I'm in Manchester in Feb 2014! Why are B&O making it so difficult to get new stuff these days? Dave.
Not surprised.
I think the only really success B&O has of late is with Apple related products.
Maybe I am not longer B&O's target demographic anymore? I am starting to find the brand a little vulgar but I am still very interested in acquiring one of their newer TVs though. I am finding it hard to purchase either the Lab17s or 18s. They did not manage to grow on me.
Dave Farr:My nearest store is now a 4 hour round trip as it's in Strasbourg.
I walked in front of the Strasbourg store yesterday (closed for the last sunday before christmas, should be opened next sundays), and they didn't seem to have BL18. So don't come here too quickly!
The BL19 was there, in front of a BL11. I asked SWMBO about her prefered sub (style only), and to my surprise, she replied that the 19 was the best looking... I now have to spare some cash, as I think that I will prefer the sound of the 19!
Don't hesitate to tell me if you go to Strasbourg, I should be able to meet you ;-) But for you, the best choice is to go to the Basel B&O, just 1h round trip ;-)
diisign.com
Good point about Basel as it's actually a 2 hour round trip for me (I used to work in Basel). Haven't been to the store since it moved from next to the Hotel Basel! The French Duanes won't like any B&O stuff crossing the border though. I've had problems with used stuff I've bought on eBay before, let alone more expensive new stuff.
You are not obliged to buy them in Basel... But for a first listening, it should be ok!
Amazing. Stuff magazine, who do feature B&O products, often with a snide remark about being off your head to justify purchasing the products, have a full page feature on the BL18s and....they are very positive about them.
They describe them as "the nicest-looking speakers we'e ever seen".
They do conclude - as always - with a reference to your wallet whimpering after the purchase though. Still, on the whole, a good feature on the BL18s and good to see they've allocated an entire page to a photo and brief opinion/news piece.
That's nice.
BTW I never said this but I don't think magazines mean it when they say B&O is expensive. Come on the reviewers get their paws on audio equipments many times more expensive all the time.
To be honest I think it's B&O's marketing strategy and the magazines just think well if that's the angle you are playing why not. It doesn't harm my reputation to say that...
Chris Townsend:You didn't, but it is a very fashionable stereotype that B&O should try and disqualify. Linn can make a nice but dull £3,000 speaker and the Audiophiles will be queuing up to faun over it, B&O makes an equally good £3,000 speaker, but commits the cardinal sin of making it at worst cosmetically attractive, and it's just over priced junk designed to look nice. The Beolab 5 is one of the best value speakers out there pound for pound, but I bet virtually not a single Audiophile in his right mind would have one. Ooh no it's got to look like a computer designed it after spending all its life at Jodrel Bank. Wires, lots please and multicoloured too. Madness
B&O makes an equally good £3,000 speaker, but commits the cardinal sin of making it at worst cosmetically attractive, and it's just over priced junk designed to look nice.
The Beolab 5 is one of the best value speakers out there pound for pound, but I bet virtually not a single Audiophile in his right mind would have one. Ooh no it's got to look like a computer designed it after spending all its life at Jodrel Bank. Wires, lots please and multicoloured too. Madness
You still think the Beolab 5 is one of the best? Hmmm.. I have actually never heard because I never had the space for it but now that I am transplanted to a big house in one horse town thanks to my family then maybe I would...
All I know is that the Lab5s are as close to the theoretical perfect model as loudspeakers can get.
wonderfulelectric: BTW I never said this but I don't think magazines mean it when they say B&O is expensive. Come on the reviewers get their paws on audio equipments many times more expensive all the time.
Stuff magazine doesn't. It's not a mag aimed at audiophiles. They rarely feature expensive speakers. B&O products are the top end of the items they feature, price-wise. Most of Stuff's content is gadgets and TVs. T3, a rival to Stuff, rarely covers B&O equipment - they view it as beyond their audience.
Chris Townsend: The Beolab 5 is one of the best value speakers out there pound for pound, but I bet virtually not a single Audiophile in his right mind would have one.
You'd lose that bet then, as I suppose I qualify as an "audiophile" and I'd have a pair like a shot. In fact, once the builders have moved out and our new lounge is complete, Mrs S. and I may well do just that!
I also know of several other hi-fi fans who either own Beolab 5s, or lust after them.
Peter: This the second part of the poll - please only answer if you have voted in the first part and have since been and looked at and listened to the Beolab 18.
So I can't vote since I didn't in the first one, but I can say as much... the BL18 looks very different on the pictures. the slats are so much thinner in real life. can't really understand how they made the pictures for the teasers.
anyway, I think they look stunning! and sound great!
AdamS: Chris Townsend: The Beolab 5 is one of the best value speakers out there pound for pound, but I bet virtually not a single Audiophile in his right mind would have one. You'd lose that bet then, as I suppose I qualify as an "audiophile" and I'd have a pair like a shot. In fact, once the builders have moved out and our new lounge is complete, Mrs S. and I may well do just that! I also know of several other hi-fi fans who either own Beolab 5s, or lust after them.
Same here. Right before I went to B&O I had an all tube system, hand built and tweaked Van Alstine Super PAS3i preamp, McIntosh MC240 amp, even a Dynaco FM3 tube tuner. Various audiophile approved CD players, VPI turntable, carbon fiber arm, Sumiko cartridge.
If I hadn't just dropped almost twenty times the price of the Lab 5s into a house, including repairs and such, I'd have a pair now. I am not such an audio nerd that having expensive speakers in a cracker box house makes sense. Besides, my mid century architecture lust is stronger than my audio needs these days.
Jeff
I'm afraid I'm recovering from the BeoVirus.