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My partner is studying at the university and lives in a student apartment since a few weeks. I was planning on buying a beosound 1 as a surprise but I am leaning more towards the Beoplay A8 now. I have not listened a lot to it. What do you think about it´s sound quality? I am visiting a lot and I want the best sound quality that is not to complicated and that works well with iPhones etc. Also needs a TV so perhaps I should look for another solution? I like my bedroom V1 with an Apple TV but I think a V1 is a bit expensive perhaps for a student apartment(?).
BeoLit 12 was on my mind but I am not completely sure about it..
Beolab 50, Beolab 8000 x 2, Beolab 4000 x 2, BeoSound Core, BeoSound 9000, BeoSound Century, BeoLit 15, BeoPlay A1, BeoPlay P2, BeoPlay H9 3rd Gen, BeoPlay H6, EarSet 3i, BeoVision Eclipse Gen 2 55", BeoPlay V1-40, BeoCom 6000 and so much else :)
Hey Michael,
B&O A8 would be a lovely gift. I tried it with my iPhone 4s and it worked superbly! I know that Chris T is really happy with his etc.
Definitely go for it!!!
Michael:I like my bedroom V1 with an Apple TV but I think a V1 is a bit expensive perhaps for a student apartment(?).
But not on the person that you love so go for it
I love spending other people's money !!!
BeoNut since '75
Paul W: Hey Michael, B&O A8 would be a lovely gift. I tried it with my iPhone 4s and it worked superbly! I know that Chris T is really happy with his etc. Definitely go for it!!!
Nice to hear! I´ll probably do so, just the question of buying the white or black one. Perhaps we should both go to the store so I don't have to be responsible for choosing the wrong color
elephant: Michael:I like my bedroom V1 with an Apple TV but I think a V1 is a bit expensive perhaps for a student apartment(?). But not on the person that you love so go for it I love spending other people's money !!!
Haha, well I guess I have to spend my own money if it is going to be a gift . Hard choices.
Go for the white Michael and buy some sexy speaker colour covers for it! :)
Michael:I have the white one. Love it way more than the black - much more placement options. I have the yellow covers at the moment. But if you want the bedroom to feel like yours go for the V1. If yu can afford it, I would ;). Then you will have great audio, video and apple tv ;).
But if you want the bedroom to feel like yours go for the V1. If yu can afford it, I would ;). Then you will have great audio, video and apple tv ;).
I guess a Beoplay A8 and a samsung tv costs about the same as a V1-32 but perhaps the sound quality is better in A8 than V1(with only its internal speakers, it doesnt have the sub as the V1-40).
White seems nice, I was in the store and looked at it today in white also. Love it and I agree, placement options is easier on that one.
Paul W: Go for the white Michael and buy some sexy speaker colour covers for it! :)
:) I´ll probably do that. Is there colored covers for the A8? I am not sure but is the BeoPlay A8 covers different from the Beosound 8? I think the Beosound has flat covers where the A8 has them curved and only in black and white?
Hi Michael,
No no, same as the BeoSound 8! I saw the yellow ones on the A8 and it looked really cool!
Speaking from experience, your partner probably wouldn't have the time to watch the television!!! University is quite a sociable experience as im sure you are aware PLUS when the work load comes in, it will be hard study, study, study :) I found that I didnt want to spend any time in my room when I wasnt studying - I went to the gym to burn off the stress :) Plus of course, at University, why do you need a TV if you have say a MacBook or laptop :)
Paul W: Speaking from experience, your partner probably wouldn't have the time to watch the television!!! University is quite a sociable experience as im sure you are aware PLUS when the work load comes in, it will be hard study, study, study :) I found that I didnt want to spend any time in my room when I wasnt studying - I went to the gym to burn off the stress :) Plus of course, at University, why do you need a TV if you have say a MacBook or laptop :)
That is probably true and I bought a MacBook Air as a gift last year so that is already covered :). Was trying to install a elgato usb-tv adaptor on it a few weeks ago but there was no signal in the house but I´ll try a stronger antenna when I have the time. Hm, will think a bit about the beosound, it sure looks nice but I did not have time to listen to it at my dealer today.
WOW MacBook Air is truly superb!
I'm convinced that you will be really happy with the sound of the A8. I played some heavy drum and bass music from my 4s (iTunes AAC256 file) and it passed my very high standards this time around :)
The A8 will certainly be a superb addition to any student house and i'm sure it will rock a party! Now take a look at the Pioneer Wego which plugs into the MacBook Air for DJing at that party ;)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLBYxRUBW4c&list=UUg70JR8kcR0fTdarQf9xj_w&index=6&feature=plcp
Go for it Michael !
Just one thing : i have the BeoSound 8 in white, really cool and i prefer this one to the A8 because i find the A8 without the dock and an iPod a bit odd.
For Aiplay, i will have soon a BeoLit 12 !
Paul W: WOW MacBook Air is truly superb! I'm convinced that you will be really happy with the sound of the A8. I played some heavy drum and bass music from my 4s (iTunes AAC256 file) and it passed my very high standards this time around :) The A8 will certainly be a superb addition to any student house and i'm sure it will rock a party! Now take a look at the Pioneer Wego which plugs into the MacBook Air for DJing at that party ;) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLBYxRUBW4c&list=UUg70JR8kcR0fTdarQf9xj_w&index=6&feature=plcp
Looks like a fun product :) Will have to look in to that when they get to the mac-stores around me :). I am leaning towards the A8 but I´ll have to listen to it a bit!
Steph: Go for it Michael ! Just one thing : i have the BeoSound 8 in white, really cool and i prefer this one to the A8 because i find the A8 without the dock and an iPod a bit odd. For Aiplay, i will have soon a BeoLit 12 !
Hi Steph, the A8 can be used with the dock there or removed and replaced with a flat plastic piece so they can look the same I guess(?).
The BeoLit 12 is a nice product with its battery feature but I believe the sound is stronger in the A8 perhaps.
Yes the BeoLit 12 sounds good UNTIL you compare it to the A8 and there is an INSTANT difference. Just a heck of a lot BIGGER sounding with a clearer treble!
BeoLit 12 has terrible Airplay problems too. Sad really.
Yes the Pioneer controller is great fun!
Paul W: Hi Michael, Yes the BeoLit 12 sounds good UNTIL you compare it to the A8 and there is an INSTANT difference. Just a heck of a lot BIGGER sounding with a clearer treble! BeoLit 12 has terrible Airplay problems too. Sad really. Yes the Pioneer controller is great fun!
Interesting to hear. I like the Beolit 12 sound but it might just be too small and the stereo separation must be terrible in such a narrow box.
I have beosound 8 in black which i chose due to black apple products,I also have a white a8 which was only chosen to blend in kitchen,have white frets,but thinking of changing to red,you will be happy with either.The a8 does have drop out problems in the kitchen,but saying that dect phone and microwave in their doesnt help,
Hi, sorry for the late response but I am a student and recently got a BeoPlay A8 (in black with the covers from B&O's facebook design competition that I really like) and so far I am really satisfied with it! If your partner has a Macbook Air all the more reason to get the A8 since with airplay support out of the box listening to music stored on your mac is incredibly hassle-free! Also, quality wise I think it is perfectly capable of handling the needs of a student and it's sound is very decent... All in all, I have to say I am pretty satisfied with it, so if you're still thinking about it go ahead!
Edit: Also, I do not care much for TV, I think with a laptop and a nice screen streaming and/or downloading is all you'll ever need. Still, I don't really have the time nor find myself watching a lot of things. So for me, speakers/music all the way!
Hi Hadraktas,
Totally agree with everything that you have just written! Njoy the A8 nice!
hadraktas: Hi, sorry for the late response but I am a student and recently got a BeoPlay A8 (in black with the covers from B&O's facebook design competition that I really like) and so far I am really satisfied with it! If your partner has a Macbook Air all the more reason to get the A8 since with airplay support out of the box listening to music stored on your mac is incredibly hassle-free! Also, quality wise I think it is perfectly capable of handling the needs of a student and it's sound is very decent... All in all, I have to say I am pretty satisfied with it, so if you're still thinking about it go ahead! Edit: Also, I do not care much for TV, I think with a laptop and a nice screen streaming and/or downloading is all you'll ever need. Still, I don't really have the time nor find myself watching a lot of things. So for me, speakers/music all the way!
Hi hadraktas!thanks for your message! Interesting and fun that you got the special covers! I actually ended up going for the beolit 12 instead. But I like it so much that I need to get a second unit so we both can have one! Tried it there and it was perfect, carrying it in to the super small kitchen and around the room. I think the A8 sounds better but the BL12 also has a very good and strong sound coming from that small cabinet and the portability is what we liked most about it. And the fact that it looks like nothing else :D
Thats interesting Michael. Are you having any Airplay problems or have B&O sorted out that problem now with the BeoLit12?
Paul W: Thats interesting Michael. Are you having any Airplay problems or have B&O sorted out that problem now with the BeoLit12?
Well, no not really but I have had problems with drop outs at a friends house where they used a WDS-system (wireless distribution system, several access points works as one to enhance signal around the house). I also am very irritated about the long wait for airport signal.
It takes about two minutes? Why? My iPhone hooks on to wifi in two seconds, where ever I am. So it locates and authenticates about 118 seconds less than the beolit. The 2 minute wait is unacceptable and must get resolved.
Besides that it works fairly well. The power button and wifi button is very easy to touch by mistake - rendering the unit useless for minutes while it has to connect again. I would like the possibility to make the power off require a five second touch instead so to make mistake touches a problem of the past.
It should also be able to mute when you press + and - at the same time like the beo4 remote. (It works from the beo4 also!)
I got the Beolit 12 a few weeks ago for use in the kitchen. Works well and the sound is definitely bigger than you would think. The latest SW update also fixes the wifi-standby issue so now it's good to go whenever I want.
The only minor issue is that the wifi-strength is not as strong as e.g. my iphone or macbook pro in the same place. It still work to play music, but it does become more prone to pauses when moving it further away from the router. Hopefully B&O can tweak its wifi-settings more in a future SW update
Michael: ....I actually ended up going for the beolit 12 instead. But I like it so much that I need to get a second unit so we both can have one! Tried it there and it was perfect, carrying it in to the super small kitchen and around the room. I think the A8 sounds better but the BL12 also has a very good and strong sound coming from that small cabinet and the portability is what we liked most about it. And the fact that it looks like nothing else :D
....I actually ended up going for the beolit 12 instead. But I like it so much that I need to get a second unit so we both can have one! Tried it there and it was perfect, carrying it in to the super small kitchen and around the room. I think the A8 sounds better but the BL12 also has a very good and strong sound coming from that small cabinet and the portability is what we liked most about it. And the fact that it looks like nothing else :D
I'm not at all surprised you are enthusiastic about the beolit 12, I had the opportunity to lend my father’s BeoSound 3 for a while and I really enjoyed it. It is in no way as versatile as the Beolit, but in the manner that you move it around and use it in places you would not expect they are alike. A built in Link system throughout the house is one thing, but surprisingly often I appreciated the single sound source compared to a fixed stereo set up. e.g. as background music when among friends the music is there, but in a not distracting way.
Hope you enjoy it and that a SW update solves the issues you see
BR //Goran
If the wifi thing could be sorted out, i'd buy another in a shot. The A8 i have that replaced Beolit two units, has never dropped a signal.
I'm choosing my current house purchase on wether the kitchen/diner will take an A9
You only live once...
Beosound Stage, Beovision 8-40, Beolit 20, Beosound Explore.
I bought Beosound 8 about 18months ago and absolutely love it (neighbours hate it!! surprising how it can rattle through terraced houses)
I never used the black covers though it looked a bit dull and at the time purchased the purple ones now I have the red covers which make it stand out
Hey everyone!
Didn't check the thread for a while and I'm kinda surprised to see so many replies. Too many B&O enthusiasts I suppose which is a very pleasant surprise.
Anyway, I have been enjoying the A8 so far and for its intended use it performs extremely well. I didn't have any wifi issues and Airplay works like a charm every time, so no complaint here.
i am thinking of changing its placement though (I have it freestanding on a shelf by the window at the moment) and I don't want to restrict it with the provided wall mount so I was considering a floor stand instead. Even though there were a couple of A8 sitting on floorstands and the B&O dealer, I have found no indication of a B&O made floor stand for the A8 and only stumbed upon this stand made by a third party (http://www.stbbrackets.co.uk/?page=proddetail&catID=70&ProdID=1194). Has anyone had any experience with this stand or the manufacturer? What are your views on the product?
Thank you in advance and happy posting ;)
hadraktas: I have found no indication of a B&O made floor stand for the A8 and only stumbed upon this stand made by a third party (http://www.stbbrackets.co.uk/?page=proddetail&catID=70&ProdID=1194). Has anyone had any experience with this stand or the manufacturer? What are your views on the product?
STB is a sponsor of this site (see bottom left advertisement) and have recently come up with some stands for the V1 (see a thread Lee started).
So I believe they are reputable - and I am sure that there are many here that have used them.
Bang and Olufsen of Eling have the stand on their FaceBook page. They are very very nice guys to talk to, deal with - why don't you message them and ask them their thoughts?
STB do have an extremely good reputation!
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150961008965972&set=a.10150961008330972.477125.98711300971&type=3&theater
Thank you all for your replies. I went ahead and send a message to the store to see what they have to say about the stand. I also was not aware that STB is a sponsor of the site (oops), maybe because I have an adblocker on my browser...
Ended up ordering the STB stand after all. There is no "official" floor stand from B&O but this one was developed somewhat in collaboration and thus it is the one recommended by B&O. Which is more than enough guarantee for me...