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
Emil Jensen: It is just two different products, a Beosound Stage customer I dont see as a Eclipse customer, and the other way around. If you do not need a great stand option, PUC, and surround processor, then the stage is interesting, if you do need it, the Eclipse is.
It is just two different products, a Beosound Stage customer I dont see as a Eclipse customer, and the other way around. If you do not need a great stand option, PUC, and surround processor, then the stage is interesting, if you do need it, the Eclipse is.
Not necessarily. You're suggesting a very limited audience if you suggest people go for the C9. My view is, especially with an Eclipse v2 forthcoming, the current Eclipse will be much cheaper soon, either pre-loved, ex-demo or a combo of elements. You could simply trade-in/sell your existing TV.
I just think it's a right old 'faff' to go buy an LG TV, separate soundbar, then go to your dealer to order a BeoRemote, connect them up, just to save a few bucks. I think people are being too simplistic about it - the soundbar in the design I'd want is still close to £2000.
Reading between the lines.
While I understand that B&O is focussing the attention on the BeoSound Stage being its first soundbar, I see the important distinction in naming it a "BeoSound" rather than a "BeoLab." With its nice price point and design, I can see the Stage as being an attractive multiroom replacement for the BeoSound 35 and BeoPlay A6. I could see this looking gorgeous by itself on a wall in a dining room or bedroom - without a TV screen.
It's noticeably missing from its specs that an Essence Wall Remote is not listed for control. I can see the reason for this perhaps being that it might create confusion as to how an essence remote could be relevant when the Stage is being used as a TV soundbar. However, it seems logical that an essence remote could be paired via BT to control the Stage for use as a multiroom audio product.
I'm still not clear on whether Deezer is being supported or not.
1990: moxxey: Won't be cheap to purchase a C9 + Stage + BeoRemote. You might as well look at an Eclipse if you're going that way. At current prices it would be 1.600 + 1.500 + 260 = 3.360. Same as the list price of a Horizon 40" with easel stand. Seriously contemplating upgrading from my V1/Essence-II-combo to a Stage+LG solution. Just wait and see what STB come up with...
moxxey: Won't be cheap to purchase a C9 + Stage + BeoRemote. You might as well look at an Eclipse if you're going that way.
Won't be cheap to purchase a C9 + Stage + BeoRemote. You might as well look at an Eclipse if you're going that way.
At current prices it would be 1.600 + 1.500 + 260 = 3.360. Same as the list price of a Horizon 40" with easel stand.
Seriously contemplating upgrading from my V1/Essence-II-combo to a Stage+LG solution. Just wait and see what STB come up with...
According to my opinion the comparison is not totally "fair" cause with the Horizon you get a proper surround system where you can connect more Beolabs. Same stand with the V1. I own one and I use it as a surround system (V1 has connected onto it a pair of beolabs 18, beolab 2, and a pair of beovox cx100) when I watch a movie on my projector. If I switch to a C9 with a Stage I do not have this possibility and I strongly believe you should think twice before upgrading to the c9+stage solution. That is of course if you like watching movies/series at your home. Otherwise is a very good solution.
It will likely be able to controlled by the new remote device supposedly coming soon (ish)....so I'm not fretting about that aspect.
beojeff: Reading between the lines. While I understand that B&O is focussing the attention on the BeoSound Stage being its first soundbar, I see the important distinction in naming it a "BeoSound" rather than a "BeoLab." With its nice price point and design, I can see the Stage as being an attractive multiroom replacement for the BeoSound 35 and BeoPlay A6. I could see this looking gorgeous by itself on a wall in a dining room or bedroom - without a TV screen. It's noticeably missing from its specs that an Essence Wall Remote is not listed for control. I can see the reason for this perhaps being that it might create confusion as to how an essence remote could be relevant when the Stage is being used as a TV soundbar. However, it seems logical that an essence remote could be paired via BT to control the Stage for use as a multiroom audio product. I'm still not clear on whether Deezer is being supported or not.
From what I have read there are no sources in Stage, so it has to rely on that you play something on another B&O multiroom product. The other option is of course Airplay or Chromecast.
So not a real substitute for e.g BS35 or Beoplay A6 as I view it.
I guess they save the sources for the rumored more advanced "soundbar".
Livingroom: BL3, BL11, BV11-46 Kitchen: Beosound 1 GVA, Beocom 2 Bathroom: M3 Homeoffice: M3, Beocom 2 Library: Beosound Emerge, Beocom 6000 Bedroom: M5, Essence remote Travel: Beoplay E8 2.0, Beoplay EQ, Beoplay Earset
Tassos: According to my opinion the comparison is not totally "fair" cause with the Horizon you get a proper surround system where you can connect more Beolabs. Same stand with the V1. I own one and I use it as a surround system (V1 has connected onto it a pair of beolabs 18, beolab 2, and a pair of beovox cx100) when I watch a movie on my projector. If I switch to a C9 with a Stage I do not have this possibility and I strongly believe you should think twice before upgrading to the c9+stage solution. That is of course if you like watching movies/series at your home. Otherwise is a very good solution.
I understand your point! But since it's my bedroom setup, I don't have surround sound planned :-)
The whole thought that customers would have to go the MediaMarkt to get an LG tv is not really valid imho. B&O-retailers wil already stock other C9-variants; the 65" and 77" will be needed for the Harmony. Why not get some 55"s as well to sell in a combo-pack with the BS Stage, at say 3.500 euro? Must be a market for that.
On another point: the Aluminium and Bronze-versions will be sold through non-B&O-dealers as well. So the Stage will be offered in high street stores next to the soundbars from Sonos/LG etc.
DMacri:I’m not sure people don’t see what you get as much as they don’t place that much value in the features for the cost of obtaining them from B&O lately. If you could point to the exceptional quality and rock solid, bug-free operation, you could possibly make a case. The software and operational quirks have let them down. If the repair and service was able to quickly and cost effectively provide repairs, that would help, too. Recent products don’t seem to be easily or cost effectively repaired compared to the asking price of them. I’m hoping the stage can win many hearts and new customers in ways that very expensive, but somewhat unreliable products simply cannot. Those that can afford those products also expect them to be worthwhile. Pretty, complex, expensive, and functionally challenged is not a winning combination.
If you could point to the exceptional quality and rock solid, bug-free operation, you could possibly make a case. The software and operational quirks have let them down.
If the repair and service was able to quickly and cost effectively provide repairs, that would help, too. Recent products don’t seem to be easily or cost effectively repaired compared to the asking price of them.
I’m hoping the stage can win many hearts and new customers in ways that very expensive, but somewhat unreliable products simply cannot. Those that can afford those products also expect them to be worthwhile. Pretty, complex, expensive, and functionally challenged is not a winning combination.
Don't mean to go too far off topic here, but I think you're painting with too broad of a brush. While what you say is true of many recent B&O products, my Eclipse has been rock solid and reliable from day 1 in my home (almost 2 years ago). No goofy quirks. Nothing flaky. It simply does what it is supposed to do. No explaining to the family that it's perfectly "normal" to have to reboot/power cycle/disconnect the mains/re-register the remote/re-register the wifi to make my really expensive device to work as seems to be the case with some other recent products.
Back on topic: This looks really good, and the price is nice (for B&O). Let's hope B&O's quality stumbles are behind them, and this brings some new customers to the brand (or some old customers back).
Stan
The BANG & OLUFSEN stores are going to deal the 55" C9 OLED,
So you can pick up everything from your local B&O store.
B&O stores are going to be LG dealers.
Beovision Harmony 77" 2nd Gen, Beolab 5, Beolab 17, Beosound 1, Beoplay M3, Beoplay Portal, Beoplay Earset, Beoliving Intelligence
Anything else would be ridicolous.
Having some on display and ordering asap is no problem.
Of course there are people, who ‘run around looking for the best price’ for both items and buys a preused BROne.......they must find their way to set up things on their own.
MM
There is a tv - and there is a BV
beojeff: Reading between the lines. However, it seems logical that an essence remote could be paired via BT to control the Stage for use as a multiroom audio product.
However, it seems logical that an essence remote could be paired via BT to control the Stage for use as a multiroom audio product.
Yes, the Essence Remote can be paired over Bluetooth with the Beosound Stage
Hands on...
https://www.whathifi.com/reviews/bang-and-olufsen-beosound-stage
I'm excited about this speaker, but my own system is Control4 based so the lack of PUC doesn't matter to me. But I'm curious to see how B&O sees their control footprint as the video segment becomes more fractured. The majority of people buying sound bars already own TVs so relying on a specific make or model is fairly meaningless on a large scale.
BeoMatthew: The majority of people buying sound bars already own TVs so relying on a specific make or model is fairly meaningless on a large scale.
The majority of people buying sound bars already own TVs so relying on a specific make or model is fairly meaningless on a large scale.
Like any other soundbar it works with any tv.....but it works better/best with an LG-tv.
So what is not to like?
I think i'll step out of the shadows....
I really like what B&O have done here. Honestly, I might have gone for this rather than my BL14, had it been available at the time. However, I do like the idea that I actually have 5.1 speakers, and am not virtualising the majority of the surround effects (albeit, I am virtualising the height speakers).
From a design perspective, it's very sleek. Reminds me of the BeoMaster's of yore, especially in the table-top configuration. Although, I am curious about that speaker configuration and how all this Atmos-ing will sound.... speakers facing upwards, angled drivers that are not actually meant to reflect sound off the ceiling? It all sounds a bit too out there for me.
The only issue now is that there are no more stores in Northern California to have a listen, and I don't really see which retailers would carry this on release.
Anyway, at the price point, it might be tempting to have it in the bedroom, or office, even if just as a music system (until I can convince the wife of a smaller theater system in the other rooms).
Millemissen: Like any other soundbar it works with any tv.....but it works better/best with an LG-tv. So what is not to like? MM
Exactly. I think the bigger story than B&O getting out of video is B&O getting out of Control, which whether they know it or not, they're doing.
EDIT: To clarify, I agree that the scenario is not a bad one, but B&O internally have always thought of themselves as the top layer of control, whether locally via PUC or globally via BLGW. This product along with the total lack of stand alone AV Receiver and the apparent lack of any true BeoVision in the portfolio after the Eclipse means that they're now much more like a high-end Sonos than a "Control4 lite" which frankly makes a lot more sense with the scale of their company.
"I still see Sonos as technically more attractive from that perspective."
I wonder how you can say that, when you see the specification side -by side will Stage beat it in all way.
You have all the future streaming service inside (Airplay 2, Chromecast built in, Deezer built in (B&O app) , tunein radio, bluetooth, dont see anything you cant do with this. 11 x 50 watt amplifier is total of 550 watt, 4 x 4inch woofer in the midle.
If you compare this techincal to eclipse soundcenter, its not bad, and have you hear soundcenter to eclipse its good sound, but in the eclipse you get more; sound prosessor, puc control (yes, maybe old, but its work perfect) wisa 8 speaker wireless. So if people now can see the price to this compare to eclipse soundcenter so maybe think again why always people complain to price on a TV at B&O. Tiered of people not se the total picture of the product, and not only the higher price:) But back to the product Stage :) Its a real go B&O sound system to a 3 part tv, and plz dont compare this speaker to sonos soundbar. :) Look at total packed her with also the the aluminium and wood furniture and the power in the speaker. Go and buy this speaker :)
Eclipses soundcenter:
1 x 1" tweeter 2 x 2.5" fullrange drivers 3 x 4" midrange/woofer
Out of curiosity, IF the Stage can be used as a center speaker, will it be a better center speaker than say BL 10 with ALT or BL 7.X? Based on specification only of course.
BL8000, BL10, BL4000, BL2, BL3 (Sold), Beocentre 2 (Sold), Beosystem 3, LG C8
Hi everyone,
I have put together a video to cover some options for using and connecting Beosound Stage that may be of interest: https://youtu.be/TH5hU_wuVvw
Using the Stage as a front/centre speaker in an existing surround sound setup is certainly possible when connecting via the Line input (even though this probably wasn't a scenario that B&O considered when designing this speaker).
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
Hiort:I guess they save the sources for the rumored more advanced "soundbar".
andybandy: "I still see Sonos as technically more attractive from that perspective." I wonder how you can say that, when you see the specification side -by side will Stage beat it in all way. You have all the future streaming service inside (Airplay 2, Chromecast built in, Deezer built in (B&O app) , tunein radio, bluetooth, dont see anything you cant do with this. 11 x 50 watt amplifier is total of 550 watt, 4 x 4inch woofer in the midle. If you compare this techincal to eclipse soundcenter, its not bad, and have you hear soundcenter to eclipse its good sound, but in the eclipse you get more; sound prosessor, puc control (yes, maybe old, but its work perfect) wisa 8 speaker wireless. So if people now can see the price to this compare to eclipse soundcenter so maybe think again why always people complain to price on a TV at B&O. Tiered of people not se the total picture of the product, and not only the higher price:) But back to the product Stage :) Its a real go B&O sound system to a 3 part tv, and plz dont compare this speaker to sonos soundbar. :) Look at total packed her with also the the aluminium and wood furniture and the power in the speaker. Go and buy this speaker :)
Nothing better than an internet "spec war". Engadget vs Cnet for all the clicks.
BS Stage video....
https://www.recordere.dk/2019/09/bo-beosound-stage-video-og-billeder/
BeoMatthew: Exactly. I think the bigger story than B&O getting out of video is B&O getting out of Control, which whether they know it or not, they're doing. EDIT: To clarify, I agree that the scenario is not a bad one, but B&O internally have always thought of themselves as the top layer of control, whether locally via PUC or globally via BLGW. This product along with the total lack of stand alone AV Receiver and the apparent lack of any true BeoVision in the portfolio after the Eclipse means that they're now much more like a high-end Sonos than a "Control4 lite" which frankly makes a lot more sense with the scale of their company.
I don't think B&O are getting out of 'Control'. BS Stage will feature HOME CONTROL with the BLGW or BLI. As far as I have understood it, with the C9 you will even have the HOME CONTROl on-screen.
All NL-speakers can have Beoremote One with 2-way communication connected (the bliss of the TuneIn-implementation!) and control the BLGW/BLI.
It is a really powerful platform, but maybe the options for Control are badly understood by most B&O retailers (and thus undersold!!). Maybe the BLI even in Essential-form is still too expensive to be a mass product.
Emil Jensen: So you can pick up everything from your local B&O store.
Good grief - these are the stores most people don't go in to? If I was going to buy a C9, I'd get the darn thing online, cheap, from a box supplier, not from my dealer at RRP.
Emil Jensen:The BANG & OLUFSEN stores are going to deal the 55" C9 OLED, So you can pick up everything from your local B&O store. B&O stores are going to be LG dealers. Beovision Eclipse, Beolab 20, Beolab 17, Beosound 1 Google assist, Beoplay M3, Beoplay H6
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
Frankly, when I saw the images leaked and soon removed few weeks ago, i didn't believed it was a B&O product but anyway…
But something i dont (genuinely) understand when everybody praised the wide dispersion of the ALT against the "laser" directivity of a classic tweeter, is how could this thing work efficiently in wall and table position at the same time. Could someone explain me? (Again, no malice in the question).
Hi,
The tweeters are angled at 45 degrees, so I guess you would actually turn the soundbar through 180 degrees for best results when moving it between wall and table mounting - that way the tweeters should fire upwards and forwards at the same angle, regardless of the mounting position.
Not sure if the speaker auto-compensates for the position (ie. swapping left and right channels) or if this has to be done manually in the app......
From what I see, it is turned 180 from wall to table - you can tell by seeing where the touch controls end up when comparing pictures of either configuration.
STEVE- , when you said (in an earlier post) that you can use the "Stage as a front/centre speaker in an existing setup", are you referring to just the C channel, or using it for all L, R, and C channels?
Yes, changing from vertical to horizontal position does change the sound processing algorithm. Also in order to access the controls that are on the upper side when vertical, you have to position the Stage with those controls facing the exterior (not the wall) and thus the tweeters are positioned exactly as if they were in vertical mode (the Stage in vertical, I mean).
Not sure if anyone has mentioned it yet, but there's more of a "hands on" on the What Hifi website: https://www.whathifi.com/reviews/bang-and-olufsen-beosound-stage
Earle: STEVE- , when you said (in an earlier post) that you can use the "Stage as a front/centre speaker in an existing setup", are you referring to just the C channel, or using it for all L, R, and C channels?
Hi Earle,
This would be a case of using the stereo Line Input, so the speaker would behave as a "stereo centre" in the same way as Beolab 7-x speakers when adding Stage into an existing surround sound setup.
moxxey: Emil Jensen: So you can pick up everything from your local B&O store. Good grief - these are the stores most people don't go in to? If I was going to buy a C9, I'd get the darn thing online, cheap, from a box supplier, not from my dealer at RRP.
Hopefully this is going to change,
Also the Dealers should be able to sell as cheap as others.
In Denmark the cheapest place is not Online, it is in stores like mediamark, Named Power and ELGIGANTEN here.
Lets see about pricing,
But one thing is that the big stores doesn't offer setup and guidens, and a lot of people in all aged still would like to pay for that.
Not everyone is easy with tech and screwdriver.
Thanks Steve and Earle for the clarification.
Steve at Sounds Heavenly: This would be a case of using the stereo Line Input, so the speaker would behave as a "stereo centre" in the same way as Beolab 7-x speakers when adding Stage into an existing surround sound setup. Kind regards, Steve.
Are you sure of that?
My guess is that it will have audio processing (Sound Mode: Music) for the line-in connection....since this is intended for an external audio device.
Nothing to compare with what the 7-x’s do as a pure speaker.
A dedicated 3.0 speaker/BeoSound(bar) is not a center speaker.
Hardly the most difficult installation.
Plug sound bar into power, join to TV and thats it.
Not sure thats worth paying for.
Emil Jensen: moxxey: Emil Jensen: So you can pick up everything from your local B&O store. Good grief - these are the stores most people don't go in to? If I was going to buy a C9, I'd get the darn thing online, cheap, from a box supplier, not from my dealer at RRP. Hopefully this is going to change, Also the Dealers should be able to sell as cheap as others. In Denmark the cheapest place is not Online, it is in stores like mediamark, Named Power and ELGIGANTEN here. Lets see about pricing, But one thing is that the big stores doesn't offer setup and guidens, and a lot of people in all aged still would like to pay for that. Not everyone is easy with tech and screwdriver.
Hi MM,
I hope to carry out some testing once the Stage is available "hands-on" to see how good it will be as a centre channel speaker in a surround sound setup - there is already a lot of interest in using it this way, so I want to investigate how to get it to perform at its best in this situation.
Steve at Sounds Heavenly:Hi MM, I hope to carry out some testing once the Stage is available "hands-on" to see how good it will be as a centre channel speaker in a surround sound setup - there is already a lot of interest in using it this way, so I want to investigate how to get it to perform at its best in this situation. Kind regards, Steve. Steve. www.soundsheavenly.com Sounds Heavenly are proud to sponsor BeoWorld!
Stage doesn't support WiSA, so you would need to add a Transmitter 1, 2 x Receiver 1s and special cabling in order to use the Stage via WiSA. Not impossible, but quite impractical for most situations. I would suggest considering a wired connection for use with a TV if possible, as this is likely to be the most practical option. If you prefer a wireless connection, then I can still assist you to get this working.
Steve at Sounds Heavenly:Hi, Stage doesn't support WiSA, so you would need to add a Transmitter 1, 2 x Receiver 1s and special cabling in order to use the Stage via WiSA. Not impossible, but quite impractical for most situations. I would suggest considering a wired connection for use with a TV if possible, as this is likely to be the most practical option. If you prefer a wireless connection, then I can still assist you to get this working. Kind regards, Steve. Steve. www.soundsheavenly.com Sounds Heavenly are proud to sponsor BeoWorld!
Sandyb: Hardly the most difficult installation. Plug sound bar into power, join to TV and thats it. Not sure thats worth paying for. Emil Jensen: moxxey: Emil Jensen: So you can pick up everything from your local B&O store. Good grief - these are the stores most people don't go in to? If I was going to buy a C9, I'd get the darn thing online, cheap, from a box supplier, not from my dealer at RRP. Hopefully this is going to change, Also the Dealers should be able to sell as cheap as others. In Denmark the cheapest place is not Online, it is in stores like mediamark, Named Power and ELGIGANTEN here. Lets see about pricing, But one thing is that the big stores doesn't offer setup and guidens, and a lot of people in all aged still would like to pay for that. Not everyone is easy with tech and screwdriver.
I meant putting the tv and soundbar on the wall, and getting instructions how it works.
I worked in a Panasonic Center for years, and a lot of people just want to pay and getting the stuff setup for them. Not all are handymen or nerds.
Steve at Sounds Heavenly: Hi MM, I hope to carry out some testing once the Stage is available "hands-on" to see how good it will be as a centre channel speaker in a surround sound setup - there is already a lot of interest in using it this way, so I want to investigate how to get it to perform at its best in this situation. Kind regards, Steve.
Technically it surely will work - but how good will that be soundwise?
Looking forward to your testing, though.
It sort of contradicts the efford and labour of the guys in Struer put into making this devices a fully fletched fine tuned soundbar, imho!
Why not just get one of these 7-x’s.....there are plenty of those to have for little money nowadays.