So let me get this straight. Beosound 5 is the media controller while the Beomaster 5 is the brain? So After shelling out 5000 euro for the controller I still have to shell our for another 5000 for the brain? Well it better be good, and it better have all the high end features. Or it is so not selling, I mean come on! An LCD touchscreen for 5000? And it doesn't even look 5000, it looks more like 2000. I don't think that dial add on justifies the 4500. Technology isn't that expensive nowadays, it is mainly the shell we are paying for. 

So is the Beosound 5 really just a media controller? 

The BS 5 is only digital.

No mechanical parts (générally expensive) it's only a computer.

The development cost is expensive but after the product is cheap to produce.

It's a BO price 😂

It is important to keep in mind the dynamic and changing nature of digital media during BS5's development.  I'm sure that B&O not only wanted to achieve their own stylish and satisfying interface, but also to be future-compatible/upgradeable to what anyone's vision could see to where digital media is evolving.  And feedback/frustration with Beomedia certainly contributed to this process.

My take on BS5: It's obvious that there is a base desire for people to interact with their music and images along with the (let's call it) "cover art" I'm sure the  attraction of special edition CD & DVD/blu ray compilations reveal how much all of us "want more" about our favorite music and videos.

Whether Vinyl coverrs or CD/DVD crystal cases, the expositive information is essential to one's enhanced enjoyment, IMHO.

I like to think of this as with sports cars: You may engineer the finest and fast auto-transmission, but for those who value the proprioceptive *driving* experience, there is no substitute for a stick shift and clutch pedal.

Barry