Well, I've had it on demo at home for the last week or so....

20 replies

moxxey wrote:
  Also, connecting up a BM5 and BL5 isn't a quick process that can be achieved overnight (ie the dealer would want it back the next working day!). I wanted other opinions first.

 

Surely it is a case of disconnecting a DigOut Coax and Powerlink Cable on the BC2 and connecting them to the BM5?

Should take no more than 10 seconds to swap over?

 

10%

Mr10Percent wrote:

Surely it is a case of disconnecting a DigOut Coax and Powerlink Cable on the BC2 and connecting them to the BM5?

Should take no more than 10 seconds to swap over?

10%

No, I mean that I'd have to grab it from my dealer after they close, then return before they open the next day - a lot of hassle for a quick demo. I suppose I could ask them if I could borrow over a Sunday.

Hi Moxey - well it went back and the BS3200 reconnected to the Lab 9's

There is a difference but not what i expected. Both myself and my wife agree that the vocals sound crisper on the BS5, especially at lower volumes. We could hear the BS5 quite clearly when sitting in the garden with the patio doors open, but when playing the BS3200 at the same volume, we could not hear it as clearly.

But........I found at higher volumes the BS3200 sounded richer and the instruments seemed more defined and overall just sounded less clinical (if that makes sense)

So decision made, I'm not going to buy it ...YET. Great system but probably not for me at the moment. I found that the system looked out of proportion on the floor stand and having wooden floors throughout the house, hiding cables etc to the master box and pc etc would be a major issue. MOTS is a great feature but i would have liked to have had a pure random feature also for times when you really don't want ''more of the same''

Some friends commented over the weekend that they preferred the look of the BS3200 (despite it's oudated music selection capabilities) especially as  the stand matches the BV7 and somehow the BS5 just needs to be a bit bigger....

I just wish they'd make a BS9000 with a hard drive!

I will revisit it in 9 months to see what software changes have been made and other placement options.

In summary good system but I personally can't  justify spending £4k on something which gives me marginally better sound and on something which I think looks silly on a floor stand in my house!

cheers

David

DGeorge wrote:

I just wish they'd make a BS9000 with a hard drive!

Now that would be something!!

Andy T.

DGeorge wrote:

So decision made, I'm not going to buy it ...YET.

I don't think I will, either. I had the idea of getting it before the 10% price increase (after this, it will be around £4100!), but then realised I'd be better just buying another Beosound 4 from, say, Lifestyle (£1500 or so) and connecting to my existing Mac Mini setup, through my Airport Express! Just as effective.

If the BS5/BM5 was £2700 - a grand cheaper - I think I'd take the plunge. No idea who's going to spend £4100 on it. Hats off to those people!

totally agree. £1k or so cheaper and might have been able to justify it....

out of interest as i'm totally mac ignorant, how does the mac mini, airport express work?

cheers

David

 

If I recall correct the BS9000 is a "dead man walking" meaning about to be terminated. So we won't see it coming with a HD.

I think we will see though alternatives for the BS5 head unit.

DGeorge wrote:

totally agree. £1k or so cheaper and might have been able to justify it....

Well, I've changed my mind and taken the plunge as I managed to negotiate an excellent pre-price rise deal with another dealer, with a discount!

I've asked some questions though about linking with other kit.

 

seethroughyou wrote:

 link2 a new head unit? what makes you say that? is it a rumour or from a proper b&o source.

like a lot of people here i am not convinced by the looks of the head unit myself - it is too small...

I think TripEnglish has mentioned another head unit to compliment the BS5.

I think the head unit looks fine, particularly on a book shelf or on top of a cabinet. Doesn't need to be large just to find and show your digital music. Hey, even the tiny iPod Touch can do that ;)

or
BeoWorld Gold Membership card
Join BeoWorld

Register to access the forums, reference material, and exclusive member benefits — including our monthly prize draw.

Become a Member

December 2026 Prize Draw

Gold Members Only

As a Gold member you're automatically entered into our exclusive prize draw — your chance to win iconic Bang & Olufsen products. A unique benefit of BeoWorld Gold membership, every draw brings a new opportunity to win something special.