One of the highlights of the trip was a visit to Geoff Martin, the B&O tonmeister, who is responsible for the voicing of the B&O range. His reputation was well trailed by Lee who described him as a chap who could make the composition of a billiard ball sound exciting.

He started by demonstrating the work he had done on the Beosound 8. Using a demo model with the electronics outside the chassis, he was able to show what the BS8 would sound like with a flat frequency response and then added the layers of sound equalization to counter the effect of crossovers and power response on and off axis.

Using an iPad as a control medium, we were able to switch between various setting and using different types of music, Geoff demonstrated that a compromise between frequency response and power curves were essential to produce a product able to please one’s expectations. He also demonstrated the software capabilities of the iPad in helping with analyzing basic frequency responses.

We were then taken to the cube where the drivers and speakers are analysed in immense detail before reaching the listening stages. He started by explaining about frequency responses on and off axis for drivers and factors affecting off axis responses including diffraction from edges. He demonstrated the flat off axis response of the ALT speakers, which suddenly made sense.

Returning to the listening room, he demonstrated something he was working on but which has not even been given a name. Our lips are sealed on the actual product details, partly because they were behind a curtain but also because he was not letting on about their design.

Clearly still in development, but the amount of air moved by these speakers was of a magnitude not seen before by a B&O product. Something for the future it would seem and a sign that B&O and Geoff never rest.

During the course of our time with him, he described how he starts the process of voicing speakers, his being the final step in a multidiscipline process – the design and specifications will be decided elsewhere, as is the basic equalisation and he is left to mould the sound to the desired end point. He also explained the mystery of the 250W power amplifier for a tweeter, explaining that although tweeters use very little power for the vast majority of the time, sudden transients call for immense power and that in some cases, 250W could be regarded as an absolute minimum.

He also discussed the various compromises forced upon him, both by design and driver specifications. The secret units behind the curtain were approached in the exact opposite way, with no compromise either in driver quality or design to reduce his ability to obtain the best possible sound. Possibly one reason we were not allowed to see them! Bleeding ears are one thing – eyes something else!

We discussed old and new speakers, the Penta coming in for some discussion (as it did elsewhere, with a good number of B&O employees still using these and the Beovision Avant in their own set ups) and the voicing of the 6002 in particular being mentioned. The sound was deliberately made to sound very similar to the 6000 simply so that a pair could act as a pair of fronts or rears when matched with the older version.

The message we took away was the attention lavished on each and every product and although, like the Irishman asked for directions, he stated that he personally would not start from the designs given to him, the pride in his work and the end product was clearly evident. As long as B&O has a Geoff Martin in the listening room, we know that we will be in great hands.