:)

leduds wrote:

Would probably take both 😊

I went to my dealer in Paris yesterday and finally opted for Lab17s, blue covers, table stand. I fiund the sound really smooth, envelopping. 

Still have regrets for A9's amazing design :-(

Let's be patient ! 

Don't have regrets for A9. I got this A9 Mk2 Rose Golden and it is outstanding - however 17s gives you more options in future expansion, WISA streaming, stereo separation.

I bought A9 originally for my bedroom, now using it in living room but I still do plan Beloab 18s.

Design-wise... ...yes, A9 looks stunning. But I think 17s understated elegance is on the other side a representation of  "as little design as possible" phillosophy. Just think how visible or invisible you can make them, based on your room design change, :)

Enjoy your new speakers! ;)

Indeed, I am more than happy with my choice. Finally, the design, although discreet, has something special and the sound is just unexpected for such a small cabinet : not only how loud they can play but also how precise they are ! 

Now, I have a problem left : the speakers are for sure B&O but the Playmaker .... It is definitely not B&O : not to mention the design, it lacks this magic you would usually find using a B&O device. 

Waiting for Essence Mk2, investing in Moment ? I just played with Moment for a couple of minutes at my dealer's, ok fine, but I am not totally convinced. 

Congratulations on your Beolab 17's. They always surprise me at how small and svelte they are, and what a large sound they pack. They're the next-gen Beolab 4000's to me (from a design perspective). An most underrated speaker. 

leduds wrote:

Now, I have a problem left : the speakers are for sure B&O but the Playmaker .... It is definitely not B&O : not to mention the design, it lacks this magic you would usually find using a B&O device. 

The only problem you have there is, that you dislike it.

What does it mean to be a B&O product to you?

I know of no other device (apart from the Essence and the A9) that works this way.

AirPlay something to it (or use DLNA) and it starts playing. Connect a device to the line-in, start playback there, and it starts playing without having to push any further button.

Use the scroll wheel on the device (just like with the A9) to control volumen or use your remote.

It is a simple but powerfull piece of audio gear.

It can be connected to a free Aux port (or an A.Tape port) of a B&O AudioMaster and this way distribute the sound from all its three inputs to other MasterLinked rooms.

To me it is a magical device, because it just works without the fuzz of pushing buttons, and it gives me a lot of possibilities with my B&O setup, that I did not have before.

To me it has 'the magic of a B&O device' - whatever that may be!

Design however, is a personal choice. You may say, that you don't like the design of it - but that again is a personal choice.

But don't worry - the Playmaker is not for sale any more (unless you go looking for a pre-used one). Go for the Essence/Essence 2nd Generation, if you want simplicity.

With that (and with the Playmaker) and your new speakers your friends will wonder, where the music comes from - that is magic!

MM

leduds wrote:

Dear Millimissen, I just mean that Playmaker is just as magic as a Sonos... a square piece of plastic. Yes, you are right, it is easy to use and offer and offers many possibilities : this is the reason why I have connected my new Lab17's to it. But ... sorry : whether it should not be shown, then the Essence concept is smart, whether it shows some B&O (whatever it means to the B&O consummer I have been for the past 25 years, from Lab8000, to Beosound 9000, Avant or Beosound 5, amongst others), and must have this magic which, sorry to insist, totally lacks in Playmaker. You are right, that is a great device as far as possibility and easy-to-use feature is concerned. Cheers Beoplay V1-40" - Beo4 - Playmaker - Beolab 17 - Beotime - H3 - H6 - Beoplayer & Beoremote Apps