Razlaw wrote:

Great video……saw it a week or two ago.

Let's hope someone doesn't do that with some Bang & Olufsen... 😛

Anyway, let's get back on track here.

My thoughts on the matter. I always loved the B&O experience. Nice looking, good sounding and a good user experience. But when I finally had the means to buy a B&O tv, I got the Horizon, and boy was that bad. It was, for me, very expensive so the disappointment was even greater. After a few months of it breaking down and no real effort from B&O to do anything about it I sold all my B&O equipment. It was only after we moved to Denmark two years ago that I did consider them again. And it was because a) I really liked the LG Beosound Stage combo and b) I have a B&O dealer almost next door. For a small living room that is a very nice system. But trust is not regained and I do not think I will ever look at their more expensive products. I would love a pair of Beolab 28s but it being an integrated system there is just too much that can go wrong with it and I just do not think B&O will be there for me when thinks go wrong.

I was going to sit this one out... after all, any one on this forum for years has been around this block many times.. However, when our kind host specifically asks for more discussion, I will try to oblige.

B&O today is different than years ago.  It has to be.  Kids don't buy "stereos" anymore.  My son didn't want my spare BL4000s or BL8000s when he moved to his new apartment (too big, too flashy, too much for his little place - especially when you have to find outlets and run cables, etc.).  He's happy with the old-generation BS1 I gave him when he went to college... so he's not totally foolish.

After less than stellar experiences with a BV8 and some BL Wireless 1s, I said "No more B&O".  Years pass.  Then, after months of trying NOT to buy an Eclipse, I bought one because every other option I considered had too many compromises.  Then, they closed my local store, and I said "No more B&O".  Years pass.  Then, I bought a new gen BS1 because it fit my requirements much better than anything else I could find.  Then, I walked away and said, "I'm done", as I have music everywhere in my house that I want it.  Lately, I started thinking about a stereo pair of Balances to replace a gen1 BS2 in my office, but BL28 and above are out of the question as I hardly listen to my BL1s anymore, and I doubt if I'll actually spring for the Balances unless I walk into a crazy good deal...

What's my point?  I'm not sure.  Times change.  Companies change (although some personalities on this site do seem to change 😉😁)  Every time I say "I'm done", I end up finding a reason to buy more.  Also, lately, I've been quite pleased with the performance of my B&O kit so they are doing some things right.  One of the qualities that always attracted me to B&O was their "long game".  Build with quality and durability so it lasts decades rather than years.  However, it seems like most companies on this track have gone out of business or have become extremely expensive.  I'm just glad I don't have to figure out how to chart B&O's course through today's market.

One can't keep harking back to products 25 years ago. Those products wouldn't sell today, people's wants have changed. I am one of the very few people in my group of friends that has stereo speakers. They all use bluetooth speakers or a soundbar. Whether we agree or not that is what the majority want and probably can afford. 

I have never found B&O to be a purveyor of disposable hifi, I think that is completely off the mark. Now and again they make a product that isn't quite what it should be but that has always been the case. When a company is trying to be extremely innovative and out the box it can go a bit wrong. I am ok with that as the majority of B&O products are great and at the moment they have some great options in their portfolio. Considering the masterpieces they have a created in their history and continue to, I will happily forgive them their failings....at any rate perfection is boring. 

@seeyouthrough Just bought a BeoSound 9000.

About lacking quality of some products:

I seriously thought about Playmaker, Moment, BV Avant (new), Balance. But due to lack of money and/or great luck I preferred Essence, BV 8-40, BL 3 and 6000 and 4000 and 9 (all second life).

And I'm very lucky and happy about dealer's support and service only 300 m away from my home.

By the way: transport of everything except BV 8 was carried out walking the goodies from shop to my home.

But my dealer recommended in case of the BeoLab 90 to use a push cart if I buy them later 😕

Facit: I keep on using B&O ...

BenSA wrote:

One can't keep harking back to products 25 years ago. Those products wouldn't sell today, people's wants have changed. I am one of the very few people in my group of friends that has stereo speakers. They all use bluetooth speakers or a soundbar. Whether we agree or not that is what the majority want and probably can afford. 

I agree somewhat. We cannot keep wanting Beocenter2 with up to date lasers or whatever or refurbished Beograms etc....

However, we cannot keep making tonnes and tonnes of standalone bluetooth mono-speakers either. As is very clear from other comments - yes, people maybe dont want mega-systems, but it is only a matter of time before we all go to the lowest common denominator and a bluetooth boom-box is the same as all other bluetooth boom-box. 

I believe we need a middle ground. "Beovisions" which can take any screen from any third party manufacturer, with a black box to integrate Powerlink (WISA or cable) and a sound processor. Maybe a couple of HDMI inputs to control. Expand the same to be a soundbar. Another black box for a half-decent streamer (with PL etc and maybe a couple of other inputs).

This creates product-flow. Legacy and modern loudspeakers connectivity. Update with new speakers (any B&O), relegate the older units to other parts of the house (another streamer hub), or part-Exchange. TV panel goes.....replace for a couple of grand. Replace in 5 to 7 years, relegating the older unit to the bedroom, study, part-ex.

Right now, the whole product range is either very affordable and piece-meal - you never get to fully enjoy what B&O should be about or megabucks. A new 55in Eclipse, 4 BL8000's, a sub for a basic 5.1 setup is starting at GBP25k. 

A Black box Almando equivalent for sound processing, say GBP1500, third party screen for GBP2500 and a chat to what you Dealer has 2nd life, and your probably up and running for less than GBP8k. Add a Streamer hub and call it GBP10k.

Exchange the sound processor hub for a Eclipse-grade soundbar and were have 95% of a new system for half the price. From then-on, the trade-ups soon begin with a very affordable, modular and upgradable system.

B&O need less mechanical theatrics and more quality modular components (IMO)

@MR 10Percent

I am not sure I can follow your math.

Where is the 3.0 speaker unit equivalent to the speakers in e.g. an Eclipse Sound Center - and what would that cost?

MM