You wont be "disappointed" but you'll miss the balance a Penta has.

I always recommend a BeoLab 2 with BeoLab 1's. A fantastic combination.

Lee

Thanks Lee

I had a Cona many years back and placement was critical with that sub. Is it as critical with the Beolab 2?

John

It depends strongly on your room! I have Beolab 1 and in the new home the bass is only hearable at a distance of 2-3 meters away from the Beolab 1. My couch is 4-5 meters away and at my listening position the bass is extremely low...

You'll need to listen to them in your own room and decide if you'll like to add the subwoofer or not. In my case it seems a must. :(

I'd recommend the BL2 with the BL1.  Although much of it really depends on the type of music you listen to  - jazz and classical can probably do fine without one.  The placement is important with the BL2... although, I don't know if it's "critical".  You do have wall/corner/free switch.  Maybe I was lucky in that I found a good spot relatively quickly (between the two BL1s).  I think a lot of the complaints you hear on this forum about the BL2 are from improper placement - or I don't hear so well because I've always thought the BL2 was a great addition - it helps the BL8000s (why I originally purchased it) more than the BL1s, but I decided to pair it with my music-only BL1s because it did make them sound better for rock music.

Stan

I can recommend BL1 based on my setup and my preference

room 1 - BV7 with BS 5 - Beolab 1 front, Beolab 3 rear plus Beolab 2 - supports movies greatly with depth in bass

room 2 - BS 9000 with Beolab 1 - mainly music, no need for BL2

room 3 - Beocenter 9500 with Beolab 1 - mainly music, no need for BL2

One pair of BL1 is from 2003, the others from 2005 - no issue at all, sturdy and strong, perform like on the first day, no electronic issues so far... however, volume hardly ever exceeds mid-levels 

As written many times, BL1 is fantastic but also a bit delicate re. poor quality music input when volumes are up (poor MP3 sources, low b/w streaming) 

Thank you everyone,

I would be listening to music, and I like to hear the bass on tracks where its presence is meant to be felt.

The room setup is a little awkward, in that the BL2 would have to be to one side, and not in between the two BL1s.

I had different placements of BL2 - currently to the side. As bass is not very directional, it works for me