The Beolab 1 alone do suffer from a powerless bass, they really need a powerful subwoofer - which is not the Beolab 2. If you choose Beolab 2 you'll better buy two of them. With a powerful subwoofer the Beolab 1 will let you enjoy music on a very very high level. Yes, they do sound different to the 8000 but not worse. The Beolab 1 sound fresh, analytical and very punchy and I love it. You don't need any EQ or treble or bass control. They just deliver accurate great sound. But please let them play together with a great subwoofer. :-)

TWG wrote:

The Beolab 1 alone do suffer from a powerless bass, they really need a powerful subwoofer - which is not the Beolab 2. If you choose Beolab 2 you'll better buy two of them. With a powerful subwoofer the Beolab 1 will let you enjoy music on a very very high level. Yes, they do sound different to the 8000 but not worse. The Beolab 1 sound fresh, analytical and very punchy and I love it. You don't need any EQ or treble or bass control. They just deliver accurate great sound. But please let them play together with a great subwoofer. :-)

I agree 100% with everything you just said. I have BeoLab 1 speakers as my fronts and BeoLab 8000 speakers as my rears and surrounds. With 2 BeoLab 2 subs, the sound seems much more natural. There have been many essays written about the benefits of using 2 subs and about finding the best placement of them.

beojeff wrote:

I agree 100% with everything you just said. I have BeoLab 1 speakers as my fronts and BeoLab 8000 speakers as my rears and surrounds. With 2 BeoLab 2 subs, the sound seems much more natural. There have been many essays written about the benefits of using 2 subs and about finding the best placement of them.

Michael wrote:

beojeff wrote:

 

I agree 100% with everything you just said. I have BeoLab 1 speakers as my fronts and BeoLab 8000 speakers as my rears and surrounds. With 2 BeoLab 2 subs, the sound seems much more natural. There have been many essays written about the benefits of using 2 subs and about finding the best placement of them.

 

 

Maybe that's why they were replaced by speakers with huge bass speakers?

Actually, the placement of 2 subs is not necessarily where the two fronts would be. It's actually nice to have the flexibility of placement of the 2 subs.

beolab 9 are not as good as the bl1 due to their conception even if their share the same amps design. the highs and mediums are absolutely not of the same level.

I agree with twg.  The bl2 is really good if the level of bass is reasonable. Otherwise, it is a real nightmare. so there can be a better choice. its advantage is that you can plug the speakers into it and let it deal The bass.

olvisab wrote:

beolab 9 are not as good as the bl1 due to their conception even if their share the same amps design. the highs and mediums are absolutely not of the same level.

I agree with twg. The bl2 is really good if the level of bass is reasonable. Otherwise, it is a real nightmare. so there can be a better choice. its advantage is that you can plug the speakers into it and let it deal The bass.

beolab 5, beolab 10, beolab 5000, beolab 4500, beolab 8000 mk2, beolab 2, beolab 1, beolab 3500, IWS 2000, beovision 7 55 mk2, beovision 11 46, beotime, beogram 7000 white mmc2, beosound century, beosound ouverture, beosound essence and the collection continues...

I have BL1s and BL8000s (MK1).  I will echo the sentiments that the BL1s are much better (if you have the room), especially with a BL2 (which I also have).  Not even close.  I thought they were similar to the BL9s (although BL9s obviously have better bass), but the BL9 were too short for my room, and I already had the BL2 (and the BL1s were much cheaper).

If you have them shipped, make sure they are packed extremely well.  I had mine shipped from across the US.  I saw the delivery man when he drove up, and walked out to greet him just as he was *throwing* my speakers from the back of the truck to the ground.  Thwak!  Thwak!  I almost had a heart attack.  He said "What are these, tarps?".  I said, "no, stereo speakers and I'm really glad I had them insured".  He was kind of embarrassed at that point, and mumbled something about them being so big and heavy, and how sorry he was.  I spent a lot of money on the packaging so they survived (they are also really well built).

Stan

TWG wrote:

If you choose Beolab 2 you'll better buy two of them. With a powerful subwoofer the Beolab 1 will let you enjoy music on a very very high level.

This is news to me. Im a big BL1 and BL2 fan . I have had and loved the 8000s and yes they are iconic but I prefer the BL1s. Its a shame I didn't read this yesterday as I could have taken my Dublin BL2 down to France to try it. 😠

Hello there

This question of speakers has bugged me for many years.

I find it depends on the requirement for the speakers.

I think the Lab 8000's are amazing for front speakers when using a sub of some kind.

For my party room I need some speakers which can take some abuse, the lab's 9's used to overheat, the lab 12's didn't have enough volume, any speakers for music with a lab2 didnt work as I find the lab2 to slow for music.

In the end my party room has a pair of Penta3 which I refurbed and these sound amazing and volume is not an issue at all but who knows how long they will last, they also dont have the acceptance from my partner who things they are ugly ;(

I have always thought about a nice set of lab 1's to replace the Penta3 but reviews all say I would gain mid / high notes and loose Bass and have to put in a sub.

I am not sure as I have not hear the Lab1's so maybe need to buy a pair and see if they are up to the job without a sub for the room I want to use them in.

Sean

Hi Guys, thanks very much for all the input and information. I'm so glad I joined this group, it's very helpful and a lot of information.