Beolab 12s positioning

21 replies

Last year I spread the Beovirus to a friend.  Huge on music but a very old poor sounding system.

Her first choice was a beocenter 2 and very quickly lab 12s. This was a music only set up.

I borrowed a set of 12.2s for the week end from my very helpful dealer. They came on a set of stands from the shop display. We spent a day trying them in various positions on and off stands with surprising differences.

The 12s were clearly better on the wall. They sounded better (a Lot) with the acoustic lens on top.

Monday came,  the demo's returned and a pair bought.

Now I had the wall brackets it was easier to get a more exacting result. 

Again lens on top was better but more surprisingly, speakers closer to gether. 

Then I tried a bl2 in all its settings. With the bl2 turned down to wall and set up 3 it was not obvious in the music but did " disperse " the music better around the room. I am sure there is an audiophile name for it.

This week end I did the same with BL12.3s for a music/bv set up.

Again lens up was better but the bl2 (set as above) was not necessary for music. In fact I was amazed how much base the 12.3s can put out.( way more than I need) I have not tried the bl2 with the bv but as this is in an apartment I am not to inclined to push it with the neighbours .(yet 😜)

The lens height with the 12.3s is 140cm and in olde money 55inches.

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Thank you Valve1 for sharing your experience.

BeoLab 12.3 have enough bass and really don't need a subwoofer for *meloman*. I am agree for positioning them on the wall and ABL on the top.

If someone on the forum is searching BL 12.2 in silver under warranty for a nice price. Please contact me. 🤒

I have always been a bit confused about these speakers.

Normally you would say, that the tweeter (the Acoustic Lens) should be at earheight.

This means that, if they are placed on the stand, they would have the right hight - that is, if you listen to them from a chair/couch.

However - as described above - they do sound better placed on a wall.

Only problem is that they look rather misplaced, if they are placed a that hight on a wall.

I guess most people would be temptet to place them higher - and often even with the Lens downwards.

This way the Lens on the other hand probably would be too low - or too high.....

So - what do you think - how much does the hight (of the Acoustic Lens) mean for the sound?

N.B. If you place them in an area, where you mostly stand or walk around listening to music, the hight probably would have to be different.

MM

Location: Flensborg————Danmark

MM,

You forgot to mention an installation of the bl12 in a stair.
Hi guys, I have a pair of Beolab 12-3 placed on the wall. The lenses are positioned at the bottom as I have always heard that they are supposed to be at the height of the ears. I am really satisfied wi their performances but actually I have not tried them in the other way...

olvisab wrote:
MM,

You forgot to mention an installation of the bl12 in a stair.

So sorry for that 😳

You could place one BL12 for every meter all the way up (or down).

Would be interesting to hear, if there are differences, whether they have the ALT up or dow 👍

MM

Location: Flensborg————Danmark

It will be nice to read Geoff Martin about this subject. 🤒

I remember, that there was a similar discussion as the BL18 came out.

As I recall it, it was said that the sound of the 18's (with the higher sitting ALT's) was tunes especially for this ALT position.

The 18's (normally) are placed as they are (on the stand), so that should OK.

They are not supposed to be turned around or set up in different highs as the BL12's.

 

Of cource it would be nice with a comment from Geoff.

But - in the first place - I was looking for some user experiences. If anyone has noticed a difference (and which)?

 

MM

Location: Flensborg————Danmark

 

Millemissen wrote:

Only problem is that they look rather misplaced, if they are placed a that hight on a wall.

I guess most people would be temptet to place them higher - and often even with the Lens downwards.

This way the Lens on the other hand probably would be too low - or too high.....

So - what do you think - how much does the hight (of the Acoustic Lens) mean for the sound?

 

Mm, all good points

The bl12.2 music only set up was listened to by a few musicians (friends calling by) and they separately loved the sound but thought something amiss.

I then moved the speakers closer and lower and no question it sounded better.

Ok so you have the sound right but speakers in the middle of the wall. As they look fantastic (imo and friends) you just make a feature of them.

Perhaps its no accident they work well close to gather, were they no launched with the flat scene bvs in mind ?

hight; well that was decided by our ears in both cases.

 

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paolomariano1979 wrote:
I am really satisfied wi their performances but actually I have not tried them in the other way...

Yours look great where they are. If you are happy with the sound leave them as they are. 🤒

 

 

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