Thank you to our Sponsors
The only area the BL5 disappointed in was low volume listening. I felt they didn’t perform until middle to high volumes. I’d be interested to know how they’d perform with something like DIRAC room correction in a the middle to high frequencies.
Sounds like they need room correction less than a source with a loudness contour function.
This was my experience too.The only area the BL5 disappointed in was low volume listening. I felt they didn’t perform until middle to high volumes. I’d be interested to know how they’d perform with something like DIRAC room correction in a the middle to high frequencies.
I have to agree at 100% with that, and not only for the BL5 but in general. Before thinking upgrading the hardware to improve sound, consider passive and/or active room correction. It is key. As I said before, nothing comparable between BL5 and BL18+19 in a correct acoustic environnement, the BL5 will outperform the other combo, far far far away.
The BL5 calibration is only for ABL, calibrating on the average response of the room, giving sometimes worst results than not calibrating at all, depending of the room and the placement of the speakers and the listening position. It is not a DSP like in BL50 or BL90. But you can easily add this fonction adding a Dirac or something else that will adapt the couple speakers/room. Personnaly, I added a Lyngdorf TDAI2170 (danish company), in a 100% digital chain, with some acoustic panels (up to the WAF limit ^^) in the back. It is night and day, with a lot of dynamic added, even at low volume. And it is also giving the possibility to get a focus or wide sound to the BL5 (wide by default with the acoustic lenses), it is changing a lot of things when you are listening at a fixed position. It also includes a digital equalizer if ever you want to adapt the sound (I keep it in Neutral mode)
Acoustic panels:
As you can observe, the room is REALLY BAD regarding acoustic with these 2x 8 meters of windows on each side, quite large with almost 90m2, with a lot of empty, plate and reflective surfaces from the floor to the ceiling
Inside the B&O cabinet, the Lyngdorf (only used for the Room Perfect feature, feeded with USB from the Mac Mini, SPDIF output connected to the DAC of the BL5) on the top, the Mac Mini+Audirvana as source (embedded Tidal for streaming) and all the boxes for Beolink and TV reception, everything controlled with the Beo4 with a Lintronic IR box.
Hi Oli, this is great. For music, where do you have the volume control? In the TDAI2170 or in the BL5?
Hi Oli, this is great. For music, where do you have the volume control? In the TDAI2170 or in the BL5?
Not in the TDAI. The Lyngdorf permits passive speakers connections only to use with the Preamp/Amp part of it.
The BL5 are connected in SPDIF to the TDAI-2170, and also in Powerlink to the BV7-55. So, more specifically, the volume control is adjusted by the BV7 as it is one of the rare BV models being able to send the data control through the Powerlink MKII cable to the BL5 (I think, to be confirmed, it is limited to the Beovisions using the Beosystem 3 in them, so BV7, BV9 and BV12 MKI).
The BV7 is also opening the SPDIF port of the BL5 through the CD command to get the digital signal from the Lyngdorf. It is why you see a Beomaster 4500 linked to the BV7. I use it sometimes for the FM, but it is mainly used as a CD command receiver on the Beolink, even if there is nothing connected to the CD input of the Beomaster.
There is multiple advantages to not use the integrated volume control of the BL5 when you are in an hybrid setup like me (with B&O and non B&O stuff):
1/ you have a full Beo experience regarding Video and Audio integration (no need to switch the L.OPT on the Beo4 each time your change the source), piloting everything with the Beo4 with BV PUC or with the addition of a well known Lintronic box.
2/ the source and the volume setting is visible on the BV7 whatever you are sending to the BL5 (the TV screen remains off)
But we are off topic, to be back on it, Mr_ander_son, if you are happy with your BL18/19, you might keep them and improve the acoustic experience with an active or passive room compensation, It is my advice. If you want to step up, go for the BL5, but it would be a pity to not consider the acoustic treatment of the room also while doing it, to fully enjoy this piece of audio art that is the Beolab 5.
I suggest everyone to read the excellent blog of Geoff Martin about room compensation topic:
It is possible to find some good units,
I was lucky to find some that had been used as surround speakers.
A lot is on sale because people are upgrading to Beolab 50.
I had to pay 45.000kr. Danish kr. which I find a steal.
So good luck to you, and you will be please with the decision :)
Please share your experience with us how you find the difference between 18/19 and 5’s
When you find a pair, get the serial numbers checked out to make sure they are what’s being described.Long storyThank you all! I have now sold my 18&19. So now I have to find some good BL5 BeoVision Eclipse 55"...BeoLab 18 as FRONT....BeoLab 4000 as REAR....BL19 SUB....BV5 HD....Beoplay V1-40....BC6-26....Beosound 9000....BeoRemote One BT....Beo6....Beo4....Beo4 Cinema....BeoLink 7000....Serene....H8....H6 90´s Rose Gold edt....Form 1....U70...
Yes!Where can I check that?Dealer?When you find a pair, get the serial numbers checked out to make sure they are what’s being described. Long story Beovision Eclipse, BeoLab 17,Beolit 15, Beoplay A2 Active
You must be logged in as a BeoWorld member to post replies to forum threads.
Register to access the forums, reference material, and exclusive member benefits — including our monthly prize draw.
Become a Member