I have listened to them and was absolutely blown away. The quality and sound reproduction was something I did not imagine it would be. I recently bought a pair of 9s as they are more than adequate for my purposes. When I move to a bigger home though, which I plan to do later this year, I will buy a pair of 20s if not second hand 5s. I was really impressed. I am sure professional reviews will follow very soon.

It may sound good, but it's ugly in my view...Didn't like the 9's and this re-worked 9's called 20's are even less pleasant to the eye. However, sound is more important I will immediately admit. But from B&o I expect more than good sound. 

I have to agree the beolab 20s sound incredible, I don't mind the looks of them either and would love to own a pair.

jc wrote:

It may sound good, but it's ugly in my view...Didn't like the 9's and this re-worked 9's called 20's are even less pleasant to the eye. However, sound is more important I will immediately admit. But from B&o I expect more than good sound. 

Haven't heard them yet, but do expect an improvement over the 9s. How much? Won't know till I hear. But I agree, the 9s were never my favorite speaker with respect to looks, and I like the 20s less than the 9s. I'm not sure the new crop of designers for B&O are in the same league.

I will admit that the 9s have grown on me visually after living with a pair for a few months now. The sonics make up for any perceived visual issues.

BeoLab 20 are superb. Whilst looking very much like an upgraded BeoLab 9, they perform much better, with the kind of bass response that questions the need for a sub woofer.

Half the price of BeoLab 5s, with in my opinion, 75% of the performance of 5s....

Thanks for the feedback. I will have to go for a listen one of these days. I have BL1s and have always liked them but they do miss bass at low volumes. Last time i was at a shop I listed to BL5s and they blew me away, so now i am thinking either sub woofer or BL20s...

If you can accommodate the 5s, which are obviously quite large, then those would be my choice, second-hand. If however, you want new and smaller size cabinets, then 20s are the way forward.

I have a gut feeling that the 20s will get 4.5/5 if not 5/5 reviews (thinking What Hi Fi particularly) when they get professionally reviewed. The 5s got a 5/5 rating.

As for looks, well I must admit when I first saw them I didn't think they had the 'Wow!' factor, but then neither did I, or do I, think that about the 5s. I really don't like the middle 'rod' part of the 5s, which doesn't look like a solid build quality to me. Of course it is, but to my eyes, perceptually, it just doesn't look or seem it.

It has only ever been the 9s that I loved at first sight, and really loved! They are so aesthetically pleasing to the eye and a wonderful interior design statement in the home. Just goes to show how we are all different and what one person loves, another does not. The 20s will grow on me over time, I know that, but there's something about the redesigned acoustic lens at the top, and the bottom part of the speaker that sits on the floor that I am just not that keen on visually. Sound wise though, absolutely wonderful. I am quite happy to rate them 5/5.

Good luck!