I don’t know that it is about the Beolab 28, but to me they look a bit cheap on all the spy shots I have seen. I don’t know if it is the mix of material or simply the pictures that I have seen, but they just don’t look that great. I think I would have preferred them without the lamellas and the touch Interface ay the top (although I think they look ok with black lamellas and fabric).
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Beolab 28
508 replies
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I didn’t realise I (and others) were being irrational when we saw the Edge and realised it’s extremely limited applications
I've made mostly correct decisions from seeing the style, design and presentation of a B&O product before I've seen it in person. I've never changed my mind seeing something online then in person.
The BL28 looks awful. like something from 1997. Shiny chrome? Really? But that's what old-skool B&O users like. Old fashion design. So it works. And I respect that.
Ironically I liked the design of the Edge (still do), own an Edge, but wouldn't recommend an Edge. Sounds....weird. I own the Balance, not sure I'd recommend that either. I own a BeoSound 1, I probably would recommend this. I own a Level, would recommend that purely for portability. I own two (don't ask!) BeoSound 2's, 100% recommend these. Awesome. Look great, sound amazing.
But you haven’t seen them in the flesh how can you judge?
So just the BS2 then?I've made mostly correct decisions from seeing the style, design and presentation of a B&O product before I've seen it in person. I've never changed my mind seeing something online then in person. The BL28 looks awful. like something from 1997. Shiny chrome? Really? But that's what old-skool B&O users like. Old fashion design. So it works. And I respect that. Ironically I liked the design of the Edge (still do), own an Edge, but wouldn't recommend an Edge. Sounds....weird. I own the Balance, not sure I'd recommend that either. I own a BeoSound 1, I probably would recommend this. I own a Level, would recommend that purely for portability. I own two (don't ask!) BeoSound 2's, 100% recommend these. Awesome. Look great, sound amazing.
Indeed - while MM is right that rushing to judgment can be ill advised, that’s not always the case at allI’d separate as follows- some products, like the Edge (weird limited use cases) and the Balance (weak design) don’t need viewing in real life . The Halo also falls into this category.Others have less obvious or concerning issues, be they design or functional specifications. For those, experiencing the products can sway you one way or another. The 28’s look fine, if a tad “not special “. No one seems to rate them highly design wise as they do the 18’s from what I can see If they play only with the lamellas open, that to me is a major flaw. In that they look good when not used, but worse when being used. Odd to me.I’ve no need for them anyway, but I do like that they can be streamed to directly. Active streaming speakers (as opposed to just active speakers) are a necessity in the range (other brands have already done this)I've made mostly correct decisions from seeing the style, design and presentation of a B&O product before I've seen it in person. I've never changed my mind seeing something online then in person. The BL28 looks awful. like something from 1997. Shiny chrome? Really? But that's what old-skool B&O users like. Old fashion design. So it works. And I respect that. Ironically I liked the design of the Edge (still do), own an Edge, but wouldn't recommend an Edge. Sounds....weird. I own the Balance, not sure I'd recommend that either. I own a BeoSound 1, I probably would recommend this. I own a Level, would recommend that purely for portability. I own two (don't ask!) BeoSound 2's, 100% recommend these. Awesome. Look great, sound amazing.
But you haven’t seen them in the flesh how can you judge?
While the AR app does not do the surfaces etc justice, what it shows is of course enough to decide whether you think it is a balanced design or not. The window photo alone shows me that the design is much to busy for my taste – there is so much going on in that design, in a way it's the total opposite to the very clean design of the BL8000 even though some basic shapes are similar.
Of course the finish might be much better IRL, but my issues with this design is not about finish but rather the whole design idea.While it on the surface has some B&O dna (the lamellas, hints to the bl8000/18, the top wheel, etc etc), it does not share the elegant simplicity that graces b&o's classic designs. In fact, I can't think of any other B&O product design from the last 20-25 years that is so over-complicated as this one.
This is only my personal opinion and I fully respect the opinions of other members, of course, but please don't assume that everyone need to see the product IRL to have a qualified opinion :)
Exactly - this is not 10-20 years ago.
What with in depth YouTube videos, even B&O's website, and in this case a damned AR app to let you experience the product (in all but sound), these days you can get a pretty good idea of where you stand on a products presentation and design.
Of course one doesn't need to fall in love with a design to buy a product - I dont love the 50's design, think they look a bit bland in their standard dressing, but they are sensational sounding, and dressed up with the right grills / side panels, they loo good enough, sound more than that, and hence I bought some recently.
But if the product has significant issues, design or functionality wise, one doesn't need to see them.
Some of course may have a different, more wait and see approach, which is perfectly fine and understandable.
But that does not need to apply to everyone - some things will stand out as troublesome more obviously to some at the outset.
But you haven’t seen them in the flesh how can you judge?While the AR app does not do the surfaces etc justice, what it shows is of course enough to decide whether you think it is a balanced design or not. The window photo alone shows me that the design is much to busy for my taste – there is so much going on in that design, in a way it's the total opposite to the very clean design of the BL8000 even though some basic shapes are similar.
Of course the finish might be much better IRL, but my issues with this design is not about finish but rather the whole design idea.While it on the surface has some B&O dna (the lamellas, hints to the bl8000/18, the top wheel, etc etc), it does not share the elegant simplicity that graces b&o's classic designs. In fact, I can't think of any other B&O product design from the last 20-25 years that is so over-complicated as this one.
This is only my personal opinion and I fully respect the opinions of other members, of course, but please don't assume that everyone need to see the product IRL to have a qualified opinion :)
When something rings your bell you just know - you can feel the yearning. You can always appreciate the construction materials, finish and attention to detail but it's all about that first wow and that you can stare at them and never cease to admire. Of course different things will do this for different people. Taking a design classic like the 8000 and nailing on bits to make the 18 I thought was sacrilege (Iike painting a necklace and tiara on the mona lisa) - this is so much worse, any last semblance of grace, elegance and purity has been wrestled away leaving something a focus group would have asked for. I prepared to wager MM's house that I won't be changing my mind when I see them up close!
Indeed - but according to MM you're being irrational.
So as a self professed rational one, he should accept your bet!
Joking aside, its beginning to feel like a while since they designed a really iconic product. The A9 and the 90s would qualify to most people, even they dont have uses for either.
Of the recent bunch, only the Level looks up to scratch - and indeed that seems to be the one thats had the best reception (without even seeing it, heaven forbid). Seeing the Balance and the Emerge won't alter their humdrum design.
The 28's at least dont look humdrum - they look decent enough, but they are sure as hell iterating away the elegance of the 8000, and 18s bit by bit. I'm sure they sound excellent though, which I guess cannot be overlooked.
When something rings your bell you just know - you can feel the yearning. You can always appreciate the construction materials, finish and attention to detail but it's all about that first wow and that you can stare at them and never cease to admire. Of course different things will do this for different people. Taking a design classic like the 8000 and nailing on bits to make the 18 I thought was sacrilege (Iike painting a necklace and tiara on the mona lisa) - this is so much worse, any last semblance of grace, elegance and purity has been wrestled away leaving something a focus group would have asked for. I prepared to wager MM's house that I won't be changing my mind when I see them up close!
Of course you need to see it in real life. Otherwise you are just guessing.This is only my personal opinion and I fully respect the opinions of other members, of course, but please don't assume that everyone need to see the product IRL to have a qualified opinion :)
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