Duels wrote:

Hey folks

I currently have a beosound 5 / beolab 3 set-up.  I adore everything about it.  The sound from the lab 3's is excellent (very punchy bass and crisp high notes).   However, I'm always looking to improve where I can and my question is whether  adding a beolab 11 would enhance what I've already got.

I have had both setups so can comment.

The BL3s were impressive without the BL11. The BL11 did improve the BL3s, marginally. Small improvement, perhaps 10-15% more bass? If you can pick up a well-priced pre-loved BL11, it's worth adding. If not, it's probably not worth adding as the improvement (although present), is marginal.

The BL18s are a BL3+BL11 upgrade, though. Same bright sound, but deeper bass and more powerful all-round, I've found. I love my BL18s (but still own the BL3/BL11 combo, too).

Many thanks for your reply.  Your comment re 10-15% improvement is probably what I would have hoped for/expected and could well be worth investing in.

Also very interested in your observations on the BL18s compared to the BL3's and BL11.  Do you have them with a sub or without?  When I've heard them demonstrated I've felt that they need the BL19 to complete the sound.  Without a sub, the punch low-down that I love with the BL3's just wasn't there. However, with the BL19 they were extremely impressive and of course look absolutely gorgeous.   It may well be down to the acoustics in the shop and that a home demo is required.

Moxxey

an update....... Just been to my local dealer and test drove the BL18s again. Fell in love. Great deal.  No absence of bass. Delivery and installation tonight.

Joy! 

Thanks again..

Duels wrote:

Many thanks for your reply.  Your comment re 10-15% improvement is probably what I would have hoped for/expected and could well be worth investing in.

If you can get a BL11 at a reasonable price, definitely worth adding to your system.

Duels wrote:

Also very interested in your observations on the BL18s compared to the BL3's and BL11.  Do you have them with a sub or without?  

No, the BL18s do not need a sub. Having listened to my BL3s for eight years (without a sub, then the last two years with a sub), then listening to the BL18s over the last 6 months, the BL18s are like the BL3s+BL11 combined, plus about 15-20%. It has the same bright sound, but slightly more rounded, with slightly better bass.

True a sub adds even more, but the difference is more subtle. I prefer the BL18s standalone than with the BL19 sub, for example. I took a few people to the B&O store and the four people I asked, all preferred the BL18s without the BL19, for regular audio. The BL19 made the BL18s sound more mid-range, to us. The BL18s are simply incredible for listening to live music.

I had a Lab 3 / Lab 2 combination for years with a first gen Avant and Beosound 9000. I can't say I was ever displeased. Maybe a Lab 2 pre-owned (might be sometimes cheaper than a Lab11) can deliver the punch for both audio only / video (when and if you add these to a television). I love the fact that the Lab 2 is subtle in the sound it delivers. It rarely if ever took the stage away from the Lab 3, or the sounds which it was processing through to the Lab 3.

I suspect I was posting my update (above) at precisely the same time as Moxxey was posting his latest (and very helpful) comments.

In a nutshell I agree with Moxxey's analysis and earlier this afternoon fell in love with the BL18's with oak fronts which (because I live half a mile from my local dealer) will be delivered tonight.  BL3's traded in.

cant wait to get home!!!!!!!

Duels wrote:

In a nutshell I agree with Moxxey's analysis and earlier this afternoon fell in love with the BL18's with oak fronts which (because I live half a mile from my local dealer) will be delivered tonight.  BL3's traded in.

Great news! This might not be to everyone's taste, but get the George Michael Symphonica deluxe version. The tracks sound simply outstanding through the BL18s. The BL18s handle this kind of audio, amazingly well, especially as it's live. Really sounds like they are playing in the same room!

Essentially, it's a superb demo album for showing people the power of your BL18s, in my opinion. Even my dealer was impressed.

BTW I edited my post above as I wrote "BL20" when I meant "BL19" sub!

I'm happy to listen to almost anything that proves the quality of these speakers.  I cannot say just how impressed I am with what I've heard so far.  Familiar tracks sound new, if that makes sense? Rich full sound, the punchy base I've always loved from my BL3s but taken to another level.  

Plus, the twins (left and right) look absolutely beautiful.

right, I'm off to find George Michael on spotify

Duels wrote:

I'm happy to listen to almost anything that proves the quality of these speakers. I cannot say just how impressed I am with what I've heard so far. Familiar tracks sound new, if that makes sense? Rich full sound, the punchy base I've always loved from my BL3s but taken to another level.

Plus, the twins (left and right) look absolutely beautiful.

right, I'm off to find George Michael on spotify