Michael wrote:

No, no that is the year the product was introduced. Beolab 4000 came out 1997, so thats what it means. For example, my BeoSound Ouverture, also from serial year 14xxxxx says MCMXCI which means 1991, Well, the Ouverture started production 1994, but it is a successor to the Beosound 2500 with the same design, so thats why its there. Its a tribute to the start up year. Not the year of the production date (if its not much lower than 14xxxx.

Just some pictures of the problem you described. I have repaired several of them during the years, it is a very serious problem to a good and very universal speaker!

Regards, Peter Andersen
www.peel.dk

Yep, it's evil stuff, like the sputum of the devil!

I'm under the impression that the 8000s suffer from the same issue. I think I'll start a thread to see if we can find the serial number change over point for those.

It's such a shame that all these speaker are doomed to an untimely end unless rescued by folk like Peter.

Cheers

Nigel

Michael wrote:

Maybe they didn't change t because of the issue but just because of a change in provider or so? If so, maybe there is an overlap due to material still being available and also new material supplied. So the assembly men and women just picked whichever they had handy. Maybe.

Highly unlikely they made the change due to the issue because the oldest pair of speakers in year 2000 (when the change was made) would have been just 3 years old.

The roman numerals represent the year that the design was registered.

Fascinating thread and well done all. Made me check mine - one set from Lee - clearly relatively new as S/N 16190149 and the others I bought new in November 2003 S/N 17567672. Splendid little speakers - when I was in Struer, the place was stiff with them in every room - I wonder if that has changed?

Always make me think of S45.2s - unassuming little speaker but does everything rather nicely.

On the subject of answering queries, the type of membership has never entered into me answering. I am not on site that much these days but right from the start, this forum has been about mutual respect and helping others. Of course, this site could not run without the money received from subscriptions and also advertising and in particular the generosity of Lee. In the very beginning, I donated a fair amount to the site as I felt it a well worth project but never imagined it would flourish as it does now.

Hi Peter

Hope you and your family are keeping well.

Two thoughts occurred to me after reading your encouraging post -

1) Is it possible for a moderator to change the title of this thread to maybe "Foam rot inside Beolab 4000" to make it more obvious as to what the thread is about when members are searching through threads?

2) Amend the Product page on this site for the Beolab 4000 to include the issue with internal foam rot and a steer as to which serial numbers are / are not effected. I would have thought the vast number of members and visitors to the site looking at that page would be doing so as prospective buyers.

Cheers

Nigel

I bought my BL4000 about a year ago but never came around using them. After this thread came up I was afraid I might have foam rot speakers but then I opened them up and saw that they had white foam so I started using them and without worrying. Now I love them. The sound is so full and warm. I almost prefer them over the BL8000 but it might be because I use them in a smaller room, my office at home. Now I just try to find reasons to work so I can listen to them as much as possible :).

BL 4000 and BL 6000 are best possible way to listen B&O used spekars for a price of new Nike's.

The sound is 8/10...looks 9/10 an price-performance is 12/10 :)

BL teh only problem is foma rot.

BL 6000 the only problem is foam rot inside and foam rot at bass drivers.

Hi Peter. I’m new to this site. I recently bought a used B&O system that came with BL4000 speakers. The serial numbers are 135xxx and thus have the black foam. Both speakers worked really well for a few days and then one has stopped functioning. The light stays on red. I have switched cables and verified that it is not a cable issue. I have replaced surrounds on my Penta 2s and on my 6000s.  I would like to replace the inner foam on both my 4000s. Is this something I should try and if so where do I get the replacement foam? What are my alternatives? Thank you 🙏