Beolab 4/Beolab 14

41 replies
C(
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Catullus (archived2)
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Posted June 25, 2014 at 17:01 GMT
#2018428

Hi folks

I have a BV10 in my lounge (which is quite a small room). I am looking to include some speakers and I am assessing two options. Either I go with two pairs of Beolab 4s (I like the small, unobtrusive design) or I go with the Beolab 14 surround speakers (4.1). One is of course a cheaper option than the other. But what I would like to know, if possible, is what the difference in sound quality/experience is likely to be between the two options. Is there likely to be a huge difference? I am quite impressed with the bass emanating from the TV already. It is the surround effect that I am really looking for. As I say, it is a smallish room and I am not having to fill a huge area with sound.

Any views very much appreciated, thank you.

C

KM
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KMA
Bronze
Posted June 25, 2014 at 18:49 GMT
#2018429
Hi C,

I used to own a pair of BeoLab 4, but I found them so lacking in bass (very thin-sounding & also weakly performing speakers) that I couldn't enjoy them at all. Since small speakers were what I was looking for, I upgraded to BeoLab 3. The difference was like night and day.

Since you are looking for front & rear speakers for a surroud sound setup, you should note that with four BeoLab 4s, the BV10's speaker will be used for center channel only. This means that you will lose most of the overall bass you hear from BV10. The TV's bass will not be used for left & right channels the same way it is used when BV10 plays on its own without any connected speakers.

To enjoy a surround setup built around BV10, you should either at least choose more powerful front speakers than BeoLab 4, or go for the BeoLab 14 option that includes a subwoofer.

I'd only consider BeoLab 4 for ambient background music, rear speakers, or computer speakers that you sit close to when listening. I'd never use them as front / main speakers.

BeoLab 14 satellite speakers are also a nice complement to BV10's design, with their aluminum rings, and you'll have less cable clutter.

I'd say you will be much more impressed with a BeoLab 14 setup!

C(
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Catullus (archived2)
Bronze
Posted June 25, 2014 at 18:53 GMT
#2018430

Hi KMA!

That is really helpful, thank you very much indeed. I had forgotten that the BL14 speakers are all connected to the subwoofer (I think....) so that will mean less cable clutter.

Excellent, my mind is made up!

Best wishes

C

KM
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KMA
Bronze
Posted June 25, 2014 at 19:39 GMT
#2018431
I'm happy I could help 🙂

The satellites are indeed connected to the subwoofer with rather inconspicuous cables, which results in a tidy setup.
Millemis
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Millemis
Bronze
Posted June 25, 2014 at 21:15 GMT
#2018432

I see that your mind is made up already 🙂

But here is a small comment from me anyway.

If you use the BV10 primary for video (and focus on surround sound) the BL14-set is a perfect choice for the money.

I would not choose the BL4's at all!

IMO - if you listen to music a lot, you should rather go for better fronts and wait to upgrade with rears 'when the money is there'.

MM

Location: Flensborg————Danmark

C(
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Catullus (archived2)
Bronze
Posted June 26, 2014 at 06:58 GMT
#2018433

Tusind tak MM!

Presumably one can always add two rear speakers to a 2.1 BL14 set up at a later date (ie Bang & Olufsen sell the two satellites separately). 

Best wishes

C

T(
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The_Beonic_Man (archived2)
Bronze
Posted June 26, 2014 at 08:38 GMT
#2018434

Yes, absolutely the BL14s are the way to go. Don't touch the BL4s! Good enough for PC/Mac speakers only in my opinion, much as I like their design. The BL14s produce a great sound and the price is superb for a B&O product with that styling and performance. You definitely made the right decision and will not be disappointed.

Millemis
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Millemis
Bronze
Posted June 26, 2014 at 09:50 GMT
#2018435

Catullus wrote:

Presumably one can always add two rear speakers to a 2.1 BL14 set up at a later date (ie Bang & Olufsen sell the two satellites separately). 

Sure you can get hold on the two speakers for rears later.

But my advice would be to buy all right away - will probably give you a better price...

....unless you have spottet a second life 14-2.1 set 😎

MM

Location: Flensborg————Danmark

S(
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symmes (archived2)
Bronze
Posted June 26, 2014 at 12:30 GMT
#2018436

I would also consider 4x BeoLab 4 plus  BeoLab 11 subwoofer. MSRP compared to BeoLab 14 seems reasonable. Setup might be more work. I think it is worth the difference. 

KM
Offline
KMA
Bronze
Posted June 26, 2014 at 13:26 GMT
#2018437
symmes wrote:

I would also consider 4x BeoLab 4 plus BeoLab 11 subwoofer. MSRP compared to BeoLab 14 seems reasonable. Setup might be more work. I think it is worth the difference.

I wasn't happy with BeoLab 4 even with BeoLab 11 subwoofer. I tried this combination when I had the BeoLab 4s. They just did not sound good, in my opinion, and at that time the setup was in a smallish room.

So BeoLab 14 would definitely be the way to go, if I needed a compact surround sound setup.
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