I don't agree that the Lab 9's will "age" faster than the 5's. I might be in the minority here but the 9's were love at first sight, while the 5's looked good only after I learnt the technical prowess behind them, and I still can't get used to the 3's. The thing is that the 9's are a very flowing and unified shape, while the 3's and 5's have various appendages - the ALT tweeter on top of the 3's looking especially unattractive. Simpler, balanced designs usually have longer staying power.

The white Lab 9's in the newest Beo magazine are absolutely breathtaking.

Leo

leogenghis wrote:

I don't agree that the Lab 9's will "age" faster than the 5's. I might be in the minority here but the 9's were love at first sight, while the 5's looked good only after I learnt the technical prowess behind them, and I still can't get used to the 3's. The thing is that the 9's are a very flowing and unified shape, while the 3's and 5's have various appendages - the ALT tweeter on top of the 3's looking especially unattractive. Simpler, balanced designs usually have longer staying power.

The white Lab 9's in the newest Beo magazine are absolutely breathtaking.

Leo

WELL SAID!

I think the BL5 should be availble in a few more colour combinations, but lets remember how good value these speakers really are.I think of the Bugatti Veyron in some respects...

What they need is an internal component upgrade and not a design upgrade. Design wise I still love them.

If someone with better ears than mine was to have his way with the BL5s:

1. Adding one more tweeter, to be dedicated to the range above 6.000Hz.

2. He suspects that the processing dampens output in that same 6.000-20.000Hz range; quite common, in order to avoid complaints about speakers (not just BL5s) being too bright. Tape hiss, etc., from older recordings also becomes more noticeable without this damping.

3. As Wonderfulelectric says - maybe enhance the innards. Above, I mentioned the ability to accept signals at higher resolutions than 24/96. There are blu-ray movies and music with 24/192 already.

The recording I link below can't be played at its highest resolution through BL5s, and has to be processed before the signal is sent to the speakers. Which means you're using the analog-in connection, not the s/pdif. As is also true for the recordings which the ears I mention above is offering to the world (two more having gotten Grammy-nominations recently.)

To be honest, I didn't like any of the ALT speakers at first sight. Especially the Beolab 5 has a very strong visual presence and in my view you need a pretty big room to make them look right. Adding another tweeter would make the visual appearance even more imposing I fear. Beolab 9's and Beolab 3's blend in much easier.

Sonically all the ALT speakers never failed to impress me. I actually bought a pair of Beolab 3's even though they aren't exactly the best looking speakers in the world. A motorized ALT tweeter like you get in an Audi A8 or Aston Martin certainly would help.

I personally have to say that I liked the design from the beginning, the cone shape with the flying saucers on top always reminds me of some kind of "laser-cannon" from Star Trek. And when I read that the design is from 2002/2003 I was a bit surprised, that these speakers are around for more than 6 years. That they still shock people after 6 years is an indication for an innovative and good design.

When I was at my dealer yesterday to order my BL3s, I wasn't able to go past the BL5s without touching the aluminium discs.

A big, white room with a Beosound 5, two Beolab 5 and a purple "Lava" sofa by Cor would be design-heaven for me.... 😎

But I'm not a "normal" guy in terms of design, I even like most of the Bangle-BMWs, so I'm not representing the majority.

And beocool, the idea with the motorized tweeter for BL3 is cool! 🙂

astrauch wrote:

And beocool, the idea with the motorized tweeter for BL3 is cool! 🙂

Actually, the idea isn't mine. Look at this thread for more information. It's pretty impossible to make it work with the current speaker. There's just not enough space to retract the ALT tweeter.

Dave: Thanks. The Bugatti Veyron is a good analogy - both it and the Lab 5's are unusual/futuristic/perhaps slightly awkward-looking - at first, that is, but the technologies behind both of them are astonishing and knowing it enhances the beauty of their designs.

Astrauch: Funny you should mention Star Trek - one of my favorite shows! Thing is, these ALT speakers really need an avant-garde interior to show them off at their best. Furniture by Ligne Roset, B&B Italia and Cor as you said would be a good match... I used to have a college-dorm-type futon in my living room. It was pleasant and comfortable but once the B&O took root it looked so out of place! 😁

Leo

Login to view imageFor those of you who want an updated design for BeoLab 5, there's nothing easier: just customize the fabric covers!!😕