Beology wrote:

both music and television content?

doesn't the video content call for a longer term plan of surround sound - in which case 4 x BV9s are a better solution ?

Thanks Elephant, but for me stereo  music content is far more important than surround sound.

I'm not interested in a surround sound set up for the TV.....perhaps I may change my mind- but I have resisted the notion for long enough to not need it.

Beology wrote:

I have an open plan living-room/kitchen area of 5m width and 7.5~8m length with a very firm oak floor and reasonable soft furnishings/acoustic properties. JR

That's just about the same size as the room where I had my BL5s. I also have a firm wooden floor. Apart from their size (you'll be surprised how much they dominate the room), as long as you do not calibrate them to your room, you'll be fine. When my BL5s first shipped, from the factory, the sound was very wide. I didn't bother calibrating for a good few months and enjoyed the BL5s. Decided to calibrate - don't ask me why - and that affected the sound completely. Removed much of the bass and narrowed the audio experience. Was noticeably different. Clearly the BL5s had adjusted to the size of the room and, of course, the wooden flooring. As a result, the bass was toned back. After this, they were never the same again - ended up trading them back in against other kit about a year later.

The BL9s are a different beast. They can be manually adjusted using the pot settings. Powerful speakers and won't dominate the room. The BL5s are clearly better - but then we would all prefer an Audi R8 over an Audi R5 - but you just need to work out if a) you can justify the expense, b) you can push them hard enough (neighbours?) and c) you can live with the size of them dominating your 5m x 7.5m room. If you can tick those three boxes, you might as well get the BL5s.

Beology wrote:

Does anyone have any thoughts on how big a room has to be to before the 5's come into their own? I have an open plan living-room/kitchen area of 5m width and 7.5~8m length with a very firm oak floor and reasonable soft furnishings/acoustic properties. The speakers would be at one end of the room playing into the length of the room. Is the room too small for the 5's which will be used for both music and television content?

If it’s not a question of money I’d always prefer the 5 over the 9. I’m using my BeoLab 5 now since nearly six years and never regretted it. Our living room is like a long corridor, but the BeoLab 5 are standing less than five meters away from the wall they’re directed to and mainly for acoustic reasons exactly above another wall from the floor below – the less the places where they stand vibrate, the better the result.

I’m also only using stereo and refusing everything else. The audio and video source in my case is a computer and of course I’m connecting to the digital inputs of the BeoLab 5. I created my proper remote control using iRedTouch/IRTrans and can adapt it to any new situation I might encounter.

What is important in case of the BeoLab 5 scenario is that you’re always using the best sound source possible. So it should be CDs or better, lossless audio conversions and a DVB quality television signal. You might also want to pay attention to the mastering quality of your records (what can be a time eating matter) and verify any re-mastered record before buying it (loudness etc.)

HTH

Thanks Moxxey.

I think the room can accommodate their size as it also has a walk-through to the dining room which is visually part of the same space.

Can't you simply set the speakers back to default if the calibration makes them worse??

Financially I can get a pair of 5's at less than half new price i.e. similar to brand new 9's so it really comes down to looks and sound.

Just measured our room which is 6m x 4m (not real large) but we find the 5s are fine.

We don't feel that the sound is 'restricted' or that the speakers are too large for the room. Yes they are too 'big" for the room when the sound is really pumped up but that scenario is rare at our place.

I have no hesitation in recommending them - you won"t regret it.

Peter

I have been trying to decide the same question as the title of this post. I currently have 9s and have been debating a second pair of 9s for 9s all around, or 5s in front and 9s in rear.

I have listened to the 5s at different dealers and had different opinions. I had the 5s brought to my house a year ago and was not impressed. They certainly sounded different but that does not always mean better.

I was in the mood again recently and had another in home demo scheduled but technician was sick and had to cancel.

Because of my fondness for B and O, and the 5s being the top of the line speakers, and looking at the specifications, I want them. But listening to them I still am not sure that I want them. 

Hi Peter and Razlaw.

Thanks for your insights. I was also set on the Lab 5s.

Had the renovation with the house prewired for the 5s, BS 9000, computer to digital 5 input and record player with a switch to also take input from the TV.

The only reason I have delayed the purchase is for cost and trying to source a used pair. In the meantime I am using beolab 8000s with a BS3200 with the speakers in a new location from before (in the dining room playing into the lounge rather than in the lounge) and the sound is so much better than before I am wondering if the 5s would be a waste, given they have to be in the old speaker position.

It would all be easily settled if I could demo the speakers at home but no-can-do, hence the call for opinions and suggestion from others.

Where is Australia are you located?