It's worth your pocket to get a pair of BL8000.

IMHO, they will last more than 20 years, furthermore, these loudspeakers have a timeless design.

Last but not least, follow your instinct. If you like them, go for it !

Guy 

If you like the BL8000, go ahead and get them. You won't get an old shoe, that is shure! (I bought a pair 4 months ago)

If you are not sure wether to buy BL3 or BL8000, then you need to compare their sound , as said before. There really is a big difference between the two, especially at high volumes. Judge yourself!

I spent a little time (only about half an hour) comparing them at my dealers several weeks ago. Both were against a wall (the BL3's were on floor stands), both were only ~6 feet apart and I listened to unfamiliar material at a distance of 8-10feet. My preference was for the BL8000's both audibly and visually. They just seemed to have more detail than the BL3's.

After the visit as I mulled it over I became concerned that I had heard the BL3's whilst standing and I think the lens is aimed more for a sitting position - clearly the 8000's will be less affected by ear height. I did intend going back with my own material and re-listening maybe with the speakers seperated more and definitely from a sitting position but got caught up in a technical issue regarding driving both via line level sockets and haven't yet made the return visit. An option was also to audition at home, in situ as it were, clearly giving an even better opinion.

SWMBO thinks the 8000's "look nice" and the BL3's "don't look like two grands worth"😂

I disagree with Puncher. I have always found that my BL3s sound much more precise than the BL8000s and the placement of the sound is much more accurate than the BL8000s as well. Further more at a distance of about 8-10feet in my audio room my BL3s on the floor stands sound even better if you're standing. From what I can hear, I think the sound of the ALT is aimed to be projected from the angle of 90 degrees and upwards.

I personally prefer the design of the BL3s especially with the ALT - bowler hat on top! And probably unlike everyone else on BeoWorld, I think the BL8000s do look dated now. When these speakers were released it was an absolute first to have a column shaped just like the BL6000s, BL8000s and BL1s. Nowadays Hitachi, Thompson, Panasonic and many other brands have all tried to imitate the column designed loudspeakers in their own way. The BL3s are completely unique in my opinion, and for the type of music that I listen to, playing in my room and at the average volume level that I listen to, the BL3s are better than the BL8000s.

BUT, I do believe it is very fair to say that the BL3s don't outweigh the BL8000s entirely, therefore you should definitely listen to both speakers, in your own home too if your dealer is kind enough to organise this for you and make your own decission from there. All I have said is my opinion and how I see and hear things.

Let us know when you've gone for the kill and which one you've chosen!