Both the Pentas and BL-8000s are great speakers. I own both and have had them for well over 20 years. The Pentas will give you adequate bass but are not as crisp on the high frequencies like the BL-8000. Of course, a pair of BL-8000 paired with a Beolab 2 or Beolab 11 subwoofer would take care of the bass. One member indicated that there are problems with the BL-8000s as they age. I'm not sure what he means by that, as I have owned mine since 1993 and one needed a new transformer at one point, but that is not a common issue. The smaller BL-6000s have a known issue with foam rot around the woofers. I had to perform this repair on my BL-6000 speakers a few years ago but never experienced this problem with the 8000s, which I have owned for years longer. My Pentas have been problem-free since 1996.

Also, Pentas have a fragile, stainless steel finish. They can be easily dented and show every fingerprint. Personally, I think the BL-8000 is a more iconic and timeless design and is my all-around favorite.

I vote for the 8000 as well, at one point in time, (actually not long ago), I have considered replacing the 8000 with focal, but the look of two black boxes vs the slim 8000 is no comparison at all. Am keeping the 8000(gold color) until I replacing them with BL 5. Then I will move the 8000 into the bedroom. :)

The main reason why I started to look into Beolab speakers is due to the design of Beolab 8000.

Pentas is probably due to its bass, but as you describe Pentas is a bit more fragile in terms of the product quality.

Start with Beolab 8000 as a start and add Beolab 2 or 11 or even other brands sub can be a good idea.

Then it is what receiver I should use, sonos connect seems lack of sub output, bluesound node 2 can be an option.

Hungedu wrote:

Both the Pentas and BL-8000s are great speakers. I own both and have had them for well over 20 years. The Pentas will give you adequate bass but are not as crisp on the high frequencies like the BL-8000. Of course, a pair of BL-8000 paired with a Beolab 2 or Beolab 11 subwoofer would take care of the bass. One member indicated that there are problems with the BL-8000s as they age. I'm not sure what he means by that, as I have owned mine since 1993 and one needed a new transformer at one point, but that is not a common issue. The smaller BL-6000s have a known issue with foam rot around the woofers. I had to perform this repair on my BL-6000 speakers a few years ago but never experienced this problem with the 8000s, which I have owned for years longer. My Pentas have been problem-free since 1996.

Also, Pentas have a fragile, stainless steel finish. They can be easily dented and show every fingerprint. Personally, I think the BL-8000 is a more iconic and timeless design and is my all-around favorite.

That is really a good example how the design of the speaker can save its life.

The reason of dropping my linn Ninka is also due to the outlook of it.

May I ask how you use BL 8000 in your setup?

chickenceo wrote:

I vote for the 8000 as well, at one point in time, (actually not long ago), I have considered replacing the 8000 with focal, but the look of two black boxes vs the slim 8000 is no comparison at all. Am keeping the 8000(gold color) until I replacing them with BL 5. Then I will move the 8000 into the bedroom. :)

Good choice but over my budget.

I Google airport express and the output is a combination of mini toslink and analog output so it can use 3.5 mm to rca cable.

I use the BL8000 as front L and R connect to the pre out of the Pioneer LX83 using modified 9pins (was it 9 pins?) and 12v trigger. The same way I used to connect the BL 2 and BL4000. Only the BL 10 that need 7v trigger have I used a dedicated trigger box.

I have been using the whole setup for almost 10years and only one 4000 had failed me and send back for an amp replaced. The only real problem I have is the tacky sticky finishing on the BL10 and the BL2.

I have found the 8000 sounds a bit sharp to my ears and I have to play around the EQ on the Pioneer. It's getting closer to what I like, but am still fine tuning. 😁

I use the BL8000 as front L and R connect to the pre out of the Pioneer LX83 using modified 9pins (was it 9 pins?) and 12v trigger. The same way I used to connect the BL 2 and BL4000. Only the BL 10 that need 7v trigger have I used a dedicated trigger box.

I have been using the whole setup for almost 10years and only one 4000 had failed me and send back for an amp replaced. The only real problem I have is the tacky sticky finishing on the BL10 and the BL2.

I have found the 8000 sounds a bit sharp to my ears and I have to play around the EQ on the Pioneer. It's getting closer to what I like, but am still fine tuning. 😁