Beolab 8000 vs. Beolab 18 Review

Steve at Sounds Heavenly

Gold

2501 posts

Posted June 19, 2019 at 16:08 GMT

Hi Beoworlders,

I have recently received several requests to evaluate the differences between Beolab 8000 and 18 speakers, so I have arranged to visit a local B&O dealer next week to check out both speakers and review them on camera.

I have Beolab 8000s at home, but it is a while since I had any serious listening time on the Beolab 18s. I would be very interested to hear your thoughts on these speakers, particularly if you have owned (or considered purchasing) both speaker models - please let me know your thoughts!

You can see my previous speaker reviews on my YouTube channel at

Location: The cable workshop, England

My B&O Icons:

Cables, friendly advice and great ideas for connecting Bang & Olufsen! Ask any questions at https://soundsheavenly.com to get the best from your B&O! Please visit my B&O YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/soundsheavenlycables

P(

PaulGiles (archived2)

Bronze

231 posts

Posted June 19, 2019 at 16:54 GMT

#2124407

Have/had both. The 18s win it for me.

ESP the 90th anniversary rose golds.

Both are superb but the 18s just look and perform better in my opinion.

Steve at Sounds Heavenly

Gold

2501 posts

Posted June 19, 2019 at 18:37 GMT

#2124408

Thanks Paul,!

I must admit that the Beolab 8000s look elegant until you see them next to the 18s, the new speakers seem even more stylish and ‘sculpted ‘.....

I’m keen to hear how their sound compares!

Kind regards, Steve.

Location: The cable workshop, England

My B&O Icons:

Cables, friendly advice and great ideas for connecting Bang & Olufsen! Ask any questions at https://soundsheavenly.com to get the best from your B&O! Please visit my B&O YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/soundsheavenlycables

M(

Mikipedia (archived2)

Bronze

2150 posts

Posted June 19, 2019 at 19:32 GMT

#2124409

Iam with paul. I like the look of the 18’s more, they’re more modern and i prefer the wood fret.

Where the 8000’s sound a bit woollen the 18’s are a lot brighter and much clearer. Maybe too bright for some, but i like them more. They also sound slightly more powerfull and present to me.

fansastic

Bronze

813 posts

Posted June 19, 2019 at 20:12 GMT

#2124410

I can confirm this also, had the BL8000’s (mk1) for years and liked the sound a lot, full and mature but just a bit to less bass.

When I used them with the V1 tv, due to the sound engine of the tv, they were at their best and gave much more bass, but sounded bit over pushed at their limits.

Switched to BL14’s but due to their design (only sub for bass, midrange and treble by satellite speakers) I never got the full sound the 8000’s gave me. I had to tweak the sub all the time for more or less bass.

Few months ago switched to BL18’s and very impressed. Way more clear than the 8000’s and the bass power is so rich! I’ve put them in free position despite they are close to wall and the bass is so full, it’s almost if a sub is still in place. What I like is that they sound so natural balanced and yet powerful with many different music styles.

To my ears they are way above BL8000’s.

I’ve BL3’s in same room and as they are more close to the BL8000’s, I can compare different style of the speakers. I find the BL18’s very impressive.

I have to state that the sound processing of a Beovision (now a Horizon) does improve the performance of the connected speakers

Of course I lack the experience of the BL20, BL50 or even 5’s or 90’s, so I still might be a dummy in the B&O upper class. But to my humble experience the BL18’s overclass both design- and sound-wise.

matador

BronzeModerator

2425 posts

Posted June 19, 2019 at 20:17 GMT

#2124411

Mikipidia wrote:
Iam with paul. I like the look of the 18’s more, they’re more modern and i prefer the wood fret.

Hi alls,

If I may bring my stone, following Mikipedia's post…

As a foreigner (I.E not in the league for BL8000, don't even think 18's), when I met the B&O universe, I was stroked by the BL8000, we call them the pencils… Until I saw the 18's: not knowing the difference in technology and the improvement of the ALT, I just genuinely found it was a very smart and beautiful update. I never saw wooden frets before and i found them very modern and classic at the same time, close to perfect if perfection exists.
It was also a great inspiration (along with BV14) for my BV Horizon hommage (copy) with front wooden fret.

Then, no surprise for me that people is looking for solutions to add thoses 18's lamellas to their BL8000.

Don't get me wrong, I dont consider myself like an audio connoisseur, and i dont compare sound: I just dont know.
But aesthetically: god… Nobody can step in your flat without making a comment on the 18's.
And sound wise, I believe they will blow away any average listener.

Location: Paris France

JA

Jaffrey

Bronze

529 posts

Posted June 20, 2019 at 00:50 GMT

#2124412

This would be great Steve. I am seriously considering if upgrading the beolab 8000 with 18s are worth it (I do have BL style wood slats on my 8000) or upgrade to used BL5.

mbolo01

Bronze

2046 posts

Posted June 20, 2019 at 06:35 GMT

#2124413

Mikipidia wrote:
Where the 8000’s sound a bit woollen the 18’s are a lot brighter and much clearer. Maybe too bright for some, but i like them more. They also sound slightly more powerfull and present to me.

I have both in the same room and when I put myself in the sweet spot I have exactly the same feeling than the one described by Mikipedia.

Location: Brittany - France

My B&O Icons:

Steve at Sounds Heavenly

Gold

2501 posts

Posted June 20, 2019 at 07:38 GMT

#2124414

Thanks guys!

That is really helpful. I am looking forward to this test!

Kind regards, Steve.

Location: The cable workshop, England

My B&O Icons:

Cables, friendly advice and great ideas for connecting Bang & Olufsen! Ask any questions at https://soundsheavenly.com to get the best from your B&O! Please visit my B&O YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/soundsheavenlycables

MA

marexy

Silver

785 posts

Posted June 20, 2019 at 09:18 GMT

#2124415

Hi Steve

Some time ago i did some modification to a pair of BL 8000

Change woofers for same dimension with much deeper bass and tweeters to.

The sound has been wauuu..much more deep bass ...maybe same middle tone and much more detailed high tones.

bass up from 40Hz with no problem...original is 52Hz i think ?

and ...did you know that woofers from BL4 have same dimensions as woofer forom BL 8000.

You can mount them without any modifications.

Beolab 8000 vs. Beolab 18 Review

Steve at Sounds Heavenly

PaulGiles (archived2)

Steve at Sounds Heavenly

Mikipedia (archived2)

fansastic

matador

Jaffrey

mbolo01

Steve at Sounds Heavenly

marexy

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Beolab 8000 vs. Beolab 18 Review

Steve at Sounds Heavenly

PaulGiles (archived2)

Steve at Sounds Heavenly

Mikipedia (archived2)

fansastic

matador

Jaffrey

mbolo01

Steve at Sounds Heavenly

marexy

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