Thanks Barry. :) I remember thinking the same thing each time i listened to them, i just don't remember it being so severe, and i doubt dealers would have had the treble setting on -6 ...?

Yes i think i'm going to have to get used to them, and i WILL access the potentiometers before i give up. Funny how no-one has made comment on my intention to do that.

Also, Dave Moulton said he will be having a look here again soon when he's free so we shall look forward to his insight!

It's a good thing that they are incredible in all other areas, and they look tremendous in white.

Hello Dave,

Greetings from Sydney...

I too have a pair of beolab 9's which I bought about two years ago.

At one point I was so unhappy with the sound that I purchased a DAC and put the sound quality down to 320bit MP3's and NRADIO. CD was of course better but I still always felt something was missing. The DAC did make a big difference to my digital music.

I must confess to having them in a large room with floorboards, glass and aluminium with little to no wallhangings. I bought a rug (much against my design aesthetic) and that has softened the treble screach a little. Wall to wall carpet as in the showroom would make a big difference..

Can't think of any other suggestions..

Will read with interest any other responses

David Coyne

Giang Nguyen wrote:

Only BL5 can meet lots of audiophile's and B&O fan's request about music quality.

Having owned BL6000s, BL3s, BL9s and BL5s, I wasn't overly impressed with the BL5s and much prefer the BL9s. As we're based in a large flat, with wooden floors, this seemed to confuse the BL5s, so the bass was always really poor. The only time they were excellent, was before we calibrated them (so clearly they were calibrated in a different environment, before we purchased). The BL9s don't need calibration and have decent bass so, for me at least, they sound like a better all-round speaker.

Dave, I'm assuming one problem might be the use of the ALTs on the BL9s? They do add a lot of treble to the sound, in my experience. The BL6000s were much more mid-range than the BL3s, as an example.

Yes, it seems that it is a huge adjustment to have ALT's after only hearing speakers such as BL4000, BL1, CRT Beovisions etc. I found the BL3 dissapointing to listen to because it had an empty and cold sound, to my ears. It is very interesting however that the BeoLab 5 does not have this TINKLE sound... BL5 is perfect. Moxxey, sorry to hear that it was the bass that turned you away from the BL5, they are the best speakers i have ever experienced, in my life!

G'day David! As i've said, i'm in a very dry room, so the treble can't be reduced anymore, i can't imagine what yours sounded like before the rug! 😉 I remember that you bought a DAC and also were unsure at the start, whether or not to get BL8000's, BL3's with BL2, or BL9's.

The more i listen to the 9's the easier it gets, and the more i hear in the music, just have to take away that expectation that B&o give you, which is, that you get a sound true to the original source.

BeoLab 4000 is still the speaker with a tone the closest to BL5 i've heard personally. An astonishingly well balanced speaker. 

I am just about to get a second hand pair of BL6000's for the bedroom, so this should be a nice refuge from the heavy treble ...

moxxey wrote:

Having owned BL6000s, BL3s, BL9s and BL5s, I wasn't overly impressed with the BL5s and much prefer the BL9s. As we're based in a large flat, with wooden floors, this seemed to confuse the BL5s, so the bass was always really poor. The only time they were excellent, was before we calibrated them (so clearly they were calibrated in a different environment, before we purchased). The BL9s don't need calibration and have decent bass so, for me at least, they sound like a better all-round speaker.

Dear Moxxey, as you mentioned, it means that the quality of the present BO speaker is not as good as older speaker?

Or because of your large flat, so the BL5 can not do the best.

I like the midrange of BL5, something like the midrange of MBL systems. But when I hear the sound of BL9, I have no feeling and think it is for digital music. They are so beautiful. In my opion, the sound from BL1, BL3, BL9, BL6000, BL8000 is mainly for home theatre, for digital music, not for audiophile.

Hi Dave, for the bedroom, if you do not hear the digital music like mp3, internet radio,..., you can use speaker CX100 with Beomaster 3000, or higher is 4500 Systems, Beocenter 9000,9500... I am assure you that the sound is balance, and no too much treble 🙂🙂 The Beolab 4000 is so good, and so the Beovox 3000, beolab 3000 and higher..., but I think CX100 is much cheaper, but same quality.

I'm paying for sound AND design with B&O, I have found a pair of green 6000's, and i have always wanted to buy a pearly green piece, it is my favourite colour! plus there is nothing more practical and appealing than a floor standing speaker you can drag around in an almost portable manner...

 Thank you for the ideas though my friend :)

Giang Nguyen wrote:

moxxey wrote:

Having owned BL6000s, BL3s, BL9s and BL5s, I wasn't overly impressed with the BL5s and much prefer the BL9s. As we're based in a large flat, with wooden floors, this seemed to confuse the BL5s, so the bass was always really poor. The only time they were excellent, was before we calibrated them (so clearly they were calibrated in a different environment, before we purchased). The BL9s don't need calibration and have decent bass so, for me at least, they sound like a better all-round speaker.

 

Dear Moxxey, as you mentioned, it means that the quality of the present BO speaker is not as good as older speaker?

Or because of your large flat, so the BL5 can not do the best.

I like the midrange of BL5, something like the midrange of MBL systems. But when I hear the sound of BL9, I have no feeling and think it is for digital music. They are so beautiful. In my opion, the sound from BL1, BL3, BL9, BL6000, BL8000 is mainly for home theatre, for digital music, not for audiophile.

 

Agree, I use my Bl3 to listen digital music from my computer and........ BL5 to listen CD from my BC2.

Anyway, no speaker from B&O range compare with the BL5!

Also, before buying my Bl5, I tested BL9 in store. That speaker sounded not right to me.  

Dave wrote:

... and i WILL access the potentiometers before i give up. Funny how no-one has made comment on my intention to do that.

Yes, I looked into the BL9 servicemanual several times and also considered to experiment with the potentiometer/switch -settings. To my  understanding  their (main) function is compensating for the production-tolerances of the speakers. However, I am a bit reluctant to adjust in the blind as there are no detailed circuitdiagrams in the servicemanual so you cannot predict the consequences. 

It's explained in the manual that the position of the potentiometers (switches) should be in accordance to a value on the speaker/driver labels. As a matter of curiosity I will check if the correct settings were made in the factory within a couple of weeks.

Giang Nguyen wrote:

Dear Moxxey, as you mentioned, it means that the quality of the present BO speaker is not as good as older speaker?

Or because of your large flat, so the BL5 can not do the best.

Yes. The flexible wooden floor caused big problems calibrating the BL5s and, for the money I could get for them, I decided to sell and use the money for other kit. Never really regretted that decision - but would regret selling the BL9s. For me, in my environment, they are ideal.

Guys remember one important thing...what is 'great' mid-range to one person may be different for another. It also depends on the source of your music. I find that electronic music is ideal for the new B&O speakers. The BL3s receive more positive comments than any other speaker I've owned, including the BL5s. People thought they were BL5s were overkill, whereas others are amazed at the range of sound that comes from the BL3s.