Yes, I ve been saying this for a while.

The B&O app seems to have moved to maintenance / bug fixes for 2 years now, and the App just becomes a setup venue.

Doesn't bother me specifically, others may care to a different degree, I dont really know.

mbolo01 wrote:

Sandyb wrote:

i.e that Airplay / CC and voice would be the primary control paradigms.

..... and that the B&O app will only be a setup/diag/information tool, not more.

Signs of this direction IMO, there is no more B&O app enhancements/fixes in the music area since a while, on the other side new Support, Diagnostic, History sections are being developed.

Will non CC stereo pairing be available though?

Adding some form of NL is a different question - joining one Level via NL to another isn't stereo pairing (which I'm sure everyone knows_

AnalogPlanet wrote:

Wonderful thing, need one at minimum once NL or equivalent and compatibility with Beoremote Halo is in place. And more units once stereo pairing is possible as "native" not through Chromecast as that fundamentally limits usability for anyone who want to use built-in streaming or is not in Google ecosystem.

Very eager to hear how it sounds! Supergood job B&O! 😕

Level or a pre-loved BeoSound 2...? Which and why?

Curly wrote:

Level or a pre-loved BeoSound 2...? Which and why?

I guess it really depends what you want from the speaker.

Personally I own the BS2, BS1, BeoLit 17, and a couple of A1’s so while I have yet to listen to the Level I am familiar with both the BS1 and BS2 and I feel that the BS1 and Level are a little similar in that they’re rather powerful semi-portable speakers with a battery inside.

From a purely acoustic perspective I absolutely do not see the Level matching up with the BS2. As it stands the BS2 blows away the BS1, and with its Acoustic Lens and its 5 1/4” woofer the BS2 is unbelievably good at filling a very decent sized room with chest-thumping music. I’m a huge fan of the BS2 and will be keeping mine until it cannot be serviced anymore. I’ve always said that the BeoSound is more of a BeoLab speaker.

Aesthetically I love both the BS2 and Level, but extra points will have to go to the Level purely because I love some of the BeoMaster design elements it possesses; it truly is a classic and I’ll definitely be very happy to own one.

Ultimately I can see myself owning both as I’m sure that the Level will fit right at home in a smaller room.

If I could only choose one speaker though, it’ll probably be the BS2 because for me the sound will always come first.

As always though everyone’s entitled to their own preferences!

Agreed - not only does the BS2 sound good deal better than the BS1, I would take some convincing that the Level sounds as good as the BS2.

Different configuration of course in the Level, and different ethos, so I may well be surprised.

But absent a direct comparison, the BS2 is so very good (and close to my favourite A9 MK2)

I’m tempted to agree with you (obviously not having heard Level yet). BS2 for the acoustic lens and larger woofer. :)

Sandyb wrote:

Will non CC stereo pairing be available though?

That's what I hope for, as CC is not a real solution. But no, I have never heard any indication that such (non-CC) feature is even considered.

The best part of the level imo? The upgradability! Battery, cover of course, but also the internal streaming chip. This means it’s really futureproof and makes you enjoy the level much much longer (and helps to battle the e-waste problem as well) 😁 compare this with Sonos for example, who will brick the devices you bought after a few years when Sonos decides they have become ‘obsolete’.

RichardIII wrote:

but also the internal streaming chip.

I would not call it "futureproof" until further details. The fact it has a little door to access it is a good thing but without a common standard for the board (maybe to come) and without any idea on cost we also might end up throwing the thing because uprgade cost close or more than a whole new speaker. (maybe like MMC cartridges are now, often more expensive than a whole deck).

I must say it's very good marketing, still.