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Posted May 23, 2007 at 10:09 GMT
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BL5 or BL9 ? That's the question.
50 replies
I have (extensively) heard 4xBL5; 2xBL5 + 2xBL3; 2xBL5 + 2xBL6000; and 2xBL5 + 2xBL3 side + 2xBL3 rears.
Under no circumstance would I recommend using a BL2 together with BL5s. You might as well stuff a bedsheet under each BL5. The BL2 muddles up the bass compared to the precision of the much more powerful bass drivers and amp's in the BL5s - the 2 just clutters things up, does not add power or dynamic. What some are hearing as an enhancement is just coca-cola in your wine.
BL3 rears are a good match, though not absolutely necessary given the spec's of the signal being sent to side and rear speakers in a surround setup.
David Moulton swears by a 4xBL5 setup (I actually think he has 5, with a BL5 centre) -- but then he's also a multi-channel music composer.
I had a wonderful demo of BeoVision 9 with two BL5 front and two BL6000 rear speakers. In my own home theatre I plan to use BL6000s as side and rear speakers, mounted up on the wall and lying horizontally, with the "bottom" of the speakers pointing into the rear corners. BL5 front speakers and BL7-4 center.
In my opinion using BL3 to the sides and rear is overkill, but it does look good and compact.
Dimensions aside i think it would be best to have the Beolab 5's in front & at the back as this would give you the best for movie and music. If space is an issue then i would consider getting beolab 5 for front still but save space by having 4 beolab 3's for the back.
Have you thought of upgrading your centre speaker to a 7.4 instead of a 7.2 as the 7.4 provides an acoustic lense which will boost clarity of voices etc.
TG
Have you thought of upgrading your centre speaker to a 7.4 instead of a 7.2 as the 7.4 provides an acoustic lense which will boost clarity of voices etc.
absolutely. if you have BL5 as front, you should think about the 7.4.
soundproof:
In my own home theatre I plan to use BL6000s as side and rear speakers, mounted up on the wall and lying horizontally, with the "bottom" of the speakers pointing into the rear corners...
I think you should (or perhaps shouldn't) consult D. Lewis on this one... 😁
Hi Saf,
Given my knowledge of film-sound I find it unnecessary to use BL5s in the back. It would be like having a V8 engine and running a maximum of three cylinders. Makes no sense.
For multi-channel music that has been mixed specifically for uniform speaker setups - such as the music David Moulton demonstrates with up to five BL5s, yes.
My personal preference is for stereo or three-speakers-in-front music reproduction.
My side and surround speakers would only be used for movies and tv programs - the relationship in power between front and side rear would match that of excellent movie theatres with the BL6000s.
The new DSP algorithms make three-speakers in front a realistic possibility again. This is a superior form of recreating the musical soundstage and BeoSystem 3 does a good upsample to three channels. I haven't checked which DSP method BeoSys3 uses though.
The Trifield circuitry is available in Meridian products - am hoping for something similar in BeoSys3. Will then use listening tests to determine whether I'll also want a BL5 as center.
Hi Soundproof,
I was just joking regarding your plan to position the BL6000s - of course, everyone is free to do what they want.
I also agree with your V8 allegory etc., ie having 2 BL5 plus some other BL is just fine for movie experience. Personally, I would now only consider having more BL5 if I a had huge and carefully laid out living room in which different combinations of playing speakers could create different choices of listening/viewing zones (eg TV plus projector, stereo music either from the front or the left etc). But this would need also BS3/BV9 ... and a lot of $$$ 🙂
Half-jokingly: it doesn't really matter if one starts with BL9 instead of the 5's because one day soon you will probably end up having both...
saf:
Half-jokingly: it doesn't really matter if one starts with BL9 instead of the 5's because one day soon you will probably end up having both...
😁
You're right, and even if not in the same system, I think listeners will appreciate the sound of the acoustic lenses to the point that this is what you'd like to have throughout your quality listening experiences (not just background music). Both speakers are great, so I can understand why pedrompinto is having trouble choosing.
Listen at home. There are rooms, even large ones, where the BL5s (or other expensive speakers) don't deliver as expected. Sometimes it's mysterious how a particular speaker just seems to fit a room better than another, more expensive one.
At the present moment i'm quite aware of the possibilities that i have, i just need to test / hear them & decide what i'm going to buy.
Patience is always a good quality.
Thanks to you all.
risking that members will call me naive: the idea of more speakers is that each speaker performs a specific purpose.
I agree with everyone that BL5 with a 2 is not meant to be. But at the same time I dont see a reason for four 5s unless you're really into four channel audio recordings. Don't only go with what's supposed to be perfect - get your dealer to let you sample the options at your house! I have opted for 1s and 8000s in my last home - and honestly consider going back to four 8000s and a 2 ...
Sound is a very subjective choice!
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