LR2015 wrote:

I currently have BL9s which are a huge step up from my old 8000s with BL2 sub, but have always hankered after the BL5s - to me these are the ultimate B&O speakers - they just look amazing! Unfortunately though the 5s are out of budget..

Out of interest, how much difference would I notice between the 9s and 5s? I might be tempted to sell one of the children 🙂

IMHO, BL2 is good with TV but clumsy with audio. Sold/upgraded mine as funds allowed.

purchased BL5s and lived with them for 13-odd years. Listened to the BL9s when visiting the odd B&O Dealer now and again. Simply put, they are a lot lot  better sonically if you like that type of sound that they produce. Are they better in terms of performance/price? Well only the individual can answer that.

 

Mr 10Percent wrote:

LR2015 wrote:

I currently have BL9s which are a huge step up from my old 8000s with BL2 sub, but have always hankered after the BL5s - to me these are the ultimate B&O speakers - they just look amazing! Unfortunately though the 5s are out of budget..

Out of interest, how much difference would I notice between the 9s and 5s? I might be tempted to sell one of the children 🙂

IMHO, BL2 is good with TV but clumsy with audio. Sold/upgraded mine as funds allowed.

purchased BL5s and lived with them for 13-odd years. Listened to the BL9s when visiting the odd B&O Dealer now and again. Simply put, they are a lot lot  better sonically if you like that type of sound that they produce. Are they better in terms of performance/price? Well only the individual can answer that.

 

should have written that the BL5s are a lot lot better sonically over the BL9s imho.

I would also add that if you were ever in a suitable position to be able to buy the BL5s, from a music standpoint, I don’t think you would be too disappointed. 

 

I’ve had both, and pound for pound the Beolab 9s are fantastic. I think if I’d had a large room in a detached house, I’d have been able to drive the 5s to their full ability.

Stick with the 9s, and get an Eclipse🤒

I've owned both many times in the past, and the Lab 5's are vastly superior.

Not to say the 9's aren't good... but the BeoLab 5's bring a whole new level of bass and top end to the party.

One thing I will say is that the BeoLab 5 really highlights a bad recording or transmission. When I played something on Netfilx with good sound, it was incredible. Then, why I switched to Sky and standard sound - it sounded like someone had thrown a blanket over them!

You will never regret BeoLab 5's. Go for it if you can.

 

I have a pair of 9s. Thought I wanted 5s. Dealer loaned me a pair of 5s to try for a couple of weeks. I sent the 5s back. After comparing the two side by side, in my room, I could not say the 5s sounded better. The sound was slightly different, but not better. However, I now have a pair of 20s and they sound much better than the 9s. My conclusion is that the effect the room has on the sound can greatly change what one hears, and one’s perception of the sound. As another example I also have a pair of Beolab 1s. When I relocated them to make room for the 9s they were moved from a room with 9 foot ceilings to one with a 20 foot ceiling at it’s highest. The sound from the 1’s improved so much I could not believe it.

Cheers guys. I listened to the 5s when I bought my (used) BL9s and was tempted to bust the budget and buy them but in the end couldn't justify the price. I also listened to the BL20s at the time but didn't notice much difference from the 9s. It's quite difficult to make a decision on speakers when not in your own environment. They always sound better in the shop 😁

 

re Eclipse - I probably need to see it in the flesh but I like my BV11 too much to consider upgrading at the mo

 

Too expensive for me.. but can't wait to hear a pair of BL50s! How much better do these sound than the 5s??

 

Thanks again for replies

I've owned lots of beolab speakers in the past and I must say that the beolab 5's are miles better than the lab9's or 20's.

I decided last year to get a pair and it's the best decision I've ever made, and the best money I've ever spent.

They are the best. Full stop. End of story. (except the Lab50's)

 

Ive had 5's and 9's

Currently use 9's and the center channel of the BV11-55, its great, Been playing Red Dead Redemption the last couple weeks.

When i had 5's They were amazing, but my room is too small for them, Next house though, a Definite upgrade!