I own a BS1 and have trialed a Level. 

I like the sound of the BS1 over the Level. The Level sound more harsh and while it have an easier time producing a decent bass respons, it also falls apart fairly quickly (at least earlier than what I've hoped). The BS1 can produce a decent bass respons if placed right (near a wall or corner), while the Level doesn't need the same help from the room. 

I think the BS1 wins on design, while the Level wins on ease of use. The touch interface on the BS1 is kinda bad, while its much more clear and easy to use on the Level.

The Level is based on the new platform, so in theory it should be more future proof. 

As I already owned the BS1, the choice was easy. But both are good speakers in there own ways.

 

I’ve just listened to one out here and was mightily impressed. I love the Beosound 1&2 design but to be honest the Level looks very smart and from a more classic B&O design.

Very good indeed🤒

Well, I made a purchase and thought to post an update:

First, I'd like to note that I would much prefer to give my dealer all the business I can. There were a couple reasons I was unable to do that this time including (a) being unsure if I would like a product I have not heard before--I wouldn't want to make a purchase from the dealer and attempt to return it to him when I could make a purchase from Amazon and return it with zero hassle and zero hard feelings; (b) he doesn't have any non-GVA products currently in stock and I insist on non-GVA--and again, I wouldn't ask that he place a special order for me when I am not sure I even want to keep the product; (c) price--I don't want to pay retail and don't have any negotiating power with my dealer when we're talking about a $1k-2k single "commodity" product sale.

When I purchase my Harmony, I will work with him--undoubtedly. That being said...

I was going to purchase a used BS1 on Amazon in "very good" condition. I waited and the price dropped again (<$1k). Then someone purchased it and I missed out. I took that as a sign and I have just been listening to my A1 instead, which is quite good, I think, alongside my laptop as I work.

Well, today on eBay I found a brand new silver non-GVA Level and I negotiated and bought it for even less than the used BS1 (<$900). At that price, even though I prefer the aesthetics of BS1, have never listened to a Level, would rather use TuneIn than B&O radio and am awaiting the Mozart platform update with Network Link... I couldn't pass up the deal.

I'll post again with listening thoughts when I receive it. Cheers!

Well, I hesitate to (potentially) "out" myself, but I bought that used/VG BS1 on amazon.com.  (if you're talking within the last month; it might not have been the only one)  ** But it was a snare and delusion: a BS1 generation-1 packaged in a generation-2 box! **  Mis-matched S/N, mismatched Type#.  Clearly a previous customer had scammed amazon.com's returns, purchasing a new one and returning their old one as-if.  I sent it back instantly.  (Also it wasn't absolutely 100% unblemished as the VG-text said, there were minute scratches on the right side, and no power cable.)  Because I put a note in with it, amazon can't ignore that they listed gen1 under the gen2 ASIN number, and so it's unclear what they do with it after that...  Nothing really wrong with buying a gen1 -- but not if you are expecting a gen2 and want AirPlay2 not AirPlay (1).  

Hope your Level will be less hassle -- 900 sure beats amazon.com (1300) and the Gulfstream Park dealer (1500).  Bonne chance!

I think BS 1 MK1 should be AirPlay 2 compliant after sw update.

Regardless, you have purchased a MK2, good decision to return it. 👍

Olivier

Hi everyone,

I've just spent a day listening to my new Level and in short, it's great. The sound is very strong. It's been a few years since I've listened to BS1 but from what I recall, the Level makes significantly more power and has a stronger low end. I've just wanted to listen to lots of my old favorites and turn the volume up to hear how they sound. Good speakers allow you to hear details you haven't noticed before in songs you know well. Level has done that for me today. I'm pleased with it.

I'm sure had I gotten BS1 I would have been very pleased with that as well. But I'm happy with how things turned on. For my office, Level is a great speaker. It's probably powerful enough to bring into a large kitchen or living room, even. I have the volume at about 45% and it's quite loud as it's sitting right in front of me, behind my laptop. But it's clear and full. I like the sound a lot.

The unit itself is surprisingly heavy. Very stout feeling. It feels quality. Even the touch-sensitive lights atop the unit somehow look very high quality. Not everything made in China is garbage, folks. The Kvadrat wool is very rich feeling but I am waiting for Prestige Creators to put together a "regular oak" cover.

B&O radio is similar enough to TuneIn that I don't mind. Some of the same stations are even available, so that's fine. For simplicity, I'm not sure why there could not have been consistency across the platforms but okay, B&O radio is fine.

Room correction definitely works and produces a noticeably altered sound.

Conspicuously missing is the "alarm" and "timer" function of the non-Mozart platform products such as BS1 and my Core. Come on, B&O, people would love to use these as alarm clocks--where is that functionality?

Those are my thoughts for now! I'm happy with the product and look forward to Network Link like the rest of us Mozart platform users.

Cheers.

 

Well, it's been about a week with my new Level (which now has the oak grill over the natural aluminum--stunning!) and I thought to post a few impressions:

Level is far, far more powerful than I recall BS1 being. This makes sense as it has literally 2x the 4" drivers plus an additional tweeter and full-range. For anything other than a large, open floor plan greatroom, I have to imagine the Level is absolutely adequate and this makes me think how A9 and Edge must really benefit from bigger rooms in which to breathe. If the Level is this powerful, those speakers (and Balance) must be monsters.

I remember BS1 being very "airy" in the upper range, perhaps moreso than Level, which I attribute to the acoustic lens technology. But audio memory is fallible and in every subjective measure, Level sounds awesome. I think the fullness of the sound, thanks to the "gen 2" 4" woofer is responsible for most of the positive impressions--though it sounds great throughout the entire range.

Level in natural aluminum with the oak grill is gorgeous; I still prefer the "doesn't look like a speaker" aesthetic of BS1 more but the Level is very, very beautiful with the oak grill.

 

Overall, I think either speaker would be a welcome addition but I believe I am feeling that the Level really, really out-muscles BS1. It seems Level is very much a new generation of B&O products, which, among other things, make very big sound from relatively small drivers (e.g., the Level and Stage's new 4" woofers, the BL28's new 6.5" woofer). It makes me wonder what is next for the BeoLab range in terms of BL17 and BL50.

If I had been able to steal a BS1, I would have gotten it and been very happy, I'm sure. But I happened to be able to steal a Level and for the price, I would not have paid more for a BS1 at this point. While not as attractive an overall design to me versus BS1, Level in silver/oak is gorgeous and with the performance superiority versus BS1, I'm very happy it all worked out this way.

Now, if Mozart software could just have Alarm and Timer functions added...

And Beolink multiroom. Coming soon, or «soon». I’m also waiting for a walnut or smoked oak version. It would be a nice match to my anthracite BS1 :).

Thank you for your detailed description! It helps guys like me/us keep the Level in mind when looking for the next B&O speaker! I do find it a very nice alternative!

Also glad you like your Level! :)

Curly wrote:

Well, it's been about a week with my new Level (which now has the oak grill over the natural aluminum--stunning!) and I thought to post a few impressions:

Level is far, far more powerful than I recall BS1 being. This makes sense as it has literally 2x the 4" drivers plus an additional tweeter and full-range. For anything other than a large, open floor plan greatroom, I have to imagine the Level is absolutely adequate and this makes me think how A9 and Edge must really benefit from bigger rooms in which to breathe. If the Level is this powerful, those speakers (and Balance) must be monsters.

I remember BS1 being very "airy" in the upper range, perhaps moreso than Level, which I attribute to the acoustic lens technology. But audio memory is fallible and in every subjective measure, Level sounds awesome. I think the fullness of the sound, thanks to the "gen 2" 4" woofer is responsible for most of the positive impressions--though it sounds great throughout the entire range.

Level in natural aluminum with the oak grill is gorgeous; I still prefer the "doesn't look like a speaker" aesthetic of BS1 more but the Level is very, very beautiful with the oak grill.

 

Overall, I think either speaker would be a welcome addition but I believe I am feeling that the Level really, really out-muscles BS1. It seems Level is very much a new generation of B&O products, which, among other things, make very big sound from relatively small drivers (e.g., the Level and Stage's new 4" woofers, the BL28's new 6.5" woofer). It makes me wonder what is next for the BeoLab range in terms of BL17 and BL50.

If I had been able to steal a BS1, I would have gotten it and been very happy, I'm sure. But I happened to be able to steal a Level and for the price, I would not have paid more for a BS1 at this point. While not as attractive an overall design to me versus BS1, Level in silver/oak is gorgeous and with the performance superiority versus BS1, I'm very happy it all worked out this way.

Now, if Mozart software could just have Alarm and Timer functions added...

 

Csaba, talk to Prestige Creators; they're a few months away from having a Level grill but can do smoked oak and walnut. :)

 

And yes. Where is Multiroom?? Wishlist: Multiroom, Alarm, Timer.

Nice to know they are working on it. Right now I’m trying to lend a bespoke Balance with B&O, but in a while I’d like to have a Level. So there is no rush :). But thanks for the tip, I could have figured it out myself :)).

Curly wrote:

Csaba, talk to Prestige Creators; they're a few months away from having a Level grill but can do smoked oak and walnut. :)

 

And yes. Where is Multiroom?? Wishlist: Multiroom, Alarm, Timer.