I agree with Trip ( had to happen 😕 eventually )

 

I also think Blab4000 are, on balance, the best small active speaker for most installations - perhaps not as techy as Blab 3's  but they always sound superb ( particularly Mk1's ) and seem to blend in with most styles of decor.

I have installed them into cottages, lofts and everything in between.

 

 

For me, one of the new generation B&O user, are the Beolab 5 and Beolab 3 the most beautiful speakers.....

Certainly the 8000

I thought the answer to this would come to me quite quickly but I am struggling to decide really!

I think the best answer I can give it that just about any B&O speaker can look as good as the other depending on its location!

The 8000's are undoubtedly stunning speakers but the Lab5000's are in themselves a work of art, more so than the 4500's IMO.

I also agree the Redlines look ready to deliver something special (but don't really live up to their looks).

I also like the lab3's and 9's.

See the more I think about this the less I am likely to pick any one speaker out above the others!

moxxey wrote:

TripEnglish wrote:

The BeoLab 4000s have always struck me as truly beautiful speakers...

Trip, just out of interest, how do the 4000s perform in your opinion? Compared to the BL3s? I'm in the market for some new speakers and would like some compact bookshelf speakers.

I think you'd be happy with either one. The BeoLab 4000 is smooth and powerful and, I believe, a very underrated speaker in the current lineup. I personally prefer the BeoLab 3, but they're not as well suited to an actual bookshelf application as the more traditional design of the 4000s. If you can give them room to breath on either floor stands or on a piece of furniture, they're truly stunning. The spaciousness of the sound is rare at their price point. 

TripEnglish wrote:

I think you'd be happy with either one. The BeoLab 4000 is smooth and powerful and, I believe, a very underrated speaker in the current lineup. I personally prefer the BeoLab 3, but they're not as well suited to an actual bookshelf application as the more traditional design of the 4000s. If you can give them room to breath on either floor stands or on a piece of furniture, they're truly stunning. The spaciousness of the sound is rare at their price point. 

This is something I assumed, thanks. That the BL3s need more space. My current BL3s are in my office and are free standing. Impressed with the audio, but I want some cheaper speakers to use "now and again" in another room. BL4000s might be perfect for this.

Back on topic - my favourite speakers are the BL3 for their design, compact nature and their awesome sound, considering the size. Well priced, too. I've owned the BL5s, BL9s and BL3s and the BL3s are the only speaker that consistently gets a mention by other music lovers. The audio quality defies their size.

For me:

1) Beolab 5000

2) Beolab 1

3) Beolab 5

4) Beolab 9

5) Beolab 8000

 

For me:

First place by far: BeoLab 8000

 

Than: Beolab 5, Beovox 2500 cubes, and the rising ALT speaker in cars.

Suddenly I realize I have a parallel with music instruments!!

Regards, Robert

Can't choose one, so two has to share;

Beolab 5000/Beolab 8000.

Let's see...

1. Beovox 2500 cubes
2. Rondstraler
3. Beolab 5000
4. Beolab 8000
5. Beolab 5