Opinions On This Setup...

22 replies
S(
Offline
SiliconTi (archived)
Bronze
Posted July 27, 2007 at 16:17 GMT
#1811887

Visit to the Boston B&O Store


Hey All,


Monday I finally made it into Boston to check out the B&O store for some info on a quote for a client. The client is building three high-end town houses on the Maine coast and I was asked to develop a whole-house AV system - naturally B&O came to mind :-0


Anyhow, the store in Boston is very small, and a bit shabby, but the people there were excellent (they even gave me two copies of the hard-bound catalog!), answering all my questions and suggesting ideas. In the end, it looks like each installation will be about US$30,000. Here is what I spec'ed:


BV-7 with the BL 7-4 on a floor stand, BL-3's for left/right channel and BL-4's for rear surrounds. Adding a BL-2 sub and a BC 3200 for AM/FM/CD. Upstairs will use a single BL-3500. All controlled with a Beo4.


Opinions on this setup?


BTW: I demo'ed the BL-5s and 9's. I always felt that US$20,000 on two speakers was as dumb a thing a person could do - I now stand corrected. After sampling them, I would buy a set in a heartbeat (if I could afford them) - these really blew me away. I really like the BL-9's too. They look weird, but sound wonderful.


I also checked out the Beosystem 2. Hmm, did not like it, but I can not explain why. It just does not have the panache of my BC9500.



RA
Offline
Razlaw
Bronze
Posted July 27, 2007 at 17:34 GMT
#1811888
It sounds like a wonderful setup. Also, speakers could be easily upgraded if desired.
M(
Offline
Medogsfat (archived)
Bronze
Posted July 27, 2007 at 17:43 GMT
#1811889

Personally I'd do away with the BL4's as rear speakers - not that there is anything wrong with them in this configuration - simply that I don't think they offer very good value for money! Personally I just don't rate them very highly at all. For not much more outlay you could use BL4000's which are far superior.

The BL9's are fantastic and could easily negate the need for a BL2 in a relatively small room.

Chris.

Peter
Offline
Peter
Gold
Posted July 27, 2007 at 17:46 GMT
#1811890
And depending how long you have, pplan on using the new Beo5  remote which offers zone control - see the user manual.

My B&O Icons:

BeoCenter-9500.png BeoCenter-9500.png
Beoremote-Beo4.png Beoremote-Beo4.png
Beovox.png Beovox.png
Beovision-11.png Beovision-11.png
Beotime.png Beotime.png
Beosound-Stage.png Beosound-Stage.png
Beosound-Moment.png Beosound-Moment.png
Beosound-5.png Beosound-5.png
Beosound-2.png Beosound-2.png
Beoremote-One.png Beoremote-One.png
Beoplay-Portal.png Beoplay-Portal.png
Beoplay-Earset.png Beoplay-Earset.png
Beomaster.png Beomaster.png
Beolit.png Beolit.png
Beogram-400x.png Beogram-400x.png
Beocenter-2.png Beocenter-2.png
K(
Offline
Killyp (archived)
Bronze
Posted July 27, 2007 at 18:21 GMT
#1811891

I agree with Chris about using BL4000s as rear speakers. BL4s are fine for background music in a medium-small room, or as rear speakers in a Dolby Prologic setup. However, nobody uses Prologic any more, and hence you will want something a bit beefier. BL4000s are great speakers, and will easily be able to keep up with 3s as fronts 🙂

Also, when you say BeoSystem 2, you actually mean BeoCenter 2? I think I agree! The BeoSound 4 is IMO, a better unit (despite its lack of a DVD player).

S(
Offline
smito (archived)
Bronze
Posted July 27, 2007 at 18:31 GMT
#1811892
I think that setup is ok. The 4s will be sufficiant as rears imo. I think the 4000s would be a waste of money, as the 4s can keep up with the 3s as fronts. If there is more money to be spent, invest is on fronts (BL9), not on the rears!
M(
Offline
Medogsfat (archived)
Bronze
Posted July 27, 2007 at 20:15 GMT
#1811893

Do you have some BL4's Tom?

 

Chris.

JK
Offline
jk1002
BronzeFounder
Posted July 27, 2007 at 23:53 GMT
#1811894
If you are not planning to use all 4 speakers for music, I think BL4 will be OK. Not a lot off DVDs make much use of the rear channels anyway. I would make this decision a bit based on looks. If you  are planning use the floor stand with the BL4, they do have the cable outside,  not hidden inside as it is with the BL3 (third party solution is available to use the Lab3 stands). The wall mount option though I find quite interesting and this is why I would consider the BL4's for the rear.

Did you consider switching the BS3200 against the BC2 music only? Not sure if that is available in the US already, but should be there soon. The BS3200 with the hard drive is quite cumbersome to use, so I wouldn't waste the money for that and either go BS3000 or BC2 Music only.


Cheers
JK
NO
Offline
Nonalphanumeric
Bronze
Posted July 28, 2007 at 00:31 GMT
#1811895
I know for a fact that there is a difference in listening with a BC2 as opposed to a BS4. The BC2 can be annoyingly sensitive - the CD's must be in perfect condition in order to play without skipping. I've had minimal issues with CD playback with the BS4, i even plays some of my old and abused discs without qualms. Happy customer! 🙂
1(
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11048437 (archived)
Bronze
Posted July 28, 2007 at 03:17 GMT
#1811896

David,

 

I have BC2 and BS4. There is no difference in listening between them!!!!!!!!!. In fact my BC2 plays everything( it is the MK2 version US) and I played almost 3-400 CD and DVD and there was no skipping whatsoever...

 Perhaps yours BC2 have some problems??

 

regards,

constantine

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