Isn’t the sound more for background/ ambient listening, as opposed to focussed two channel?

If you’ve a preference for the latter, it might not be for you (placement/ usage notwithstanding).

But there seem to be plenty of users who quite like the band on the wall sound.

moxxey wrote:

The Shape isn't something discussed at length on this forum, so wanted a few opinions:

IMO the best B&o design this last decade. It has a hugh WOW factor.

First my setup only had 4 tiles with speakers connected to one amp (and a lot of dampers). Now I upgraded to 8 tiles with two amps. I love the sound, I find it astonishing. Especially the  sound modes option has made the sound experience of the Shape even better (mode settings: BandOnTheWall, Stereo, Following; to be set in the app).

Installation: did it my self. The hardest was to get the cables though the wall 🙂 (Idea: install not only a LAN and main cable but also an AUX cable to connect a device to the Core. I'm planning to connect the BS5e that way to the Core)

EDIT: pre-install also a PL cable; for the possibillity to connect the Shape to a BV

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Carolpa wrote:

Installation: did it my self. The hardest was to get the cables though the wall 🙂 (Idea: install not only a LAN and main cable but also an AUX cable to connect a device to the Core. I'm planning to connect the BS5e that way to the Core)

Thanks for the feedback. Just been to see the builds and as they are 80% finished, it offers an opportunity to channel the cables in to the walls.

They do look great. I was thinking of starting with 8 panels. Part of me wants this as it looks amazing. If it only offers a background/ambient noise, that's not so bad, as it would be on the wall in the kitchen/diner and would play through the French doors to the outdoor area, too!

You've also gone for the colours I would choose!

moxxey wrote:

If it only offers a background/ambient noise, that's not so bad,

It offers more than just background..........

One of the best B&o purchase the last years. 

 

 

4 speakers is roughly equivalent to 2 bl17’s, not exactly but close. 6 speakers is more obviously. Dampers help a lot for room acoustics too. Installation is fairly simple if you have a level just time consuming 😎

@moxxey

8 tiles ( = 4 speakers) is a good start.

But, beware - after the description of the room - you will very soon extend it to a 8 speaker version.

These Shape installations tend to be rather addictive ;-))

MM

I'm glad that moxxey brought up this thread.  I have so many Shape questions.  One question I asked a dealer:  when moving up from 4 speakers (the minimum) to 6 speakers or more, what do I get for my money?  Speaker tiles cost more than damper tiles.  In addition, moving past 4 speakers requires a second amp.  What do extra speakers bring to the party?

I hoped the answer would be that the Shape algorithm would do something clever with the speakers, like extending the frequency response of the unit, maybe ganging together two speakers to act as a virtual subwoofer.  Or do something with the imaging.  Surely the answer can't be 'more dBs,'

The response from B&O corporate (the dealer had to ask) was: the additional speakers (plus amp) create a fuller atmosphere to the sound and allow for more body in the audio.

Does anyone have a better answer, or is that the best answer?

Regarding ambient 'band on the wall' versus stereo imaging, Henrik has two contrasting videos on this topic.  Apparently, the Shape can handle either via configuration in the app,

1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-MXyo5wYLGw

2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBn8J65RU-E

BeoFrederic wrote:

The response from B&O corporate (the dealer had to ask) was: the additional speakers (plus amp) create a fuller atmosphere to the sound and allow for more body in the audio.

Does anyone have a better answer, or is that the best answer?

I read a Shape review before bed last night which seem to suggest small Shape can 'lose' you if you move around the room quite a bit and the sound is only most effective with at least 4 speakers (or 8 dampers in total). I think I'd start with 8 and potentially move up later.

The important part for me is channeling the initial cables in to the walls! I don't really want to see the power cable hanging off the core to the floor. Ideally, I'd like to avoid this: