BeoLab 5s FAR more than match their price tag. Have a listen to them and you may well find the price tag justified! Either way, if you would prefer, BeoLab 3s are very ideal as rear speakers as you can get them wall mounted high up (which the rear speakers almost always should be).

Either way, bear in mind that sound is half the picture and it therefore logically follows that if you're spending nearly £20k on the BeoVision 4 (with BeoSystem 3), you should look to spend near that on the speakers.

As far as the centre channel goes, you have 3 options, the horizontal speaker (which is available in two sizes), a vertical speaker and a 'triangle' speaker. The latter two would provide a better sound when used with BeoLab 5s, so I would personally opt for them instead.

If you don't want to spend the money on the BeoLab 5s, I would recommend BeoLab 9s with a BeoLab 2 (although the BeoLab 2 is only necessary if your room is very large). Bear in mind too, BeoLab 9s + a BeoLab 2 isn't that far off the price of a pair of BeoLab 5s, but the BeoLab 5s will offer a much higher standard of performance.

Alex is absolutely right as far as value for money goes with Beolab 5's - you get a great deal for your money. However you need to tailor your sound to both your budget and your environment. Beolab 5's are remarkably good but would be of no use to me in the house in which I live - a definate case of overkill I'm afraid!

Beolab 9's are exceptionally good and possibly even better value pound for pound than Beolab 5's as they are far less obtrusive and still deliver exceptional performance from such a small cabinet.

I can only echo other Beoworlders comments that you are very lucky to have inheretited such an outstanding system with your homw purchase.

Speaker choice is an inexact science at the best of times and is such a personal issue that the only real advice that we all agree on is to look,listen and then finally decide for yourself.

Chris.

really pleased with everyones help on this,  the demo lasted around 6 hours showing me various equipment and they also set up my ps3 which was causing a lot of problems due to a software issue, really please with b and o store professionalism and they never once over sold the product, which I perfer

 The lab9 went really well at the front the lab5 were taller than the bottom of the beovision4 screen so didnt balance visually for me, they offered me 2 used lab5s 4 years old for around 4k off list price so worked out cheaper than new lab9s and a lab2 , but just cant live with the lab5 in my room as too tall.

for my square room it went as follows for me,(im no expert)

 for movies lab5/ lab 3  were 9.5/10

for music the lab 5 lab3 rears were 10/10

perfered front lab9 with lab3 rears and lab2 for movies  10/10

perfered lab9s and lab3 for music with lab2 switch off   9/10

 At rear the wife dont like the lab3s to modern for here so may have to get lab9s at rear as well (although havent listeed on this as they only had 2 lab9s. this is what they have price me on though

 what should i be aiming to pay for a new set of lab9s if i buy 2 sets and a music player, i have been offered a small discount at this stage.

 I never would have dreamed i would be paiding 10 to 14k for a speaker set up ever, but when someone leaves you a 65 beovision4 and now i have heard the sound in my home for myself, i dont have any choice, i have to have them, lol.

 will post when i have my tv room instalation completed.

 what was strange was, watching casino royal on b and o dvd player was no difference to blue ray ps3 in picture quality. you tell them apart.

£4k off BeoLab 5s! As if they weren't enough of a steal already...

rental:

 used lab5s 4 years old for around 4k off list price so............

 

hi rental,

 Could you please tell what was the final price for the used Beolab5?

I have the chance to buy a pair of usedLab5( 4 years old also) for 18000USD and I just want to know how much the  dealer charge you for a comparable speaker....

thanks,

hello no idea on the exchange rates , but a mint set there demo model, with 2 year dealer warranty 7500 pounds uk, i have seen another set on a ebay link from a shop, not sure on condition at £6750 pounds uk

 hope this helps you.

 I cant buy the fives what ever the price as they do not suit my room,  im on 9s lab2 and not sure on rears at moment.

Steve