Totally disagree with the above comment. There is a complete new, young generation and this goes for most of my high earner affluent friends who simply DO NOT wish to have hifi systems, speakers everywhere and cables. They have grown up with their music on iTunes on their laptop throughout college and university. They listen to their music on the move, on the tube, whilst running, in the gym, in their cars. They are living in contemporary bijou apartments were open plan living is the order of the day. I can totally understand why they are drawn to iPod docking stations. Maybe hifi systems are suited to an older generation that is used to them but I feel us younger generation are not wanting that. we have grown up with a laptop that does everything from play music, to make CDs and DVDs, that allows us to perform graphic design, do business, share photographs and keep in touch with friends the world over!

I feel B&O will make a new fan base with this system and wish them the best of luck with it. Hopefully it will be the start of their range and they will bring a more compact version out!

Xavier,

You make a very good point and on the whole I agree entirely with your comments. I do play MP3s via my BeoLab 3s, but some people are not always fussy about such top audio quality and sound stage. Instead, they want to go into the kitchen in the morning, slot their iPhone into the dock, charge and listen to your Recently Added playlist while munching something in 10 minutes and then straight out.

Perhaps others would not use it in this way, but this would pretty much be my use for it otherwise I would definitely play via my BeoLab 3s and MasterLinked speakers in the house.

Earlier someone mentioned a Beo6 ... can someone link me to this thread?!

Stars wrote:

Earlier someone mentioned a Beo6 ... can someone link me to this thread?!

You'll find info here and here

Paul,

I'm probably even younger than you. I can assure you that never ever, will any serious AV enthusiast choose to have an iPod dock over a complete system and if they're worried about the clutter that comes with an AV setup, then they should consider B&O, as my setup has no wires on show and I challenge anyone to find a more compact loudspeaker (even passive) that has the sound and size combo of the BeoLab 3.

To bring an example to your theory, the "younger generation" you describe would wish to have ever smaller TVs, when in actual case they want bigger and bigger screens.

Not everyone is interested in having a top AV setup and for them an upper end iPod dock would be more than enough.

Stars wrote:

Lee, you have placed the sound in between BL6000 and BL8000, but how does it really compare with a BeoSound 1 (or even BeoSound Century) ... a much more attractive product too in my opinion? And in response to your question about alternative designs ... I was convinced (and hoping) BeoLab 11 was B&O's first iPod dock when I first saw it and had it been, I probably would own more than one!

It's at least one and a half times better than the already excellent sounding Century and BeoSound 1.   The top end is crisper and more natural than the often harsh sounding BeoSound 1, and the midrange is truer than the more mellow sounding Century.

Bass is where the BeoSound 8 blows the pair of them out of the water. I doubt you'd come close if you strapped a Century to a BeoSound 1 !!!

The BeoSound 8 is the best sounding iPod dock i've ever heard.  Really.

Lee

Thanks for this Lee. You really have surprised me with this info ... I look forward to hearing and seeing one for myself!

Paul Winn wrote:

affluent friends who simply DO NOT wish to have hifi systems, speakers everywhere and cables

Well, this is why I wrote that the only scenario where this is a rational purchase for people like me is the summer house where there is no other speaker/amp setup.  

Likewise, if a young person has no other audio setup, then BS 8 makes perfect sense.  Although I am betting such persons do have a perfectly serviceable TV with high-quality speakers, amp, and... AUX-IN.

But to each their own.  Like I said before, I hope this will sell well for B&O.

Interesting review. Good direction to expand the product range and fit it with Apple products but... the design of the BS8 is just awful.

Maybe you remember that we had a BeoWorld competition on the worst looking hi-fi ever - BS8 would be my second shoot. I like the remote though!

Absolutely agree. A great deal of Bang customers look to the brand to provide an elegant solution to a stereo system. They prefer a minimal integrated system - eg Century / BS1 that is easily set up and, if required, moved that provides a quality sound and experience.

In the modern age of small rented accomodation and smaller flats / apartments, such a system is ideal. As many people have pointed out the BOSE and B&W systems have sold well.

I'm not yet convinced on the look of the 8 - but I wasn't on the 1 either. The worst thing is that this system is 5 years late, that is inexcusable. Bang may not have been in such a precarious position as it is now had they had a little more foresight and faith. The same happened with HD. They seemed to take forever to get on the bandwagon - it was like they were in complete denial. They need to open their little sleepy Danish eyes - and ears!

MMMM,i think i heard enough i will wait for the mkIII now🤔