Some of the top Sony equipment is superb - aimed at a totally different market , but beautifully built. Like you, I have almost exclusively bought B&O - I know what I like and I want something that is beautiful, easy to use and good sounding. I think B&O electronics are as good as just about anything on the market and cannot tell CD players and amplifiers apart anyway. Speakers are the one area where I have diversified - I have some B&W monitors and a pair of BBC LS3/5A speakers with AB1 sub woofers. I bought these when I had my MS140s re-coned by Richard Allen Ltd. I heard their LS3/5As and was sold! 

The company is Nakamichi. . they have some interesting design but are not near B&O in terms of quality. . 

I have had all kinds of equipment.  To be honest. . .panasonic panels (the commercial lines) are close to B&O when used with a B&O processor (mostly because this is where B&O starts with there plasma manufacture)

As far as speakers. .I have found the B&O have a certain ingredient that you can hear all across the range. . .they seem to be somewhat consistent in the 'way' they sound from the BL4k up (the BL4s are a different story)

As far as something that is not a 'boutique' brand like Martin/Logan, Wilson, or B&O; I think the upper end of the JBL line is pretty decent.  I have used the PRO monitors before and was happy with those. . .they are however, a commercial line and very rugged and plain looking. . .

My .02

There is loads of stuff out there which gets very close to B&O, and very often better in terms of performance.

Most of B&O's stuff is nothing special on the scale of sound quality. It sounds very good, but not mind-blowing.

However, B&O are the only company who seem to offer a lifestyle product that will also satisfy the needs of a demanding listener. For that, you cannot fault them and have to respect their position in the market. I certainly do...

My 4400 is still one of the best amps I've ever listened to though, and the BeoLab 5s are superb in every way. B&O have plenty of other genuinely great hifi in their catalogue too, BeoLab 3s, Beogram CD5500+ etc... It's just a shame a lot of it seems to be in the past...

There is a ton of other stuff out there!

 I have a pair of giant JBLs and I love them. I think they look lovely with their cherry veneers and almost sparkly tuxedo black frets. Very simple and great proportions. Sound is great too! I drive them with a Niles amplifier which is also amazing.

JBL's Synthesis line is pretty serious, would love to hear that, or even just the Project Everest speakers.

As far as receivers go, I really, really like the Yamaha Natural Sound variety. I have two or three of them!

The pro-sumer market seems to be tied up with B&W, Martin Logan, Klipsch, B&K, Magneplanar and a bunch of others.

@ evan- cheery, tuxedo's, nice way of putting it. i was watching the fantastic "departed" and matt damon had what i can only remember a "mackintosh"(dont quote me on that) system in his condo, are these any good??

i know its not from the apple stable.

mcintosh products are incredibly nice.  And incredibly expensive!  People think B&O is expensive?  Check outMcintosh

beoinbuff wrote:

mcintosh products are incredibly nice.  And incredibly expensive!  People think B&O is expensive?  Check outMcintosh

Yes, thats a popular one.

As far as price goes Mark Levinson is way way up there too. They're current monoblock amp the No. 53 is approximately USD 25,000.

jahur wrote:

@ evan- cheery, tuxedo's, nice way of putting it. i was watching the fantastic "departed" and matt damon had what i can only remember a "mackintosh"(dont quote me on that) system in his condo, are these any good??

Woops! I meant cherry 😎

Yes, McIntosh is highly regarded in the audiophile industry. They still produce tube preamps and tube amps, and some monster speakers! They're biggest loudspeaker has an array of almost 100 drivers! The look of these things are quite menacing too, large blue/green analog wattmeters and such like. Very, very cool.

I really want a pair of Richard Allen speakers. I dont care how they sound, its the fact that my name is Richard Allen and it would be great to have a pair of speakers with my name on them!