What is the best TV B&O ever made?

60 replies
BE
Offline
Beoet
Bronze
Posted December 15, 2017 at 13:39 GMT
#2067155

Found this thread, which is still relevant, I think.

But having and still watching one of the best design BV's ever (the BV5) also represent a challenge: I want to upgrade to min. a FullHD BV with HDMI inputs, but my wife (she's an architect...) does not want to replace the iconic and timeless BV5 furniture / piece of art with a lesser good-looking TV.  Just how the 4 corners of the aluminium frame of the BV5 have been laid out, is a buty in itself, IMO.

This upgrade decision is therefore one of the most challenging we've been through, balancing: design, functionality (backward ML-compatibility), picture quality, longevity, usability (with the other B&O systems we have), price and build quality. So - can the BV12-65 or BV11-55 or Eclipse match the BV5 when the TV is turned off??

BA
Offline
Badgersurf
Bronze
Posted December 15, 2017 at 15:04 GMT
#2067156

Some one on ebay had replaced the screen with a UHD screen so had HDMI and the normal BV5 bits

KM
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KMA
Bronze
Posted December 15, 2017 at 17:02 GMT
#2067157
BeoET wrote:

This upgrade decision is therefore one of the most challenging we've been through, balancing: design, functionality (backward ML-compatibility), picture quality, longevity, usability (with the other B&O systems we have), price and build quality. So - can the BV12-65 or BV11-55 or Eclipse match the BV5 when the TV is turned off??

I've always considered BeoVision 11 a more modern version of BV5. Absolutely beautiful when switched off. The construction of the TV and how the aluminium frame has been designed and put together is just perfect.

Also, in many ways, BeoVision 11 is the "last true BeoVision". In my few years of ownerwhip, I never had a single issue with it. Pure B&O, right down to its operation and simplistic user interface. The audio engine is good for years to come, if you ever want to add BeoLabs. Picture is ways ahead of BV5. Connectivity with old & new B&O products is faultless.

Just throw in an Apple TV, and you have a design classic with up-to-date smart features! I cannot speak highly enough of BV11 – I consider it the perfect successor of BV5.

BE
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Beoet
Bronze
Posted December 15, 2017 at 17:26 GMT
#2067158

Agree KMA, the BV11 is a beautiful piece of art - a fantastic BV that's for sure, but: Can the edge-lit LCD display compete with a plasma/OLED wrt black level and viewing angle? Also some issues with dust inside the screen for the BV11 - even if I think that this is not a big issue?

Peter
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Peter
Gold
Posted December 15, 2017 at 18:38 GMT
#2067159

The BV10 and 11 are very good looking - almost seeming to float. However the sound is not in the same ball park as the BV5.

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
KM
Offline
KMA
Bronze
Posted December 15, 2017 at 19:04 GMT
#2067160
BeoET wrote:

Agree KMA, the BV11 is a beautiful piece of art - a fantastic BV that's for sure, but: Can the edge-lit LCD display compete with a plasma/OLED wrt black level and viewing angle? Also some issues with dust inside the screen for the BV11 - even if I think that this is not a big issue?

Black levels are of course not on OLED levels, but B&O did a good job with the BV11 panel (1.5D local dimming) & Contrast Glass: for an LCD, BV11 got good reviews for contrast. With even a little ambient light in the room, I didn't find the black level to be lacking. Until I saw OLED 😁 – once you go OLED, there's no going back!

I'm not certain which generation Panasonic plasma panel was used in BV5, but it must have been an early version, given the age of BV5 (HD ready 42" panel). Black levels on early plasmas were not even nearly pitch black, and LCDs have improved a great deal.

I would of course recommend having a viewing session at your dealer. I'm certain however that the black level and picture quality of BV11 will not dissappoint. I found the picture to be the best of any LCD I've owned – and I've owned a few! It is bested by BV7-55, but the design is entirely different too.

Viewing angle is another thing: the colors / contrast of LCDs fade when viewed too far off-axis. BV11's motorized stand comes in handy here to minimize the viewing angle issue.

I recall reading about dust behind the contrast glass on this forum, but I never noticed any dust in my BV11-46 Mk I. I believe B&O improved the sealing with later Marks, latest being Mk IV or V. So I would not worry too much about it.

It's a great TV. My all-time favorite BeoVisions have been Avant 32 RF DVD and BeoVision 11.
KM
Offline
KMA
Bronze
Posted December 15, 2017 at 19:09 GMT
#2067161
Peter wrote:

The BV10 and 11 are very good looking - almost seeming to float. However the sound is not in the same ball park as the BV5.

Peter

I'd like to add that the sound of BV11 is miles ahead of BV10. BV10 sounded weak; with BV11, B&O got the sound in this slender design right (2 x 3-way speakers).
D(
Offline
didole (archived2)
Bronze
Posted December 15, 2017 at 19:28 GMT
#2067162

seethroughyou wrote:
Given the release of two recent TVs not to wide acclaim here, I'd love to hear your thoughts on the best TV ever made by B&O and why you still hold on to it or miss it even now.

Without a single doubt: The original Avant 28" (VHS). The moment I saw it first I knew that this is what I wanted. I saved up for two years until I finally could afford it, and kept it for 10 years.

T(
Offline
The_Beonic_Man (archived2)
Bronze
Posted December 15, 2017 at 19:45 GMT
#2067163

KMA wrote:
I'm not certain which generation Panasonic plasma panel was used in BV5, but it must have been an early version, given the age of BV5 (HD ready 42" panel). Black levels on early plasmas were not even nearly pitch black, and LCDs have improved a great deal.

Possibly Panasonic D5 or D6 panels as the BV9 started from D7 I for the Mk 1 I think. Can't quite remember but Lee would know I am sure.

M(
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moxxey (archived2)
Bronze
Posted December 15, 2017 at 21:37 GMT
#2067164

I've had a lot of B&O TVs and, on balance, the most impressive for me is the BV12-65. Not a single issue or problem since it was installed, superb smooth picture and solidly-made.

Only issue is the centre speaker, which is very basic.

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