Frederik wrote:

Millemissen wrote:

And exactly this - in times where many want to have a turntable - could be a deal breaker.

They would not be able to listen to that throughout their (NL) setup.

So best think about what you need and which version you buy, before ordering.

I agree. And even where you think the voice commands would come in handy there are serious limitations. For example, you start a B&O radio station and ask something trivial like "Can you stop playing in 1 hour", it just cannot do that, only if you started playing via Google Voice.

I got a Level with GVA, it was the only version my dealer had in stock, but I actually see mostly disadvantages compared to the non-GVA version. As others have said before, I think B&O should better advertise these differences because most customers think they get more for the same price, while in practice it is not as simple.

Could you please elaborate on the disadvantages (other than the issue of privacy) of the GVA version?

beojeff wrote:

Could you please elaborate on the disadvantages (other than the issue of privacy) of the GVA version?

It's basically what has been discussed here before:

• No multiroom for line-in
• No multiroom for sources activated via voice
• No Bluetooth connectivity if not activated via Google Home
• Set-up via Google Home app
• Trivial voice commands not working with native sources (e.g. sleep function)
• For some devices no my button radio station shortcuts (this does not apply to Level and Balance)
• Software dependence on Google, see recent Sonos patent case
• Google specific bugs, e.g. it happened to me that Google thought I wanted to turn volume to 100% which I can assure is not fun :-)
• Hardware switch does not turn it into non-GVA (I think it would be ideal if it was), Google will yell at you to turn the mic back up
• To make a stereo pair you have to be aware that both versions need to be the same

I guess that's more or less it. Admittedly, whether these are disadvantages or not probably depends on how you plan to use it. On the positive side, you also have som extra's like using the my buttons to turn of the light etc.

Frederik wrote:

beojeff wrote:

Could you please elaborate on the disadvantages (other than the issue of privacy) of the GVA version?

It's basically what has been discussed here before:

 

• No multiroom for line-in
• No multiroom for sources activated via voice
• No Bluetooth connectivity if not activated via Google Home
• Set-up via Google Home app
• Trivial voice commands not working with native sources (e.g. sleep function)
• For some devices no my button radio station shortcuts (this does not apply to Level and Balance)
• Software dependence on Google, see recent Sonos patent case
• Google specific bugs, e.g. it happened to me that Google thought I wanted to turn volume to 100% which I can assure is not fun :-)
• Hardware switch does not turn it into non-GVA (I think it would be ideal if it was), Google will yell at you to turn the mic back up
• To make a stereo pair you have to be aware that both versions need to be the same

 

I guess that's more or less it. Admittedly, whether these are disadvantages or not probably depends on how you plan to use it. On the positive side, you also have som extra's like using the my buttons to turn of the light etc.

Even though those issues have been discussed before, that really helps that you've listed them together in one place. I'm okay with using GVA and not having multi-room with the line-in. My big concern is if there are features lost by having the GVA version. Otherwise, many of the disadvantages just seem to be general dissatisfaction with Google.

BeoAnna wrote:

Is the Balance really a downgrade from the BeoSound 2 though? Also, where I'm located I'm only able to get the version with GVA. I understand there's a switch underneath the speaker to disable the microphone, can someone please help me to check whether or not this is a soft or hard switch? I'm quite paranoid about having a microphone in my bedroom so I'll need to know whether or not the "microphone mute" switch will survive a reboot and even factory reset.

I have both. Indeed, I also have a Level, Edge and Stage, too.

The Balance is fantastic, but I'd put the BeoSound 2 slightly above it. It just seems a little brighter, with enough bass. Slightly more of an all-round sound, whereas the Balance is a little more focussed on mid/low-range for me.

However, it's relatively marginal. Here's the order of sound with my ears from my devices:

1) BeoSound 2
2) Balance
3) Level (love this as it's so portable)
4) Stage (better suited for TV audio)
5) BeoSound 1 (portable but weak for me)
6) Edge

I've never got used to the Edge sound. It's just weird.

moxxey wrote:

BeoAnna wrote:

Is the Balance really a downgrade from the BeoSound 2 though? Also, where I'm located I'm only able to get the version with GVA. I understand there's a switch underneath the speaker to disable the microphone, can someone please help me to check whether or not this is a soft or hard switch? I'm quite paranoid about having a microphone in my bedroom so I'll need to know whether or not the "microphone mute" switch will survive a reboot and even factory reset.

I have both. Indeed, I also have a Level, Edge and Stage, too.

The Balance is fantastic, but I'd put the BeoSound 2 slightly above it. It just seems a little brighter, with enough bass. Slightly more of an all-round sound, whereas the Balance is a little more focussed on mid/low-range for me.

However, it's relatively marginal. Here's the order of sound with my ears from my devices:

1) BeoSound 2
2) Balance
3) Level (love this as it's so portable)
4) Stage (better suited for TV audio)
5) BeoSound 1 (portable but weak for me)
6) Edge

I've never got used to the Edge sound. It's just weird.

I am surprised about the Edge. I have had a listen to it once but I cannot remember I would have placed it that low. But you are not the only one that says it sounds weird.

I dropped by my local B&O store for an audition shortly after Oslo had reopened in late August-early September I think, with the aim to listen to some of my test tracks on the Emerge, Level, Balance and Beosound 2, since I had not heard them since the launch. But I was really trying to see if I should buy the Balance or the Beosound 2.

I first tried the Emerge. It sounded pleasing to me but clearly pretty weak already around 50% volume. I might still get one later though. Somehow the sound of the Level did not come across equally pleasant to me but it was obviously a big step-up from the Emerge. I somehow expected something slightly bigger. It is perhaps just tuned more towards the mids, so I would probably adjust its sound settings if (or rather WHEN) I got myself one. I still love the Level as a whole.

Next up was the Beosound 2. Weirdly I had never had a listen to itbut I was curious based on my Beosound 1 (which I love by the way, but it is about the performance of an M3 only). The moment I heard the Beosound 2 I was blown away. There was some immediate magic about it that I find hard to describe. It really spoke to me.

When I then auditioned the Balance, I felt it was super close to the Beosound 2. Maybe more punch, but a slightly different tuning. I would really have loved to have the sound of the Beosound 2 in the design of the Balance, including the sound tech of the Balance really (such as room compensation, choice of direction, etc.). The latter argument, the possibility of a Bespoke edition and the Beolink multiroom feature in beta testing was what in the end lead me to buying the Balance. BUT, I still keep thinking about that "wow"-factor I experienced at my dealer's when I heard the Beosound 2. Really close, the Balance and the BS2, but I do agree that the BS2 has a hint of magic to it that places it slightly ahead of the Balance for me. That said though, every time I listen to the Balance (or both of them for that matter) at home, I still absolutely love it. Both in multiroom and in stereo, now that the latter works :).

And what I find even more interesting is that I have thought much more about the Beosound 2 since Beolink was launched for Mozart products. I have played around with different placements of my Beosound 1 and the two Balances, and multiroom is already fantastic as is, but I know how incredible it would be with a Beosound 2 placed between two rooms with a Balance in each. It would feel like all-embracing on a higher volume. Which the Level might not fit into since it is not omni-directional.

It hurts a bit that they have increased the price so much on the BS2.

Csaba wrote:

I am surprised about the Edge. I have had a listen to it once but I cannot remember I would have placed it that low. But you are not the only one that says it sounds weird.

When I bought it - which was really cheap at the time, at only £1450 as it was ex demo - the dealer told me that it "has a unique sound, we say it has an American sound" and I bought it off the internet without testing it, but I had heard the Edge in the Berlin store. Wasn't as good as an A9, but sounded decent.

I think with the Edge, it depends on the location of the speaker, size of room and type of audio. The Berlin store has theirs mounted on the wall and it's a big space, so the sound was 'big'.

The Edge in an apartment is a different beast and the sound is just a little odd. I think if you only owned an Edge, you probably wouldn't notice, but compared to a BeoSound 2 or Balance, it sounds like something I can't even explain properly. Never have. Just 'odd'. And I wouldn't buy it above even a Level, which is why I can't recommend it too highly.

moxxey wrote:

Csaba wrote:

I am surprised about the Edge. I have had a listen to it once but I cannot remember I would have placed it that low. But you are not the only one that says it sounds weird.

When I bought it - which was really cheap at the time, at only £1450 as it was ex demo - the dealer told me that it "has a unique sound, we say it has an American sound" and I bought it off the internet without testing it, but I had heard the Edge in the Berlin store. Wasn't as good as an A9, but sounded decent.

I think with the Edge, it depends on the location of the speaker, size of room and type of audio. The Berlin store has theirs mounted on the wall and it's a big space, so the sound was 'big'.

The Edge in an apartment is a different beast and the sound is just a little odd. I think if you only owned an Edge, you probably wouldn't notice, but compared to a BeoSound 2 or Balance, it sounds like something I can't even explain properly. Never have. Just 'odd'. And I wouldn't buy it above even a Level, which is why I can't recommend it too highly.

Yes, that's the thing. You do get an idea when auditioning speakers at your dealer's, but they might sound completely different in your home.

Placement clearly has a role to play regardless of where you try the speaker out. For example if you are at your dealer's and the Balance is placed in a completely different spot compared to the Beosound 2 and it's those two you'd like to have a fair comparison of, then you might get a misleading impression unless they are actually placed side by side.

The Level for example was in the middle of the room on a table, opposite of the headphones, stood horizontal. I suppose you'd have a better bass response too if it stood right next to a wall.

Then you bring it home, only to realize that in the acoustics of your home it is completely different. So it is also very much about improving the acoustics of your space. I still have some to improve on that front.

I also agree that it is really in your own environment that you can have a real test, especially when comparing different speakers and learning about their character. At your dealer's you might get an impression of how else it might also sound, at home you might be pulled back down to earth or might have an even better experience of the speaker.

I have seen a video from Henrik @ BOTF where B&O was talking about the Level (among other products) in a space that looked like somebody's home. It started a conversation about how B&O should have stores that replicate people's homes in order to showcase a more realistic application of their speakers. As opposed to just a store with speakers in it. But of course it is a cost issue.

Frederik wrote:

It's basically what has been discussed here before:

 

• No multiroom for line-in
• No multiroom for sources activated via voice
• No Bluetooth connectivity if not activated via Google Home
• Set-up via Google Home app
• Trivial voice commands not working with native sources (e.g. sleep function)
• For some devices no my button radio station shortcuts (this does not apply to Level and Balance)
• Software dependence on Google, see recent Sonos patent case
• Google specific bugs, e.g. it happened to me that Google thought I wanted to turn volume to 100% which I can assure is not fun :-)
• Hardware switch does not turn it into non-GVA (I think it would be ideal if it was), Google will yell at you to turn the mic back up
• To make a stereo pair you have to be aware that both versions need to be the same

 

I guess that's more or less it. Admittedly, whether these are disadvantages or not probably depends on how you plan to use it. On the positive side, you also have som extra's like using the my buttons to turn of the light etc.

Thank you very much Frederik for this. There seriously needs to be a thread just for this list, but ultimately it’s B&O’s job to make sure that customers are able to make an informed purchasing decision and this is where they have unfortunately failed. It shouldn’t take a customer to wonder “WTF?” after purchasing a gimped product to only find out online post-purchase of some ridiculously unreasonable and unforeseeable limitation(s).

I do have an update though:

After getting in touch with my dealer they admitted that this specific limitation of the GVA model is an issue (one which they did provide feedback to B&O in Denmark about) and they originally offered for me to drag this rather hefty chunk of aluminium all the way back to the showroom just to have them do the initial Google setup for me; lol. I told them that I wasn’t comfortable with my speaker being tied to a Google account I wasn’t in control of, and I also said that I’m not inclined to have to bring the speaker down every single time I need to Factory Reset the damn thing — like I’ve done a combined dozen times already on my BS1 & BS2 — when things inevitably break after some random update. Eventually they conceded and allowed me to exchange my Balance for the one remaining non-GVA model which they apparently had left.

Unfortunately it wasn’t in Nordic Ice as I had originally wanted, it’s really such a gorgeous finish, but the marble on the Gold Tone is not too shabby.

I am happy to report that the non-GVA Balance is working as intended and Bluetooth is functional without having to muck around with any of the Google Home setup nonsense; I do already miss the Nordic Ice though. Oh well. I did ask if they could order one but apparently Denmark is out of stock already, must be selling really well especially considering the Gold Tone is still easy to get.

My dealer did warn me though that the speaker may still pester me — via voice prompts — to complete the first time setup though. Is this actually an issue? I haven’t heard a single voice since powering the speaker up. Time will tell I guess.

Sound-wise I can definitely see why some prefer the BS2. For me it depends on positioning honestly; the midrange drivers pointing sideways on the BS2 have always bothered me and you can kinda tell when standing in front of the speaker that the midrange is a little muted. You don’t get that on the Balance since it has a gazillion drivers. I also prefer the bass on the Balance.

So a happy ending for me at last but I did kinda get the impression that my dealer wasn’t too keen on an exchange but that’s an issue they need to bring up with Denmark heh. I do feel for them though and it sucks that they got stuck in the middle of this mess.

And sure this issue might be entirely Google’s doing but that’s what B&O gets for selling their soul to the devil. Screw Google.

Oh and I also noticed that the non-GVA Balance starts up and updates WAY faster than the GVA model. There must seriously be a colossal amount of bloat and spyware packaged in the GVA speakers for them to take 2-3X longer to boot and update.

moxxey wrote:

Csaba wrote:

I am surprised about the Edge. I have had a listen to it once but I cannot remember I would have placed it that low. But you are not the only one that says it sounds weird.

When I bought it - which was really cheap at the time, at only £1450 as it was ex demo - the dealer told me that it "has a unique sound, we say it has an American sound" and I bought it off the internet without testing it, but I had heard the Edge in the Berlin store. Wasn't as good as an A9, but sounded decent.

I think with the Edge, it depends on the location of the speaker, size of room and type of audio. The Berlin store has theirs mounted on the wall and it's a big space, so the sound was 'big'.

The Edge in an apartment is a different beast and the sound is just a little odd. I think if you only owned an Edge, you probably wouldn't notice, but compared to a BeoSound 2 or Balance, it sounds like something I can't even explain properly. Never have. Just 'odd'. And I wouldn't buy it above even a Level, which is why I can't recommend it too highly.

@Moxxey-

I seem to recall that you're a GVA user. Perhaps you'd like to contribute your opinions regarding the features, advantages, and disadvantages of the GVA vs. non-GVA versions.

Yesterday, I made the purchase of the GVA Beosound 2 in bronze. Having it tied in to my Google account doesn't bother me.

BeoAnna wrote:

Oh well. I did ask if they could order one but apparently Denmark is out of stock already, must be selling really well especially considering the Gold Tone is still easy to get.

I don't know where you are based, but in Belgium the Nordic Ice non-GVA is still in stock on the B&O website for delivery next day.