We've had ours installed for 24 hrs and I thought I would report our experiences.
Compatibility
1. Whereas the European versions have limited compatibility with the Euro versions of BeoLine 1, BeoCom 6000 Mk2 and BeoCom 2, it turns out that BeoCom 5-US/BeoLine 2-US is completely incompatible with BeoCom 1, BeoLine 1-US, BeoCom 6000-US, and BeoCom 2-US. This is because these other US systems run at frequencies other than 1.92Ghz, which is what BeoCom 5-US uses. Euro BeoCom 5 uses DECT 1.9 Ghz, whereas the US version is DECT 6.0.
1.1 We've decided to operate BeoLine 1-US and BeoLine 2-US side by side in the backwall of a storage space. They do not interfere with each other because the older one is 2.4GHz, the newer one is, as noted, 1.92GHz. We are thus able to keep a bit of variety. The downside is that phonebooks are not shared across terminals made for each system and each system's terminals cannot page each other.
USB
2. Both BeoLine 2 and BeoCom 5 are powered via transformers which have a female USB connector. Each device has a device-specific plug on the device side and a standard fullsize flat male USB connector on the transformer side. The dealer told us we can power BeoCom 5 from anything including a computer, but the manual states one should use only B&O authorized accesories. The BeoLine 2 manual states one should only use the supplied USB transformer, which outputs 5V (USB standard) and 0.7A.
2.1 The black USB transformers are made in Germany.
Speakerphone base/charger
3. One can unplug the speakerphone and take it elsewhere; it is then powered by the handset's battery for up to 4 hours of talk time. We found no difference in loudness or quality from a plugged speakerphone base to an unplugged one. Volume levels are adjustable only during a call, with levels from 1 to 8. This is annoying because volume cannot be adjusted while one is ringing another party. We found performance very lacking at volumes 1 and 2, as our caller's voice quickly shifted (<1s.) from barely audible to audible to barely audible. I speculate this is because of some sort of haywire echo-preventer or ambient-noise adjuster. In our environment, in repeated blind tests, volume 4 produced results indistinguishable to the user and to the caller from the speakerphone on our BeoCom 3, which features a world-class speakerphone. The BeoCom 3's speakerphone, however, produces outstanding results at any volume save the very highest of its range.
Handset
4. In my initial excitement, I tried to make my first call putting the screen-side to my ear, like all other phones, so my initial call was less than successful and ended up hanging up and needlessly checking my cable connections. Beware of your future visitors and BeoCom 5!
4.1 The handset is very light. Weighs a lot less than an iPhone and I think less than a BeoCom 1/BeoCom 6000.
4.2 This morning the handset was accidentally dropped 29 inches / 74 cm to a marble floor —it wasn't me. Careful inspection revealed no scratches or dents. Even better performance than our first BeoCom 6000, which dented almost imperceptibly on a corner edge under similar conditions.
4.3 The phonebook can store up to three numbers per named entry: home/mobile/work.
4.4 Missed calls are reported as "New Calls". This announcement will not go away until you manually hit OK to see whose calls you missed, even if you make calls and happen to call these same people. This behavior is similar to BeoCom 3, but at least BeoCom 3 does not stop showing the clock while at idle because of this.
4.5 Hitting L1 while on an L2 call hangs up L2. It is required that one depress HOLD prior to switching lines. This is the same as BeoCom 1 but not as BeoCom 3.
4.6 I want my BeoCom 1/6000 keyboard back! You can operate a 6000 with your eyes closed . Key 5 on BeoCom 1 even has a protuberance so you can align your fingers for eyes-up operation. The BeoCom 5 keyboard is an atrocious step back in usability. On the other hand, BeoCom 5's keyboard is backlighted.
4.7 The graphics on the screen are modern, B&O-like, well designed, and attractive. Great use of "watermark" graphics to show which line one is using. The screen's technology, however, is passé and inferior. Colors shift depending on one's angle to the screen. There are eight colors to thematize the user interface. I liked white-red because it matches BeoPort for Windows (as I recall), but we settled on white-orange.
4.8 BeoCom 1/3/6000 still used the same mechanical wheel from 1998 and analogous to the 1st generation iPod of 2001. BeoCom 5's wheel, while still mechanical, is now a clickwheel like the one first introduced in the iPod Mini of 2004, meaning that the wheel itself can be depressed at various points in its circumference, in addition to retaining the original center button. I love it.
4.9 If BeoCom 5's screen and keyboard backlight is dimmed, lifting or moving the phone turns it on. Very nice.
4.10 Speaker base, Beoline 2 and BeoCom 5 all made in Czechia. All our other BeoCom kit going back to BeoCom 2400 was made in Denmark.
4.11 Products ordered 25-Nov and arrived Dec-18. Price $785+tax = $839.95, no extra shipping charge.
Conclusion
All in all, an easy to use, high quality modern phone that will still turn on and control volume on our BL 2000 and 3500 and control volume on our BS 3000. A worthwhile adieu and last-in-the-line for Bang & Olufsen telephones. 🤒
