Hello everyone,
I recently purchased a used pair of Beolab 9 speakers to replace my Beolab 3s paired with an SVS 3000 Micro subwoofer. I am very disappointed by the lack of bass from the Beolab 9s.
My Beolab 9s are connected via the line input to an Airport Express 2. The placement switch is set to “Free”, and I have even adjusted the bass switch from position 4 to 9 (as described in the service manual). I also changed the treble switch from position 4 to 0. With these settings, the sound is somewhat better. My listening room is approximately 30 m² (323 sq ft) and rectangular in shape.
The Airport Express is certainly not the best source available, but I have never had any issues with it when using my Beolab 3s.
My Beolab 3s with the subwoofer are significantly more impressive. I would even go as far as saying that the Beolab 3s on their own, without the subwoofer, perform almost as well as the Beolab 9s—just with slightly less midrange presence.
Given the Beolab 9’s design (a 500W Class D amplifier driving a 10-inch woofer), I genuinely suspect that this lack of bass may be caused by aging capacitors either in the crossover network or in the amplifier section.
If someone from Bang & Olufsen happens to see this message, is this a common issue with older Beolab 9s?
The speakers were manufactured in 2007 (serial number: 21472977).
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