Beolabs: 50 or 28 ?

[YannChris]

Hello Beoworlders,

I’m planning to change my current setup (Eclipse MkI + BL5) to Theater + BL 28 or BL 50.

Rear speakers are BL8000.

I mainly use my setup for TV and film watching. Music listening is secondary and, as you can imagine, my ear capabilities are decreasing along with my growing age 🙁

My heart goes to 50, my brain to 28.

But I wonder if BL50 would not be an overkilling choice.

What would be your choice, and why?

Regards,

Yann.

 

[NQVHNWI]

Having dumped the Eclipse mk1 as soon as the Theatre came out….that’s the first think I would do all over again in an instant.

The speaker choice is a bit more complicated. If you are not into listening to high quality music (with a quality non-B&O source I would add), save money on not getting the BL50s.

I am not a fan (anymore) of the BL28s and it is because I don’t like their design and the faff of the wooden slats etc.. (in fact I don’t like any B&O speaker with wooden slats but that’s me), I would keep with the BL5s.

The risk of the BL5s is that they are getting on a bit and posts seem to indicate more and more are failing/need service. This is down to your risk-aversion on unwanted repairs and part availability. I think the BL5s will be a better accompaniment to TV/film entertainment than the BL28s?

That’s my 2 cents….

[355f]

I have always admired the views of Mr 10% and I agree with the sentiments expressed to a point.

Bl5 really getting on a bit and although capable add little looks wise and now seem quite dated.

The 50s a very capable speaker but i like the design of the BL28 and rather like the magic that comes with the slats- afterall B&O has always been more about design paired with performance ( in some cases!) and 28 look good with theatre

One thing not to do is get the 20s what an awful product they seemed to be!

[YannChris]

Thanks to both of you.

I decided to change my setup because my BL5 fail on a regular 2 years basis.

One of them failed again and the electronics are gone on holidays in Denmark since March….

I’ve chosen fabric as my furniture is black lackered and wooden slats would break the harmony.

So for the time being and different reasons, 28 hold the match.

Let’s see the other Beoworlder’s arguments.

Regards,

Yann.

 

[Millemissen]

If you are only considering one pair of speakers plus the BST as the new setup, I would advice thinking of using the 18 or 28 as the surround speakers….not placing these in the front.
For a tv/movie setup this would be ideal.

Do you plan to keep the BL8000?
How big is the room etc?

MM

[YannChris]

Hi MM,

My idea is to keep the BL8000 as rear and put the new speakers as front.

The room is 30 square meters: 4,5 meters wide and 6,5 meters long.

TV and front speakers are alone on a narrow side and rear speakers at around 3,5 meters from the screen.

Yann.

[Sandyb]

I moved from 18s (up front) to 50s, but that was primarily for music reasons, as the 18s never really did it for me music wise.

But in your case, I’m pretty sure 28s are more than adequate, in fact they’d be very good for both films and music.

As for only having a Theatre up front, and using 18s/28s/8000s (whichever) as rears (the Theatre triangle, if you will), while its a feasible option (vs previous BVs) because the Theatre as centre unit can create a wider soundstage on its own than an Eclipse for example, that width only goes so far.

In the store I listened to the triangle (no fronts) and then the triangle with added 18s front L/R – and having dedicated fronts was a good deal better.

 

[Millemissen]

@Sandyb
I see what you mean – having 4 speakers is always better.
But when someone just wants 2, I always ask people to concider using these in the back (with the BST) – which may seem a bit strange coming from a previous setup.
The triangle can sound very good for movies – but in a somewhat bigger room having fronts will be a good decision, even if music has less priority.
With the 28’s in the back there is still the option of using these for (2 channel) music.

MM

[Sandyb]

not clear that the OP does just want 2 speakers

rears are 8000’s he says – assuming those are staying.

anyway, we can await his thoughts

[YannChris]

Sandyb and MM,

I will keep the 8000 as rear and the new speakers as front, it’s more convenient for music listening when sitting in the couch.

Yann.

 

[Sandyb]

thats what I thought.

theatre + 28s up front (and 8000s rears) should set you up well for years.

my living room is 5.5m by 5m – modest but not huge. I have 50s, but at times with action movies, its almost too much.

 

[AdamS]

Beolab 28s are lovely, but Beolab 50s are better. That said, if music isn’t your main priority, then I don’t think the 28s would disappoint.

It’s a shame about your Beolab 5s as I’m also of the opinion that, if they were working well, they’d be well worth sticking with.

[YannChris]

Hi Beoworlders,

Today was for me “a storm in a skull” as the decision had to be made.

Spent the afternoon comparing specifications, connections, possibilities.

Finally, I watched several very interesting videos from Geoff on B&O’s website…

And ordered BL50!

Thanks for your help and wise advices, I’ll keep you posted when my new setup will be delivered.

Kind regards,

Yann.

 

 

[matteventu]

BL50 are the best looking item in B&O portfolio and one of the best looking speakers ever released IMHO. Then perfect balance of serious look, minimal design and modern soul. They’re really a masterpiece of industrial design.

Good choice!

[Millemissen]

That is a serious setup, indeed – have fun ?

Please report back, when you have all set up and configured….and testet.

MM

[Author]

Posts