Beosound A9 Gen5 Review

[NQVHNWI]

FYI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ql0SDv8vO7g&t=166s

[Millemissen]

Excellent – thanks!

MM

[trackbeo]

<grenade> Gee, what a soft pitch.  He even tried to steer the comments section away from the equipment per se:

“… and that is our review.  Question of the day: Tell us your story…  Yeah…  A9 is gonna be the A9…  If you want more information, links are always gonna be in the description.  Share your story —  your hi-fi story.  Let’s make
that what the comments are about.”

What?!?!?  Why?  Because the first comment would be, “Wait, that’s FOUR [expletive] THOUSAND Dollars for a single-point-stereo streaming speaker!” </grenade>

Disclosure, I admit I spent $2660 to get an A9 gen.4, mostly because it looks cool & handily replaces stereo-paired Apple HomePod’s that just can’t stay in sync and play nonstop given typical Wi-Fi disturbances vs. the AirPlay2 streaming design.  But $4000 just because “we can work from our porch now” seems lame for a YouTube channel that’s ostensibly about audio.  Though it does Put Paid To anybody who claims their BeoSound 1 or Level sound like much out-of-doors, more than a meter or 2 away.

[chartz]

Blah blah. The man is listening to himself. Almost every YouTube video is like that. A written review is much better in my opinion.

[NQVHNWI]

chartz wrote:

Blah blah. The man is listening to himself. Almost every YouTube video is like that. A written review is much better in my opinion.

people like Andrew Robinson, John Darko et al are all ex-HiFi magazine writer/reviewers. Their job – and livelihood – like all these reviewers is to stitch together word salads to entertain and enthuse us to go and buy the product. An articulated advertisement if you like. Paid by sponsors and product enablers by the word.

With Robinson, at least we have someone speaking about the B&O brand and trying to project its values. Most don’t or won’t. Darko for instance tries to vblog products arguably in the lower spectrum (sub £2000-ish products).

Like all audio products, they are 100% discretionary and anyone buying an A1 or a BL90, or anything in between, you as an adult need to do your due diligence on if it meets your needs, is it worth it and can you really afford it?

At least Robinson invites you in the door to see more.

 

 

 

 

 

[Steve at Sounds Heavenly]

Hi,

I have to say that I always enjoy Andrew and Kristi’s reviews, they are music lovers who are doing a superb job of explaining what is so special about B&O to the traditional hi-fi community (who aren’t always the most open-minded people!).  For me, this review really came to life at the end when Kristi gave her views, as I was touched by her emotional response to using the A9 and how its simplicity allowed her to enjoy her music in a way that hadn’t previously been possible.

As a long time B&O fan (33 years and counting!), I can identify with this.  I share the same love for the B&O brand and products (old and new) that enthuses me to share my excitement for what B&O are doing with their latest products.

It has been a real pleasure to speak with both Andrew and Kristi on several occasions and their love for what they do is clearly the driving force behind their channel, rather than it being purely a business.

Looking on the B&O Discord and Facebook groups (where the majority of B&O fans converse), it has been encouraging to see that the overwhelming response to Andrew and Kristi’s A9 review has been positive and supportive.  Whilst we will all have our own preferred approach to reviews, I hope that B&O fans will support their channel as they are making a big difference in keeping the brand that we love alive for the future.

Kind regards, Steve.

[Millemissen]

@Steve

?

[Stan]

I thought this was a reasonable review.  I enjoyed it.  It almost made we wish I had bought an A9 vs. 2 Balances last year… almost.  Therefore, I think it worked.

I really dislike audio reviews that spend a lot of time talking about “air”, “pacing”, “spaciosness”, etc.  A person’s listening experience is so subjective, and, to me, these words don’t help much and often just come off a pretentious preening.

[Author]

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