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Beolab 5 - Four Questionable Technologies

I'm looking to buy a high-end speaker system and have become enamored by the Beolab 5 Powered Speakers by B&O.

In their literature the tout 4 technologies that set them apart.
I am not an audiophile (yet) but wonder what those with more experience think about these four ideas.

1. An Acoustic Lens technology
This means a much wider dispersion of high frequencies. Supposedly this makes sweet spot for listening is much larger. This means you can sit in different places or move around and still have optimal sound.

2. Adaptive Bass Control
This uses a microphone in each speaker to calibrate the low frequency interaction with the room. This permits a wider range of speaker placement. For example, one could be near a wall, or one could be near a corner and this would compensate.

3. Digital Signal Processing
Being all digital, each speaker is calibrated (tweaked) before leaving Denmark to match a reference speaker. This is not possible with analog systems. It assures a that all of the speakers sound the same, a sort of quality control.

4. Digital Amplification
Each of the speakers has four digital amps; one for each driver. Somehow, by being digital Class D amps they can be smaller and run cooler than other amps. That allows them to put 4 powerful amps insider the very confined space of the speaker enclosure. The high power allows peak sound levels of 115 to 120 dB.

Thoughts and comments on any of these four technologies would be appreciated.

And, if you have heard these speakers, do you think they are for real.
hdomke
macrojack
1,303 posts
 
Every manufacturer who uses the ICE power module buys it from B&O.
Many innovations have issued from B&O over the years. An investigation into the company will uncover a rich background of audio firsts.
Several years ago, I made a pilgrimage to the B&O mall store in the Cherry Creek Shopping Center to hear the Beolab 5. I thought it was very intriguing and lived up to their hype. I can't offer any more than that because it was too long ago and because the listening environment was positively abysmal. I do remember that the dispersion was extremely broad and seemed consistent and that you could hear the correction when the salesman reset the automatic room correction calibration.

I think that anyone who isn't especially anal about audio would think that they are exquisite. I also remember that using them with analog required some kind of forfeiture of features. You'll have to do your own research on that point however as I can't think of what the deal was in retrospect.

$8000 for a used pair seems like a very worthwhile experiment provided you can feel comfortable about your seller. I think you could probably run a MacBook straight into them with a USB adaptor.
shadorne's avatar
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shadorne
7,477 posts
 
Just be aware that omnidirectionals work best pulled way out into the room (6 to 8 feet from wall/window). The Wilsons will give you more placement options, IMHO.

If you place the BEO 5's too close to those glass windows then the soundstage may collapse and it will sound "claustrophobic". These type speakers are not as forgiving with regards to placement as conventional forward radiating designs.
hdomke OP
40 posts
 
Onhwy61
I suspect that the typical B&O buyer enjoys music just as much as any audiophile, but unlike the audiophile they keep the same components for years without any changes.
I'm interested by that comment. Are you saying that to be a bona-fide Audiophile one must change out gear rather frequently? If so, that suggests that the audio quality is not the issue, but the pleasure of changing gear and tweaking. Yes?

Incidentally, you are right that I plan to buy the Beolab 5 and hold on to it for a couple decades. I guess I won't be able to call myself an Audiophile.
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shadorne
7,477 posts
 
20+ years is a long time - so choose wisely. If you want a statement/conversation piece then the Beolab looks like it came from Forbidden Planet - no guest will miss it - it is a stunning art item as well as a speaker. Since you listen to music as a background thing then it may well be the correct choice. However it is towards the "unconventional" fringes of designs. The Wilson's may not elicit automatic comments from guests but they are a more conventional tried and proven box speaker design with plenty of models in service for many years and with many parts available.
martykl
3,578 posts
 
Hdomke,

People have their own definitions, but IMHO an audiophile is a hardware hobbyist. You needn't ever swap out gear, but if you meet the definition of "audiophile", you're always thinking about it at some level. If that's not you - Don't call yourself an audiophile! (and certainly don't feel slighted)

The Beolab looks very interesting, but for much less cah you can implement full spectrum deqx processing/digital X-over with any # of speakers featuring the dispersion pattern of your choice. The packaging will probably be less slick than the B&O and the set-up more labor intensive, but the results should meet or surpass the Beo-Lab for most (though probably not all) ears.

Good Luck,

Marty
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