Discussion
When I was a kid, B&O was really flash. As I got older, people said it was trinkets for rich people.
Well I'm in the market for some new kit. Is B&O actually any good, from a technical and performance point of view? Is it form over function? There are a couple of stores within an hour of me, but I don't want to waste anybody's time (except yours) by visiting if it's not what I want.
Well I'm in the market for some new kit. Is B&O actually any good, from a technical and performance point of view? Is it form over function? There are a couple of stores within an hour of me, but I don't want to waste anybody's time (except yours) by visiting if it's not what I want.
Denis O said:
I've always felt that B&O stuff was form over function and ended up with a complete Naim system with B&W speakers.
The only way you'll know is to demo the B&O stuff, using music that you know, and then you can decide which way to go.
Nobody else has your ears.
Sorry, my mistake. Telly, not hifi The only way you'll know is to demo the B&O stuff, using music that you know, and then you can decide which way to go.
Nobody else has your ears.
TheGuru said:
I just think they are hopelessly overpriced in comparison to what you could buy otherwise.
ETA : Aren't the TV's just LG's with pretty cabinets and a big price tag?
No idea, which is why I'm asking, before I schlep over and have a proper look. I do like LG tellies; I've got about four.ETA : Aren't the TV's just LG's with pretty cabinets and a big price tag?
Edited by TheGuru on Thursday 18th May 12:02
Doofus said:
When I was a kid, B&O was really flash. As I got older, people said it was trinkets for rich people.
Well I'm in the market for some new kit. Is B&O actually any good, from a technical and performance point of view? Is it form over function? There are a couple of stores within an hour of me, but I don't want to waste anybody's time (except yours) by visiting if it's not what I want.
What are you actually wanting? a HiFi? I'd stick with more traditional equipment setups and stayaway from heavily 'lifestyle' marketed brands a la Bose/B&O etc.Well I'm in the market for some new kit. Is B&O actually any good, from a technical and performance point of view? Is it form over function? There are a couple of stores within an hour of me, but I don't want to waste anybody's time (except yours) by visiting if it's not what I want.
You'd do better at a Richer Sounds, not that all they sell is golden but it's closer.
GrumpyTwig said:
Doofus said:
When I was a kid, B&O was really flash. As I got older, people said it was trinkets for rich people.
Well I'm in the market for some new kit. Is B&O actually any good, from a technical and performance point of view? Is it form over function? There are a couple of stores within an hour of me, but I don't want to waste anybody's time (except yours) by visiting if it's not what I want.
What are you actually wanting? a HiFi? I'd stick with more traditional equipment setups and stayaway from heavily 'lifestyle' marketed brands a la Bose/B&O etc.Well I'm in the market for some new kit. Is B&O actually any good, from a technical and performance point of view? Is it form over function? There are a couple of stores within an hour of me, but I don't want to waste anybody's time (except yours) by visiting if it's not what I want.
You'd do better at a Richer Sounds, not that all they sell is golden but it's closer.
Yer some of their stuff is more badge than substance but products like the QC35 headphones are truly the best noise cancelling items on the market.
Personally the B&O noise cancelling headphones beat the Bose in everyway.
Go and view the TVs and make your own mind up. Just bear in mind the following when looking at price.
The build quality is superb. Real aluminium and glass.
The TVs all include a vary powerful sound engine, handling full surround sound and loads of different settings and options built into the TV. Easily the equivalent of a £1500 surround processor.
The in built speakers are already superb, before you add any more.
Additional speakers can be added wirelessly for ful surround sound.
The TV will work as part of a B&O multi room music setup out of the box. You just add speakers in other rooms from £500.
Every panel is calibrated and setup before leaving the factory.
All picture and sound processing is B&O specific, and very effective.
The remote included is a thing of Beauty and will control all devices connected to the tv without any additional purchase.
A BeoLink gateway (-about £1500) will let you control lights, door access, etc etc straight from the TV and included remote.
So yes, they are expensive but often when prices against a Samsung, LG etc with surround processor, single remote and a bit of automation thrown in work out cheaper as so much is bundled with the B&O to start with
Go and view the TVs and make your own mind up. Just bear in mind the following when looking at price.
The build quality is superb. Real aluminium and glass.
The TVs all include a vary powerful sound engine, handling full surround sound and loads of different settings and options built into the TV. Easily the equivalent of a £1500 surround processor.
The in built speakers are already superb, before you add any more.
Additional speakers can be added wirelessly for ful surround sound.
The TV will work as part of a B&O multi room music setup out of the box. You just add speakers in other rooms from £500.
Every panel is calibrated and setup before leaving the factory.
All picture and sound processing is B&O specific, and very effective.
The remote included is a thing of Beauty and will control all devices connected to the tv without any additional purchase.
A BeoLink gateway (-about £1500) will let you control lights, door access, etc etc straight from the TV and included remote.
So yes, they are expensive but often when prices against a Samsung, LG etc with surround processor, single remote and a bit of automation thrown in work out cheaper as so much is bundled with the B&O to start with
Take a visit to the dealer. Most are pretty decent folk who are happy to talk you through what they have.
Is B&O the absolute pinnacle of audio and visual perfection? Well, sound and vision, like beauty, are in the ear and eye of the beholder and so you make up your own mind.
The thing about B&O is that it's an experience. The way that it interacts with you is something else; even after 30 or so years of B&O ownership, a TV that turns to greet you when you turn it on, a volume control that has a damping return, bluetooth headphones that switch off when you touch the earpieces together, a speaker than can tell which angle you approach it from, a phone that allows you to control the volume on the TV, a wireless speaker that connects to a CD player that connects to a TV.... these things still cause an tingle of excitement.
HiFi, TV - you live with this stuff day in day out whether it's on or not. B&O is exciting and an ownership experience even when it's not on.
And it lasts. A bit like a Rolex.
Is B&O the absolute pinnacle of audio and visual perfection? Well, sound and vision, like beauty, are in the ear and eye of the beholder and so you make up your own mind.
The thing about B&O is that it's an experience. The way that it interacts with you is something else; even after 30 or so years of B&O ownership, a TV that turns to greet you when you turn it on, a volume control that has a damping return, bluetooth headphones that switch off when you touch the earpieces together, a speaker than can tell which angle you approach it from, a phone that allows you to control the volume on the TV, a wireless speaker that connects to a CD player that connects to a TV.... these things still cause an tingle of excitement.
HiFi, TV - you live with this stuff day in day out whether it's on or not. B&O is exciting and an ownership experience even when it's not on.
And it lasts. A bit like a Rolex.
DELETED: Comment made by a member who's account has been deleted.
You said Phillips parts bin, and that's b
ks although it could have been said thirty years ago.Therefore you are spouting b
ks and need to do more research before putting a badly informed opinion on the internet in response to someone who was asking for informed comment in response to his question.In todays world where TV's go in and out of fashion over a four year period....plasma, LED, OLED, 8K, 3 D, Ultra HD and who knows what else.....2 HDMI sockets, 6 HDMI sockets....we are in a world of ever changing technology. beautiful as they are I would be very worried about how soon it will become obsolete. Style of performance possibly not, style over technology possibly.
Why not step outside the box completely and buy a Loewe Bild 5 or 7?
Why not step outside the box completely and buy a Loewe Bild 5 or 7?
belleair302 said:
In todays world where TV's go in and out of fashion over a four year period....plasma, LED, OLED, 8K, 3 D, Ultra HD and who knows what else.....2 HDMI sockets, 6 HDMI sockets....we are in a world of ever changing technology. beautiful as they are I would be very worried about how soon it will become obsolete. Style of performance possibly not, style over technology possibly.
Why not step outside the box completely and buy a Loewe Bild 5 or 7?
I'd never heard of them before. They will, of course, be just as susceptible to the lsce of technology change.Why not step outside the box completely and buy a Loewe Bild 5 or 7?
Well, i've just come back from a B&O store and just bought a tv.
I'd been dithering for some months, and also this morning about which model.
To me, part of the appeal is the aesthetics as i'm going to a fair bit of effort and expense on renovating my house and I want a tv that looks stylish when its switched off. Picture quality i think is good but i accept the best LG and Samsung tvs will be better.
I believe the screens are from LG but the processing is proprietry and sound of course is their own as well.
Where i think they excel is integration with their other products eg built in sound processor, wifi for speakers, tv can be connected to home network and is also compatible with lighting systems such as lutron, door entry systems etc.
As a tv on its own i suspect they are quite expensive although you can spend a lot on top end LG and Samsung. They tend to keep their value well and they tend to last.
I part exchanged my old speakers last year for 300 which i bought for 800 second hand about ten years ago. Sold hifi and an old tv as well. Most of the items were 15-20 years old and nothing eent wrong with them.
Loewe is another good brand, i currently have one of their tvs which is now 7 years old but its starting to play up a little and looks a bit naff
I'd been dithering for some months, and also this morning about which model.
To me, part of the appeal is the aesthetics as i'm going to a fair bit of effort and expense on renovating my house and I want a tv that looks stylish when its switched off. Picture quality i think is good but i accept the best LG and Samsung tvs will be better.
I believe the screens are from LG but the processing is proprietry and sound of course is their own as well.
Where i think they excel is integration with their other products eg built in sound processor, wifi for speakers, tv can be connected to home network and is also compatible with lighting systems such as lutron, door entry systems etc.
As a tv on its own i suspect they are quite expensive although you can spend a lot on top end LG and Samsung. They tend to keep their value well and they tend to last.
I part exchanged my old speakers last year for 300 which i bought for 800 second hand about ten years ago. Sold hifi and an old tv as well. Most of the items were 15-20 years old and nothing eent wrong with them.
Loewe is another good brand, i currently have one of their tvs which is now 7 years old but its starting to play up a little and looks a bit naff
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