📍 *Learn more about the B&O Beolab 28: **bit.ly/3pK2B4y* ★ *CLICK “SHOW MORE” ⬇ for details & answers to many of your questions* ★ *QOTD: What is the purpose of an audio system for you? Would you ever ditch all the gear for something like this?* ★ *RULES: Please be respectful. NO OUTSIDE LINKS, URLs, email addresses, etc.*
I would ditch all the gear. Maybe not at that price point. Those speakers are just too high maintenance for the cost. I am, however, considering ditching my main AVR system and replacing it with a second Q950A because that thing gives me all the features with ease of use. My opinion for my house.
@@SeanVedell If we didn't run a channel like this, I'd likely just have some type of soundbar setup in each room and call it good. Or have one dedicated speaker setup and the rest soundbars.
Speakers that are defined by an app or some technology that can be phased out scares me at $15k (which means they likely aren’t meant for my wallet size either). If they were just powered speakers with inputs I’d be less hesitant. They are absolutely stunning speakers though!
So…my wife and I are in NYC and while she was sleeping in this morning I was exploring the city on foot. I literally happened across the B&O showroom on 58th St near Central Park. I saw the Beolab 28’s in the window, immediately thought of this review and had to go in a demo them. It’s small showroom and the sales associate Ian let me demo them for the better part of an hour. I threw everything I could think at these speakers: AC/DC, Pink Floyd, Queensrÿche, U2, Led Zeppelin and he had a couple jazz and classical pieces he put on. My jaw nearly hit the floor. I’m new to this audiophile hi end world and I have NEVER heard a speaker like this. Holographic is absolutely the best way to describe it. My mind was 🤯🤯🤯. My wife finally got motivated and we headed back for a walk through Central Park and I told her about these speakers and she agreed to give them a quick listen. First she was absolutely blown away by the look and design…which is important to her as we just remodeled our family room and she is very conscious of the design choices she made in the new space. These would go very nicely with the aesthetic we have and like. Then Ian put on U2 for her (her favorite band) and she was impressed. Then she had him put on a song she has strong memories from her childhood; Chuck Mangione’s Feels So Good. I could tell she was instantly transported to another time and place by what she was hearing. With minutes she had tears in her eyes. My wife likes music and listens to music quite a bit BUT NOTHING has ever come close to eliciting this kind of emotional response from her. So much so, that when she asked how much they cost, she didn’t really bat an eye and considered buying them on the spot. And my wife is definitely NOT an audiophile by any mean and often rolls her eyes at the cost of speakers and components I tell her about on several HiFi/Audiophile RUclips channels I now watch. The fact that my wife is legitimately considering buying these, is all anybody needs to know about how good they are. So glad I saw this review and subscribe to this channel…thank you Andrew and Kristi!
Hear their new product the B& O theatre lesser cost though and see if that can justify the spend. B& O says that product wont go redundant like the Stage plus its scalable to add 16 more speakers if you choose to.
Your photography is dreamy! Great review, I'd love B&O to get you some Beolab 90 to play with, I think you'd really have a lot to say about them and would enjoy the experience. All the best - John.
John, FIRST, LOVE your channel! SECOND, I would welcome the chance to demo the 90s in my home for I've only ever heard them in showrooms. Heck, I'd settle for the 50's. But we have a fun B&O project in the works that I think a lot of people are going to like and one that will make the brand WAY more approachable for more people. I'm excited because we're working with the larger B&O community to pull it off. Stay tuned!
@@andrewrobinsonreviews That means a lot coming from you Andrew, thank you. I'm exited to see what's coming, I'll keep an eye out for that one. Not sure what I can do, but, If there is anything I can ever help with just let me know. (Having Kristi voice her opinion at the end is a lovely touch by the way).
I have the Beolab 50. People probably consider me an audiophile, I have had tons of hifi-equipment, in the latter days mostly Linn. Until I tried Beolab 50. Even my wife loved them and she convinced me to buy them. Has never happened before. I guess she doesn’t miss all the ”black boxes” in the living room. If you get the chance to review the Beolab 50, do it. That soundstage and the monstrous amount of power is really impressive. Works perfectly with my Linn DS streamer, which is now hidden from view.
People told me that hi-fi is the most expensive purchase after home and car. I don't like driving and was determined to make my hi-fi the second most expensive purchase. For decades that was the case with my speakers costs more than my car and then you throw in turntable pre amp and cassette. My first speakers was half a year's take home salary as a teacher. But 10 years ago I was adding rear speakers, centre and sub for 1990 equipment and would not dream of getting another 1990 car. But replacement of equivalent current models and now 6 channel not 2 would be still more than a new Jaguar fitted with a 350 watt 17 speaker Meridian surround sound system.
Great review thank you. I listened to these speakers in London a couple of months ago and I was absolutely floored by the superb sound quality from these. They are very expensive but, yes, they are for me amongst the best speakers I have ever heard and that includes many hi-end systems over the years. If I had the money for these I'd buy them in a heartbeat. I am going to wait a couple of years and then look for them on the second-hand market. These speakers eat for breakfast so many other systems I've heard.
After spending about 6 months with these the sound is just stunning. Music becomes so freeking good and I have started listening to music I didnt listen to before. Among the best sounding speakers I have ever heard no matter the price. And to Andrew... there is actually a magnet to hold the covers. But there is a small guide pin you have to lign up first before the magnet catches.
One comment on the midrange/full-range drivers in terms of the two directivity modes: the two side drivers are never disabled - even in narrow mode, they're used together with the front drivers to control directivity of the speaker. They actively cancel out some frequencies emitted by the front drivers that would otherwise travel to the sides and cause reflections in the room.
Excellent and very honest review and appraisal. Thank you! I think you have neatly encapsulated the difference between audiophiles and music lovers with your review comments and the approach to system building that B&O has to offer, compared to atypical, passive, separates systems assembled on a mix and match and hope for the best basis by audiophiles at an amateur and retail level. Audiophiles love to mix and match their kit, and to them the kit is the hobby - the music exists almost as an after thought and a means to an end, which is to listen to the system. And that is perfectly fine - it's a valid, if expensive hobby after all. As a classical musician and music lover, I obtained my first serious separates system in my early twenties and have had various setups over many decades culminating in a multi-box high end Naim Audio system. But dis-enchantment had long set in as I was expanding the system to an AV rather than strictly 2 channel stereo role, and all the 'upgrades' and fiddling about with mixing and matching and changing components and cabling supposedly needed to try and get audio 'nirvana' was becoming expensive, time consuming and arguably unhealthily obsessive with all the fiddling and faffing about - to say nothing of ugly racks full of black boxes spoiling the look of a lounge room. Some of us like interior design like your good self and an anorak style man cave 'look' is just not for me. So ten years ago, all my passive separates systems went with the acquisition of a B&O TV and some fully active (not powered) B&O speakers. And I've never looked back. Gone were all the concerns about getting the 'best' kit, or the 'right' matching components - cables, leads, support tables etc, agonising over setup and routing of signal and mains cables etc and following all the myth and folklore or passive, separates, audiophile home setups. And, importantly, I got my music back and more. After all, for me as a musician, the system is the means to an end, and that end is the enjoyment of music to a level where I can immerse myself in a performance and at times, on stunning recordings, suspend disbelief that I am listening to live music. Imagine; one buys a HiFi system based upon sound reproduction performance and looks, secure in the knowledge that the system has been designed, engineered and built as a finished and matched whole, by a team of engineers with huge R&D budgets and testing equipment, and with most team members having PhD's in specialised fields behind them. Compare that professional buying experience to the audiophile hobbyist retail experience of mixing and hopefully matching, multi box passive separates components to build a system, using methodology rooted in the 1950s cottage industry days of Hifi, and enamoured of amateur Audiophile hobbyists to this day. Hindsight is a wonderful thing, but as a Classical musician, if I had known back then when I started, what I know now as regards fully active speaker systems, and the wonderful ease of use and home integration that a product like B&O offers, I would never have bothered with passive, separates systems and the whole Audiophile hobby and arguable pseudo science, that commonly goes with it. With B&O my HiFi "eagle" has landed. 10 Years in, and my total ownership satisfaction level is still 110%. My enjoyment of music, both in stereo, discreet and matrixed surround, along with movies is at a level none of my previous passive separates systems could even approach. For me, as a music lover and classical musician first, and a HiFi enthusiast second, fully active HiFi systems designed by engineers at the top of their game in terms of qualifications and experience, relegates the Audiophile mix and match approach to system building to the hobbyist niche and those who love tinkering with kit as a valid hobby. If you want to enjoy a hassle free system that you will fall in love with, will look stunning in your home, and keep you listening and loving your music for hours on end, then fully active systems such as the Beolab 28's you review here, are the way forwards for home AV systems and music and movie connoisseurs.
Hi Andrew, thanks for a great review - interested to hear that you preferred the "Wide" sound setting, I personally find the "Narrow" mode to be more engaging, with a better soundstage. Either way, this is a great speaker/sound system for all types of music. All of the special connections used by B&O are available so these speakers can be used with any brand of audio or video system, companies such as Sounds Heavenly which I run can help with this. I would be interested to hear your thoughts on how Beolab 28 compares to the more powerful Beolab 50? Thanks, Steve.
B&O have never made budget speakers, there's a reason for that. They are timeless works of art that sound fantastic to boot. These Beolab 28 speakers look amazing and if I was wanting to get rid of my gear I would 100% shortlist these as an option. This is the future. Thanks for another amazing review.😀
I demo'd the 90s at Harrods during an England Euros match in 2016. The shop assistant wasn't too happy being dragged away from the game to let some 20 year olds gorp over a system they could only dream of. But I'm glad we asked... it was jaw-dropping. Perhaps got my love of HiFi from that experience so have a lot to thank B&O for.
The 90s are my END GAME speaker. If I could afford them I would get them and quit HiFi without a second thought because that speaker is SOOOOOO good. I too credit B&O for igniting my love for HiFi too --albeit many, many years ago.
@@andrewrobinsonreviews it's quite strange, I've always had it in my head that there's better if you search deeper. Everyone knows B&O. And as someone who's in this community, you want to feel like you know something they don't. We research so we should get better, no? I live across the road from a B&O showroom. Walk past it every day but never pay it much thought. This review's got me thinking: Maybe they are end game?
During breaks, working at Harrods as a student, I would hang around the hi-fi department of Harrods and picked up on demonstrations of some hi end gear. The first CRT projection screens from Sony, the Gale, transcriptor turntables from Mitchell. 4 channel super amps and towers that would not fit in to the house I lived in. But it would have been hard to put a good end to end system together with what they had on display. There for looks and price point. Not knocking it all. They even had some student affordable gear and with the sale on and my friend's staff discount knocking off 30% a bargain. But the turntable was from another store and unlike the amp, tuner and cassette didn't need an upgrade for my parents.
Coffee and brunch, on the sofa watching Andrew and Kristi. Love Sunday’s! These B&O’s design wise are stupendously gorgeous. They look great in your room - keep ‘em! lol PS… I see Lintons in the new black finish in the background…
After watching a video on that “measurement guy’s” channel today, it’s completely refreshing to watch your videos. Your channel will keep growing, keep it up 👍
I love connecting, configuring and shopping for gear. I spend just as much time looking for new gear as I do looking for new records and listening to music. The search for me is part of the fun. I totally get somebody wanting to be “done” but not me I love reading reviews of new gear and will probably never be done. These look cool though. Not my style but I bet they sound amazing.
Yesterday I visited a B&O shop to hear the Beosound Balance. On the way there I collected a Niam Mu-so 2 for a different room. Whilst in store I thought that I'd listen to the Beolab 28 just for the heck of it. BIG MISTAKE. Listening to Ren Harvieu 'Through the Night', they made me cry. A grown man sitting in front of a complete stranger in the middle of a city centre store openly weeping. I saw Ren Harvieu at an intimate gig 2 weeks earlier and listening to the Beolab 28's was as if I could feel her breath on my face - seductively authentic. So, I arrived home unpacked and set up the Mu-so 2 and was left underwhelmed. If you can't afford these babies (£10K - yes you read that correctly) then don't ever listed to them or they will haunt your waking dreams. Once heard never forgotten.
What’s really great wit B&O is that it’s just compatible with everything. Products that support Airplay, Chromecast and in addition a manufacturer specific multi room system are so rare.
Yes, and if you want to be compatible down the road, or with older gear you can reach out to Sounds Heavenly and have the appropriate cables crafted and be back in business.
I have a friend who is a musician and a while ago he helped me choose what speakers I bought. His advice was pick the speakers that look the best because you won’t be able to tell the difference in sound anyway. With that in mind, and to answer the question of the day - yes I would trade in my existing system for this because they look great and I’m reassured by you that they sound good!
"Wont be able to tell the difference" Might be true with similar sounding systems but I suspect you could soon tell a difference even if you never worked out which was better sounding. When you spend a bit of time listening to musicians and then to hi-fi at different price points a few bars of music and you would know which was better. Whether you would ever aim to afford or own the "better" system is a personal choice and some are more sensible and have better things to spend the money on. Every now and again there is a product that goes well beyond it's price point and for a good proportion of your listening it holds its own. That's why we get advise to narrow down the choices to something you can get around to listening to and make your measured decision.
1) Mesmerizing flawless sound clarity & quality, which grips your soul 2) Aesthetical clean design, made of sound enhancing material with no clutter 3) Easy and impeccable wireless Connectivity.
I agree with you. The simplicity of not needing separate amps, preamps, interconnects, etc. makes for a whole new experience. For many years I owned stacks of gear from Mark Levinson, Krell and speakers from Wilson, Eggleston, Dynaudio and Martin Logan. I bought a pair of Bang & Olufsen Beolab 5’s and a Naim Unitiserve and sold off all my other gear. Beolab 5’s we’re around $24000.00 and the Unitiserve was $4800.00. While the Beolab 5’s were not wireless, Bang & Olufsen does make a wireless transmitter and you add a receiver to each speaker and works flawlessly. I have never enjoyed music more and have never looked back. (The Beolab 5’s we’re recently replaced by the current Beolab 50).
@@danielduesentriebjunior Hello. A close friend of mine traded in his Beolab 5’s toward a new pair of 50’s. I cannot say that they are better than the Beolab 5’s, I would just say that they are voiced differently. That is to say they are not necessarily an upgrade from the Beolab 5, but an entirely different speaker. I prefer the way the Beolab 5’s are voiced, however; that’s just my opinion. I have listened to the 50’s pretty extensively and they are very good, just different from what I am used to. My friend is now sorry he traded in his 5’s and also spent a lot of money doing so. I hope that helps answer your question.
Thanks for leaning into the place that us future-fi minimalists & music first heads love. Yes, I would ditch the quantity / gear jungle for something that is beautiful, unusual but takes the experience to the next level.
If I can afford, this unit will be my favorite, good for sitting room, easy to place and joy to listen, sometimes we do not need serious equipment but good sound. I have B&O Earset 1 mobile for Ericsson mobile phone, the sound quality is superb, both me and the one at other side feels that we are talking face to face in a quiet room!
Hi Andrew, my friend have Beolab 28 and before he owned Beolab 18 and Beolab 9. Now.. I have owned a sea of speakers including KEF LS50, Anthony Gallo Ref 3.1 and ATC's and I know how hard it is to describe Bang Olufsens newer speakers. To my ears Beolab 18 is the more affordable choise. You get a high percentage of that big and pleasing experience for less than the 28's.. My own speakers is Aurelia Cerica XO and that's a speaker that I'll never sell (they came out 2013 and the model is still in production),I have them connected to a separate Icepower amp just like all Beolabs comes equiped with. The Cerica's is extremely holografic and holds up good with Beolab 28 and even outperforms them with more spooky/physical/pinpointed effects and also the bass sometimes sounds more exact/realistic on the Cericas... BUT, would I rather have the Beolabs 28's? Yes! Simply because they are better allround, pretty and no need trying out 100 positions and adapt to your room. Before the Cerica was my No.1 soundstages wise.. but the soundstage on 28's is even bigger and wider and they setup a lifelike stage! I think it's the best allround speaker I've heard and it goes from the quality of pleasing all to perfection and you won't need to buy a surround, because it's really good with movies. That feature you ALSO get with the Beolab 18's with a sub). But the 28's can do things I've never heard before.. as YOU said: "Let you in on the recordings" On well recored performaces your room becomes a huge, lifelike bubble that transports you back to the exact time and place. You really understand that you're getting that same feeling the people around that certain stage/studio got at at the time of the recording/concert played out.. Magic stuff! But as I said! I recommend the Beolab 18's if you want that signature, preferably used with sub if played with high volume or movies. 18's speakers give you a big piece of the magic experience of pleasure. If we talk vocals alone or movies.. I think the 18's better.. Voices/solo is so harmonic and sedusive. But then, if you turn on different genres, live, complex music, rock or tracks with special effects the performance on the 28's wins hands down. My conclusion is that I really want 28's or 5's as my next main speakers if nothing better comes out.. I've seen a danish guy review both at home and he clearly prefered the 5's because of the extra dynamic/preasure and punch that you feel in your body. I will soon buy B/O mainspeakers. BUT I WON'T sell the Aurelia Cerica simply because they are different and they does many things even better than the 28's. You really should review Beolab 5's or 18's with sub and report what you think.. You can find both cheaper and the 5's might even outperform the 28's.. or why not try Aurelia? 28's is excellent, but I am not convinced with the lows on some tracks.. it may come somme updates/corrections, it reminded me of a Harman Kardon Go Play. But on the other hand they can play magic on other songs like no one else. Thanks for one of few REAL reviews on Beolab!
Keep these weekend releases coming, Kristi and Andrew! Products like the Beolab 28 and Sony A9 definitely have me questioning everything I thought I knew about hifi. Also, I love the options for living spaces and decor when minimizing the electronics aspect of a set-up!
Thank you. Also, when you don't have to worry about where to place or set a turntable, amp, preamp etc., one's living space really does start to open up and have more or greater flexibility.
Good morning @Andrew Robinson & @Kristi Wright. Hope you have a great day. Enjoying this one for the “boy that would be nice” factor. Beautiful speakers.
The speakers look stunning and I imagine they sound the same too. Intrigued by how yu described it as highly transparent. Great review. I'd NOT replace my separates (main listening gear) with an all-in-one setup like Beolab 28. . . BUT . . for living room speakers they look gorgeous.
Great review, Andrew! I'm a long term owner of Beolab 5. They are a force to be reckoned with. It would be great if you could review those too? Again, they completely vanish and give a holographic image... but also have enough power to almost blow the walls of your room out. They kick so hard that you can feel the hair move on your head. However, they are big. And technology moves on.
I was never about the aesthetics of my audio equipment. Then I met my significant, a first generation Dane, and she would frown on how the equipment would interfere with the room. She even had issues with how the cables were laid out. Didn’t want more than one pair of speakers in the room. My two sets of Magenpans have to be put in storage when I wasn’t using them. Sigh. These B&O’s she would love. The things you do for love.
Bang & Olufsen speakers, stereo equipment, TV's, and other products are not mere electronics; they are sculptural works of art that belong in any museum of modern art and industrial design. :)
True but if you want "investment art" buy a Picasso. B&O has basically eliminated "affordable" audio equipment like in the '80s and '90s. They have gone high end and that puts the average customers out of their marketplace. If they were smart they would create their own financing so people could possibly afford their products. Pretty stupid IMO.
@@rancosteel luxury's basic definition is that all cannot afford it If you make it accessible to a larger audience ,you might sell more but then wealthy class will not prefer your brand as it's common It's not about revenue, but your market placement strategy that decides that. Less units sold (with 5 times more price) means less hassle for post sales service/ repairs, meaning companies can concentrate their resources( with more money now, thanks to the price paid by luxurious customers) on innovation and aesthetics rather than fighting for survival. Till date there is no electronics company that says you don't need my warranty as my product will not go bad. Companies that charge high ticket prices, simply replace the unit , that is called gaurantee. How do they replace it , they charge you that during the sell already😊
Answering Your Question: I had 2 BOSE Performance Classic Equipment. In a little way they remind of those speakers I had which I used for myself and as a Sound Guy at City Events. The sound on them was Wonderful, but they were not Record Listening Speakers Like I want in the house. I need more STUFF to Play with because almost every record seems to do better if I tweak them individual to the Record I'm playing. I loved MY BOSE for my Guitar, band, vocals and it's amazing in part because I put it up and plug things in and IT DOES THE REST.... but at home, I need to fiddle more with my Seat in the Auditorium.
B & O do it again with designs and products that fly in the face of convention. I love the look / functionality but to hear it gave you pause Andrew is what I really love. I think that is what makes things like this so exciting. As the technology gets better and the ability to, "Do more with less" in terms of overall gear is tremendous. Also, B&O should just license their app to every other manufacturer.
For people thinking the B&O 28's are expensive, you are thinking the wrong way. These are meant to be bought and kept for 10 years, the technology is such a breaktrough in terms of quality/design that will well last you 10+ years, in which if you decide to sell, you will still get back 50% of your investment as they hold their value as with every top level B&O speakers. The WISA wireless technology is barely implemendted in most of all speakers on the market right now (klipch, SA, buchardt so far) so rest assured you are buying into the future.
@@dougdavis8986 You absolutely can't buy stuff that is way better, especially the stuff that sound exactly the same as the B&O system. Go listen to the B&O system, and start to put together a system that can match it? that means speakers, amps, wireless receivers, etc.etc.. Yes it has to be fully wireless and let's get real, they are still going to look ugly. and yes beauty has a price, don't be against looks when you are talking about paying for sound, Go do it try it... I don't need advice nor approval from audiophile boomers. I know what sound good and right now B&O gives you the best bang for buck systems bar none.
More like 30 years. B&o will always be supporting older models, i still use Beolab 8002’s with dealer support. Even modules will be able to be upgraded and changed later on, much like the Level
@@andrewrobinsonreviews Hey, you guys are must-see youtube tv. If I go to the youtube app on my Roku at 10 am Sunday and don't see a video, I start to get all jittery. It's almost like I missed my morning coffee.
I was selling B&O systems back in the mid 90’s and they always were ultra modern and they are masters, in my opinion, at striking the perfect balance between lifestyle and performance.
The ‘gear junkie’ aspect can also drive you in the direction of a product like these. They are slick new tech that allow what was traditionally a stack of gear to just vanish into the background, yet still provide the desired end result, which is an excellent listening experience. Very desirable.
Beolab 5 is a better speaker for most music and movies. 28's can throw sounds wider than iv'e ever heard 2 speakers do and can create a impressive real life stage. But sometimes on tracks the bass in 28's sounds really boomy and in my opinion that's a huge deal for this kind of money. If they can fix that, this speaker could be the one of the best no matter the price.. but I don't think it will happend because they have to remain that selling point for the 50's.
I really like both your views which are honest and always detailed And as a Bang and Olufsen fanatic your view on. The brand gets a fair ride on your channel
I purchased my 28’s this week and can’t wait for them to deliver. They are the perfect family room speaker. I have a large fireplace and no AV cabinet. I want to maintain a clean look and regular speakers won’t work. Wireless is my h option these look as good as they sound in my living room!
I'm curious and hope you're okay with me asking. Presumably you have now had some time with the 28's - are you happy with them? Anything that is cause for concern? And also - what finish did you choose?
@@bzdtemp I got the gold pair. It’s beautiful and matched my home the best. In terms of problems, these are finicky with WiFi. I’m being told the Orbi mesh systems don’t work well with these, which I have. I am having a lot of lost connection problems. My dealer will be installing a new WiFi system in my home to hopefully correct this. I cannot recommend spending the premium for these until that’s resolved.
@@yeahthatsright33 I’ve delayed in updating as I’ve continued with wireless issues. The latest firmware update has made significant improvements, however, wireless link to my A9 and Beosound 2 via Bang and Olufsen’s proprietary protocol still does not work. Sound quality is great with built in Deezer. But the technical issue persist.
Awesome review! I'm really glad you went into detail about some of the connectivity options near the end. Honestly I have considered these speakers, but my main problem is that I don't want to ditch my current gear. If I did decide on these speakers, I'd continue my look for a Bang & Olufsen Beocenter 9500 so that I'd have the Powerlink connectivity options that I could then get an adapter for the RJ45. My current B&O set up uses the Beocenter 9000. I'm fully in love with the looks, design, and functionality of that item, and I'm a little worried the 28's would add a layer of complexity to what is currently a system that I just really am glad to own and love and care for. Though honestly, I think my dream speakers are still going to be the Beolab 5's. It's my goal in life to own a pair of them some day.
Andrew love those B+O speakers/esp their modern look! I GUESS I didn't hear the part of your review where you discuss their price??? From what I found, think it hovers around 17K?....... I would purchase them, and in probably 1-2 days find my cats climbing on them! Maybe you can contact B+O tell them you need a couple more years, for a thorough review! I love B+O products although dont see the 28's in my near future! CCC Austin,TX
I love them , my parents had an old b&o stereo all in one made with teakwood and had reel to reel , turntable and receiver from the 60s when we lived in Germany and now I have two b&o s3 speakers hooked up to the Mac mini and they sound awesome
I am beginning to think these are almost the speaker I have been looking for. At 4.1kg I can carry a single or pair room to room (sure I can make two trips with Beolab 28 but avoid hitting the top on the door and weight is hard). So they do everything the Beosound Balance or Level can but also have powerlink and WiSA for watching a movie or RUclips in synch. No battery but I am not looking to use as a fully portable speaker.
I love B&O, and i have a multiroom system. i would love to add the Beolab 28 speakers to that system... like you said, they sound incredible, and i love the timeless design... great review
Awesome review as always. The speakers looks stunning in your setup. I have listened to them briefly in a B&O store and they are impressive. They look much nicer in the flesh. (BTW, is that a 77" on the wall?)
I’m happy with my four wired Kef meta with Kef atmos speakers atop the front speakers with a Denon Anniversary reference receiver and a Kef center and all priced competitively. The Beolab are great looking, though.
Wow as a danish audiophile this review makes me proud :), going from two black boxes to this must have been something designwise to get used to 😂 Have you only gotten that bigger place yet, you might have had the room to keep them 😁😎🤟 Great review guys, one of the best ones!
Mr B and Mr O held to the principle that speakers should not have a flavor but be so well made and tuned in themselves as to work with any clean sound source. Peter Walker of Quad held that same principle and pushed affordable electrostatics to the 90 series but admitted that low end harmonics required a sub-woofer to supply frequencies we humans do not hear directly. We hear the harmonics of instruments entering those regions. All 3 pioneers admired how J B Lansing had overcome the problem in his cinema systems by using very large cones at the limits of the materials technology of the 1930s and '40s and Peter Walker sometimes used medium sized Tannoy speakers for BBC concerts with filters expressly to cover low harmonics. Although "apps" and electronic manipulation would been technically understood by these great audio men they would have been sharped eared enough to spot the artifice exceeding the art.
I’m doing dishes and watching this. Now I have an insane itch to spend an obscene amount of money. Thank you for an awesome review, and for making my bank account dryer then Sahara desert. 😂
To answer the question of reducing your audio components to something like the B&Os; YES, unequivocally. I love the idea of simplicity, especially when the component(s) can deliver what I need sonically and visually. I understand the pricing, but these are just above what I'm willing to spend.
Great review, thanks! No way i can afford these speakers but you’ve made me think about my approach to my system… and i actually feel better about my choices and setup. Thanks again :)
Went and listened to them on Robertson in West Hollywood. I also listened to the big daddys in the same room that are $100k. It is spooky what comes out of this pencil thin speaker, it's simply beyond amazing, let alone the coolest speaker presently. For design, nothing compares. B & O's subwoofer is outrageously expensive, these, all things considered, are compelling.
I think the key to modern speakers is their ability to use more surface space so that they can also perform in 360 degrees. That means the speaker can project more sound into the room and fill more of the space so that a smaller or thinner speaker sounds better or is more effective.
Love your reviews. Love this one in particular (I just finished listening to the Beoplay Level Video AGAIN -got to be about 6 or 7 times now). I love the way you bring the experience to life and give us the best rendition of what was evoked in you. I am sitting here and just want them - I want a room where I can enjoy them and want them in my life. I have a pair of B&O P6s and a Pair of B&O A1 2nd Gens, and I absolutely love love love those. I also have the H95s Headphones, which I adore - almost as much as the HD650s, haha. Can you tell I like the high-end but have no money? Haha. I absolutely do NOT think I will ever have the room to spend that much on speakers, but I might get a pair of B&O Levels or maybe even a pair of B&O Balance speakers. I love what B&O have done. By focusing on active speakers - they make it possible to have an audiophilic ear but not have to go through what amp to get for a set of speakers -you can actually focus on the music and that quality. There is nothing wrong with going through amps, and I am sure it is incredibly enjoyable.t I have no desire to do that, but I do want exceptional music delivery - THat is what B&O delivers, and I love it. I am going to try and find a store to go and listen to the 28s - and hurt myself, haha. The video made that a necessity - I really need to experience what you and Kristi did - you made it sound so good. BTW - I always wait for Kristi's thoughts - she has a view that connects with y perspective and makes really interesting points. Thanks for doing the work - while this is enjoyable, and I am sure you enjoy doing these - I recognise that this is work too, and you guys have put a lot into this. Thank you for doing that. Much appreciated. You are very good at it!
I agree with you about changing settings and the need to remove the front and the curtains is not practical and the risk of damaging the speakers real. You wouldn’t expect that from such a brand but for B&O the design is very important. But I have an other problem with such speakers, the always changing technology can make them after a certain period of time unusable. I believe more in separate components, they are more adjustable in time. But for the people who can afford to spend such money, they can take that risk. Maybe I am wrong but future will tell. As always a great review, Greetings, Ludo Belgium
The BL28 do have a modular build. So it is possible to fit in a better DAC, better CPU and any changes to fibre optical, HDMI eARC, Bluetooth v23 what ever. Whether they will ever do that is another thing. Meridian built an amplifier that took user plug in modules. You could add 20 inputs one at a time. Switch between 20 turntables or record to 19 reel to reel or cassette decks. The 8000 series of pre-amps have slots to add and/or upgrade circuits and so the principle does work. With changes to wi-fi, Bluetooth, Ethernet over the past 10 years there will not be the interchangeability we have had from RCA phono plugs for 70 years.
I feel they are beautiful and amazing, as you said they are a pretty good deal when you add up all the other stuff one would have to buy for a nice system 👍👍
I been an audio enthusiast to B&O from 10+ years… while I cannot afford the new equipment…I do buy vintage audio from B&O.. some of those quite fantastic looking and sounding… would you consider to make a review of those?.. I have a beosound 3000 , beolab 8000…and some others…
@@rghl5617 … the beauty of B&O is that they make such a timeless pieces of audio gear.. the 8000 is a perfect example… people that I know that they never heard of B&O and they saw it for the first time they would never guess how old they are.. and that is the beauty of a well designed speaker..
A surprising demo track to understand "wide" versus "narrow" on the 28's is "Risin' To The Top" by Ken Burke. In narrow mode, it's a vocal in the range of the front and side drivers that has one focus in narrow, and as mentioned in the review, a much smoother, warmer approach in wide. Meanwhile, you can practically see the speaker kicking the drums. Auditioned on a floor standing pair.
B&O has been leading in the looks department for decades. If you're not familiar with their products, totally fall down a google rabbit hole checking out their older stuff. So, so good!
B&O reminded us there are people out there who can throw almost 20k$ for a lifestyle system. Convenience is important to me, and I ditch my vinyl collection in the nineties in favor of CD. I have a big collection now and I don't stream much, so it would take something as good, cheap (3k-5k) and user friendly to convince me to change. Very fun watching you guys! Much love from Quebec!
All HiFi systems are lifestyle systems technically speaking though - that is, a consumer item that is an adjunct to your lifestyle. Albeit some audiophiles take it to the nth degree as a hobby of fiddling and tweaking, in which case the HiFi becomes their life, not their lifestyle system.
I think a lot of enthusiasts have difficulty looking past tradition, which is no doubt why products like this (or soundbars, powered speakers etc.) are vilified in hifi. Not that you vilified the speaker, but just speaking in general terms.
I believe it. Yeah, not trying to vilify anything full disclosure! Im sure if i could share a space with this system, i would be blown away. If you say they are magical, i tend to believe you!
My first hi-fi experience happened to be with some Beolab 5 from early 2000’. Before that I thought music was just music, but since then I started realizing there was something more than just listening your favorite song, how it was played.. stared my “audiophile” approach with some basic Yamaha PianoCraft system, and then moved to some old Bose 901 that my father used to own, not for purist I know, but I loved them. After some time I decided to move for something now and more “pure”. I was very tempted to go for some B&O beolab 3 with a Sub, I just love how B&O manages to deliver the sound quality regardless the purity of the process. Eventually I decided to go for a pair of B&W 702 S2 also that’s to your reviews, they are linked to a Yamaha AS-702 not to go completely broke. I love the sound stage, the Yamaha with 100w/ channel manages a good job driving the thirsty speakers. Overall I’m very happy and I spend hours listening to music. But them, B&O can give you a lot with very few pieces of equipment.
B&O look to be on a roll. I would love a Beogram 4000c video, doesn’t have to be a review, it just looks so cool 😎. I remember seeing the original when I was young
📍 *Learn more about the B&O Beolab 28: **bit.ly/3pK2B4y*
★ *CLICK “SHOW MORE” ⬇ for details & answers to many of your questions*
★ *QOTD: What is the purpose of an audio system for you? Would you ever ditch all the gear for something like this?*
★ *RULES: Please be respectful. NO OUTSIDE LINKS, URLs, email addresses, etc.*
I would ditch all the gear. Maybe not at that price point. Those speakers are just too high maintenance for the cost. I am, however, considering ditching my main AVR system and replacing it with a second Q950A because that thing gives me all the features with ease of use. My opinion for my house.
@@SeanVedell Curious how you see the 28s as "high maintenance" ?
I love my surround setup so instead of ditching my system at the price point of the B&O'S , I would upgrade my home theater system!
@@SeanVedell If we didn't run a channel like this, I'd likely just have some type of soundbar setup in each room and call it good. Or have one dedicated speaker setup and the rest soundbars.
Speakers that are defined by an app or some technology that can be phased out scares me at $15k (which means they likely aren’t meant for my wallet size either). If they were just powered speakers with inputs I’d be less hesitant. They are absolutely stunning speakers though!
So…my wife and I are in NYC and while she was sleeping in this morning I was exploring the city on foot. I literally happened across the B&O showroom on 58th St near Central Park. I saw the Beolab 28’s in the window, immediately thought of this review and had to go in a demo them. It’s small showroom and the sales associate Ian let me demo them for the better part of an hour. I threw everything I could think at these speakers: AC/DC, Pink Floyd, Queensrÿche, U2, Led Zeppelin and he had a couple jazz and classical pieces he put on. My jaw nearly hit the floor. I’m new to this audiophile hi end world and I have NEVER heard a speaker like this. Holographic is absolutely the best way to describe it. My mind was 🤯🤯🤯. My wife finally got motivated and we headed back for a walk through Central Park and I told her about these speakers and she agreed to give them a quick listen. First she was absolutely blown away by the look and design…which is important to her as we just remodeled our family room and she is very conscious of the design choices she made in the new space. These would go very nicely with the aesthetic we have and like. Then Ian put on U2 for her (her favorite band) and she was impressed. Then she had him put on a song she has strong memories from her childhood; Chuck Mangione’s Feels So Good. I could tell she was instantly transported to another time and place by what she was hearing. With minutes she had tears in her eyes. My wife likes music and listens to music quite a bit BUT NOTHING has ever come close to eliciting this kind of emotional response from her. So much so, that when she asked how much they cost, she didn’t really bat an eye and considered buying them on the spot. And my wife is definitely NOT an audiophile by any mean and often rolls her eyes at the cost of speakers and components I tell her about on several HiFi/Audiophile RUclips channels I now watch. The fact that my wife is legitimately considering buying these, is all anybody needs to know about how good they are. So glad I saw this review and subscribe to this channel…thank you Andrew and Kristi!
I agree with you and your wives reaction. B& O creates great designs aesthetics and great great sound
Phil did you finally get it.
@@porousdumasia3256 in the end no. Just couldn’t justify the cost. But they are still the best sounding speakers 🔊 I’ve ever heard in person.
Hear their new product the B& O theatre lesser cost though and see if that can justify the spend. B& O says that product wont go redundant like the Stage plus its scalable to add 16 more speakers if you choose to.
Added to my if I ever win the lottery dreams.
Same, Joshua. Same.
Same here 👍🏼
You should go to a b&o store and listen to them. It's amazing.
Your photography is dreamy! Great review, I'd love B&O to get you some Beolab 90 to play with, I think you'd really have a lot to say about them and would enjoy the experience. All the best - John.
John,
FIRST, LOVE your channel!
SECOND, I would welcome the chance to demo the 90s in my home for I've only ever heard them in showrooms. Heck, I'd settle for the 50's. But we have a fun B&O project in the works that I think a lot of people are going to like and one that will make the brand WAY more approachable for more people. I'm excited because we're working with the larger B&O community to pull it off. Stay tuned!
@@andrewrobinsonreviews That means a lot coming from you Andrew, thank you. I'm exited to see what's coming, I'll keep an eye out for that one. Not sure what I can do, but, If there is anything I can ever help with just let me know. (Having Kristi voice her opinion at the end is a lovely touch by the way).
I have the Beolab 50. People probably consider me an audiophile, I have had tons of hifi-equipment, in the latter days mostly Linn. Until I tried Beolab 50. Even my wife loved them and she convinced me to buy them. Has never happened before. I guess she doesn’t miss all the ”black boxes” in the living room. If you get the chance to review the Beolab 50, do it. That soundstage and the monstrous amount of power is really impressive. Works perfectly with my Linn DS streamer, which is now hidden from view.
Your speakers are more expensive than my car. You sir have made it in life. Cheers 👍
People told me that hi-fi is the most expensive purchase after home and car. I don't like driving and was determined to make my hi-fi the second most expensive purchase. For decades that was the case with my speakers costs more than my car and then you throw in turntable pre amp and cassette. My first speakers was half a year's take home salary as a teacher. But 10 years ago I was adding rear speakers, centre and sub for 1990 equipment and would not dream of getting another 1990 car. But replacement of equivalent current models and now 6 channel not 2 would be still more than a new Jaguar fitted with a 350 watt 17 speaker Meridian surround sound system.
Great review thank you. I listened to these speakers in London a couple of months ago and I was absolutely floored by the superb sound quality from these. They are very expensive but, yes, they are for me amongst the best speakers I have ever heard and that includes many hi-end systems over the years.
If I had the money for these I'd buy them in a heartbeat. I am going to wait a couple of years and then look for them on the second-hand market.
These speakers eat for breakfast so many other systems I've heard.
After spending about 6 months with these the sound is just stunning. Music becomes so freeking good and I have started listening to music I didnt listen to before. Among the best sounding speakers I have ever heard no matter the price. And to Andrew... there is actually a magnet to hold the covers. But there is a small guide pin you have to lign up first before the magnet catches.
You’ll happy to know the B&O store in Singapore loops your review on a giant screen. You’re now a big part of their in-store marketing.
Thanks for this review man. It's pretty rare to find professional review of B&O products. Good work 👏 🙌
One comment on the midrange/full-range drivers in terms of the two directivity modes: the two side drivers are never disabled - even in narrow mode, they're used together with the front drivers to control directivity of the speaker. They actively cancel out some frequencies emitted by the front drivers that would otherwise travel to the sides and cause reflections in the room.
I have had the beolab 28's on a demo recently for 4 days, O my wow !! Amazing an absolute Joy !!
Excellent and very honest review and appraisal. Thank you!
I think you have neatly encapsulated the difference between audiophiles and music lovers with your review comments and the approach to system building that B&O has to offer, compared to atypical, passive, separates systems assembled on a mix and match and hope for the best basis by audiophiles at an amateur and retail level.
Audiophiles love to mix and match their kit, and to them the kit is the hobby - the music exists almost as an after thought and a means to an end, which is to listen to the system. And that is perfectly fine - it's a valid, if expensive hobby after all.
As a classical musician and music lover, I obtained my first serious separates system in my early twenties and have had various setups over many decades culminating in a multi-box high end Naim Audio system.
But dis-enchantment had long set in as I was expanding the system to an AV rather than strictly 2 channel stereo role, and all the 'upgrades' and fiddling about with mixing and matching and changing components and cabling supposedly needed to try and get audio 'nirvana' was becoming expensive, time consuming and arguably unhealthily obsessive with all the fiddling and faffing about - to say nothing of ugly racks full of black boxes spoiling the look of a lounge room. Some of us like interior design like your good self and an anorak style man cave 'look' is just not for me.
So ten years ago, all my passive separates systems went with the acquisition of a B&O TV and some fully active (not powered) B&O speakers.
And I've never looked back. Gone were all the concerns about getting the 'best' kit, or the 'right' matching components - cables, leads, support tables etc, agonising over setup and routing of signal and mains cables etc and following all the myth and folklore or passive, separates, audiophile home setups.
And, importantly, I got my music back and more. After all, for me as a musician, the system is the means to an end, and that end is the enjoyment of music to a level where I can immerse myself in a performance and at times, on stunning recordings, suspend disbelief that I am listening to live music.
Imagine; one buys a HiFi system based upon sound reproduction performance and looks, secure in the knowledge that the system has been designed, engineered and built as a finished and matched whole, by a team of engineers with huge R&D budgets and testing equipment, and with most team members having PhD's in specialised fields behind them.
Compare that professional buying experience to the audiophile hobbyist retail experience of mixing and hopefully matching, multi box passive separates components to build a system, using methodology rooted in the 1950s cottage industry days of Hifi, and enamoured of amateur Audiophile hobbyists to this day.
Hindsight is a wonderful thing, but as a Classical musician, if I had known back then when I started, what I know now as regards fully active speaker systems, and the wonderful ease of use and home integration that a product like B&O offers, I would never have bothered with passive, separates systems and the whole Audiophile hobby and arguable pseudo science, that commonly goes with it.
With B&O my HiFi "eagle" has landed. 10 Years in, and my total ownership satisfaction level is still 110%.
My enjoyment of music, both in stereo, discreet and matrixed surround, along with movies is at a level none of my previous passive separates systems could even approach.
For me, as a music lover and classical musician first, and a HiFi enthusiast second, fully active HiFi systems designed by engineers at the top of their game in terms of qualifications and experience, relegates the Audiophile mix and match approach to system building to the hobbyist niche and those who love tinkering with kit as a valid hobby.
If you want to enjoy a hassle free system that you will fall in love with, will look stunning in your home, and keep you listening and loving your music for hours on end, then fully active systems such as the Beolab 28's you review here, are the way forwards for home AV systems and music and movie connoisseurs.
Hi Andrew, thanks for a great review - interested to hear that you preferred the "Wide" sound setting, I personally find the "Narrow" mode to be more engaging, with a better soundstage. Either way, this is a great speaker/sound system for all types of music. All of the special connections used by B&O are available so these speakers can be used with any brand of audio or video system, companies such as Sounds Heavenly which I run can help with this. I would be interested to hear your thoughts on how Beolab 28 compares to the more powerful Beolab 50? Thanks, Steve.
B&O have never made budget speakers, there's a reason for that. They are timeless works of art that sound fantastic to boot. These Beolab 28 speakers look amazing and if I was wanting to get rid of my gear I would 100% shortlist these as an option. This is the future. Thanks for another amazing review.😀
I demo'd the 90s at Harrods during an England Euros match in 2016. The shop assistant wasn't too happy being dragged away from the game to let some 20 year olds gorp over a system they could only dream of. But I'm glad we asked... it was jaw-dropping. Perhaps got my love of HiFi from that experience so have a lot to thank B&O for.
:) Great story!
The 90s are my END GAME speaker. If I could afford them I would get them and quit HiFi without a second thought because that speaker is SOOOOOO good. I too credit B&O for igniting my love for HiFi too --albeit many, many years ago.
@@andrewrobinsonreviews it's quite strange, I've always had it in my head that there's better if you search deeper. Everyone knows B&O. And as someone who's in this community, you want to feel like you know something they don't. We research so we should get better, no?
I live across the road from a B&O showroom. Walk past it every day but never pay it much thought. This review's got me thinking: Maybe they are end game?
During breaks, working at Harrods as a student, I would hang around the hi-fi department of Harrods and picked up on demonstrations of some hi end gear. The first CRT projection screens from Sony, the Gale, transcriptor turntables from Mitchell. 4 channel super amps and towers that would not fit in to the house I lived in. But it would have been hard to put a good end to end system together with what they had on display. There for looks and price point. Not knocking it all. They even had some student affordable gear and with the sale on and my friend's staff discount knocking off 30% a bargain. But the turntable was from another store and unlike the amp, tuner and cassette didn't need an upgrade for my parents.
Coffee and brunch, on the sofa watching Andrew and Kristi. Love Sunday’s!
These B&O’s design wise are stupendously gorgeous. They look great in your room - keep ‘em! lol
PS… I see Lintons in the new black finish in the background…
Thanks for joining us @S. L.
Good morning!
Oh wow! I did not expect this review at all. Good job bringing something different and new to the review table! 🔥
Thank you so much, Boonnn! We appreciate you watching.
After watching a video on that “measurement guy’s” channel today, it’s completely refreshing to watch your videos. Your channel will keep growing, keep it up 👍
Appreciate you watching!
I love connecting, configuring and shopping for gear. I spend just as much time looking for new gear as I do looking for new records and listening to music. The search for me is part of the fun. I totally get somebody wanting to be “done” but not me I love reading reviews of new gear and will probably never be done. These look cool though. Not my style but I bet they sound amazing.
Yesterday I visited a B&O shop to hear the Beosound Balance. On the way there I collected a Niam Mu-so 2 for a different room. Whilst in store I thought that I'd listen to the Beolab 28 just for the heck of it. BIG MISTAKE.
Listening to Ren Harvieu 'Through the Night', they made me cry. A grown man sitting in front of a complete stranger in the middle of a city centre store openly weeping. I saw Ren Harvieu at an intimate gig 2 weeks earlier and listening to the Beolab 28's was as if I could feel her breath on my face - seductively authentic.
So, I arrived home unpacked and set up the Mu-so 2 and was left underwhelmed. If you can't afford these babies (£10K - yes you read that correctly) then don't ever listed to them or they will haunt your waking dreams. Once heard never forgotten.
Holy shit dude amazing. I'll probably not heed your warning and find a way to listen one day!
You're the only audio reviewer I can tolerate without sampling the speakers. I don't know how you do it but I just subscribed 🤦🏾♂️
I am sorry but those speakers look "double wow"! The light wood with the aluminium is just so beautifully crafted.
What’s really great wit B&O is that it’s just compatible with everything. Products that support Airplay, Chromecast and in addition a manufacturer specific multi room system are so rare.
Yes, and if you want to be compatible down the road, or with older gear you can reach out to Sounds Heavenly and have the appropriate cables crafted and be back in business.
@@andrewrobinsonreviews Yes, those cables are good quality as well. Nothing extravagant. But solid.
I have a friend who is a musician and a while ago he helped me choose what speakers I bought. His advice was pick the speakers that look the best because you won’t be able to tell the difference in sound anyway. With that in mind, and to answer the question of the day - yes I would trade in my existing system for this because they look great and I’m reassured by you that they sound good!
"Wont be able to tell the difference" Might be true with similar sounding systems but I suspect you could soon tell a difference even if you never worked out which was better sounding. When you spend a bit of time listening to musicians and then to hi-fi at different price points a few bars of music and you would know which was better. Whether you would ever aim to afford or own the "better" system is a personal choice and some are more sensible and have better things to spend the money on.
Every now and again there is a product that goes well beyond it's price point and for a good proportion of your listening it holds its own. That's why we get advise to narrow down the choices to something you can get around to listening to and make your measured decision.
Can’t wait to hear you review the new Beosound Theatre!
I am too looking forward to theatre and hoping it would solve my problem of my living room
1) Mesmerizing flawless sound clarity & quality, which grips your soul
2) Aesthetical clean design, made of sound enhancing material with no clutter
3) Easy and impeccable wireless Connectivity.
I agree with you. The simplicity of not needing separate amps, preamps, interconnects, etc. makes for a whole new experience. For many years I owned stacks of gear from Mark Levinson, Krell and speakers from Wilson, Eggleston, Dynaudio and Martin Logan. I bought a pair of Bang & Olufsen Beolab 5’s and a Naim Unitiserve and sold off all my other gear. Beolab 5’s we’re around $24000.00 and the Unitiserve was $4800.00. While the Beolab 5’s were not wireless, Bang & Olufsen does make a wireless transmitter and you add a receiver to each speaker and works flawlessly. I have never enjoyed music more and have never looked back. (The Beolab 5’s we’re recently replaced by the current Beolab 50).
@@danielduesentriebjunior Hello. A close friend of mine traded in his Beolab 5’s toward a new pair of 50’s. I cannot say that they are better than the Beolab 5’s, I would just say that they are voiced differently. That is to say they are not necessarily an upgrade from the Beolab 5, but an entirely different speaker. I prefer the way the Beolab 5’s are voiced, however; that’s just my opinion. I have listened to the 50’s pretty extensively and they are very good, just different from what I am used to. My friend is now sorry he traded in his 5’s and also spent a lot of money doing so. I hope that helps answer your question.
@@danielduesentriebjunior I agree. That’s a good price and you have them for many more years to come.
Thanks for leaning into the place that us future-fi minimalists & music first heads love. Yes, I would ditch the quantity / gear jungle for something that is beautiful, unusual but takes the experience to the next level.
look amazing......your review reminds me of the first time I heard Bose 901 and 601......back in the 80's
I bought the Buchardt A500. Excellent speaker system. I think these go too far for me but I admire your ability to keep and open mind and open ears.
Please make a Beolab 8 review! Would greatly appreciate it!
That would be awesome. I’ll second that. Heard them the other day. Awesome for their size.
Review of the Beolab 8's Yes Please Andrew. !!!!!!
If I can afford, this unit will be my favorite, good for sitting room, easy to place and joy to listen, sometimes we do not need serious equipment but good sound.
I have B&O Earset 1 mobile for Ericsson mobile phone, the sound quality is superb, both me and the one at other side feels that we are talking face to face in a quiet room!
Hi Andrew, my friend have Beolab 28 and before he owned Beolab 18 and Beolab 9. Now.. I have owned a sea of speakers including KEF LS50, Anthony Gallo Ref 3.1 and ATC's and I know how hard it is to describe Bang Olufsens newer speakers. To my ears Beolab 18 is the more affordable choise. You get a high percentage of that big and pleasing experience for less than the 28's.. My own speakers is Aurelia Cerica XO and that's a speaker that I'll never sell (they came out 2013 and the model is still in production),I have them connected to a separate Icepower amp just like all Beolabs comes equiped with. The Cerica's is extremely holografic and holds up good with Beolab 28 and even outperforms them with more spooky/physical/pinpointed effects and also the bass sometimes sounds more exact/realistic on the Cericas... BUT, would I rather have the Beolabs 28's? Yes! Simply because they are better allround, pretty and no need trying out 100 positions and adapt to your room. Before the Cerica was my No.1 soundstages wise.. but the soundstage on 28's is even bigger and wider and they setup a lifelike stage! I think it's the best allround speaker I've heard and it goes from the quality of pleasing all to perfection and you won't need to buy a surround, because it's really good with movies. That feature you ALSO get with the Beolab 18's with a sub). But the 28's can do things I've never heard before.. as YOU said: "Let you in on the recordings" On well recored performaces your room becomes a huge, lifelike bubble that transports you back to the exact time and place. You really understand that you're getting that same feeling the people around that certain stage/studio got at at the time of the recording/concert played out.. Magic stuff! But as I said! I recommend the Beolab 18's if you want that signature, preferably used with sub if played with high volume or movies. 18's speakers give you a big piece of the magic experience of pleasure. If we talk vocals alone or movies.. I think the 18's better.. Voices/solo is so harmonic and sedusive. But then, if you turn on different genres, live, complex music, rock or tracks with special effects the performance on the 28's wins hands down.
My conclusion is that I really want 28's or 5's as my next main speakers if nothing better comes out.. I've seen a danish guy review both at home and he clearly prefered the 5's because of the extra dynamic/preasure and punch that you feel in your body.
I will soon buy B/O mainspeakers. BUT I WON'T sell the Aurelia Cerica simply because they are different and they does many things even better than the 28's.
You really should review Beolab 5's or 18's with sub and report what you think.. You can find both cheaper and the 5's might even outperform the 28's.. or why not try Aurelia?
28's is excellent, but I am not convinced with the lows on some tracks.. it may come somme updates/corrections, it reminded me of a Harman Kardon Go Play. But on the other hand they can play magic on other songs like no one else.
Thanks for one of few REAL reviews on Beolab!
Keep these weekend releases coming, Kristi and Andrew! Products like the Beolab 28 and Sony A9 definitely have me questioning everything I thought I knew about hifi. Also, I love the options for living spaces and decor when minimizing the electronics aspect of a set-up!
Thank you. Also, when you don't have to worry about where to place or set a turntable, amp, preamp etc., one's living space really does start to open up and have more or greater flexibility.
Two of the most surprising products of the year for sure!
@@andrewrobinsonreviews 👏this 👏is👏the 👏future👏
Wie Need More B&O Reviews on this HiFi Channel. I wish you would do the A9 or theatre
Good morning @Andrew Robinson & @Kristi Wright. Hope you have a great day. Enjoying this one for the “boy that would be nice” factor. Beautiful speakers.
Morning Sean! They are stunning!
Good morning!
Omg, the audio of this video sounds like listening to a movie in a very good cinema. That with listening through B&O’s earbuds. I’m just impressed
Thanks! We work really hard to make sure our videos are of a professional nature!
@@andrewrobinsonreviews and it shows! It was very nice to watch! I don’t even intendo on buying a speaker but watched it to the end 👐🏻
The speakers look stunning and I imagine they sound the same too. Intrigued by how yu described it as highly transparent. Great review.
I'd NOT replace my separates (main listening gear) with an all-in-one setup like Beolab 28. . . BUT . . for living room speakers they look gorgeous.
Great review, Andrew! I'm a long term owner of Beolab 5. They are a force to be reckoned with. It would be great if you could review those too? Again, they completely vanish and give a holographic image... but also have enough power to almost blow the walls of your room out. They kick so hard that you can feel the hair move on your head. However, they are big. And technology moves on.
I’m in love with this product. Thanks for the review - completely sold me tbh.
This reviewer has great articulation, he's really made me want to listen to them. I just wish i could afford them
I was never about the aesthetics of my audio equipment. Then I met my significant, a first generation Dane, and she would frown on how the equipment would interfere with the room. She even had issues with how the cables were laid out. Didn’t want more than one pair of speakers in the room. My two sets of Magenpans have to be put in storage when I wasn’t using them. Sigh. These B&O’s she would love. The things you do for love.
Bang & Olufsen speakers, stereo equipment, TV's, and other products are not mere electronics; they are sculptural works of art that belong in any museum of modern art and industrial design. :)
True but if you want "investment art" buy a Picasso. B&O has basically eliminated "affordable" audio equipment like in the '80s and '90s. They have gone high end and that puts the average customers out of their marketplace. If they were smart they would create their own financing so people could possibly afford their products. Pretty stupid IMO.
@@rancosteel luxury's basic definition is that all cannot afford it
If you make it accessible to a larger audience ,you might sell more but then wealthy class will not prefer your brand as it's common
It's not about revenue, but your market placement strategy that decides that.
Less units sold (with 5 times more price) means less hassle for post sales service/ repairs, meaning companies can concentrate their resources( with more money now, thanks to the price paid by luxurious customers) on innovation and aesthetics rather than fighting for survival.
Till date there is no electronics company that says you don't need my warranty as my product will not go bad.
Companies that charge high ticket prices, simply replace the unit , that is called gaurantee.
How do they replace it , they charge you that during the sell already😊
@@preets1 Yes, it sounds more like leasing than owning. Any product that is not repairable is worthless IMO.
Answering Your Question: I had 2 BOSE Performance Classic Equipment. In a little way they remind of those speakers I had which I used for myself and as a Sound Guy at City Events. The sound on them was Wonderful, but they were not Record Listening Speakers Like I want in the house. I need more STUFF to Play with because almost every record seems to do better if I tweak them individual to the Record I'm playing. I loved MY BOSE for my Guitar, band, vocals and it's amazing in part because I put it up and plug things in and IT DOES THE REST.... but at home, I need to fiddle more with my Seat in the Auditorium.
“Idc that it’s not ruler flat. I measured it with my ears and it sounds brilliant” 😂😂 greatest quote of all time
B & O do it again with designs and products that fly in the face of convention. I love the look / functionality but to hear it gave you pause Andrew is what I really love. I think that is what makes things like this so exciting. As the technology gets better and the ability to, "Do more with less" in terms of overall gear is tremendous. Also, B&O should just license their app to every other manufacturer.
I see those Wharfdale Lintons back there, pumped for the review since I bought them a couple months ago!
For people thinking the B&O 28's are expensive, you are thinking the wrong way. These are meant to be bought and kept for 10 years, the technology is such a breaktrough in terms of quality/design that will well last you 10+ years, in which if you decide to sell, you will still get back 50% of your investment as they hold their value as with every top level B&O speakers. The WISA wireless technology is barely implemendted in most of all speakers on the market right now (klipch, SA, buchardt so far) so rest assured you are buying into the future.
@@dougdavis8986 ask me how I know that you never head a pair of B&O?
@@dougdavis8986 lol.. keep digging, maybe someone will start to believe you.
@@dougdavis8986 You absolutely can't buy stuff that is way better, especially the stuff that sound exactly the same as the B&O system.
Go listen to the B&O system, and start to put together a system that can match it? that means speakers, amps, wireless receivers, etc.etc.. Yes it has to be fully wireless and let's get real, they are still going to look ugly. and yes beauty has a price, don't be against looks when you are talking about paying for sound, Go do it try it... I don't need advice nor approval from audiophile boomers. I know what sound good and right now B&O gives you the best bang for buck systems bar none.
More like 30 years. B&o will always be supporting older models, i still use Beolab 8002’s with dealer support.
Even modules will be able to be upgraded and changed later on, much like the Level
Happiness is Andrew & Kristi on Sunday morning.
Thank you so much. We're so happy you decided to join us. Have a great day and thanks for watching!
@@andrewrobinsonreviews Hey, you guys are must-see youtube tv. If I go to the youtube app on my Roku at 10 am Sunday and don't see a video, I start to get all jittery. It's almost like I missed my morning coffee.
I can't justify a $16k speaker purchase, and I never thought I would ever be tempted. Great review!
High class review of a high class product. Would fit nicely in a Bond Villain’s lair (who could probably afford these speakers, too.)
I was selling B&O systems back in the mid 90’s and they always were ultra modern and they are masters, in my opinion, at striking the perfect balance between lifestyle and performance.
Hi Andrew, I really loved your A9 review. Could you also do a review of the Beolab 8's? That would be awesome!
The ‘gear junkie’ aspect can also drive you in the direction of a product like these. They are slick new tech that allow what was traditionally a stack of gear to just vanish into the background, yet still provide the desired end result, which is an excellent listening experience. Very desirable.
I happily ditched all the “extras” when I finally bought a pair of BeoLab 5’s 2nd hand. HiFi heaven.
Beolab 5 is a better speaker for most music and movies. 28's can throw sounds wider than iv'e ever heard 2 speakers do and can create a impressive real life stage. But sometimes on tracks the bass in 28's sounds really boomy and in my opinion that's a huge deal for this kind of money. If they can fix that, this speaker could be the one of the best no matter the price.. but I don't think it will happend because they have to remain that selling point for the 50's.
I really like both your views which are honest and always detailed
And as a Bang and Olufsen fanatic your view on. The brand gets a fair ride on your channel
I purchased my 28’s this week and can’t wait for them to deliver. They are the perfect family room speaker. I have a large fireplace and no AV cabinet. I want to maintain a clean look and regular speakers won’t work. Wireless is my h option these look as good as they sound in my living room!
I'm curious and hope you're okay with me asking. Presumably you have now had some time with the 28's - are you happy with them? Anything that is cause for concern? And also - what finish did you choose?
@@bzdtemp I got the gold pair. It’s beautiful and matched my home the best. In terms of problems, these are finicky with WiFi. I’m being told the Orbi mesh systems don’t work well with these, which I have. I am having a lot of lost connection problems. My dealer will be installing a new WiFi system in my home to hopefully correct this. I cannot recommend spending the premium for these until that’s resolved.
@@mr.c.3150
Do you use them with your tv set and if you do how do they work for watching movies.
@@mr.c.3150 updates?
@@yeahthatsright33 I’ve delayed in updating as I’ve continued with wireless issues. The latest firmware update has made significant improvements, however, wireless link to my A9 and Beosound 2 via Bang and Olufsen’s proprietary protocol still does not work. Sound quality is great with built in Deezer. But the technical issue persist.
Awesome review! I'm really glad you went into detail about some of the connectivity options near the end. Honestly I have considered these speakers, but my main problem is that I don't want to ditch my current gear. If I did decide on these speakers, I'd continue my look for a Bang & Olufsen Beocenter 9500 so that I'd have the Powerlink connectivity options that I could then get an adapter for the RJ45. My current B&O set up uses the Beocenter 9000. I'm fully in love with the looks, design, and functionality of that item, and I'm a little worried the 28's would add a layer of complexity to what is currently a system that I just really am glad to own and love and care for. Though honestly, I think my dream speakers are still going to be the Beolab 5's. It's my goal in life to own a pair of them some day.
Andrew love those B+O speakers/esp their modern look! I GUESS I didn't hear the part of your review where you discuss their price??? From what I found, think it hovers around 17K?....... I would purchase them, and in probably 1-2 days find my cats climbing on them! Maybe you can contact B+O tell them you need a couple more years, for a thorough review!
I love B+O products although dont see the 28's in my near future! CCC Austin,TX
I love them , my parents had an old b&o stereo all in one made with teakwood and had reel to reel , turntable and receiver from the 60s when we lived in Germany and now I have two b&o s3 speakers hooked up to the Mac mini and they sound awesome
Will you review the new Beolab 8 stereo-speakers? Especially and unboxing and a review in general would be awesome!
I am beginning to think these are almost the speaker I have been looking for. At 4.1kg I can carry a single or pair room to room (sure I can make two trips with Beolab 28 but avoid hitting the top on the door and weight is hard). So they do everything the Beosound Balance or Level can but also have powerlink and WiSA for watching a movie or RUclips in synch. No battery but I am not looking to use as a fully portable speaker.
Agreed!
Please Andrew,let's have a review of the BEOLAB 8's
Your reaction on this stereo speaker is amazing and, this is one of the best to enjoy as a rich person.
I am ditching all of the gear and just purchased the beolabs 28 :) I will report back :) Great review presentation!
Any updates
I love B&O, and i have a multiroom system. i would love to add the Beolab 28 speakers to that system... like you said, they sound incredible, and i love the timeless design... great review
This man is a KING reviewer! Great review Andrew!
Great review, I followed the link to have a look at the product page. I then swore out loud when I saw the price.
Awesome review as always. The speakers looks stunning in your setup. I have listened to them briefly in a B&O store and they are impressive. They look much nicer in the flesh. (BTW, is that a 77" on the wall?)
85. Dets in the description.
@@KristiWright Thanks. A majestic TV :) Looks really great. Hope you keep the Beolab 28. They look great in that room :)
Great review once again, love that you love B&O!
I have some on order to make my B&O system even more silly and I can't wait :p
This presenter has like the perfect voice-over speaking voice! 😀😀😀👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
I’m happy with my four wired Kef meta with Kef atmos speakers atop the front speakers with a Denon Anniversary reference receiver and a Kef center and all priced competitively. The Beolab are great looking, though.
I love having no amp etc. on or in my sideboard between the speakers… just flowers onto and books into it 🤩👌
Wow as a danish audiophile this review makes me proud :), going from two black boxes to this must have been something designwise to get used to 😂
Have you only gotten that bigger place yet, you might have had the room to keep them 😁😎🤟
Great review guys, one of the best ones!
Mr B and Mr O held to the principle that speakers should not have a flavor but be so well made and tuned in themselves as to work with any clean sound source. Peter Walker of Quad held that same principle and pushed affordable electrostatics to the 90 series but admitted that low end harmonics required a sub-woofer to supply frequencies we humans do not hear directly. We hear the harmonics of instruments entering those regions.
All 3 pioneers admired how J B Lansing had overcome the problem in his cinema systems by using very large cones at the limits of the materials technology of the 1930s and '40s and Peter Walker sometimes used medium sized Tannoy speakers for BBC concerts with filters expressly to cover low harmonics.
Although "apps" and electronic manipulation would been technically understood by these great audio men they would have been sharped eared enough to spot the artifice exceeding the art.
Thank you for the amplifier class question! I would love a more in-depth video, link me if you have it already, but this has always thrown me.
I’m doing dishes and watching this. Now I have an insane itch to spend an obscene amount of money. Thank you for an awesome review, and for making my bank account dryer then Sahara desert. 😂
:) good to see you! Have a great day!
@@KristiWright same to you ma’am! 💃🏻🕺🏻🍸🥃
To answer the question of reducing your audio components to something like the B&Os; YES, unequivocally. I love the idea of simplicity, especially when the component(s) can deliver what I need sonically and visually. I understand the pricing, but these are just above what I'm willing to spend.
Coffee in hand, sunday audio fix in progress
Good morning!
Always great to see you join us!
Cheers to that!
I tune out so much pop culture and what not. This content is worth my time.
Great review, thanks! No way i can afford these speakers but you’ve made me think about my approach to my system… and i actually feel better about my choices and setup. Thanks again :)
😍
How does it compare to Beolab 18?
Went and listened to them on Robertson in West Hollywood. I also listened to the big daddys in the same room that are $100k. It is spooky what comes out of this pencil thin speaker, it's simply beyond amazing, let alone the coolest speaker presently. For design, nothing compares. B & O's subwoofer is outrageously expensive, these, all things considered, are compelling.
I think the key to modern speakers is their ability to use more surface space so that they can also perform in 360 degrees.
That means the speaker can project more sound into the room and fill more of the space so that a smaller or thinner speaker sounds better or is more effective.
Would be interesting to compare them with the Kii THREE. Would be nice to see Tidal / ROON integration.
Love your reviews.
Love this one in particular (I just finished listening to the Beoplay Level Video AGAIN -got to be about 6 or 7 times now).
I love the way you bring the experience to life and give us the best rendition of what was evoked in you.
I am sitting here and just want them - I want a room where I can enjoy them and want them in my life.
I have a pair of B&O P6s and a Pair of B&O A1 2nd Gens, and I absolutely love love love those.
I also have the H95s Headphones, which I adore - almost as much as the HD650s, haha.
Can you tell I like the high-end but have no money? Haha.
I absolutely do NOT think I will ever have the room to spend that much on speakers, but I might get a pair of B&O Levels or maybe even a pair of B&O Balance speakers.
I love what B&O have done.
By focusing on active speakers - they make it possible to have an audiophilic ear but not have to go through what amp to get for a set of speakers -you can actually focus on the music and that quality. There is nothing wrong with going through amps, and I am sure it is incredibly enjoyable.t I have no desire to do that, but I do want exceptional music delivery - THat is what B&O delivers, and I love it.
I am going to try and find a store to go and listen to the 28s - and hurt myself, haha.
The video made that a necessity - I really need to experience what you and Kristi did - you made it sound so good.
BTW - I always wait for Kristi's thoughts - she has a view that connects with y perspective and makes really interesting points.
Thanks for doing the work - while this is enjoyable, and I am sure you enjoy doing these - I recognise that this is work too, and you guys have put a lot into this. Thank you for doing that. Much appreciated.
You are very good at it!
I agree with you about changing settings and the need to remove the front and the curtains is not practical and the risk of damaging the speakers real.
You wouldn’t expect that from such a brand but for B&O the design is very important. But I have an other problem with such speakers, the always changing technology can make them after a certain period of time unusable. I believe more in separate components, they are more adjustable in time.
But for the people who can afford to spend such money, they can take that risk. Maybe I am wrong but future will tell.
As always a great review,
Greetings,
Ludo
Belgium
The BL28 do have a modular build. So it is possible to fit in a better DAC, better CPU and any changes to fibre optical, HDMI eARC, Bluetooth v23 what ever. Whether they will ever do that is another thing. Meridian built an amplifier that took user plug in modules. You could add 20 inputs one at a time. Switch between 20 turntables or record to 19 reel to reel or cassette decks. The 8000 series of pre-amps have slots to add and/or upgrade circuits and so the principle does work. With changes to wi-fi, Bluetooth, Ethernet over the past 10 years there will not be the interchangeability we have had from RCA phono plugs for 70 years.
Brilliant review - I absolutely love your format - Kristi has a wonderful sense of humour. You guys are a great team. Thank you👍👍👍
I feel they are beautiful and amazing, as you said they are a pretty good deal when you add up all the other stuff one would have to buy for a nice system 👍👍
I strongly agree with you mate. It's one of the best sounding speaker.
It's gorgeous and it's all in one. It's amazing.
I been an audio enthusiast to B&O from 10+ years… while I cannot afford the new equipment…I do buy vintage audio from B&O.. some of those quite fantastic looking and sounding… would you consider to make a review of those?.. I have a beosound 3000 , beolab 8000…and some others…
Beolab 8000 is vintage now! :( I'm getting old..
@@rghl5617 … the beauty of B&O is that they make such a timeless pieces of audio gear.. the 8000 is a perfect example… people that I know that they never heard of B&O and they saw it for the first time they would never guess how old they are.. and that is the beauty of a well designed speaker..
@@fortanell1 Absolutely, it can still compete nowadays which really is amazing. I would be happy owning them now.
“House curve.” Brilliant ! Man, I have to write that down.
is this still ur favourite speaker?
A surprising demo track to understand "wide" versus "narrow" on the 28's is "Risin' To The Top" by Ken Burke. In narrow mode, it's a vocal in the range of the front and side drivers that has one focus in narrow, and as mentioned in the review, a much smoother, warmer approach in wide. Meanwhile, you can practically see the speaker kicking the drums. Auditioned on a floor standing pair.
I must admit they are cool looking! From the future or something
B&O has been leading in the looks department for decades. If you're not familiar with their products, totally fall down a google rabbit hole checking out their older stuff. So, so good!
B&O reminded us there are people out there who can throw almost 20k$ for a lifestyle system. Convenience is important to me, and I ditch my vinyl collection in the nineties in favor of CD. I have a big collection now and I don't stream much, so it would take something as good, cheap (3k-5k) and user friendly to convince me to change. Very fun watching you guys! Much love from Quebec!
B&O reminded us that some people out there can house a 300-pound weight, $40000 BeoLab 90 !
@@geraldmcmullon2465 That too!
All HiFi systems are lifestyle systems technically speaking though - that is, a consumer item that is an adjunct to your lifestyle.
Albeit some audiophiles take it to the nth degree as a hobby of fiddling and tweaking, in which case the HiFi becomes their life, not their lifestyle system.
I'd ditch 28 for 90!
Thanks, great review.
Tank you for this review, I was waiting since the first instagram photo! Awesome product!
Hope it was worth the wait!
Are you going to do a review on the B&O Beolab 90's ?
Im usually suspicious of thin speakers. Its amazing they can be compared to much beefier boxes. Cool stuff
I think a lot of enthusiasts have difficulty looking past tradition, which is no doubt why products like this (or soundbars, powered speakers etc.) are vilified in hifi. Not that you vilified the speaker, but just speaking in general terms.
The sound from them is HUGE. Hard to believe until you hear them.
Go all the way back to the 8000s!
I believe it. Yeah, not trying to vilify anything full disclosure! Im sure if i could share a space with this system, i would be blown away. If you say they are magical, i tend to believe you!
hi andrew can u also please review the cheaper beolab 18? thanks.
My first hi-fi experience happened to be with some Beolab 5 from early 2000’. Before that I thought music was just music, but since then I started realizing there was something more than just listening your favorite song, how it was played.. stared my “audiophile” approach with some basic Yamaha PianoCraft system, and then moved to some old Bose 901 that my father used to own, not for purist I know, but I loved them. After some time I decided to move for something now and more “pure”. I was very tempted to go for some B&O beolab 3 with a Sub, I just love how B&O manages to deliver the sound quality regardless the purity of the process. Eventually I decided to go for a pair of B&W 702 S2 also that’s to your reviews, they are linked to a Yamaha AS-702 not to go completely broke. I love the sound stage, the Yamaha with 100w/ channel manages a good job driving the thirsty speakers. Overall I’m very happy and I spend hours listening to music. But them, B&O can give you a lot with very few pieces of equipment.
Excellent and enjoyable review!🔥👌🏾
The Beolab 50 and the flagship Beolab 90 speakers will blow you away even more if you loved the sound of the 28’s.
B&O look to be on a roll.
I would love a Beogram 4000c video, doesn’t have to be a review, it just looks so cool 😎. I remember seeing the original when I was young