HOW A SPEAKER CHANGED OUR DAILY LIFE! Bang and Olufsen A9 Review MK5
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- Опубликовано: 27 июл 2024
- 🎯 B&O A9 MK5 bit.ly/3ms3m2Z
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► SHOP BANG & OLUFSEN A9 5th GEN
B&O A9 MK5 bit.ly/3ms3m2Z
► COMPARABLE SMART SPEAKERS
Pantheon 1 bit.ly/3vNA1Rj
Sonos Era 300 bit.ly/4326enY • bit.ly/3CaoeQI
Bang & Olufsen Balance amzn.to/3bblRkh
Bang & Olufsen Level bit.ly/3j8g56S
Bang & Olufsen 28s d/o
► TESTING THE B&O A9 - BANG AND OLUFSEN A9 5TH GEN REVIEW
SPEAKERS
B&O Balance amzn.to/3bblRkh
B&O Level bit.ly/3j8g56S
MUSIC
Beth Hart amzn.to/35HJv4r
Tove Lo bit.ly/3WPYimJ
Massive Attack bit.ly/3NaCiQt
Greta van Fleet bit.ly/43GDjVW
Peter Wolf bit.ly/43I9GUi
► HOW A SPEAKER CHANGED OUR DAILY LIFE! Bang and Olufsen A9 Review MK5
00:00 BANG AND OLUFSEN A9 - INTRO
00:28 BEOPLAY A9 SPEAKER - SPECS
01:40 A9 5TH GEN - DESIGN & BUILD
02:17 PAIRING THE A9 WITH OTHER B&O PRODUCTS
02:38 THE B&O APP
03:34 MANUAL OPERATION
03:55 BANG OLUFSEN A9 SETUP
05:23 BANG AND OLUFSEN SOUND - A9 BASS
06:06 BANG AND OLUFSEN SOUND - A9 MIDRANGE
06:46 BANG AND OLUFSEN SOUND - A9 TREBLE
07:29 A9 SOUNDSTAGE AND DYNAMICS
07:49 B&O A9 vs PANTHEON 1
08:29 B&O A9 vs SONOS ERA300
08:52 A9 vs B&O BALANCE and B&O LEVEL
09:22 BEOSOUND A9 5TH GEN REVIEW - WRAP UP
10:00 KRISTI on the B&O A9
13:40 GROWING HIFI
16:00 BEST SPEAKER TO LIVE WITH
18:29 OUTRO
► SHOP OUR LIVING ROOM
TCL 98” amzn.to/3kbj4hB
LG 83" OLED: amzn.to/3tppAmy
SONY 85" TV: amzn.to/3ygOW7S
MEDIA BENCHES: bit.ly/3X6SzYU • bit.ly/3Gk6UKL
IVORY RUG amzn.to/3WyJrw7
LOUNGE CHAIR bit.ly/3mGxoQx
EVERYTHING ELSE: bit.ly/3PcJzO4
► MY REFERENCE AUDIO AND HOME THEATER SYSTEM
POWER
Audiolab bit.ly/3ZhPw1q
Technics bit.ly/3bcE3fi
LOUDSPEAKERS
Polk bit.ly/3LtiF1N • bit.ly/3RcQR5Z
Q Acoustics bit.ly/3b0IbQ2
KEF bit.ly/3A72HY4
Klipsch bit.ly/3Lg3HMR
SPEAKER STANDS
Budget amzn.to/3DD0UJX
Reference bit.ly/3xsoe9M
TURNTABLE
TT2 bit.ly/3tWwdxd
TVs
OLED: bit.ly/3AzeD6y
LED: amzn.to/3ygOW7S
QLED: amzn.to/3biyRXu
HOME THEATER
Receivers: bit.ly/3n2lTje ($) bit.ly/3DyHEjb ($$)
Soundbars: amzn.to/39hJ1Xz ($) bit.ly/3OS72nG ($$)
In Ceiling Speakers: bit.ly/3I3gAbg
► STAY CONNECTED
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#bangandolufsen #hifi #homeaudio 
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What's better, the A9 or the 28?
Can connection to cable aux supra 3.5 mm jack for Pro Display XDR Mac Mini M2 Mac Studio M2 Max Mac Studio M2 Ultra?
I repeat it any time you review a B&O product, but your is the only "credible" youtube channel able to do it properly, and transmit the feelings and the real experience that come from these speakers. Great job as always, and thanks for this video.
Appreciate you saying that and watching Alberto.
Kristi makes the most important point anyone could make in Hifi reviewing, when she speaks about "looking forward to using the product everyday"!!! In case you missed it folks, that's what hifi is all about!! It couldn't be more plain or better put than that, because when you have that one quality going for you then you really have done something right!
😍
I look forward to listening to my open FR driver plus boxed woofer, speakers every day. They give me so much joy that it makes me so glad I'm alive! 😅
I have been listening to my stereo system since 1970 when I bought à Sonata NS 1600 amp (8w per ch) and a simple turntable (just the platter, belt, motor and metal base plate and tone arm (a really long one, all chrome) bought separate to the turntable and l made a box for the turntable, and a SURE cartridge then $20. And built my own 6" single driver speaker boxes for my 6" single drivers. My first system. 😅
I've just bought the A9 and wow it's gooooood we have a big living room and kitchen in one and it's play music crystal clear , we are a couple in our 50th and we are dancing together almost every day since we got even our youngest daughter that still lives at home join us ❤ thank you B&O
I love to hear this!
I really loved this review and video. Congrats both Andrew and Kristi on getting an A9, and I'm so glad you both enjoyed it.
My audio journey started really young, born in 1983, and MTV was my favorite station to watch by the time I was 5. My Dad had a Pioneer SX-828 receiver, PL-12D turntable, a Technics cassette deck, all running to a pair of Bang & Olufsen Beovox S45-2 speakers. I was always in love with this stereo system, and wanted my own. I went through a lot of different items as a young kid. GE radio, Panasonic radio that I still own (early 90's), to an older 1970's RCA receiver with built in 8 Track player, and a set of some kind of hifi speaker. A few different Sharp Walkmans, and a Sony Discman in the late 90's. I was able to get a Pioneer SX-828 of my own when I turned something like 13 years old. It was one that my uncle owned, and gifted to me for my birthday. I had saved up money by getting a paper rout, and went to my local hi-fi store (RIP Audio Village), and bought a pair of Pioneer CS-G304a speakers. I used that set up for many many years.
I also had some pretty decent car audio equipment, as it was the first time in my life that I was allowed to get some freedom from the home, get away from the parents, and listen to what I wanted to, at a loud level. Lots of Pioneer car audio, and Panasonic as well. Mixed with different subwoofers from Pioneer, Kenwood, and some other brands I'm just forgetting.
In 2010 I bought my first house, set up my living room with the Pioneer SX-828, and CS-G304a speakers. I've also had a Kenwood 5 disc changer, and when that broke, I bought a Sony ES 5 disc changer that I still own today. I also got back into records at this time. The B&O speakers my dad had left an impression on me, and I bought a Beogram 1602 turntable with a working MMC 20EN cartridge. Around this time I was trying a lot of different turntables. My Dad's old PL-12D, the 1602, an Audio Technica AT-PL-120, a Pioneer PL-510A. After jumping around a lot, I found that the 1602 was the best sounding of all the turntables I owned, but it was getting pretty beat up too. So I found a Bang & Olufsen RX2 that was in basically mint condition. I put a new belt on it, and bought a new Sound-Smith SMMC 3 cart, and then found that the phono pre amp I had (Cambridge) was not well made, and was leaking voltage back to the cartridge. So I then upgraded that to a Musical Fidelity V90, and was really happy with that set up for a while.
All of that got me really into the B&O bug, and I wanted a full B&O system. I had a living room in my lower level that would collect odd and ends of odd hi-fi equipment, but around 2018 I decided to go deeper into the B&O rabbit hole. I started by buying a Beomaster 5500, Beocord 5500, and a Master Control Panel 5500, running to my Dad's old S45-2 speakers. I then got a Beogram 5005 as well, but the Beomaster was a bit of a mess at times, and the MCP had major issues too. The person who sold me the Beogram 5005 was a huge B&O nerd, and we both were on the Beoworld forums, so we ended up becoming pretty good friends, and he helped me repair the Beomaster 5500 and MCP to the point where everything worked as it should. However, I saw he had a Beocenter 9000, and I was in awe of how cool that system was, and how it worked. I told him if he ever wanted to sell that, I wanted it. Well, he had another in storage that was in good condition looks wise, but needed some work.
I got the Beocenter 9000, it is in near mint condition and works flawlessly. I picked up a pair of Beolab Penta Mk I speakers, a matching Beogram 9000, Beolink 1000, and even the Active 10AM antenna. It's a gorgeous system and I just love when I get to listen to it. The Penta's were a huge project, but turned out good. I love the flexibility of the system. I have a Pioneer 8 Track player hooked up to it, built in cassette, CD, AM, FM, an Audioengine Bluetooth B1, and the Beogram turntable. It's crazy how versatile it is.
I've since picked up Bang & Olfusen H6 headphones, H7, H9i, E6, and H95's. Beoplay Active A2, a set of Beolab 4000's Mk II (love them), Beocenter 9500 (huge project in the works), Beomaster 7000, and Beogram CD 7000 (also a project).
There is still a lot for me left to do, but eventually I want a pair of Beolab 5's. Thanks to anyone who read this.
I love that you do B&O reviews. They make some very good products but rarely get reviewed.
My life changed after buying my first b&o speaker. Theres is honestly a sound that is truly special, not only the sound, but the design, the history, the quality. Its honestly something else. Ive had speakers of different quality through out my life, but b&o changed my life.
I started with a couple of used beolap 4000, added a couple of used beolap 8000. Then i bougt a beosound moment and now ive got of almost new couple of beolap 8000 and beo lap 3's and a subwoofer. Its continues to blow my mind. I wouldnt have it anyother way.
Really appreciate you sharing!
B&O is exceptional in taking care of you as a customer. I had an issue with stereo pairing two Beosound Emerge. Around two-three days of back and forth emails, they escalated it. They CALLED ME and made sure I tried everything possible. Before even saying “OK, we will take them back” they brought the problem to their engineers and pushed a tailored update TO MY SPEAKERS!!! Just to fix them. Never had an issue since. I became a devout follower and have no intention of going back. If I need more speakers I just wait until I can afford one. They’re incredible.
I got into it when I saw your Beosound Stage review a couple of years ago and I’ve been your fan ever since. Great content, as always!!
I have been a B&O customer since 1989 when I bought my first and only turntable the Beogram RX2. B&O puts so much care, design, and quality in their products that almost everyone can find a very nice product that works for them, both musically, and financially. I have several of their portable bluetooth speakers(2 Beolit 15s and a Beolit 20) and that beautiful turntable which is over 30 years old now. I wish more companies gave as much thought to their products and took as much care manufacturing them as B&O does. The A9 is really out of my budget now, but the tech that they have developed to make that speaker as amazing as it is, is also, in different forms in other B&O products, and they really are all, beautiful, and amazing things.
Best and most heartfelt video I’ve seen from you guys and the one I can relate the most, especially the monologue section where Kristi confesses of how she rediscovered music through those speakers and can’t stop listening to them instead of worrying about how she will get to the “ideal sound”. I feel EXACTLY like that about the B&W Formation Duos and I can’t thank you enough guys for your review on them and how they ended up changing my approach to HiFi listening.
Now, I don’t know how they compare sonically to the A9 (it will be interesting to know) but boy have I rediscovered music. It has solved all my issues snd hassle about trying to find the right amp preamp, DAC, sub that will match, because B&W has done it for me in a smart active speaker format. And they have done it in the best way they feel their signature sound will be represented. Short signal path, optimised drive unit behaviour to amplifier, dynamic EQ, full control over dynamic unit behaviour, DSP, those are some of the benefits a smart active speaker will give you and in the process take away the time consuming, pricy headache (for many people fun way) to try, play around and find what match is right for you. If you get goosebumps right away and can’t look forward to come back home to listen to music; I mean what more do you need, isn’t what we most strive for from our “ideal” system?
Sincerely appreciate your comment and I thank you so much for sharing your experience with everyone!
Loved the review, especially Kristi's comments. My hifi journey began as a 13 yr old kid with his first all-in-one stereo and visiting any record shop I could find. Fast forward about about 35 years and I now get to share the experiences with my 16yr daughter who just loves music. The hobby has given me a lifetime of pleasure of just listening to music and to now share it with my kid, it's truely something special to me.
Had an A9 for 7/8 years in y bedroom - its a true great, and the sounds signature is just so very lovely.
I love music and I wore out my folks console, blew up the speakers when they went to separates, and told my fiance (now wife of 47 years), that I would always have a good system in the house. We had 3 music professors in the family and they gifted some very profound albums and I wore those out also.
Loved Kristi’s comments about just enjoying the music. Keep up the great work, guys!
I love Bang & Olufsen for adding Airplay and Chromecast to their own multiroom option. We’re a mixed Apple/Android household, everyone uses different streaming services, so this flexibility is fantastic.
The flexibility is clutch with these new products as I agree it allows more people to enjoy the speakers on their terms rather than the technology's.
Greetings from Singapore, Andrew & Kristi,
Wish to say this is such a heart warming review.
I have been a B&O fan for decades and am still using a pair of Lab9 speakers with a BV10 TV. Masterlinked to a Beosound 9000.
Even own their now discontinued cabinets.
Brought joy to both my wife and myself for years. And can certainly relate to both your sentiments.
Wishing you both and all your channel subscribers great health and joy.
Thanks Shane! Appreciate you watching and sharing your thoughts.
Beolab 9's and a Beousound 9000!? That's awesome!
Emotional comments, really touching. It's not about equipment, it's about relationship right? With people, with brands.....moments.
This is one of the best reviews you've ever done! I have owned 3 different versions of the A9 in the past. Kristy made a very profound statement "finding a unit that makes your partner and kids want to be next to you/closer to you" that triggered a thought of how much my kids had fun with this unit. It used used to be a selfie background for them, swoping and changing covers on it. There's more happy memories of us when we had the A9 and this video just took me there. This is very personal review and thank you for restoring my momeries with it and I might just pull a trigger on this unit! I'm B&O collector myself and this review is very special. I give thanks once more.
Thank you for sharing your personal story, Kgomotso. I'm so glad this one resonated with you.
@@KristiWright oh boy it did.
Just checking back in y’all’s channel is still great & getting better all the time. Great job.
I’m really happy that this speaker gets more exposure, because it really is that exceptional. It doesn’t hurt either that it’s also stunningly beautiful.
Excellent video! 🎉
Thanks so much for watching!
I've been thinking B&O A9 for a while. Thanks for the video and I might visit the store again to listen as I want one 😊
I've been dreaming of buying the A9 for my bedroom for several month now, looking for something that looks as good as it sounds, but it was a bit above my target price range. Thanks to your passionate review (Kristi's comments in particular), I decided to pull the trigger and order it. Couldn't be happier. Thank you guys! (I still love the Q Acoustics Concept 50s in my living room, will soon add a Lyngdorf BW-2 subwoofer).
I fell in love with B&O several years ago when I started flipping 1970 - 1980s stereo equipment on eBay. I heard my first B&O equipment - a Beocenter 3500 with a B&O S-45 speakers that stopped me in my tracks. The sound was awesome. I initially thought B&O was just design over sound, but I was wrong. Since then I bought a lot of B&O gear and was always satisfied. The sound is pure and powerful, the backward compatibility was mostly honored, and the quality always felt top notch. Loved your review and now I want to buy a set of A9s. They are not just "lifestyle products" they are quality systems that deserve more respect.
Your closing statement says it all , just enjoy and be thankful fot allthe great reviews !!!😊👍👍
High school in the 70's meant every guy I knew had a stereo. Yes mixed tapes were a thing, but basically if you weren't sure if you wanted an album that you found out someone had, you went over and heard it on their stereo. Fast forward a few decades and I got back into audio by hunting craigslist and then online forums. Traveling around New England to buy/sell meant I got to move up the audio ladder over the course of the last 12 years or so. Finally arriving at an Audio Research vsi60 tube amp and Sonus Faber Signum based system I think I got to hear some pretty nice gear, but now I'm nearing retirement and to prepare for a retirement move, I'm selling it all. However, I do want one good BT speaker and this might be the solution. I think lots of people are looking for a less-is-more solution.
i bought a used, very old CRT TV from bang and olufsen for playing retro gaming consoles and, i was missing some accessories for it and i just went to the closest B&O dealer and they were super happy for me and they helped me a lot getting everything for it to work. Bang and Olufsen resellers are incredibly passionate and are always happy to help you even if you come in the stores with a product you bought used somewhere else and that is definitely not something i can say about most brands
I can understand your arguments very well. I was and am a bit of a gear junkie, but it became too complicated and too complex to use for "just listening to music". So some time ago I switched to active speakers (older Elac Air-X 207 with manual room correction) and only connected a turntable and CD Player. It was an almost liberating step without any loss of sound. I don't have to keep thinking about whether this or that device fits, whether an upgrade might help or whatever the origin of the dissatisfaction is. I'm sure I'll switch to a full smartspeaker at some point...just keep my Alva TT V2 ;) ...(and a CD player - Yes I grew up in the 90s ;) )
Love Kristi’s breakdown of how the proper setup for your needs, can really bring you joy and peace
Great review man… I purchased the Klipsch The Sevens after your review. I have always been intrigued by these B & O speakers and the review you both created was so authentic and demonstrated your genuine love and excitement for these speakers. If they were half the money I’d be workin on my wife already.
Hello from Seattle! Andrew & Kristi I think you both do a tremendous job with your knowledge, presentations & reviews of products along with your recommendations. I started this hobby in 1984 with my first system I put together ( Sansui S-81U “The Tower” tower speakers, Harmon Kardon integrated amp, Technics CD player, Pioneer turntable,Hitachi dual tape deck, Yamaha EQ & a Teac reel to reel to reel). I would read every issue of Stereo Review magazine & cut grass in the spring & summer and rake leaves in the fall, scrape/paint houses, pickup liter for the city, anything to make money to buy a new piece of equipment. It brought excitement to a like of a 14 yr old kid. Soon enough life’s demands & challenges caused me to give it up for a long time but now at 56 I found that interest again, in part due to both of you.❤ I bought a pair of Klipsch Heresy IV’s on your recommendation and absolutely love them.
Currently using a Yamaha RX-V6A 7.2 for music & home theater with RP-600M for rear and a RP-600C for center, SVS SB-1000 Subwoofer ,
Teac TN-400S Turntable (Walnut) with Ortofon 2M Blue Moving Magnet Phono Cartridge ,Apple TV for streaming music.
I’m thinking of trying a tube amp with Heresy IV’s, I was thinking about the Zen Sarah Amp Model SEWE300B , any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
Just took some time to listen to the a9 at the local b&o store. My lord its good. Only listened by its self, and in mono, but it was much more than i thought it would be. It holds small details and delicate inflections perfectly, while digging low when it should.
I have been looking at the A9 for so long now it is silly. They have advanced it so many times and I am just still looking haha. Your video has made me think I might decide to get one. The problem is that I have already decided that I will never ever get ONE Bluetooth speaker again. I will only get speakers that can be stereo paired. The sound is too good to miss out on. That mehaveI have to find £6000 from somewhere.
Your videos and monologues are so enticing. I love listening to you and Kristi (especially Kristi😊) talk about what the speakers have done in your life.
My P6 stereo pair live in a very special place in my heart. The sound is lush and luxuriou as ,speakers of that size and shape have no right to be. They are just lovely.
In my office I have no reason to have more however for where I will be living the A9 might be the speaker that makes our whole family spend an evening istening again.
Love this video.
I once was someone who was thinking I needed to get an amp and I was daunted by the prospect of having to choose which one to get - tube, solid state, etc.
With modern active speakers of this quality, this goes away and I am closer to simply choosing the music.
I love that.
I may ditch the idea of even looking for amps. Not a bad thingg for those who want to do it. I just want to listen to the music.
A9.... (Or maybe the 28s in a few years more) Hmmmm.
I woud love to hear how you think the level and the new Beosound A5 compare to the Balance which youjnhave in your kitchen.
I really would love to get your take on the Balance.
It has been described as a mini Beolab 90 because of its many drivers.
What do you think and how do you rate the sound produced.
BTW - it is sompletely reasonable to compare all of these speakers - it is about what you want and how you listen.
I remember in your review of the Beosound Level - you said that you wre ejust listening to it after having listened to some higher end speakers.
People will do that.
Also someone may hear one of these speakers and simply never need ot go anywhere else in their life to listen to their music.
Thanks again for the video. You both do such a great job describing speakers.
Looking forward to the next one and I am already going to go to a store and have a listen to the A9 ..... just a taste.
Gosh I'm so damn stoked that you finally reviewed the A9! I have been dying to buy these but have genuinely been waiting for your review for the A9! This has been an incredible and interesting review - I'm so glad you both did it!
Thanks to both of you for this brilliant video on the A9. Partnering traditional hi-fi components can be a bit of a headache, as can be the listening experience from one day to another. This A9 just might be THE solution.
Love your reviews by the way! Cheers, Tom.
Loved this particular review. It has definitely piqued my interest in the A9 since the second half of your video really speaks to what I am currently living through with the family. My house has a nice dedicated 2 channel system in the living room and various Sonos speakers around the rest of the house and the reality is that the Sonos system is used all the time by the family while my 2 channel system sits unused collecting dust. Ease of use, inclusivity and fun rule the day and I am seriously considering selling the whole 2 channel setup for this A9 so I can add the needed ease of use and fun factor to music listening in this room as well and have the family appreciate good sound quality. No more stress, no more critical listening and no more dust collecting. Thanks for all that you both do.
Kristi, that was some of the best advice I have heard about getting your family to enjoy music together. With the $10 of equipment I have around the house, it’s the citation smart speaker we have in the bedroom that gets used almost every day by my wife because it is easy.
I have an a9 and an assorted collection of vintage and a few new B&O products including a G1 A9 and I love it. Clarity is really something important to me because I suffer from tinnitus and listening to music and podcasts help mask the constant ringing. With that being said, the a9 was my everyday speaker for years until I got the stage and and a beoremote halo for the house and we just use both all the time. This is a power speaker . I may just buy another to have a 5th gen!
I watched your video, and it touched my heart. I love gadgets! I love all the hifi ins and out. At the end of the day, my B&O gear just works. It's simple, has a great sound and I have the space to enjoy the music.
My journey started when my stepdad introduced me to hifi speakers! He's had speakers ranging from $500 each to $3,000 each. My mind was blown away! (While I don't have high-end speakers at this point) my wife and I still enjoy dancing to the music of my Klipsch towers. Those are the moments I enjoy the most. With humans never knowing how much time we have on the earth. Every moment sent with my wife and kids will forever be treasured. It's the joy of them tower's that helps bring that joy! It's only a matter of time before I will have higher end speakers. For now there just fine to me! Kristi great conversation at the end.. those moments are the moments you such never take for granted.
😍
100% Nick, you get what this hobby is about (or supposed to be about).
@@KristiWright good morning Kristi.. I hope your enjoying Andrews famously made coffee 😂
@@andrewrobinsonreviews good things come to those who wait... Hard work in the end will pay off!!
@@movie_av_impulse You know it!! He's spoiled me for drinking anything but his. :) Happy Sunday!
Awesome review. Thanks guys. I have the original MK1 and want to upgrade soooo badly. This review means I need to start saving now.
My audio story started when I was like 11 years old (now I am 31) and first listened to in ear headphones and experienced bass for the first time and was blown away already.
I moved on and started to put all my pocket money into sennheiser in ear headphones a few years later and got to the point where in ears could not live up to my expectations anymore.
This story would take forever and there was a lot of progress for me but for now I will jump to my most recent experience.
I had large speakers with subs, amps and everything but I just listened to a shelf speaker and I experienced something new. It was not about max volume or couch shaking bass anymore. This speaker in such a small housing brought my initial joy about music back to me! I did not think about specs anymore and just listened…
That‘s why I have smaller speakers than ever before and love it.
I just listened to the A9 and experienced the same thing. This is out of my price category right now but someday I will buy a bang @ olufsen speaker.
There is something about it that can‘t be measured by just technical data.
Thanks for the honest review, really enjoying it everytime
When I was in college, I (not knowing much about the A/V world) went to Circuit City and bought the biggest Technics system they had on the floor, thought it was so cool, and loved just sitting there and listening to MY new system, watched movies with everyone, etc.... LOVED that thing. At work, I got to know a co-worker that was really into the hi-fi audio world and he helped me "upgrade" over the years to eventually having a full set of B&W 600 series speakers and a Marantz A/V receiver. I couldn't believe what a difference I was hearing - and it was on the lower end B&W speakers! Fell in love all over again with MY system. Ended up having to sell all of that when kids started coming and just had to be a responsible adult and pay bills, etc. I've missed that system for a long time but recently have been able to get back in and have a new system that I've fallen in love with all over again, and I thoroughly enjoy just sitting and listening to music. It's not the name or the look, for me, it's the emotion that music can bring into your life, it moves you in a way you can only get from listening to whatever YOUR OWN system that YOU have put together can do. I love the sound of my system, because it's what I chose to use to bring that emotion and feeling back into my life. Thank you for all you do and for such a great review. You both are amazing at what you do! Thank you!
Refreshing discussion and thoughts about the enjoyment of music and how it makes you feel and connect. Applies to me with photography and my Leica Q2.
I first listened to the B&O A9 MKII in Korea, Jeju Island on a staycation at an amazing home... I thought it was very bass heavy, great for Rock and Pop ~ Because it was a rented place didn't know we could EQ it, i remember loving every feature, how it fill up the house ~ i showered while listening to it, it was trully an amazing experience. Thumbs up for re-lighting my love for this speaker ~
One of my favorite reviews you have done. The joy of enjoying music with the people we love us really hard to put a price tag on. My Dad got me into the hobby as a kid and he passed 13 years ago but I always wonder how he would enjoy my current gear. That what if means the world to me because of our relationship.
I can't wait for your thoughts about the stereo pairing if you get another one, that would be lovely! B&O products has me realized that I can see myself living with speakers due to living conditions and visually regular speaker system doesn't appeal to me that much until I know about B&O. Thanks for all your efforts and honest/vulnerable conversations on this channel. Much respects! ❤
Good morning fam! Thanks for another great Sunday edition! Andrew, I've never even considered a smart speaker as a listening option. I believe it's because I've never heard a premium option - or at least something that sounds good. I have a background in media. So, for years, the recording studio (studio monitors) was the extent of my exposure to powered speakers of any sort outside of Sonus 👎. (The recording studio was also the start of my journey into sound). Thank you for opening my mind. I'll explore this. And ,thank you Kristi for highlighting how we can experience our audio journey with our partners. My wife has come along in my journey to an extent. I still haven't gotten her to cross the DMZ to the audiophile experience.😅So thanks for sharing. Be well my friends!
Love your comment DaWayne! Thank you! And I hope you get to experience B&O products sometime in the not too distant future, if for no other reason than to see what's out there.
Great review by you both. I grew up in the 70’s and my earliest memories are my dad’s Sansui 441 receiver and Utah loudspeakers. Early 80’d dad purchased an NAD 7240PE receiver. Upgraded to Fisher loudspeakers. Late 80’s I purchased Adcom amps, 535,545. Polk audio speakers, M7 and monitor 2 bookshelves. 2004 I found Monitor Audio Silver S 10 and S 5 i . Denon AVR 2802. Plus various others components over the years. Point is after dad passed in ‘21 I finally had a chance to enjoy his vintage gear and some of my own. Has brought my family closer together. Music can do that. Sorry so long winded here. All the best.
Absolutely stellar review. And superb advice Kristi! Thank you!
I've been interested in speakers and stereos since I was a kid in the early 80's. Had numerous boom boxes. Got my first Pro Logic set up when I got married 24 years ago. Been changing and upgrading ever since. My wife and 2 teenage kids love movies and we have family movie night at least once a week. During COVID it was our escape for 2 years. Love this hobby and watching videos like yours on what's new and continue to dream of what could be added and improved in my system.
Hi Andrew and Kristie. Wow, my story started when I was 15, I listening to my old Grundig LP+cassete player from my dad. Very good ones for the time, all paper 3 way speaker. Then I build my system, I build my own speakers with 12 inch woofer and a hornet compression driver in a 12 square meter room (my old neighbors probably still remember me), with a Kenwood tuner, a Brasilian professional amp, and my dad's Grundig as a source.
In 93 I sell all and bought a JVC portable mini system with CD (that is so expensive that time) around 90's here. And think I had best in class audio.
Then something happens. I went to a AV show in São Paulo, probably in 94, and viewed and listened first time a B&W tower speaker. Wow man, it was a change in my life, everything I listened was not even close to that. I spend my next 15 years dreaming on having some similar. Then in 2002 after much saving I bought a pair of B&W CM4 (Qasim 2200 used here), a because a job I have here I started visiting USA on a year, I bought a denon sacd, a yamaha multi CD, a rotel integrated and in a nice deal (half price due dealer will no more work with rotel) and a pro-jekt LP, all between 2003 and 2007. They all still with me, all working except denon CD (sacd part is ok). My CM4 needed to change the woofer and mid-range suspension (gray ones hardened, got new black ones from a Netherlands b&w spare part supplier).
But beside all new nice products, I still love my setup. But I need to confess that if I have a easier to play I and my family will listen much more. Need to think about, may be a A9 a solution? Thanks a lot for the video, to let me remember my history and share with you, and to think about the future of may hi-fi with may family (thanks Kristie)
There's not much reviews about b&o products from this year. Nice to see one of first on this channel.
I fall in love In 2nd gen beosound 2, so much details, clarity and personality with I love. I will be thrilled to see yours expiriences with the newest generation of this speaker. The black one looks stunning :)
Andrew, you asked for our Hi-Fi story. Here is mine: When I was a kid, I had a portable 8-track player. The tape slid into the side of it. The thing had one 4" speaker. Well, I also played guitar. One day my father bought me this huge guitar amplifier. It stood about 3 feet tall and had a 15" speaker. It didn't take long for me to figure out that I could take the 1/4" plug out of my guitar and plug it into the headphone jack of that 8-track tape player. My Rush 2112 album had never before sounded so awesome! The fidelity was probably horrible, but to this 12 year old, it was the biggest sound I had ever heard. Plus, the guitar amp had a reverb dial which made it sound like Rush was playing in a big concert venue! This was way before DSP and Dolby surround. Also, paging through the home stereo sections of the big Sears and JC Penney catalogs got me into Hi-fi gear.
My first hifi system was a B&O receiver (stereo amp with tuner) and a B&O turntable. I bought it second hand for my own money at the age of 14. I loved that system.
Those older B&O console systems were so amazing for their time.
Thanks to you both I not only have an enjoyable system but also someone to enjoy it with!
After watching your videos (especially ones when Kristi flat out owns Andrew), my girlfriend has got onboard the home cinema train and just this week was crawling around on the floor, searching for the best bass spot to put our new Klipsch Subwoofer, after we rearranged the living room and watched some of your set up guide videos.
I wish I had filmed her face when she helped me adjust the position of our RP8000s I bought after your reviews... She couldn't believe a little tweak here and there could make such a difference and she's really embraced it all and started to enjoy it.
So thank you from the UK and you can chalk up another lady hi fi lover because of your amazing videos and chemistry together.
Thanks for all you do ❤
What cool review. So wonderful to hear your unabashed love for this speaker and how it connects you to the music... which is the whole point. My audio story started in college in Seguin, Texas in the early 80's: I regularly gathered with other friends at the apt. of two friends who had the same JBL L series (big boxes - forget which model) and had combined them into one system. I had never heard imaging before or any hi fi reproduction that was so spectacular. They welcomed me to bring my music (mostly classical) and we spent many hours together listening to 'A Prairie Home Companion' on Saturdays and every conceivable type of music. Both of those friends are gone now... one tragically while we were still in college. But the memories of those times listening to music never left me. I owe a lot to Schawartzy and Sumey. They were good friends and music brought us together. PS - I am dying to hear this speaker system. Thank you, both!!
Man, been searching for a simple home solution. Really glad I watched this one. Time to start saving some pennies. Great review guys!
Wow!! Thanks for this amazing Review! Love the way you see the 'portable' speaker, BnO are incredible!
Lovely review. One of your best. I would love to hear you review some older B&O stuff that is still popular/relevant, like the Beolab Penta's for example!
Here here! Probably one of your best pieces of content and definitely one of my favorites if not my #1 favorite of all you’ve done! Thank you!
I can’t remember the manufacturer who created the tag years ago but it was something like “music that stirs your soul,” I think this is one of the underpinning themes here. As Kristi said, maybe not life changing but certainly “life accommodating” in the way you absorb music, which IMO, is the impact music should have.
Our lives are busy, filled with family, work, and tons of other commitments we manage, finding time to actually sit and listen to a 2ch system is tough. And doing so typically takes one into an evaluation mode, almost unavoidable for enthusiasts. And like Kristi indicated, it makes one appreciate those moments where you simply listen and allow your “soul to be stirred.” Very hard to put a price tag on what that’s worth and a product that can achieve that.
Our lives are busy and products that accommodate our lifestyle tend to find greater usage. For me, it’s a pair of JBL Extreme BT speakers. They get used more than anything I own. I BBQ almost every weekend, my stereo pair of Extremes are always on the patio “stirring my emotions” while doing so. Close friends inviting me to crawfish boils never fail to request that I bring them. Had a Memorial Day fajita cookout at work, yup, you guessed it, both Extremes were a part of it!
Highlighting products that can do this is always exciting and I’ve often wondered about this B&O. Would love to actually hear it, or a PAIR!! That’s got to be “off the hook” crazy! Anyway, thank you for this review and the greater theme this seems to touch on. There’s no better content on the Tube than you two. So again, here here on a great review!
Glad you found a product that brings so much joy. It’s great you mentioned the longevity of b&o products reviews often don’t consider it and if I we’re thinking of spending that much it would be a major concern. Interesting to have you mention the new sonos as that is the sort of product I’d suggest to my mum if her beloved bose speaker with iPod dock ever fails. (Ironically the Bose speaker was supposedly mostly for me but I knew it was the only way to get my mum to buy something she would enjoy herself. It’s been 15 years and it still loudly accompanies housework 😂)
Very cool review. I love tech but hearing about how something makes you feel is the best part. Thank you.
I have recently gotten into Bang & Olufsen and have a complete Beosystem 3000, just picked up a pair of Beolab Penta mkII, I am AMAZED at how live the music sounds! I haven't heard a ton of speakers, more recently a pair of KEF Q550's and a pair of Martin Logan 60s, but these are the best ive heard. Have you ever heard the Beolab Pentas Andrew? I know there's better out there now, but they were awesome.
Over the years I’ve made systems up to an 11 speaker theatre with B&O, Denton, Marantz etc. Now I have an A9, and a stage. So simple, and clear and enjoyable. Also the speakers just disappear as speakers, but are kind of sculptural. Everyone who visits asks what the A9 is unless it’s playing. Well worth the cost.
I have a Beosound 3200 with beolab 800 for 30 Years and i Love it. 😎🇩🇰
Bang and Olufsen was pivotal in my hi-fi journey, because as a kid, nothing drew me in like those systems they had with the moving glass doors and moving CD shuttles. I do not own any of their kit today, but I have to say they have always been objects of wonder And I might not be into audio as much without them.
I've got four Bluesound Pulse 2i's throughout my apartment and I too listen to music without thinking about it. The bass has the ability to go through my body but it's an amazingly clean and full lifestyle wireless speaker. I use Roon, Tidal, and I've ripped my CD collection. All good to go.
My hifi journey started about 4 years ago in my early 40s. I was not really interested in hifi before 2019. I listened to music but just on whatever I had in av system or on headphones from phone. But in early 2019 my mom wanted a new record player for her old records . I helped her get one, an all-in-one as that's the room she had. But listening to the records sparked something in me. Now my whole hifi journey has mainly involved thrift stores as I don't have the budget for things that are seen on this channel. But you would be amazed what people donate, and with a little work can get them sounding great. Most audiophiles would still scoff at what I use but for having collected dozens of pieces for less than one set of speakers seen here I can't complain. And it sounds amazing to me and the projects with the units give me a great hobby. Plus it's a way to try crazy setups without breaking the bank. I love seeing the high end equipment and still dream of having them. But I'll always be happy with my thrifting hifi. That's my story.
Kristi's recommendation of the tannoy gold 8's(over the svs prime) has been awesome thank you very much, waiting for a sub(aperion audio bravus ii 10) for the low lows and I got a marantz 1508 for the streaming and tv connections. Going for a low stress music/movie friendly system. Subconsciously got into audio because of my mum and her cranking her old cassette player on the weekends(if I went back in time I'd probably shudder at the poor quality speakers but they led me down this path for which I will forever be grateful). Keep up the good work Andrew and Kristi :)))
After all you have done A9 I was waiting for long time.
Uffff I fell in love with the A9 when I walked into a DWR store… I hope to get this one day
Although I love B&W of late, you cannot convince me there is a better looking lineup of products, then B&O currently on the market period. Every single product they make looks top notch, beautiful and stylish no matter what room you try to place it in. Whoever is the designer for the brand right now, bravo!
I will absolutely switch to a fully smart, wireless system, once it offers everything I need, like HDMI Arc, phono (not so much now with BT turntable) but nice to have, and especially great sound and design. This is nearly perfection to me. Great review guys!
Thanks Vadym. The Beosound 28s will do everything you just described albeit at a price, but I can attest to the BT turntable connection to them as being a match made in heaven! They do surround sound wirelessly --no HDMI needed!
Most of B&O’s speakers also have an analogue line-in. I used a B&O streaming speaker with a turntable + preamp for over 10 years. Fun times!
@@andrewrobinsonreviews that’s awesome! I just gotta make sure my other kidney is still ripe for sale 😂 but in all seriousness I’ll definitely consider it at some point.
@@frankbernharduebler great tip, thanks!
@@gavriushka You’re welcome. You could then stream the turntable throughout your house with Beolink Miltiroom. Didn’t really make a lot of sense in my smallish apartment back then, but I had a Beoplay M3 in the bathroom that could play whatever was playing in the living room.
Excellent review!! One of these days I plan to give a B&O product a shot. Love how their stuff looks and everything you have said about them just sounds awesome.
My “gateway” to hifi was Boston Acoustic. When I was in college (late 90s) I bought simple bookshelf speakers and a small sub and just LOVED their midrange centric sound. So smooth and relaxing. I still have them and pop them on from time to time just for the hell of it and still enjoy them. Also a Boston acoustic system in my car contributed as well. And that feeling of an experience for me is vinyl when I started collecting that about 7-8 years ago. Just love the whole experience of popping one on, reading the artwork while listening and chilling out.
They do outdoor speakers (via dealers) that are really cool as well as in ceilings for a whole home audio distribution. But this or the Balance amzn.to/3bblRkh is a good place to start if you want to dip your toes into B&O.
I listened to a pair of B90's in a B&O shop and got choked up at how beautiful it sounded. B90's were my formative audiophile experience and I have been chasing that rush ever since but still haven't heard anything better.
I once walked into a B&O store and instantly fell in love with their sound. After making nice friends and getting a 30-minute audition with the Beolab 90s, i have set my heart on those speakers. They still cost more than i make in a year, but someday I'll get them. For now, I'll just enjoy my H95s
I think you make a really good and compelling point in this video - especially Kristi. Everyone's HiFi experience will be different and enjoyed on varying levels. Currently I'm running the KEF LS50 Metas powered by an NAD M10 V2 and it's great - for me. I'd never begrudge someone their own enjoyment of a somewhat/completely different product. In fact, to most 'casual' HiFi folks, I often recommend Sonos, for just ease of use and financial proposition. I used to have a pair of Sonos Fives and they were great for what they were. what's interesting is that when I was younger (late teens, twenties) I placed more emphasis on an amazing pair of headphones than any speaker system. I was always around others, or in a small apartment, and didn't want to bother anyone else - especially because I wanted to enjoy music loudly and really illicit an emotional response. All this to say, everyone's journey with musical equipment will be different, just as everyone has different financial or musical restrictions. I think this A9 will suit a great many people, especially for those HiFi folks who prioritize ease of streaming over anything else. Cheers!
First of all - excellent review. I enjoy hearing both perspectives and personal stories as they relate to music and audio equipment. Secondly - I need to comment on B&O products in general. Their audio is pleasing to me. However, I must admit, a large part of my decision to purchase their products is driven by their design which is across the board AMAZING. In fact, design had a lot to do with my purchase of the NAD M10. So, my audio / personal story is that the way it sounds is the most important, but the way it looks ( and the user interface / experience ) is a close second.
I got into HiFi as a young kid. Grade school age. My dad was an A/V repair tech, so we always had lots of “units” around the house. I sneaked into the attic and grabbed an old Kenwood KR-6200 (which we still have) and hooked it up to some old RadioShack speakers to make my first system. I would become a car audio tech myself in my 20s, and have gone through too many car and home systems to mention here. But have landed with a set of Marantz Model 30/30N with Tannoy Stirling GRs in the house, and CDT speakers and amps in the car.
Appreciate you sharing your story Michael!
Wow, more air time than the KEF R11….pretty impressive! The A9 is very cool….one or two. Most audiophiles would sadly boo hoo any and all smart speakers. In a contemporary space, the A9 (like all B&O products) will be the bomb!
I still very much enjoy my B&O RL6000 passive speakers hung on the wall in our library. These are pristine and still sound great since buying new in 1988.
Thanks for the review!
Andrew and Kristi, long time viewer. I like the production values and the balanced reviews. Your personable screen presence and Kristi’s personable audio presence are a drawing card for sure.
I don’t have any qualifying opinion on the A9. I’m guessing few people have ever seen/heard this or many other B&O products. At $5-6K, this is in the stratosphere of one off sound purchases for most. And, that is just it with all decent sound gear buying. It is a privileged space that can only be inhabited by the few. All efforts to justify it on other grounds are doomed to fail. I’m never able to justify my sound and Music obsession as anything other than what it is I.e. a rare pleasure that I’m fortunate enough to indulge myself with.
I love your B&O Reviews bc they are so personal. For everyone who wants to get a comparably cheap entry in the B&O World, i can recommend an underrated stereo configuration. I have BeoLab 3 with a BeoLab 11 on a Core and it’s just Mindblowing stereo experience for the living room. Sold my stereo Devialet system for it, which I bought new.
I have Beolab 11 Beolab 3 Beosound Overture and Beosound core all hooked in together it’s fantastic
Loved your review guys! I have listened to some previous version of the A9, probably the 1st gen, and what pulled me in headlong was listening to MLTR's Paint my love, at ever increasing volume at a store, and suddenly realizing that the snare drum wasn't getting harsher, in the way it ALWAYS happens with every passive speaker and so on. Long story short, for the first time I understood how effective a weapon DSP (or the like) is, but for me personally, while I definitely don't own one, I will always look at these with longing. (Oh, and did I mention I love how these look?)
Great video! Love to see more B&O content. Ever thought about making a video inside a B&O store where you can demo their insanely priced stuff?
I’m 30 years old and my hifi journey started around 8 years old. My older brothers have always been into car audio and having stereos in their rooms. I remember hanging out in my brother’s room while he listened to oldies like Brenton Wood. I’ve always received their hand me downs like the old white van digital ready Acoustic Monitors😆. I strived for the best surround sound I could afford, which wasn’t much. It wasn’t until 2019, when I set up a pair of Polk T15’s and sat down when I first discovered the phantom center. I said “what the heck is this?” and googled what I was hearing. A few RUclips videos later and here I am getting deep into actual 2 channel stereo hifi. I chose the vintage route for it’s aesthetic and value. Now I rotate through my Sansui 4000, Rotel RA 1312 integrated amp, along with my Klipsch Forte I’s and JBL L100’s. I enjoy this hobby, especially with experiencing different gear and it’s flavors.
My Hi-Fi experience started when my dad tried to influence me, by playing music he loved in the car. When I was about three I would sit and hum along to Rammstein in the back seat. I didn't pay much attention to music until later when I started drumming. This would get me to think more about the craftsmanship that goes into well written music.
Having played the drums for some years my dad sat me down on the couch to introduce me to a band he felt I was ready to be introduced to, so he played Forty Six & 2 by Tool on his Logitech 5.1 surround set and I was blown away by the music. This was the gateway for me to really get into listening on a per album basis as I would go away from playlists, which would later help me get into vinyl.
I had already bought a pair of headphones specifically for listening to music, a pair of Sennheiseer hd558's, which for the price I think are great, till this day, almost nine years later.
One day my dad told me that he had once listened to a pair of great stereo speakers and it had kind of ruined his experience with systems like his surround, so I asked whether there really was a substantial difference and I ended up buying a pair of B&W 685 s2. This was almost six years ago when I was about 16 and I still use these speakers every day. I now have a girlfriend who also appreciates Hi-Fi and I am studying electronics engineering, where I have built an ibtegrated audio amplifier as a project and might end up applying for a job at B&O or some other danish audio brands.
In the future I hope to be able to upgrade my system to something like the KEF meta R11 because of your video on them.
Love your work and your channel!
I remember, a few years ago, shopping for a bluetooth speaker for my son. After listening to all the store had, a tiny one, the size of a soap, caught our attention...A B&O, which sounded much clearer and with better fidelity than all the others but really expensive. In the end we bought a Wonderboom (because it was for a teenager after all) but that speaker really was the best and the smallest. A really good piece of equipment.
Thanks for doing some b&o reviews. There are not a lot available. For me it would also be great to get a review on the B&O Shape. For me this is design wise one of the most interesting sound products available.
It fits wonderfully into your interior design 🤩
Really endearing review - just awesome!
雖然我的英文能力不好，但我還是喜歡看你評鑑音響器材，輕鬆有趣又實用！❤
My mom worked for B&O in the late 70s/early 80s and we had their Beomaster 2400 with the chunky silver button remote that was ultrasonic, the beogram turntable and B&O speakers with stands that raised the speakers maybe a foot off the ground. I knew the stuff was cool, but didn't realize most stereos didn't look like that. And here's the thing..... that Beomaster was a 30 watt x 2 receiver. You would NEVER know.
On a whim, I just picked up a time capsule Beosystem 2400 (Beomaster 2400 w remote, Beocord 1900, Beogram 3404, Beovox 45-2, no stands). After getting it all cleaned and lubed it all works like a champ. I’m very pleasantly surprised at what 1979/1980 gave us. Normally into lots of other audio brands but I’m digging this old system. Your mom had great taste.
I came for a speaker review but stuck around for Kristi's life advice. Thanks to you both and consider starting a podcast that level of passion from Kristi should be commoditized.
One of your best reviews, of course. I confess to checking out all kinds of hi-fi review sites, even hardcore objectivist forums (one of which was actually instrumental in my getting the best system I ever owned), but you both - especially Kristi - hit the nail on the head. When I get chills or a tear in my eye because of an album, song, or even 5-second snippet, it is because I am no longer focused on the quality of my gear, but the artistic experience of having my mind, body and spirit moved by someone's talent. It helps that some of my favorite music was recorded for less than the cost of a decent sofa (the first albums by the Ramones and Nirvana come to mind), but it really is all about the music. People get into vicious shouting matches on the internet about break-in, cables and so forth - where truly hurtful things are said - as if any of that matters AT ALL when Patti Smith introduces Gloria, or Tyler the Creator gets my butt moving without my permission, and on and on. I listened to hair metal and classic rock as an '80s teen on an NAD receiver with Polk bookshelves (they had 5 in their name and were pretty big). I remember them being placed high up near the ceiling and sideways, but can't even tell you if the tweeters were on the inside or outside: I knew nothing, except that Hendrix playing the Star-Spangled Banner was something I wanted to hear again. And again. First wife insisted on small, all-in-one-surround systems that took up very little space and SUUUUCKED. Recently, second (and last) wife encouraged me to get what I loved, within budgetary reason. (She is not in the hobby, really, but is encouraging enough not to make a difference). Played around for a bit before settling on KEF LS50WII with 2 KC62 subs, and: whattayaknow! They don't take up a lot of space, sound great, and also offer some of the simplicity and convenience you discuss in this video. So, just as I am done getting married forever, I am done (for now!) chasing perfect sound. Now, if you'll excuse me, got a date with Megan Thee Stallion, or is it Tina Turner? Liz Phair? Decisions, decisions...
Its beautiful, and clearly would be a conversation / show piece, would love to experience it..
My hifi story started early on, my dad had a rack of technics that came from the american express catalog, and my grandfather a fisher studio standard that i think was from speigel. We would regularly have family get togethers and something was always playing through the system. There was nothing like 4x 15" 3-way speakers to upset the neighbors.
In my teens, i saved all of my pennies and bought a yamaha HTIB from bestbuy, because my dad himself wanted a yamaha. It was my first experience with home theater, which itself was relatively new (we were in the format wars) and i was in a house with dialup. That system showed me that satellites and a subwoofer could replace giant cabinets when done well.
My first car had a sound system that was worth more than the vehicle it was bolted into, i was going to school for electrical engineering, did all of my own work, and eventually got a job installing electronics at a shop. I had the opportunity to be around new equipment from great manufacturers every day, and was able to participate in programs from manufacturers to demo their gear in my vehicle.
In the last 20 years, i don't think there has ever been a time where i didn't own more speakers or equipment than i knew what to do with, right now for example i have a pair of RTI10, a pair of episode bookshelves, and auto equipment from mosconi, focal, audiofrog, and boston just waiting for me to decide that i need them in my life again. As I write this, i feel that i have spent far more time chasing what could be and not enough time enjoying what is.
One of the best things that i ever did was setup a pretty basic whole home audio system. A couple chromecast audios connected to a 12 channel amplifier in my closet that is wired to speakers throughout the house (all in i spent around 2500$). Whats interesting about that arrangement is that i don't have an expectation of fidelity, so instead i just enjoy the music.
Maybe thats what made the A9 special for you? When we sit in a dedicated listening area staring at bookshelves on stands, in a chair that is measured to be centered perfectly, we are listening to the music expecting sonic perfection and looking for nuance in the details. Sometimes we need to stop listening to the speakers and instead take some time to listen to the music.
Also Kristi, i can totally relate, my kids music does suck :). (just kidding, i heard your points loud and clear)
I love this video. I think many will not like it. Hi-fi is frequently objective with the measurements and the stats and the Yada Yada Yada. However, there are speakers out there that are good to listen to. Fun to play music on. Easy to use. There are speakers that don't require a trained ear, or equipment to prove their worth. This is one of them. I think we forget the value of plug and play systems sometimes. Jealous of the speak. Happy for the review
Hi I’m a hifi nut and have been in the industry for years. I’ve sold from all levels: realistic-technics rack systems- mission, quad- linn, naim- krell, Martin Logan, and of course B&0. And out of all those products the most fun I had was with B&0. Yes it didn’t sound the best but whenever they brought something out it’s a real head turner. The customers never had “golden ears” so no audiophile snobbery here. Just fun (yes pricey) kit, and the friends I made on the way selling it have stayed friends forever.
Yes good old bang and Olufsen hope they keep creating head turning kit for a long time, and thanks for being open minded to reviewing their stuff.
Hey, thanks again. Very helpful.
Haven’t finished watching the video but kristi is talking about how to get significant others or children into the hobby. At my house we don’t do it as often as I would like to but … we have little dance parties and my kids just have themselves a good old time. My daughter does come around sometimes asking me how many speakers I have … but she is also 7 and has the very first set of passive towers in her room. She listens to music in there and watches tv obviously. But she’s 7 and can manage controlling a receiver. She was so happy when I set them up for her. Idk I’m trying to set myself up with stereos in every room.
QOTD: Keeping it short. I rediscovered my passion for good sound around 2020. Mainly because I was working from home more, even prior to the pandemic, but also realized I enjoyed it more than movies. This is about the time I discovered you, Randy, Darko, Steve and others reviewing hi if gear. While I’m more into the music, I continue to enjoy product reviews mainly for the entertainment value and keeping up with the industry. 🤘🏼🎸🤘🏼
Hi Kristi and Andrew. That’s quite a nice and very personal video, love it. At the start of my career - maaany years ago - I worked in an audio/video/hifi etc shop, I used to sell B&O among other brands. I used my overtime money to buy my first B&O system, a Beolab 8000 with MS 150 speakers, a Beocord 9000 cassette deck and 2 tangential turntables. Yes 2 because I had (still have) a rather big vinyl collection, had a Rotel mixing table and well, that was a lot of (expensive) fun…. I still own one of those turntables - which needs repair- a Beosound system and 4 Beolabs 6000. Just added 2 B&W’s 607 S2 anniversary, but the sound is….. well, different, at least.
Anyway, changed some B&O hardware to Yamaha, basically because their Musicast system (got used to Beolink multiroom maybe ?), but it just lacks the comfort and useability of Bang & Olufsen. And of course the design, oh my….!
Kristi’s comment on accepting other people’s taste for music has put me to thinking. My 18 year old daughter loves quite some of the music that she hears me playing, but I do have some more difficulties with what she tends to listen to…. But I tend not to give any comments, as indeed, everyone has his own tastes and likes.
As I removed our Yamaha system from our living room - the girls just didn’t get to grips with it, I invested in a Loewe Klang S3, to which I’m listening now. I don’t know if you can get those in the US, here in Europe they seem to be on the uprise again. Loewe has been ‘the next best’ after B&O for many years. Actually i was extremely surprised by the sound of this rather small appliance. If you can, try and put your ear to it, would be nice to get your opinion as well.
Keep up the good work, love your reviews and Kristi’s take at the end ! Warm regards !