Is Bang & Olufsen Hifi Standard

From what i remember when i least heard B&O (about 3 years back), it was very very good, but i think it's probably overpriced for what it actually is.

I'd still happily have some!

i once heard someone say that Bang & Olufsen dont sell hi-fi they sell a lifestyle - i think there is an element of truth in this. there is no doubt they sell quality kit but i think the people who buy this kit are paying over-the-odds for the glamour and lifestyle associated with the brand

The one I heard was stunningly good but it was at pro footballer's house and cost £20K +!!!

B&O kit is a fashion statement and as such it's tremendously overpriced for what it is. People who aren't really into hifi but have lots of dosh tend to go for it...
I'm not saying it all sounds bad though, I've heard some that sounds pretty good but it does look terrible IMO and you can get better sound for the money.

actually, it does not have to be 20k, the beo 9000 and 8000 in total is about 5000 pounds. More or less same as high end separates

B&O make some incredible stuff and many other manufacturers could learn a thing or two about design, ergonomics and sound quality too. Its been a while but I did hear a system comprising their weird looking Dr. Who Dalek style active speakers and it was a memorable occasion. It's expensive for sure but having said that, I think the speakers were about 5k and each had something like 500 (very high quality) watts built in. Breaking it down, that would probably equate to a couple of rotels 500 watt class D amps at 1.5k each (they use B&O modules) so thats 3k already. That leaves 2k for speakers and cables. Looking at it this way its not actually overpriced for the style and quality you get.

 And when you've seen how B&O actually makes the stuff, those prices make an awful lot more sense.

I think a lot of people place B&O in the same category as Bose and Harman Kardon and that it has style before performance. From what I have seen and heard, it's on another level from those companies.

 I have a Beogram 4000 from the '70's and it is great!!  The build quality is exceptional and the design is just right and on top of all that it sounds superb!   I don't listen to vinyl that much but its nice to have something good to play it on when I do.

I've heard some vintage B&O stuff recently and its very good.

New is still very expensive though. 

Bose - ah, the days when I thought that was the pinicle of hi-fi....

I totallt agree with you on that account.  Bose = HiFi?  NO!

Well, I just returned from a friends house, who has a B&O system.

From his descriptions I have wondered whether I was totaly on the wrong side, looking for speakers, amplifier etc, for all this time. The system I auditioned costs 5000GBP.

What I have to say is that I listened to a well refined, crystal clear, attractive sounding device. Was it good? It was attractive and with very slight distortion at high levels.

Was it a good "music" or a good "sound"? It was a good sound.

Also it had no weight, and no bass at all.

Now I came back home and I'm glad to have my cheep-ish B&Ws playing with a cheep-ish ARCAM SOLO.

At least they try to play music.

No no no no no....

B&O is not hifi at all. Its life style!

Don't get me wrong the sound is okay but then so are many mini systems. B&O is very stylish, imaculately finished and what have you but if you're more interested in audio then steer well clear of B&O. I've had 2 B&O systems myself, the last one was 10 years ago but then I was introduced to highend. I knew back then I was paying over the odds for the sound I was getting but I was paying for the look and I knew that. But that was when I didn't know just what could be done in terms of repoduction.

In answer to your question, I wouldn't even put B&O at mid fi. It makes a respectable sound but 'music' it ain't.

If you are genuinely interested in 'highend' with a lean towards style look at Jeff Rowland for amps, Sonus Faber and Wilson Audio for speakers. I'm afraid I can't help with cd players as I've long since put audio performance head and shoulders above looks.

Why does everyone say that B&O gear looks good, that it's stylish etc? I think it looks absolutely terrible! It looks tacky. Now I know it sounds ok and that it costs a lot but I wouldn't have it in my house on looks alone.

So you're basing your views on what the company was making over a decade ago.

(Falls off chair laughing)

(keeps falling)

Hardly pretty, are they?