In this video you can hear the sound of Beolab Penta and Beolab 3000 - Bang & Olufsen's original active speakers. Please comment and let me know which you prefer! The H95 headphones mentioned in the video were provided free for review by Bang & Olufsen, so this is why the video is marked as "Includes paid promotion". You can find every cable you will ever need for your B&O system on my website at soundsheavenly.com If my videos have helped you to enjoy your Bang and Olufsen products, please consider buying me a coffee at www.buymeacoffee.com/soundsheavenly - many thanks!
Hi Steve a slightly left field approach to the lack of treble on the Penta’s … I have Penta II’s in a surround set up with 6000 rears and a BL2 … the lack of ‘middle’ from the Penta’s is particularly noticeable with speech on movies … I compensated for this by having a centre speaker with its own volume remote control … with this arrangement I simply dial in the middle sound level to balance the rest of the ‘picture’ … it works equally well when compensating the lack of middle on music playback … this idea comes from 1950’s valve amps when they had separate treble middle and bass amplifiers each with separate volume controls …
I totally agree . I have a 9000with 4000s in two corners on bookcases in front of me and 6000s on the floor behind me in two corners.. a good pairing .In the lounge. And an overture with 2500s in the garage with a 3500...masterlink another good pairing . Peace and love brother 👍🏻☮♥️
Yes, they are certainly popular speakers! I spent months searching before I found my pair of 3000s, the good things is that they are holding their value well over the years so they make a great investment...
Hi Steve increasing the volume of the ‘middle’ has other benefits … very often recordings have balance issues and go ‘silent’ in the middle of quiet passages … you can often get the sound back by increasing the volume of the middle without increasing the volume of the other frequencies that might otherwise become deafening … its surprising how small increments in volume have huge a compensating effects to the overall balance of the sound
That was an interesting comparison with an unexpected outcome. Personally I like two speakers, I would only have multi-speakers with a home theatre setup.
Agreed, that would usually be my approach. I originally intended this to be switchable between the two sets of speakers, depending on where I was working within the room, but then I got to like the sound of all four speakers together and I never looked back!
Hi Ik, newer B&O products since 2013 like the Avant TV don't provide the data to light the speaker displays. Connecting the speakers via an older music system can be an option if you want the displays to light.
Absolutely great video! A relative of mine have the Beolab Penta speakers, but I never had the chance of listening to them so thank you for this reference 👍. Personally I'd try to connect the Beolab Penta mk 3, with the 7-4 centre speaker - can you use the power trigger kit + PL mk 3 cables to do this to connect to a non B&O TV? Thankful for reply!
Thank you! Yes, this is possible but please use fully wired mk.2 Powerlink cables from the trigger kit ( soundsheavenly.com/line-in-connection/102-438-minijack-to-beolab-2-7-10-2500-powered-trigger-kit.html#/2-length-1m ) to the Penta speakers. Please feel free to get in touch ta soundsheavenly.com if you need any further help with the connections.
Steve This video game more life to Beolab 3000, Which in view have been underrated, but as per this video, wow, 3000 sounds amazingly great..But was wondering, would the be an significant difference if at all one pairs Beolab pentas and Beolab 5000? What is you’re take on these two great speakers?
Thanks, glad the video was helpful. I haven't heard Beolab 5000 for some time, but I remember them as having the same sound as the smaller Beolab 300, plus a bit more bass output.
Hi Steve, I can't find much information on BeoLab 20, how does it compare to BeoLab 28, could you please share some insights? wouldnt mind a seperate video haha
Hey Steve, it is always a pleasure to watch your Videos and I Share your enthusiasm for Bang and Olufsen. I have a question. I would like to add the iconic Beovox 2500 cubes into my modern BO System including Beovision Avant, Core, Beogram 4002 and 5000, beolab 18, BS 1 and beolab 19. How can I do this? Do I need a BeoLink Passive 1556 to be Connected to the Speakers and then do I have to Connect the Passive link via powerlink to the Core (Rj45) or to the tv? Not sure about this and difficult to find advice. What do you think about the Sound of the 2500 cubes? Will they add value or are they just eycatchers? Which will be fine with me as well as I am a real Fan and collector….which may cause trouble with my wife…😉 many thanks and greetings from Germany Bjoern
Hi Bjoern, that is an interesting idea! It is a bit too complicated to cover in UA-cam messages but please feel free to get in touch at soundsheavenly.com and I will be happy to help!
Penta is much better, I'm using Beovox s80.2 for more than decade, and I compared it to CX50 + cona, and s80 are much better (to my ears). So, it would be interesting, if You could do the comparison between any product from uniphase series, with penta.
I recently got myself a pair of penta mk 2 but the amps are out. I ran them via an external power amplifier and they sounded great as well. May I know which model are your penta?
Hi, my Pentas are the later mk.3 version. I haven;t tried using powered Beolab Pentas without the amplifier, I think you will get best results if you are able to repair or replace the amplifier. Sorry I don't know where to obtain repairs or replacements, but I can help with cables once you have got everything working!
Hi Steve, thanks for great video! How did you connect both pairs? Is it to a B&O music system or? I was wondering since i use a DAC to my computer, is there any way to connect them to a DAC that supports 2 pairs of beolab. Thanks and take care
Glad you liked the video! Yes, I use a USB DAC on my computer that supports two pairs of speakers, this is a Behringer DAC: soundsheavenly.com/music-input/17-beomaster-5-beosound-5-aux-usb-input-converter-also-works-as-pcmac-sound-card.html
I had Penta's paired with Beolab 4000's but did not think to listen to it in the way just presented. What do you think of that pairing even if you have not tried it yet. Just from knowing the BL 4000 and being familiar with it, what is your best guess . What sort of effect do you think you would get with this pairing? Without actually doing it would it be the same as with the 3000's or different in some way? By the way, I was running these two pairs together on a Beocenter 2 and will now run them together using a Beocenter 9500.
Hi, I haven't tried Pentas with 4000s, but I imagine that would also work well. I think the 3000s are a particularly good match for the Pentas, due to the unique way they reproduce music
@@soundsheavenly Yes, you stated that you get great mid and high range from the 3000. I know you rated or reviewed the 4000's if I remember right. Do you recall what they are known for or what they are good at doing? Bass, Mid, or High?
@@soundsheavenly nicee😁 My first time was few years ago. Bought them when I was 19 years old. Sadly the original amplifiers where completely gone. Tested the. With a Chinese class d board and I was shocked how well they sounded. Even better after refoaming Over the past 2 years I had diffrend diy amplifiers inside the original amplifier casing. Now I got a icepower 250a module. Running with 48volt and +-12 volt. They sound fantastic
![Bang Olufsen Beolab 8000 vs Beolab 6000 Sound Test - Expert advice for your first B&O speakers! [4K]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/9ANIweC8RgQ/mqdefault.jpg)
In this video you can hear the sound of Beolab Penta and Beolab 3000 - Bang & Olufsen's original active speakers. Please comment and let me know which you prefer! The H95 headphones mentioned in the video were provided free for review by Bang & Olufsen, so this is why the video is marked as "Includes paid promotion". You can find every cable you will ever need for your B&O system on my website at soundsheavenly.com If my videos have helped you to enjoy your Bang and Olufsen products, please consider buying me a coffee at www.buymeacoffee.com/soundsheavenly - many thanks!
For my ears penta 👌
They are my favourite as well!
You’re incredibly relaxing in every possible way. Your videos are great. Just got myself a penta + beocenter 9000 for $100. Can’t believe it still
Thanks! Wow, that is a great deal, hope you enjoy those superb speakers!
Hi Steve a slightly left field approach to the lack of treble on the Penta’s … I have Penta II’s in a surround set up with 6000 rears and a BL2 … the lack of ‘middle’ from the Penta’s is particularly noticeable with speech on movies … I compensated for this by having a centre speaker with its own volume remote control … with this arrangement I simply dial in the middle sound level to balance the rest of the ‘picture’ … it works equally well when compensating the lack of middle on music playback … this idea comes from 1950’s valve amps when they had separate treble middle and bass amplifiers each with separate volume controls …
I like that idea! I did wonder about trying that in my setup a few years ago, now I will certainly give it a try!
I'm currently driving Beovox Penta using a Roksan Kandy Mk3L amp. Sounds stunning.
I imagine that sounds great, the Kandy is a superb amplifier!
I totally agree . I have a 9000with 4000s in two corners on bookcases in front of me and 6000s on the floor behind me in two corners.. a good pairing .In the lounge.
And an overture with
2500s in the garage with a 3500...masterlink
another good pairing .
Peace and love brother 👍🏻☮♥️
Yes, these are great speakers!
I'm a life long basshead, listening to the Prodigy experience album on a pair of pentas was worth the wait. 🧡 Penta for the win
Awesome, good call! They are great speakers for bassy and beat driven music!
@@soundsheavenly ahh, I also dabble with a little Beth Orton, my goodness these speakers have unlocked some unheard sounds.
You have persuaded me to try and get some 3000s i wish all variants of 3000 were a bit cheaper lol
Yes, they are certainly popular speakers! I spent months searching before I found my pair of 3000s, the good things is that they are holding their value well over the years so they make a great investment...
Hi Steve increasing the volume of the ‘middle’ has other benefits … very often recordings have balance issues and go ‘silent’ in the middle of quiet passages … you can often get the sound back by increasing the volume of the middle without increasing the volume of the other frequencies that might otherwise become deafening … its surprising how small increments in volume have huge a compensating effects to the overall balance of the sound
Thanks, I will try this out!
Hi Steve, love your videos! If you have the chance to do a review of Beolab 1’s that would be great!
Thanks! Yes I hope to be able to review these great speakers soon!
That was an interesting comparison with an unexpected outcome. Personally I like two speakers, I would only have multi-speakers with a home theatre setup.
Agreed, that would usually be my approach. I originally intended this to be switchable between the two sets of speakers, depending on where I was working within the room, but then I got to like the sound of all four speakers together and I never looked back!
No Penta Display ? I use an Avant 55, Front Penta mk3, on the sides bvox5000 with BL4500 amp(I cannot stand the orange col)
Hi Ik, newer B&O products since 2013 like the Avant TV don't provide the data to light the speaker displays. Connecting the speakers via an older music system can be an option if you want the displays to light.
Absolutely great video! A relative of mine have the Beolab Penta speakers, but I never had the chance of listening to them so thank you for this reference 👍. Personally I'd try to connect the Beolab Penta mk 3, with the 7-4 centre speaker - can you use the power trigger kit + PL mk 3 cables to do this to connect to a non B&O TV? Thankful for reply!
Thank you! Yes, this is possible but please use fully wired mk.2 Powerlink cables from the trigger kit ( soundsheavenly.com/line-in-connection/102-438-minijack-to-beolab-2-7-10-2500-powered-trigger-kit.html#/2-length-1m ) to the Penta speakers. Please feel free to get in touch ta soundsheavenly.com if you need any further help with the connections.
How good is the soundstage in these speakers, is there deep soundstage (3D)?
The 3000 sound Very strange
Hi, once you follow the steps in this video then you can get a superb deep soundstage from the Pentas: ua-cam.com/video/6sikXyjKlp4/v-deo.html
Steve This video game more life to Beolab 3000, Which in view have been underrated, but as per this video, wow, 3000 sounds amazingly great..But was wondering, would the be an significant difference if at all one pairs Beolab pentas and Beolab 5000? What is you’re take on these two great speakers?
Thanks, glad the video was helpful. I haven't heard Beolab 5000 for some time, but I remember them as having the same sound as the smaller Beolab 300, plus a bit more bass output.
beolab 3000 or the Beosound 3200 when you have a tiny house ... awesome
Hi Steve, I can't find much information on BeoLab 20, how does it compare to BeoLab 28, could you please share some insights? wouldnt mind a seperate video haha
Hi, I don’t have a pair of Beolab 20 to test but if I can find some then I will certainly review them in a future video!
Super!
Thanks!
Hey Steve, it is always a pleasure to watch your Videos and I Share your enthusiasm for Bang and Olufsen.
I have a question. I would like to add the iconic Beovox 2500 cubes into my modern BO System including Beovision Avant, Core, Beogram 4002 and 5000, beolab 18, BS 1 and beolab 19. How can I do this? Do I need a BeoLink Passive 1556 to be Connected to the Speakers and then do I have to Connect the Passive link via powerlink to the Core (Rj45) or to the tv? Not sure about this and difficult to find advice. What do you think about the Sound of the 2500 cubes? Will they add value or are they just eycatchers? Which will be fine with me as well as I am a real Fan and collector….which may cause trouble with my wife…😉 many thanks and greetings from Germany Bjoern
Hi Bjoern, that is an interesting idea! It is a bit too complicated to cover in UA-cam messages but please feel free to get in touch at soundsheavenly.com and I will be happy to help!
Many thanks Steve for the very quick response. I will do so …
Penta is much better, I'm using Beovox s80.2 for more than decade, and I compared it to CX50 + cona, and s80 are much better (to my ears). So, it would be interesting, if You could do the comparison between any product from uniphase series, with penta.
Thanks, that is an interesting idea. I don’t know of anyone locally with any Uniphase speakers but if I find some I will see what is possible...
I prefer mid and high range sounds so preferred the Beolab 3000s. The Pentas sound a bit flat.
Yes, the 3000s certainly have clear mids and highs!
Love the penta
Me too, I will never sell my Pentas!
Penta for me 👍
Agreed!
I recently got myself a pair of penta mk 2 but the amps are out. I ran them via an external power amplifier and they sounded great as well. May I know which model are your penta?
Hi, my Pentas are the later mk.3 version. I haven;t tried using powered Beolab Pentas without the amplifier, I think you will get best results if you are able to repair or replace the amplifier. Sorry I don't know where to obtain repairs or replacements, but I can help with cables once you have got everything working!
Hi Steve, thanks for great video! How did you connect both pairs? Is it to a B&O music system or? I was wondering since i use a DAC to my computer, is there any way to connect them to a DAC that supports 2 pairs of beolab. Thanks and take care
Glad you liked the video! Yes, I use a USB DAC on my computer that supports two pairs of speakers, this is a Behringer DAC: soundsheavenly.com/music-input/17-beomaster-5-beosound-5-aux-usb-input-converter-also-works-as-pcmac-sound-card.html
Great! Thanks for the quick reply, keep up the excellent work you doing for the B&O community
Thanks!
which are better Penta or Beolab 8000?
That will be the topic of a new video, to follow on my channel very soon - please subscribe to be the first to see it when it is ready!
I had Penta's paired with Beolab 4000's but did not think to listen to it in the way just presented. What do you think of that pairing even if you have not tried it yet. Just from knowing the BL 4000 and being familiar with it, what is your best guess . What sort of effect do you think you would get with this pairing? Without actually doing it would it be the same as with the 3000's or different in some way? By the way, I was running these two pairs together on a Beocenter 2 and will now run them together using a Beocenter 9500.
Hi, I haven't tried Pentas with 4000s, but I imagine that would also work well. I think the 3000s are a particularly good match for the Pentas, due to the unique way they reproduce music
@@soundsheavenly Yes, you stated that you get great mid and high range from the 3000. I know you rated or reviewed the 4000's if I remember right. Do you recall what they are known for or what they are good at doing? Bass, Mid, or High?
Hi, Beolab 4000 is a great all round speaker for their size. There is a sound test on my channel if you want to have a listen to them!
@@soundsheavenly I saw this a while back but want to see it again now that it is more relevant to me.
Beolab or Beovox every time for me I have six.
I always find the Beolab versions of these early speakers to sound better - what do you think?
Hi! How are you?
Could you tell me if I can connect 2 Beolab 18 wirelessly with a BeoSound Core or if I need an extra component?
Thanks
Hi, yes this is possible but you will need to add a Transmitter 1 from B&O. I can help with the cable to connect this to the Core
Penta 1000% for sure
I still remember hearing them for the first time at the launch in 1986, I was blown away by them!
@@soundsheavenly nicee😁
My first time was few years ago. Bought them when I was 19 years old. Sadly the original amplifiers where completely gone.
Tested the. With a Chinese class d board and I was shocked how well they sounded.
Even better after refoaming
Over the past 2 years I had diffrend diy amplifiers inside the original amplifier casing. Now I got a icepower 250a module.
Running with 48volt and +-12 volt.
They sound fantastic
@@soundsheavenly still want the original amplifier though, can't find them anywhere...
Penta --- Y have a boost between 125-40 Hz when placed in corner Best From Denmark DK 🙂
Yes, this can be adjusted for by using the Position switch at the base of each speaker.
i prefare penta
Me too! Beolab 3000 are also good speakers if you don’t have the money or space for Beolab Pentas.