BeoMaster 700
This was a version of the Beomaster 900 with a single speaker attached to it. Rarely seen in the UK.
Release Date: 1965
BeoMaster 900M
The inspiration for the Beomaster 900 came from the brains of Henning Moldenhawer.
The first product of the new era was launched in 1964.
Beomaster 900 was a fully transistorised radio with FM stereo radio. It was even launched in a version with two built-in speakers – Beomaster 900K – making it clear to everyone that it contained two independent stereo loudspeakers. Bang & Olufsen wanted to design a product so unique that it would open the doors to distribution throughout Europe, in the same way as the “Five Lamper” had done in Denmark 30 years earlier .
Beomaster 900M
This version of the Beomaster 900 was developed specially for those who require a set for use with external speakers. Otherwise, the Beomaster 900M is identical with the Beomaster 900K. Dimensions: 146mm high, 404mm wide, 230mm deep. Choice of teak or Brazilian rosewood finish.” – taken form the Bang & Olufsen product catalogue 1967 – 68
The most remarkable aspect, however, was not in the technology, but in the design. Transistors, which are small compared to radio tubes, generate less heat. As they require less space to release heat, transistors allow for radically different cabinet designs. The architect and designer, Henning Moldenhawer, knew how to exploit this. He designed the world’s first low, flat radio cabinet, creating a radical innovation in the process. From practically one day to the next, the good old tube equipped radio had become obsolete. Now it was transistors, not tubes, which for the first time would be powered from the mains. While the sound was improved, the loudspeakers also underwent significant changes, becoming more compact. After all, in those days, loudspeakers were foreign elements in the living-room. This was achieved with the pressure chamber loud speaker which reproduced sound of a quality which had, until then, only been possible with far bigger boxes. A long, low and fully transistorised mains radio, which played immediately – with no warm-up necessary, as was the case with the radio tubes – was an achievement in itself. In addition, the design concept challenged all established ideas for radio design. The new Beomaster 900 marked a revolution. It was the architect Henning Moldenhawer who, for the first time in the history of radio, extended the front all the way out to the sides of the unit, breaking with the traditional framing of the front which all radios, TVs and loudspeakers had been using until then. This motif was retraced in Bang & Olufsen’s future design language. It was even repeated graphically in the company’s advertisements. Beomaster 900 became a European-wide success. At the same time – and much to the company’s surprise – its share of the Danish market did not fall. On the contrary, it rose significantly – at a time when the last of the remaining Danish manufacturers went to the wall. Proof indeed that design is not only for connoisseurs, but is a universal language, at least when applied with talent and as an expression of the product’s conceptual content, i.e. making the product itself a communicator. When, some years later, Bang & Olufsen explained its identity, this visually self-communicating aspect was dubbed ‘Autovisuality’. Concept communication in terms of what the unit is and can do, communication between the unit and the user, but also identity communication between those who create the products and those who select and acquire them as well as between those who own the products. ” Beomaster 900K: This all-transistor mains-powered stereo radio will revolutionise your ideas about radio and was awarded the iF prize at the International Hanover Fair. The Beomaster 900K is an all-transistor mains-powered stereo radio featuring a specially engineered highly-efficient dual-channel audio amplifier for reproduction of stereo gramophone records (delivers 2 x 5 watts of undistorted power output). It is prepared for single transmitter stereo broadcasts, having a B&O multiplex adaptor (stereo decoder). A Beo-Beacon pilot lamp lights up when the receiver is tuned to a station transmitting an FM stereo programme or when the receiver is switched to play stereo gramophone records or stereo tapes. The Beomaster 900K has two B&O pressure-chamber speakers. Dimensions: 146mm high, 744mm wide, 230mm deep)
BeoMaster 900K
The inspiration for the Beomaster 900 came from the brains of Henning Moldenhawer.
The first product of the new era was launched in 1964.
Beomaster 900 was a fully transistorised radio with FM stereo radio. It was even launched in a version with two built-in speakers – Beomaster 900K – making it clear to everyone that it contained two independent stereo loudspeakers. Bang & Olufsen wanted to design a product so unique that it would open the doors to distribution throughout Europe, in the same way as the “Five Lamper” had done in Denmark 30 years earlier .
Beomaster 900M
This version of the Beomaster 900 was developed specially for those who require a set for use with external speakers. Otherwise, the Beomaster 900M is identical with the Beomaster 900K. Dimensions: 146mm high, 404mm wide, 230mm deep. Choice of teak or Brazilian rosewood finish.” – taken form the Bang & Olufsen product catalogue 1967 – 68
The most remarkable aspect, however, was not in the technology, but in the design. Transistors, which are small compared to radio tubes, generate less heat. As they require less space to release heat, transistors allow for radically different cabinet designs. The architect and designer, Henning Moldenhawer, knew how to exploit this. He designed the world’s first low, flat radio cabinet, creating a radical innovation in the process. From practically one day to the next, the good old tube equipped radio had become obsolete.
Now it was transistors, not tubes, which for the first time would be powered from the mains. While the sound was improved, the loudspeakers also underwent significant changes, becoming more compact. After all, in those days, loudspeakers were foreign elements in the living-room. This was achieved with the pressure chamber loud speaker which reproduced sound of a quality which had, until then, only been possible with far bigger boxes. A long, low and fully transistorised mains radio, which played immediately – with no warm-up necessary, as was the case with the radio tubes – was an achievement in itself. In addition, the design concept challenged all established ideas for radio design. The new Beomaster 900 marked a revolution.
It was the architect Henning Moldenhawer who, for the first time in the history of radio, extended the front all the way out to the sides of the unit, breaking with the traditional framing of the front which all radios, TVs and loudspeakers had been using until then. This motif was retraced in Bang & Olufsen’s future design language. It was even repeated graphically in the company’s advertisements.
Beomaster 900 became a European-wide success. At the same time – and much to the company’s surprise – its share of the Danish market did not fall. On the contrary, it rose significantly – at a time when the last of the remaining Danish manufacturers went to the wall. Proof indeed that design is not only for connoisseurs, but is a universal language, at least when applied with talent and as an expression of the product’s conceptual content, i.e. making the product itself a communicator.
When, some years later, Bang & Olufsen explained its identity, this visually self-communicating aspect was dubbed ‘Autovisuality’.
Concept communication in terms of what the unit is and can do, communication between the unit and the user, but also identity communication between those who create the products and those who select and acquire them as well as between those who own the products.
” Beomaster 900K: This all-transistor mains-powered stereo radio will revolutionise your ideas about radio and was awarded the iF prize at the International Hanover Fair.
The Beomaster 900K is an all-transistor mains-powered stereo radio featuring a specially engineered highly-efficient dual-channel audio amplifier for reproduction of stereo gramophone records (delivers 2 x 5 watts of undistorted power output). It is prepared for single transmitter stereo broadcasts, having a B&O multiplex adaptor (stereo decoder). A Beo-Beacon pilot lamp lights up when the receiver is tuned to a station transmitting an FM stereo programme or when the receiver is switched to play stereo gramophone records or stereo tapes.
The Beomaster 900K has two B&O pressure-chamber speakers. Dimensions: 146mm high, 744mm wide, 230mm deep)
BeoGram 42V/VF
The B&O 4-speed record player is an important step on the road to full musical enjoyment, being designed specially with a view to vibrationless and rumbleless operation. This feature is of great importance when playing stereo records as the pickup stylus must be sensitive to vibrations in all directions in order to be capable of “scanning” the record properly.
Understanding the numbering of these Beograms is really quite easy: the ‘V’ in ‘608V’ means that it is powered with AC voltage and ‘F’ means that it has a built-in preamplifier. The designation 608, 609 and so on, indicates the year the product was marketed. There was also a ‘U’ version for both AC and DC voltages. Beogram 608 for example, was a turntable without a built-in RIAA preamplifier and was produced for the 1962 season (internally many were date-stamped e.g. September 1961 would indicate the year it left the factory).
The difference between the models 41xx and 42xx was that the 41xx had a small turntable and the 42xx model had a larger turntable.
BeoGram 41V/VF
The B&O 4-speed record player is an important step on the road to full musical enjoyment, being designed specially with a view to vibrationless and rumbleless operation. This feature is of great importance when playing stereo records as the pickup stylus must be sensitive to vibrations in all directions in order to be capable of “scanning” the record properly.
Understanding the numbering of these Beograms is really quite easy: the ‘V’ in ‘608V’ means that it is powered with AC voltage and ‘F’ means that it has a built-in preamplifier. The designation 608, 609 and so on, indicates the year the product was marketed. There was also a ‘U’ version for both AC and DC voltages. Beogram 608 for example, was a turntable without a built-in RIAA preamplifier and was produced for the 1962 season (internally many were date-stamped e.g. September 1961 would indicate the year it left the factory).
The difference between the models 41xx and 42xx was that the 41xx had a small turntable and the 42xx model had a larger turntable.
BeoCord 1500 De Luxe
“If you already own a hi-fi music system or a good radio set with a tape socket – in other words, if you have an amplifier system capable of replacing that provided in a tape recorder you may prefer this 2-track recording machine. Technical specifications are equal to those of the Beocord 2000de Luxe K, but there is no mixer section or output amplifier.
The Beocord 1500 de Luxe has built-in playback pre-amplifiers and is sold complete with gramophone/radio record pre-amplifier. This recording pre-amplifier may be exchanged for a microphone pre-amplifier if direct microphone recordings are required.
Dimensions: 205mm high, 450mm wide, 335mm deep. Choice of teak or Brazilian rosewood finish” – taken from the 1967 – 1968 Bang & Olufsen product catalogue.
Beocord 1500 DL was a stereo tape recorder which you could use with an existing stereo system. There was no built-in amplifier or microphone – the unit’s raison d’être was a means to make really good recordings from records or the radio. A single stereo input channel of standard DIN level was the only source, but two outputs were provided: one of a fixed DIN level, and the other (Line) of a variable level controlled by a concentric (L,R) knob on the control panel. With a special lead and the correct Beomaster, it was possible to do off-tape monitoring during recordings (although by using standard DIN connection through the ‘radio’ socket this function was not available).
Accessories for the 1967 range of Beocord Tape Recorders:
An elegant steel undercarriage on smooth-running castors was separately available for the Beocord models at that time. It was available in two versions: for Beocord 1100/Beocord 2000 de Luxe T, and Beocord 1500 de Luxe/Beocord 2000 de Luxe K, respectively.
Beocord 1500 DL was replaced by Beocord 1800 in 1970, which looked very similar but included several detail improvements, such as a die-cast chassis and optical automatic stop. Mechanically, Beocord 1500 DL was the same as Beocord 2000 DL and was offered in the same way in either 2 track + 4 track replay and 4 track only models. The Beomaster 900 RG Compact radiogram featured a recess of the exact size to fit Beocord 1500 DL which made it into a complete audio system.
BeoCord 2000 Deluxe K (1965)
“One of the best semi-professional fully transistorised hi-fi stereo tape recorders. It has professional data for speed, wow and flutter that meet international standards for studio tape recorders. New modern design concepts distinguish the Beocord 2000 de Luxe K from conventional tape reorders. Here are some of them: 4-track recording/2-track and 4-track playback; built-in 4-channel mixer section with twin faders for both mono and stereo recordings provides individual control and mixing of microphone, gramophone, radio and line signal inputs.
These faders make it possible to balance channels during recording. An aurally compensated twin fader makes it possible to balance playback volume levels, too. These features permit recordings of every kind, such as Multi-playback, or sound-on sound; that is, rerecording from one track to another whilst making another recording on the other track.
Synchro-playback – this feature consists of synchronising two recordings on separate tracks which you do wish to mix by recording, and may be used for language laboratory purposes and for automatic control of lantern slides. Echo – adding echo to both mono and stereo recordings. The amplifier equipment is an outstanding new system consisting of no less than seven fully transistorised easily replaceable amplifier units.
Monitoring: separate records and playback heads with individual amplifiers permit both before-the-tape and off-the-tape monitoring. Power output is 2 x 8 watts undistorted.
Frequency response: 7.5″/sec 30-20 000 Hz (+/- 2 dB: 40 – 16 000Hz), 3.75″/sec 30 – 16 000 Hz (+/- 2dB: 40 – 12 000Hz), 1.7/8”: 50 – 8 000Hz (+/- 2 dB: 50 – 6 000Hz)
Recording level is indicated by two illuminated V.U. meters which indicate the sum of signals in each of the two tracks that can be recorded simultaneously.
Slack absorbers: Two smooth-running specially engineered slack absorbers take up slack, ensuring absolutely smooth starting and stopping at all tape speeds.
Electronic protection circuit prevents damage due to electrical overloads. No other tape recorder in this price bracket has these professional standards for electrical and mechanical specifications. Fine low-noise tape drive motor mounted on rugged non-torsion steel chassis. Four tape heads, 4-track recording but – a remarkable feature – the instrument plays back both 2-track and 4-track tapes.
The erase head (long-life dual-gap ferrite erases “right to the bottom” (70dB). The 2000 de Luxe permits recording from one tape recorder to another, parallel recording on a number of tape recorders, and simultaneous copying of both tracks. The Beocord may also be used as: public address system, permanently installed hi-fi control centre, and orchestra and guitar amplifier.” – taken from the 1967 – 1968 Bang & Olufsen product catalogue .
BeoLit 700 (1965)
Beolit 700: equipped with FM, LW, MW and SW (the 49 metre waveband) this portable radio offered excellent audio quality and had good ability to pick up even faint radio signals/stations.
The radio had a leather handle and case and came equipped with two extendable FM antennas. It included connections for an extra antenna, an extension loudspeaker and connections for tape or record deck. The Beolit 700 could run off batteries, making it truly portable. It accommodated six size D, 1,5V batteries.
BeoLit 800
A renamed Beolit 611T, with novel features such as the rubberised feet that extended from the cabinet when the handle was moved downwards, allowing the set to be positioned on its side without danger of marking the cabinet. This wood-clad model was positioned towards the top of the Beolit range at the time, with only the mighty Beolit 1000 its superior in terms of looks and performance.
Essentially a Beolit 700 chassis with some minor modifications, mounted in a wooden cabinet, the Beolit 800 fitted neatly in the Beolit range between the 700 and the very well specified 1000. The set was powered by 6 ‘D’ sized cells, and covered FM, LW, AM and SW wavebands, with the latter having its own dedicated rod antenna (both could be used for FM coverage). These were positioned at opposite ends of the chassis, unlike the Beolit 700 where they were placed next to each other, and gave a particularly pleasing symmetry when deployed when the set was operating on its side using the handle as a stand and the feet built into the cabinet.
For its time the Beolit 800 was a well specified portable radio and commensurate with its price tag, B&O equipped the set with features that would be expected of a radio at the higher end of the market. Connections for an external speaker or headphones, and a tape recorder or gramophone were located at the bottom of the set, with cut outs on the bottom plate for the cables to exit if connected. Treble and bass controls were provided, as was a separate tuning scale for the FM band. A duplex drive was fitted to allow a single tuning knob to be used on both the LW/AM/SW and FM tuning scales depending on which band had been selected. Like many of the other Beolits, the 800 included a ‘Radicator’, which served the dual purpose of showing the battery voltage when no station was tuned in, or the extent to which the receiver was tuned to a particular station. This latter function was particularly useful if the owner wished to use the set to take bearings using the internal ferrite rod antenna.
One interesting feature not copied on other Beolits was the use of a series of sliding indicators in a channel running underneath the FM tuning scale. Presumably an early and simple form of pre-sets, these could be lined up with a particular station’s frequency, and used to quickly line up the tuning pointer to these frequencies. A useful feature no doubt, but a disappointing one aesthetically as the sliders were made of flimsy plastic, and did not do justice to an otherwise visually pleasing set that was well constructed using mostly wood and metal parts. Overall though, the Beolit 800 was a well thought through addition to the Beolit range, offering as it did a range of placement options in an elegant wooden cabinet for the discerning customer. When it was withdrawn in 1968 it was not replaced directly, and the mainstay of the Beolit range to come in the form of the Beolit 600, took some of its styling cues from the Beolit 1000, leaving the 800 and the 1000 as the last Beolits to be offered with a wooden cabinet.
Review kindly written by Beoworld member John Barker
BeoLit 600 (1964)
“FM, Long Wave, Medium wave and Marine band. Push-button band switching. Built-in AM aerial. Telescopic whip for FM. Flywheel tuning. Separate bass and treble controls. Jacks for external aerial, extension speaker and gramophone. Rugged weather-resistant cabinet of impact-proof polystyrene in four elegant two-colour combinations. Car mounting bracket available. Dimensions: 223 mm high, 320 mm wide, 109 mm deep. ” – taken from the 1967 – 1968 Bang & Olufsen product catalogue (Read more on the BeoWorld Connoisseurs’ Club)
Beolit 600 was a very popular transistorised radio set of the mid-1960s. Unusually for the time, it featured an FM band, made possible by special transistors which had recently become available. These, like the others in the set, were sourced from Siemens, but were similar to those being made by Philips/Mullard. The output level was high for a transistor set, so a lot of power was needed. This came from six “D” size batteries mounted in an internal box. Access was through the bottom of the set, and would have been frequent if high volume settings were regularly used! There was no option of mains power for this model, the Beopower 600 mains adaptor was only suitable for sets made after 1970, which were of a completely different design.
The set was solid and sturdy, the plastic panels on the outside being purely cosmetic. Inside, there was a metal framework holding all the internal parts including the loudspeaker. Damping materials were fitted in places where it was thought resonance may occur. The styling was much admired, particularly by Murphy Radio, who copied it accurately in one of their models.
Beolit 600 included features such as proper treble and bass controls, a dual function battery and tuning meter (this changed function automatically when a broadcast was received), headphone and tape recorder sockets and coverage of the marine band (on the lower frequency short waves).
In 1970 Beolit 600 was replaced by the new Beolit 600 ‘colour radio’ range.