Release Date: 1978

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BeoCord 5000 (1975)

Bang & Olufsen BeoCord 5000 1975

Beocord 5000 was a superior cassette deck with a Sendust tape head, dual capstans and a special servo drive system which secured low wow and flutter-data. Electronic recording level indicators (Peak Programme Meters) and the Fade in/Fade out functions facilitated exceptional recordings of the most demanding types of music. An automatic demagnetizing device helped ensure optimum signal/noise ratio at all times.

A Hall generator secured the most reliable automatic stop at the end of play. Because it worked electronically it was superior to mechanical systems which are always subject to wear and tear, stress and strain. Naturally Beocord 5000 incorporated Dolby B Noise Reduction circuits. You could also switch from fast forward to fast rewind, or normal play, without endangering your tapes or damaging the drive mechanism.

Despite these technological refinements Bang & Olufsen still didn’t forget the greatest advantage of the compact cassette – that of convenience. That’s why Beocord 5000 was so easy to use. The logically-arranged easy-touch buttons were clearly marked to aid simple, problem-free operation. An illuminated read-out panel told you the operational status of the deck at all times. The display could be read through the black Perspex cover which protected the cassette housing against dust. The unit had two peak programme meters which reacted faster than conventional VU meters in registering recording level and thus ensuring optimum recording quality.

There were two main design models in the Beocord 5000 range:the three head type 4705 was replaced in 1977 with the twin head 4715/4716 models.

What you need to know is that these were the only cassette deck with a B&O designed mechanism. It was designed to be to cassette decks what the Beogram 4000 was to record players. From a technical point of view, it was way ahead of its time.

However it was stupendously complicated and this hit reliability hard. The three head version hardly ever worked fully and the later two head was only a little better. Gorgeous to look at and packed with features, it will break your heart! B&O replaced this with the Beocord 8000, which had a bought in tape transport….

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BeoVox 1001

Bang & Olufsen BeoVox 1001

The Beovox 1001 was a very similar loudspeaker to the Beovox 1200 (Beosystem 1200 version), but to match the new black finish of the Beomaster 1001 the metal grille was made black.

Sadly, the designers did not take the opportunity to fit a dome tweeter (as fitted to every other Beovox loudspeaker of the period), so the original (and outmoded) 2.5” cone type remained. As the Beomaster 1001 offered the facility of Ambiophonic stereo, 4 Beovox 1001s could be connected, and the model was also suggested for use with the Beogram 1500-1 record player.

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BeoCenter 4600

Bang & Olufsen BeoCenter 4600

Beocenter 4600 was a multi-way combination unit incorporating a 2 x 25 watts RMS AM/FM receiver, an easy to use hi-fi cassette deck and an automatic record player. The lightweight arm had built-in bias compensation and carried Bang & Olufsen’s MMC 20S pickup cartridge with spherical diamond stylus.

The AM radio covered long and medium wavebands. Outstanding reception quality and high selectivity was secured by an Automatic Gain Control circuit, active noise suppression and hybrid filters.

The FM tuner was highly sensitive. Four stations could be pre-set for subsequent instant recall. The hi-fi cassette deck had all the features and qualities normally expected only in a separate deck:

* 3-digit counter with memory function

* electronic tape stop at end of play

* Dolby B Noise Reduction

* chrome or normal tapes could be used

The super Permalloy tape head was hard-wearing and had a long, useful lifetime. The record player too was automated: all functions were controlled by a single button. The anti-skating device worked automatically too. Bang & Olufsen’s MMC 20 S pickup cartridge with a spherical diamond was an integral part of this unit. Two Beovox S40 speakers complete this system if this was your choice.

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BeoVox S75

Bang & Olufsen Beovox S75

The S75 was a four way speaker designed for stand mounting and was a suitable match for any of the receivers offered at the time. It could be regarded as the bigger brother of the fabled S45.2 and replaced the very similar S60 in the speaker range.

The cross over was changed along with a redesign of the cabinet. The result was a speaker with more bass emphasis than the S60 but still with a soaring top end. Criticism could be levelled that the bass was at times slightly overblown, but for rock music, it hit the spot.

The extra size also emphasised the cabinet makers’ skill with the rosewood model in particular often showing a wonderful selection of flame veneer.

Although these speakers lack the accuracy of the S45.2, many will find the extra bass an attraction and will choose these in front of their fabled brother.

Beovox Uni-Phase S75

Pressure chamber speaker with linear phase sound reproduction and wide frequency range: 36 – 20000 Hz. Was suitable for placement in a shelving system but also available with aluminium pedestal for those who prefer a free-standing model. Speaker units included a 25cm woofer, a special 12,5cm Phase Link unit, a 5cm mid-range dome and a 2,5 dome tweeter. Volume was 40 litres; weight 11kg

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BeoCenter 3300

Bang & Olufsen BeoCenter 3300

Beocenter 3300 combined a powerful AM/FM stereo receiver with an automatic record player. Technically identical to the Beomaster 2200, the receiver section offered programmes on FM, long and medium wavebands and up to 2 x 40 watts RMS amplification with low distortion levels. It also had the same logical operation facilities.

The record player had a spring-suspended rotatory mechanism and an electronic servo drive system which ensured accurate turntable speed – even during variations in the mains current supplies. A special pendulum leaf spring suspension made the arm and platter immune to external shock and vibration which causes most other record players to mistrack and damage the record and sometimes even the stylus.

All functions of the record player were operated by touching a single button. The start/play/stop cycle is entirely automatic and moves, lifts or lowers the arm much more delicately than could the human hand. The MMC 20E cartridge carried an elliptical diamond stylus.

Beocenter 3300 had sockets for a tape deck, an extra record player, headphones and two sets of stereo speakers. The unit could be made up as part of the Beosystem 3300, when linked together with other compatible Bang & Olufsen products.

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BeoCenter 2600

Bang & Olufsen BeoCenter 2600

Beocenter 2600 consisted of a 2 x 25 watts RMS AM/FM receiver and a hi-fi cassette deck. The radio section covered Long, Medium and FM wavebands. A red/green LED indicator made recording easy and accurate, whether your sound source was the radio or a microphone (not supplied) connected to the hidden socket. A separate record player could be added if required.

For the cassette section, you could use both ferric and chrome tapes. The Dolby B Noise Reduction circuits ensured clean, noise-free recordings every time and the Super-Permalloy tape head was hard wearing with a long service life.

Beocenter 2600 could be made up as part of the Beosystem 2600, when linked together with other compatible Bang & Olufsen products.

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BeoCenter 4000 (1978)

Bang & Olufsen BeoCenter 4000 1978

Beocenter 4000 was an elegant combination of an AM/FM stereo receiver (in effect the Beomaster 2200) and a high quality cassette deck whose performance levels matched those of more expensive separate decks. The Sendust tape head ensured the best possible playback and combined long life with optimum frequency response characteristics. There were two motors – one for fast wind, the other for normal play – so tape transport was smooth and stable at all times. A Dolby B Noise Reduction circuit ensured high quality, low-noise recordings. Despite its many technical refinements and comprehensive facilities, Beocenter 4000 was simple to operate.

Beocenter 4000, in which all parameters concentrate on the quality of radio and tape reproduction, was an unusual alternative to a disc system. The addition of a matching Beogram from the Bang & Olufsen range, plus two Beovox S45 bookshelf or P45 wall-mounting speakers converted it into the complete top-quality Beosystem 4000.

Beocenter 4000 comprised a 2 x 40 watts RMS amplifier, an FM, Long and Medium wave radio and a stereo cassette deck incorporating all the features you would expect to find only in separate high quality decks.

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BeoCenter 4000 (1985)

Bang & Olufsen BeoCenter 4000 1985

Beocenter 4600 was a multi-way combination unit incorporating a 2 x 25 watts RMS AM/FM receiver, an easy to use hi-fi cassette deck and an automatic record player. The lightweight arm had built-in bias compensation and carried Bang & Olufsen’s MMC 20S pickup cartridge with spherical diamond stylus.

The AM radio covered long and medium wavebands. Outstanding reception quality and high selectivity was secured by an Automatic Gain Control circuit, active noise suppression and hybrid filters.

The FM tuner was highly sensitive. Four stations could be pre-set for subsequent instant recall. The hi-fi cassette deck had all the features and qualities normally expected only in a separate deck:

* 3-digit counter with memory function

* electronic tape stop at end of play

* Dolby B Noise Reduction

* chrome or normal tapes could be used

The super Permalloy tape head was hard-wearing and had a long, useful lifetime. The record player too was automated: all functions were controlled by a single button. The anti-skating device worked automatically too. Bang & Olufsen’s MMC 20 S pickup cartridge with a spherical diamond was an integral part of this unit. Two Beovox S40 speakers complete this system if this was your choice.

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BeoLit 707

Bang & Olufsen Beolit 707

Beolit 707 received radio programmes on FM, long and medium wavebands. This portable radio was Bang & Olufsen’s handiest music system. Its sound reproduction quality was so outstanding that it invites even critical music lovers to listen to music programmes when they are away from home.

Power input was specified at a pure 1 watt and frequency range was 65-20 000 Hz: exceptional for a transportable radio receiver. A large tuning scale with thumb wheels made tuning easy. Bass and treble was adjusted separately and there was an AFC facility to keep FM stations correctly tuned.

Beolit 707 could be plugged into the mains supply or run from batteries. The cabinet was finished in coloured Nextel – a synthetic material with a suede-like finish which is washable ands scratch-proof. It was designed by Jacob Jensen, the same as its FM-only sibling, Beolit 505.

The Beolit was one of the very few portable radios that were suitable for reproducing more than just news broadcasts. Sound quality was so good that music programmes could be reproduced with a quality that made them worth listening to. The Beolit was fitted with a mains transformer and a detachable lead. Operation was simple and problem-free. And since portable radios can end up in unenviable situations, the Beolit was constructed to withstand some rough treatment.

A robust chassis protects the internal circuitry and a special surface treatment protects the radio from scratches. Dirty marks were easily removed with a damp cloth.