Posted on

BeoMaster 2000 (1983)

Bang & Olufsen BeoMaster 2000 1983

Beomaster 2000 was an advanced 2 x 25 watts RMS receiver with Long, Medium and FM band radio coverage. Four FM stations could be pre-set for instant recall. There was also provision for pre-setting one AM station.

The low-distortion stereo amplifier included a new feature unique to Bang & Olufsen. It was called Automatic Power Handling Control (APHC). This was a technique whereby the dynamic range and power parameters of the signal were continuously monitored, and if their combined effect threatens to cause amplifier clipping or damage to the speakers, the APHC circuit instructed the set’s microcomputer to turn the volume down to a safe level.

All primary functions were operated by finger-tip contact on the Beomaster’s Sensitouch control panel. There were no knobs or buttons to press. The status of all controls was shown on an illuminated display panel. Secondary controls were protected beneath a self-opening lid that was released by touching the unit’s front edge.

Beomaster 2000 could be made up as part of the Beosystem 2000, when linked together with other compatible Bang & Olufsen products. The receiver was designed by Jacob Jensen and was a direct descendant of Beomaster 2400.

Posted on

BeoMaster 3000 (1985)

Bang & Olufsen BeoMaster 3000 1985

Beomaster 3000 was the central part of Beosystem 3000. It was an FM and AM receiver with four preset FM stations and a power output of 30 watts. Beomaster 3000 featured Automatic power Handling Control which protected amplifier and speakers against overload.

The electronic volume control ensured a smooth transition to more, or less, sound, and the volume level could be preset. By activating ‘mute’ you could silence a function without turning it off. Another touch, and the function resumed where it left off.

Add a Beocord 2000, a Beogram 3000 and maybe a Beogram CDX and you had a stylish and high performance set up. This receiver could be seen as the natural descendant of the Beomaster 2400-2.

Posted on

BeoMaster 4500

Bang & Olufsen BeoMaster 4500

The Beomaster 4500 radio/amplifier received both FM and AM radio and was your communication link to the other sound sources in the system. Its operation was simplicity itself with an illuminated menu presenting all the options available. 20 radio stations could be pre-set providing you with instant access together with automatic fine tuning.

The 2 x 55 watt/8 ohm amplifier had a newly-developed, well-balanced interplay with the power supply which gave the output extra strength. The power reserve encompassed the entire frequency range and gave stable sound quality no matter what the volume. Beomaster 4500 also had automatic power handling control that prevented overloading, no matter how many loudspeakers were connected, as well as a special loudspeaker socket which ensured optimal utilisation of BeoLab active loudspeakers.

Beomaster 4500 could be used as part of the Beosystem 4500 hi-fi system and could be controlled via a Beolink 1000 remote control terminal. Later models of Beomaster 4500 could be controlled by the two-way Beolink 5000 and had the extra benefit of programmable timer functions (note that only Beomaster 4500 models with a software version of 2.1 and higher were able to handle two-way communication as well as the timer function.)

Posted on

BeoMaster 5000 (1983)

Bang & Olufsen BeoMaster 5000 1983

Long, medium and FM wavebands were featured on this high-technology 2 x 55 watts receiver that served as the heart of Beosystem 5000 introduced in 1983.

A frequency-synthesized tuner with automatic fine tuning and two-speed manual drive all contributed to fast, accurate location of radio programmes and superb reception quality. Nine station frequencies (on any combination of wavebands) could be stored in the Beomaster’s microcomputer memory for instant recall.

The low-distortion stereo amplifier included a very advanced feature, unique to Bang & Olufsen: Automatic Power Handling Control. This special circuit continuously monitored the dynamic range and power of the signal and instructed the microcomputer to decrease volume if the combined effects of these two parameters threatened to cause amplifier “clipping” or damage to the speakers. This type of overload became increasingly common since the introduction of the Compact Disc, which can produce signals of enormous dynamic range, but it could not occur in Beomaster 5000.

An internal, variable-speed fan ensured the proper dissipation of heat, even when the Beomaster was used in a stack format. Direct operation of all primary functions was available on the Beomaster itself should the Master Control Panel not be to hand. These controls were located beneath a hinged cover which sprang open at a touch

Beomaster 5000 had no visible controls. Normal operation was by means of the Master Control Panel – a slim, table-top keypad that gave chair-side access to all functions including microcomputer programming and storage, timer facilities, status check, day and clock display, volume, tone and stereo balance adjustments and control of all sound sources. A programme-sequencing facility allowed you to pre-plan a whole evening’s listening composed of record, radio and cassette music in any order and combination. Once set, this “command performance” would play continuously as instructed without further use of the controls

Posted on

BeoMaster 6000 (1981)

Bang & Olufsen BeoMaster 6000 1981

This extremely distinctive and beautiful FM stereo receiver from Bang & Olufsen used the very latest technology, both in its complex audio circuitry and in the microcomputer-based control systems which made it such an effortless and pleasurable product to use – whether or not you decided to include the optional remote control facility. The specialist radio section concentrated on the superb sound quality available from FM transmissions.
It covered the entire FM band from 87,5 to 108 MHz and incorporated the most advanced techniques for accurate, drift-free stereo reception.

The amplifier gave 2 x 75 watts RMS with an extremely low level (0,8%) of harmonic distortion. Clean, clear sound – always. Two 24-hour timers allowed you to play or record any sound source automatically. You didn’t even have to be at home. Or, if you wanted to be sure of hearing the same news programme every evening you could set the Repeat function to remember for you – day after day.

Connections included sockets for a record deck and two tape decks (DIN or RCA phono plugs) plus graphic equaliser, headphones and two pairs of loudspeakers.

Beomaster 6000 formed the heart of Beosystem 6000 and was designed by Jacob Jensen.

Posted on

BeoGram 2000 (1983)

Bang & Olufsen BeoGram 2000 1983

This radial-tracking record deck had a lightweight turntable (only 400g) to minimise torque at starting. The automatic cueing system was also very fast-acting, so it was only a matter of a few seconds between touching the PLAY control and hearing the music.

The tone arm had built-in anti-skating and carried the MMC 4 pickup, ensuring accurate tracking and excellent sound quality. Normal PLAY and STOP functions were entirely automatic and could be operated with the lid closed; manual buttons for playing non-standard discs were located on the deck plate. In addition to automating the setting of correct speed and cueing position for each record, the Beogram’s built-in microcomputer allowed a REPEAT function, which could be programmed for up to 7 plays of the same record.

Drive was provided by a tacho-controlled DC motor via a flat rubber belt, so turntable speed was always accurate and could not be affected by fluctuations in the mains supply.

When used with Beomaster 2000, an electronic data-link allowed Beogram 2000 to be operated by the Beomaster’s controls. Beogram 2000 could also be made up as part of the Beosystem 2000, when linked together with other compatible Bang & Olufsen products.

Posted on

BeoCord VHS91.2

Bang & Olufsen BeoCord VHS91.2

With Beocord VHS 91.2 Bang & Olufsen created a stereo video tape recorder which, in 1987, was close to studio equipment in terms of sound and picture quality. And when it came to design, operation and uses it was a natural, integrated part of home entertainment and communication.

Beocord VHS91.2 could record up to four hours of video or eight hours of stereo hi-fi sound on just the one four-hour tape. And it could of course be remote-controlled regardless of which Bang & Olufsen TV and music system you put it to work with.

The many picture functions included such things as distortion-free single frame pictures, play back just one picture at a time, ‘flickerless’ breaks between recordings and automatic picture search with the help of the tape counter. And Beocord VHS91.2 could also be programmed to record daily or weekly for an unlimited period of time.

With a completely new recording technique and one built-in stereo decoder, Beocord VHS 91.2 provided unlimited possibilities for combining TV, video and music systems, such as recording stereo simulcasts.

In terms of design, colours and uses, Beocord VHS 91.2 was created to harmonise with Beovision MX2000. And the same remote control Terminal could be used to control both units.

Posted on

BeoCord VHS91

Beocord VHS 91 was a genuine hi-fi sound recorder as well as a high quality VCR. It not only gave 4 hours of video recording, but also 8 hours of stereo sound with a level of quality approaching that of compact disc..

Equipped with Bang & Olufsen’s advanced HX Professional recording system and Dolby B Noise Reduction, Beocord VHS 91 could be used for recording directly from the television and stereo sound from your hi-fi during simulcasts. And as a hi-fi sound recorder, it could also be connected to the Beolink® system to take music all over your house. When connected to your B&O TV, VHS91 could be controlled by the Video Terminal remote control.

Posted on

BeoCord VHS90

Beocord VHS 91 was a genuine hi-fi sound recorder as well as a high quality VCR. It not only gave 4 hours of video recording, but also 8 hours of stereo sound with a level of quality approaching that of compact disc..

Equipped with Bang & Olufsen’s advanced HX Professional recording system and Dolby B Noise Reduction, Beocord VHS 91 could be used for recording directly from the television and stereo sound from your hi-fi during simulcasts. And as a hi-fi sound recorder, it could also be connected to the Beolink® system to take music all over your house. When connected to your B&O TV, VHS91 could be controlled by the Video Terminal remote control.

Posted on

BeoCord VHS82

Beocord VHS 82 was Bang & Olufsen’s 1987 addition to the stereo video cassette recorder line-up with up to four hours of video playing time and eight hours of hi-fi quality stereo sound on just one video tape!

In terms of design, colours and uses, Beocord VHS 82 was created to harmonise with Beovision MX2000. And the same remote control Video Terminal could be used to control both units. Control was so integrated that the TV screen acted as an open instruction manual for the video cassette recorder.

All of the functions on Beocord VHS 82 were described and stored on ‘menus’ that were brought to the screen with the assistance of the Terminal. This step-by-step instruction ensured fast, faultless operation. So even things like presetting channels, time programming and picture search were as easy as was possible. And although the special menu operation was only possible in connection with the latest TV generations from Bang & Olufsen, Beocord VHS82 was an ideal video supplement for ant TV.

The fact that Beocord VHS 82 could take its place as a technically superior audio tape recorder in any music system emphasizes just how outstanding this stereo video recorder was.