In design, technology and operating philosophy, the Beogram 9500 turntable was a perfect match for the Beocenter 9500 system.
Using a light-weight MMC2 cartridge, its electronic tangential arm played each record at the exact angle it was cut giving the most precise reading of the grooves ensuring that every nuance of a recording was captured.
The arm was suspended by a patented Bang & Olufsen system which helped prevent vibrations from any source reaching the cartridge. And the chassis suspension acted as an effective buffer against external vibrations.
Beocenter 8000 gave you a powerful receiver – with CD player and cassette recorder hidden under covers which glided to the side when you wished to use them. Bang & Olufsen’s high quality and distinguished design made a dexterous duo with this Beocenter. Grace and simplicity emphasised Bang & Olufsen’s basic principle that technology exists for the sake of humankind – and not the other way around!
Easy Operation:
Light touches on Beocenter 8000 gave you free access to the simple operation. The illuminated display led you through all the functions by showing you what to do at every step. If you preferred, you could also use Beolink 1000 which controlled all the functions from a distance.
FM/AM Receiver:
At the core of Beocenter 8000 was the receiver – the ‘command centre’ of the system. Here you could preset up to 20 FM/AM stations which you could locate easily by choosing a number from 1 – 20 on the display panel.
CD player:
Beocenter 8000’s CD player accepted both 12cm and 8cm compact discs. At any time, you could choose a single track, or change the order in which you wanted to hear the tracks. The option was there too to skip a track.
Cassette recorder:
Both recording and playback on the cassette recorder in the Beocenter 8000 offered the highest quality. One reason was Bang & Olufsen’s patented HX-PRO system which ensures optimal sound reproduction, particularly in the sensitive treble range.
When you were listening to a tape, you could change the listening order of the tracks. You could skip individual tracks, or skip to a certain track regardless of where it was on the tape. Auto Reverse is so sophisticated that you will never hear the tape change sides unless you really listen for it.
The cassette recorder automatically registered the type of tape you were using. And you could choose Dolby B or Dolby C Noise Reduction when you recorded.
Connections: Beocenter 8000 had connections for an extra cassette recorder plus two pairs of speakers. Thee was also a contact for you to connect a turntable, for example Beogram 9500.
Features: CD player with programming, tape recorder with auto reverse, FM/AM radio, finger touch control, optional Beolink 1000 remote control operation, connections for headphones, optional BeoStand.
Beocenter 9300 really defined the word ‘classic’. It was for those who preferred to enjoy the music rather than to pore over the product manual. The design of the 9300 was around for many years before production ceased in the late 1990’s. It was available in many different versions; for example 8000, 9000, 9500 and the this last version: Beocenter 9300.
The differences between the 9500 and the 9300 was that the 9300 had a new and improved CD mechanism fitted which was faster than the previous versions. Some minor differences were that the 9300 lacked two-way remote communication and an equalizer loop-through. However, the 9300 still is still among the Bang & Olufsen greats!
BeoCenter 9300 could operate with active as well as passive loudspeakers. A mere touch activated BeoCenter 9300 and a line of sensi-touch options glowed on the lower glass display. The 9300 was a complete music system for people who prefer to enjoy music rather than poring over a product manual.
Features:
2 x 80 watt amplifier, CD player with programming, tape recorder with auto reverse, FM/AM radio with 30 preset stations, finger touch control, optional Beo4 remote control operation, connections for Beolink® and headphones, Master Control Link. There was also the option of using the BeoCenter with or without active speakers, such as BeoLab 4000 (shown above). A stand could also be bought as a separate item
The mirrored exterior of aluminium and smoked glass gave no hint of the power hidden beneath the surface of Beosystem 9500. Central to the concept was the AM/FM receiver. On the flanks, CD player and cassette recorder awaited their turn in the spotlight. When they were needed, a light touch on the display panel was all that was required to make lids glide to the side giving immediate access to disc or cassette. The Beocenter was designed by Jacob Jensen and was the direct descendant of Beocenter 9000. The two models features here were superceded in 1994 by Beocenter 9300.
Simple logical operation
A light touch directly on Beocenter 9500 was all you needed to access its operation. The illuminated display led you logically through the programming and other functions always showing you what to do next. This ease and simplicity of use was the first impression you obtained of the music system. And equally easy to use was the optional remote control Beolink 1000 terminal.
Entertainment and information from three reliable sources
You could preset up to 20 FM and AM stations on the Beocenter 9500 receiver. And when you made your choice, search and fine tuning were completely automatic. Also, you could preset the receiver to switch on automatically to catch the news, or perhaps a favourite serial at just the right time. If you were out, the cassette recorder could be programmed to record and you could play back at your leisure.
You could also use the Beocenter 9500 receiver as a guaranteed alarm. In the event of a power failure during the night, the clock instantly switched to its own built-in batteries to ensure that you awoke at just the right time.
The CD player which accommodated both 12cm and 8cm compact discs was also ready for your commands. It gave you instant access to a specific track anywhere on the disc and allowed you to change the order in which the tracks were played, or to simply choose only those tracks you wished to listen to. Technology at its most convenient best. When used with Beogram 9500 the music system was known as Beosystem 9500.