1997 Archives

Posted on May 13, 2024October 26, 2025 by Multicare

BeoLab 3000

Quality loudspeakers provide well-modulated sound expression, and at the same time a visual personality that also commands attention. Bang & Olufsen’s BeoLab 3000 and Beovox 3000 loudspeakers had both the voice and the looks for a leading, acoustic role. Because of their thin shape, they became known as Panel loudspeakers.

Panel loudspeakers were one of the most exciting examples of how Bang & Olufsen united advanced technology and stunning design to achieve totally new effects. They didn’t look like high specification loudspeakers,, but their sound gave them away. Even at full volume they kept the total sound picture in perfect balance.

The elegant, flat loudspeakers were designed to be hung on the wall. And with their calm surfaces of blue or grey fabric coupled with beautiful, polished steel they looked like works of art presented in their own right. The idea of the panel speakers was based upon an advanced, acoustic principle that uses the wall as an active part of the sound reproduction, without causing the wall itself to vibrate.

They were available with or without amplifier and display showing which source was playing, at what volume, and which track number on a CD or tape you were listening to.

With display and amplifier the panel, speakers were called BeoLab 3000. Without, they were known as Beovox 3000.

The options depended on which Bang & Olufsen sound system was connected. You obtained maximum utilisation from Beosystems 6500, 4500, 3500 and Beocenters 9500 and 8500.

Why build amplifiers into the loudspeakers instead of keeping them separate?

Because you can reduce the size of the cabinet volume to one-third of the size of a conventional loudspeaker with the same sound capacity.

The principle is called Active Loudspeakers, and what you get is a compact loudspeaker that can play at high volume without distortion or damage to its drive units. Furthermore, when amplifier, treble and bass units are paired for the same task, they can be tailored to compensate for each other’s shortcomings. What you hear is music that sounds exactly like the instrument it originally came from.

Mounting Options

Wall mounting brackets were supplied with this model. No other mounting solution wall offered.

Bang & Olufsen’s preferred supplier for brackets and stands, STBbrackets, have made a range of solutions specifically for this model. Distributed throughout the World by the Bang & Olufsen store network, the STB options add to the diversity of mounting options and positions available.

»Wall Mounting Brackets

Wall Bracket for BeoVox & BeoLab flat panel speaker range

WB3000 has been introduced to meet a growing demand to mount Bang & Olufsen flat panel speakers to the wall. The bracket (sold as a pair) is a faithful reproduction of the original which was supplied with the speakers. These beautiful speakers can now be installed on to the wall, where they are a genuine and authentic Bang & Olufsen statement.

Posted on May 13, 2024October 26, 2025 by Multicare

BeoLab 2500

BeoLab 2500 are active loudspeakers designed to match the BeoSound Ouverture and the BeoSound 3000. With their built-in amplifiers, they sound as if they’re three times their size. Hang them on the wall or place them on bookshelves.

They match both the Beocenter Ouverture and 3000 (previous to this they were used with both the BeoSound 2300 and 2500 music systems) with perspective and clarity, despite their modest dimensions. The explanation of the wide sound lies in the built-in amplifiers in each cabinet: one for bass and one for treble, so that they never have to compete for the same amplifier.

Features:

BeoLab 2500 are active loudspeakers with 2 built-in power amplifier modules to combine with the current (2002) BeoSound 3000 and BeoSound Ouverture. As speakers for the BeoSound 2300 and 2500 music systems, they were available in Blue Lapis, Black Granite, Red Garnet, Green Malachite, Yellow Dolomite and Silver Galena. However, new metal frets were introduced at the end of 2001. From the previous replaceable cloth fronts, they are now manufactured in pearlescent aluminium (see below). These new perforated metal frets presently come in 5 different colours – natural aluminium, black, blue, green and russet to match those of BeoSound 1.

“When it comes to sound reproduction we believe there’s only one relevant parameter: How close can we come to the originally recorded sound. We feel an obligation not to disturb the intentions of the artist by adding unnatural elements to the acoustic image. Therefore all Bang & Olufsen loudspeakers share the same goal. They differ in size and shape and in terms of sound pressure level. But they are all developed to reproduce the natural, unaltered sound as closely as possible ” – Bang & Olufsen catalogue 2001 – 2002

Adaptive Bass Linearisation

Adaptive Bass Linearisation (ABL) is a process patented by B&O and is incorporated in BeoLab loudspeakers. The idea is to use the surplus capacity in amplifiers and driver units, arising by normal listening levels, for a bass extension – a sound reproduction with more bass, than the loudspeaker otherwise would be able to produce.

The function is adaptive. This means that the loudspeaker adapts to the signal it receives. Loudspeaker drivers are therefore fully exploited, without suffering mechanical or electronic abuse, and the built in amplifiers are not subjected to signals would otherwise create an overload situation.

ABL gives stunning bass reproduction considering the size of the loudspeaker in which it is incorporated, under normal listening levels.

Mounting Options

BeoLab2500 were originally mounted to the HiFi with wall bracket 2087 or physically separated and mounted onto furniture as a bookshelf option.

Posted on May 13, 2024October 26, 2025 by Multicare

BeoCenter 9300

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

Posted on May 13, 2024October 26, 2025 by Multicare

BeoCenter 9500

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.