Thanks Whitespike. Some...
Thanks Whitespike. Some more pictures of the home at the link below if you are interested. Its changed some since theses were taken....but its always a bit in flux. Just installed a lovely rosewood cado paneled wall unit this weekend.......but that's all besides the point.
The stereo is Castiglioni's RR 126 for Brionvega. The speakers lift off and sit on the side to expose the turntable. Came in various colors, even a wood laminate (see pic below)
The components of a stereo system are arranged to design a "musical pet" with loudspeaker ears, a witty face, and the capacity to move around on its casters.
As for cost, depending on condition and functionality, they sell for around 2K these days
http://onthemarklocations.com/location.jsp?category=modern&subloc=2&loca...
Who would have guess there were all these audiophiles on the forum?
Let me preface this by saying that I'm not an audiophile. I do appreciate vintage tube audio, and own a Dynaco ST-70 power and matching Dynaco speakers. However, I've never ventured further into that world for 2 reasons: first, I'm cheap, and the really high-end gear costs more than my car. Second, most audiophile gear looks like it's been built inside-out. That's right. I said it. It looks ridicuous. We take so much care to choose beautiful objects for our homes, why do we want to F-up that aesthetic with these sonic Frankensteins?
(End of anti-audiophile rant, and apologies if I've offended)
So what I'd really like to know is... what do serious audiophiles think of Bang & Olufsen? With the exception of some weird aesthetic experimentation in the 90s, B&O actually made beautiful products that fit well with modern decor. Is it all Radio Shack trash in beautiful packaging? Or does the sound live up to the legendary aesthetic quality?
Bang Olufsen
Poach,
Bang Olufsen is better than Radio Shack. As an example the Beosound 9000 has better than average sound quality, but there is a high probabilty of technical problems due to the complicated functions of this unit. The looks are good (my opinion) in a post modern setting. Also this particular system uses powered speakers. In other words the amplifiers are in the speakers and this narrows your choices to their product line. There is a way around this, but it limits some of the functions. The cost new is too high for the performance. The Beosound 1 is a good stand alone unit with a CD player, FM tuner and optional remote control. While it is a portable unit it does require AC power. The "bang for the buck" is fair, particularly with previously enjoyed (used) units. The sound is superior for its size. It is good for the bedroom or patio. These are only my opinions and they are all open to debate. You may want to go to the Beoworld site (not affiliated with Bang Olufsen) and read about any and all the products that are and have been manufactured by this company. I have included a link for your pleasure.
http://www.beoworld.org/
I have a B&O 5500 Series...
I have a B&O 5500 Series system which in it's day was one of their better models. It sounds good, but gets blown away by any decent modern seperates hifi as one might expect. I believe this to still be the case, B&O is a lifestyle brand, with probably a loyal following. Most will buy for the name and it's looks rather than outright performance. The same can be said for their tv's - very pretty on the eye, with good sound quality, but matched by top models from Sony/Philips etc for picture quality for a fraction of the price.
"most audiophile gear looks like it's been built inside-out" -poach
That made me laugh... But of course there's plenty of modern furniture built that way, too.
Le Corbusier's LC2 -- the first (or maybe just the most famous) chair to be built with the frame OUTSIDE the upholstery -- springs immediately to mind, but there are lots of other examples:
The structural bracing under the low Eames tables isn't just visible, it's shined up and put on display. The Womb chair splits the metal half of its frame from the fiberglass half and then puts upholstery BETWEEN them. The Bertoia chairs are built like a cutaway drawing -- look at them from the front and all you see is smooth, soft skin, but walk around to the back and you can see the bony skeleton inside.
I don't know, maybe I'm reaching... But it seems to me that the "inside-out" audio gear -- with exposed tubes [valves], visible turntable drive belts, VERY visible mechanical structure, etc. -- is just continuing the Modern tradition of not hiding the joints, of showing the function, of stripping ornamentation away, of letting the intrinsic beauty of the material speak for itself.
I don't know about you guys...
I don't know about you guys but I like the idea of speakers being heard and not seen. Maybe it's something to do with living in a small room.
I'm currently pondering on what to buy for my small living space. Bose says that in a room smaller than 3.6m x 3.6m should get a two speaker system. But my room is 3.9m by 3.76m!
(that's not my room)
http://www.bose.co.uk/GB/en/pop-up/hometheaterselectiontool/index.jsp
Subwoofers in small rooms are a problem.
It's really hard to control low frequencies in small rooms, and when the rooms are square like yours, it's even harder.
If I were you, I'd resign myself to not hearing the bottom octave or two, and I'd buy a two-speaker system without a sub.
Sorry.
http://www.realtraps.com/art_small_rooms.htm
I don't know about you guys...
Lit Up,
Small room, small system, big sound. The McIntosh Executive System could solve all your problems. McIntosh has had the same classic design for sixty years and the quality of sound and construction remains high. Their previously enjoyed products coomand a premium price because they continue to function well and sound great. It is easy to set up and easy to move.
I have a 70s B&O integrated...
I have a 70s B&O integrated turntable/tuner. It has four speakers connected to it, some more for show than sound like the pair of Grundig cubes. I am able to run my television and CD player through it. I like being able to keep my ugly CD player in a cabinet, out of sight. Definitely not an audiophile but it sounds pretty good to me.
SounDesign............
fisher 500 tube amp delivers lard coated waves of sound.
JBL C36 speakers are excellent in both sound and design,
these were one of the little known designs that Alvin Lustig did for JBL.
Be willing to pay extra for those speakers as they can only appreciate......
oldies but goodies
Gene,
I like what appears to be the BeoCenter 3500 designed by Jacob Jensen and manufactured between 1972 - 1977. I enjoy the "slide rule" style of adjustment. Vinyl is final.
Mario,
I appreciate "old school" JBL in working condition. The cabinets with the feet are great. I can not say enough about 1960 - 1970's " brand name" vintage tube power!
Good for you guys.
speakers are the most...
speakers are the most visible of audio components, the amps and sources can either be placed aside or minimized in a rack or whatever.
for those that tend to think modern, take a look at wilson speakers. More traditional are b&w. There are other high end brands, that each have a house style. Some other interesting designs are made by sonus faber, mcintosh, magico.
all of these have superb sound and prices to match. Listen, then choose the ones you can live with day in and out. At these prices, you'll be more likely to change out your furniture than your 20k speakers.
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