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Audioholics peels back the lids on the current crop of ICEpower-based amplifiers

by Steven Kim posted Apr 30th 2009 at 7:29AM

Bang and Olufsen ICEpower1000Typically devoid of fancy lights, knobs, and switches, amplifiers typically don't get a lot of marketing hype; heck, most people who own a receiver aren't even aware of the amplifier section. Bang & Olfusen's Class D ICEpower switching amplifiers wrinkle that a bit -- the compact footprint, light weight, energy efficiency and impressive specs are enough to make the newer technology marketable as, well, new. Sadly, from Audioholics' examination of many samples, it also looks like the newness stopped there and several manufacturers have slapped crazy price tags on an essentially "reference design" implementation. There's plenty of good technical info about the test bench performance of these amps in the link, but with several happy ICEpower users it's hard to say that the subjective performance is unsatisfactory; the wide price range for essentially the same amp is what's troubling. If nothing else, let it serve as a cautionary tale of not falling for the latest thing just because it's the latest thing -- when you're shopping for an amp, take your ears along with your wallet.

Bang & Olufsen's BeoSound 5 controller in the wild?

by Darren Murph posted Oct 13th 2008 at 6:59AM


We're still retaining a slight bit of disbelief here, but the long teased BeoSound 5 controller could be awfully close to a formal release. Judging by scads of cryptic (and probably diluted) hints and just two images (one above, one after the break), we're led to believe that this here device will sit atop one's table and enable users to flip through multimedia and play back tunes through their Bang & Olufsen gear. The sell, obviously, is the design. Truth be told, this thing looks like something a few years ahead of its time at first glance, but considering just how ridiculous (that's a compliment, we'll have you know) the BeoCenter 2 looked over four years ago, we'd say this is just par for the course with B&O. Here's hoping some more concrete information flows forth shortly.

[Thanks, JK]

Continue reading Bang & Olufsen's BeoSound 5 controller in the wild?

NYC SoHo luxury condo with matching Bang & Olufsen gear, great view, $975,000

by Steven Kim posted Jul 1st 2008 at 12:19PM

Renwick condo, NYC
The downturn in the housing market is producing some interesting cross-marketing promotions. Well-heeled jet-setters moving into NYC's SoHo Renwick luxury condos when it opens in 2009 will be greeted by Bang & Olufsen gear, including a BeoVision 8 32-inch LCD TV, BeoSound 4 audio player and a BeoLab 4000 speaker. For sure, luxury space comes at a premium price in SoHo, so we can understand the desire of residents to own a compact system. And with the Renwick's all-glass exterior, the super-bright output of an LCD display also makes sense. Top it all off with B&O's famous design, and you've got a system that's a good fit for the target demographic. Sure, it's not the most bang-for-your-buck setup, but we don't really expect that Renwick residents will be counting pennies anyways -- prices for the units start at $975,000 for a one-bedroom unit. For that price, couldn't they toss in a larger 1080p set?

Bang & Olufsen's BeoVision 9, now graced with Automatic Color Management

by Steven Kim posted Jun 6th 2008 at 5:50PM

Bang & Olufsen Automatic Color Management
We all know the angst that comes when you're sitting in front of your ISF-calibrated Kuro plasma, and the only thing separating you from the next rung of video nirvana is recalibrating right now. Rest easy, George Jetson, Bang & Olufsen has brought its Automatic Color Management, previously seen in the BeoVision 4, to the top-of-the-line BeoVision 9 plasma. The 50-inch plasma display that already has an integrated center channel speaker with an acoustic lens will be adding the auto-calibration feature in July. You'll definitely notice the added feature -- every 120 hours of viewing, a robotic arm with a camera (pictured) will flip down from the top of the display, take a white balance measurement, and adjust the set accordingly. Sounds great, but no word in the press release regarding pricing or an upgrade of the panel to 1080p. Seeing as the outgoing version of the BeoVision 9 goes for about $20,000, would that be too much to ask?

UPDATE: The spec sheet [warning: PDF link] on the B&O site still shows a 1366 x 768 pixel display for the BeoVision 9, but our sources say that the $19,900 price nets you a 1080p panel. - Thanks, Alex!

Conceptual remote could slip right into Bang & Olufsen's lineup

by Darren Murph posted Mar 27th 2008 at 2:57PM


Although we're seriously concerned that this concept wouldn't play nice with our current stack of components, we're still willing to let it into our hearts based on beauty / design alone. Dreamed up by Joris van Gelder, this wannabe Bang & Olufsen remote simply stays put on one's table and controls volume by being lifted up or down and manages channels by sensing when someone flicks their fingers up / down in the middle. Honestly, we can't see this thing gaining traction in all but the art deco sect, but be sure and check out the demonstration video in the read link below before passing judgment.

[Via textually]

Bang & Olufsen shows off Beo 5 remote control

by Darren Murph posted Sep 6th 2007 at 9:01AM

Shortly after blessing us with a sneak peek at its BeoVision 8, Bang & Olufsen is now showcasing its interestingly-designed Beo 5 remote control. This device seeks to dictate your AV system and dabble in home automation, and touts a "square glass display with soft touch keys, an aluminum ball with tactile keys and a volume wheel," and a simple charging base as well. Of course, it wouldn't be a B&O unit without a few fanciful extras, such as the adaptive backlight in the LCD, macro support, and an "intelligent" interface that "presents just the relevant menus and controls" on the display. Unsurprisingly, there's no word yet surrounding price or availability, but feel free to check out a few more shots of the Beo 5 in the gallery.

[Thanks, klaus]

Gallery: Bang & Olufsen shows off Beo 5 remote control

Bang & Olufsen @ CEDIA - Beo System 3 HD Stage Manager

by Matt Burns posted Sep 15th 2006 at 2:32PM

Remember that Beo System 3 HD stage manager thingy that was announced a few weeks ago? You know that large slab of modern electronics that looks like anything but a media hub? Well, you know us and our love for everything high-def and exotic so we managed to get our grubby little hands on the stage manager. The overall design looks a lot less intimidation in person then the press photos indicated as it's in fact a nice size of about 20-inches wide and 8-inches deep. It allows for two ultra-expensive B&O systems to occupy the same room and give the user to switch between 'em at will. This is all thanks to the extensive amount of inputs/outputs including dual DVI outputs, four HDMI inputs, and enough sound outputs to manage two separate 5.1 sound stages, or a 7.1 setup with dual subwoofers. The remote on the other hand is long and slender but surprisingly beefy thanks to the amount of zinc that supposedly reduces sweaty palms. This hub isn't for everyone but if B&O is your cup of tee, this might be worth checking out at your local dealer; just make sure you bring along the check book with more then $7,700 available in it.

Click-on for a remotes shot.

Continue reading Bang & Olufsen @ CEDIA - Beo System 3 HD Stage Manager





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