Bang & Olufsen intros Beolab 14 surround speakers, considered 'entry-level' at $3,995

<div dir="rtl" style="text-align: right;" trbidi="on"><div class="image-container" dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Bang & Olufsen intros Beolab 14 surround speakers, considered 'entry-level' at $3,995" data-src-height="413" data-src-width="619" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2013/05/dsc05137-1368635269.jpg" /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;">Bang & Olufsen has been known to occasionally lower the price floor on its line of A/V gear. Continuing in that direction, the company just unveiled its Beolab 14 surround sound speakers, an entry-level offering starting at $3,995 for a 4.1 setup. The rig centers around a petite cylindrical tower that houses a 280-watt amp for its eight-inch down-firing bass driver and connections for up to five individually powered (140 watts) and equalized 2.5-inch satellite speakers. The circular drivers can be wall-mounted or set on stands, and those aluminum enclosures act as heat sinks (in addition to looking dapper). While B&0 anticipates that the soundbars on its existing TVs will act as a center channel, a 5.1 setup will be available for $4,395 if you need an independent middle speaker instead. The Beolab 14 will come in black or white when it launches in June and additional grille clothes will be an extra $99 per set, should you want to change the colors. You can find more details in the press release after the break while you start saving up.</div><div class="pr_box open" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;"><div class="pr_box_button">Hide Press Release</div><div class="pr_text">Bang & Olufsen Launches New all-inclusive, Surround Sound Speaker System<br /> Combining compact aesthetics and outstanding acoustic innovation to deliver high-end surround performance in one simple package<br /> Struer, Denmark – Deerfield, IL, USA<br /> Bang & Olufsen, the global provider of high-end custom made audio and video products, today announces the launch of a cutting-edge, surround sound speaker system that presents an entirely new category of speakers to the Bang & Olufsen product portfolio. The BeoLab 14 surround speaker system will revolutionize the marketplace as it is a conveniently packaged, all-inclusive solution that delivers compact aesthetics, exceptional sound quality and a high-end surround sound performance. BeoLab 14 is available in a 4.1 or a 5.1 digital surround sound set up, with up to six individual active speakers, each with its own amplifier, resulting in an unprecedented level of sound quality despite the speakers' compact shape. BeoLab 14 can also be used with all other television brands, so it is non- exclusive to just Bang & Olufsen televisions.<br /> "With its competitive price point, convenient set up, multiple placement options, hallmark design, and robust sound performance, we believe BeoLab 14 will resonate with many music lovers and style seekers who may not yet own a pair of world renowned Bang & Olufsen speakers," states Zean Nielsen, President of Bang & Olufsen America, Inc. "With the introduction of BeoLab 14, it's never been easier for customers to enjoy home cinema without compromising ones interior décor."<br /> BeoLab 14 builds on Bang & Olufsen acoustic engineers' on-going achievements in packing stunning performance into surprisingly small volumes. The satellite speakers are diminutive circles of anodized aluminum with exchangeable fabric covers in a selection of colors, (white, black, silver, dark grey, red and petroleum blue) and integrate easily into even the most stringent interior design schemes. The sculptural subwoofer contains separate amplifiers for all speakers in the system, and delivers bone-bouncing bass from a beguilingly slender footprint. BeoLab 14 comes in a full array of placement options that includes wall and ceiling mounts as well as floor and shelf stands, BeoLab 14 is ready to fit in visually as it stands out acoustically.<br /> Sound matters<br />BeoLab 14 was designed for consumers who want to add quality surround sound to their home viewing experiences, but still have demanding expectations about their interior design. "The launch of an all-in-one surround speaker system is an important new step for Bang & Olufsen," states Bang & Olufsen CEO, Tue Mantoni. "It builds on our core approach that sound matters in everything that we do. Now we bring genuine Bang & Olufsen sound to anyone who wants the advantages of surround without having to hide away the subwoofer."<br /> BeoLab 14 connects seamlessly to all Bang & Olufsen televisions, but is also just one plug away from lifting any other TV or AV receiver into a new level of sound performance. "Providing easy integration for people who do not own a Bang & Olufsen TV, but still want to achieve a high-quality Bang & Olufsen sound experience, has been a particular focus for the team" adds Mantoni.<br /> Tuned with expert listening panel<br />The compact new speakers have been put through the same demanding development process as all other Bang & Olufsen products. "BeoLab 14 is the result of a lot of work with our Listening Panel," says Jens Rahbek, Senior Sound Engineer in the R&D department. "Even with the very best components, sound is a subjective experience. We tune our speakers in a process that includes hours of listening – by different people, in different room environments, at different stages of development – in order to achieve sound that is as close as possible to what the original artist intended."<br /> Up to 6 active speakers – each with separate amplifiers<br />BeoLab 14's strong sonic performance is due to its sculptural subwoofer, with 280 watts of dedicated power for its 8" downward-facing driver, the active sub delivers ample bass tones at the lowest frequencies – (down to 26 hz). The stylish sub also contains connections for five active satellite speakers (along with five individual 140 watt amplifiers with separate equalizers for each of them), a very capable Digital Signal Processor, Adaptive Bass Linearization (for cultivated bass, no matter what the peaks), room adaptation switch, line sense, Power Link connections for Bang & Olufsen components, and an A/V multi-connector for other components.<br />Bang & Olufsen separates the satellite speakers' active 2.5"treble and midrange drivers from their dedicated amplifiers, which results a rich, large sound experience that can fill an entire room, while occupying minimum physical space. Just under 16 cm in diameter, the satellite speakers are just as impressive to decorate with as they are to listen to. The closed cabinet construction is built around a milled aluminum frame – just like the systems Bang & Olufsen creates for Audi, BMW and Aston Martin – to eliminate resonance with style and precision.<br />BeoLab 14 is available in two versions: one with subwoofer and four satellite speakers (for Bang & Olufsen TVs, whose on-board speakers function as the center speaker in a surround setup), the other with subwoofer and five satellite speakers for all other brands.<br />The new BeoLab 14 surround sound speaker system is available at Bang & Olufsen stores worldwide in June 2013. Priced at $3995 (for 4.1 solution) and $4395 for the (5.1 solution).<br /> </div></div></div>

Bang & Olufsen intros Beolab 14 surround speakers, considered 'entry-level' at $3,995

Bang & Olufsen has been known to occasionally lower the price floor on its line of A/V gear. Continuing in that direction, the company ...

مزيد من المعلومات »

B&O Play H3, H6 headphones debut stateside: danish design, premium prices

<div dir="rtl" style="text-align: right;" trbidi="on"><div class="image-container" dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;"><img alt="B&O Play H3, H6 headphones debut stateside aluminumclad danish design, premium prices" data-src-height="400" data-src-width="600" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2013/05/dsc05124.jpg" /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;">It was just last month that Bang & Olufsen unveiled the H3 and H6 headphones under its cheaper-to-enter B&0 Play brand for the EU. Today, B&O introduced these two dapper additions stateside, announcing them at its SoHo NY shop. If you'll recall, the aluminum-clad H3 in-ears pack 10.3mm drivers aided by mini bass ports, while the H6 over-ears feature 40mm drivers and a healthy heaping of leather-wrapped memory foam padding. Both have an iOS-friendly inline remote and straight 3.5mm-capped cabling. We spent some time with the H6 and we're surprised at how light it is -- which also made for an extremely comfortable first impression when it was placed around this editor's ears. The sound from the H6's drivers is crispy and light with a fairly flat voicing that's free of any noticeable sibilance. A 3.5mm input resides on each of its earcups, which allows for daisy-chaining so you can listen with a buddy. We're told the H3 intra-aurals should sound similar (we couldn't get a clean pair to jam in our ears). </div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;"><img alt="Gallery Image" height="426" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2013/05/dsc05132.jpg" width="640" /><img alt="Gallery Image" height="426" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2013/05/dsc05128.jpg" width="640" /><img alt="Gallery Image" height="426" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2013/05/dsc05126.jpg" width="640" /><img alt="Gallery Image" height="426" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2013/05/dsc05127.jpg" width="640" /></div></div>

B&O Play H3, H6 headphones debut stateside: danish design, premium prices

It was just last month that Bang & Olufsen unveiled the H3 and H6 headphones under its cheaper-to-enter B&0 Play brand for the EU. ...

مزيد من المعلومات »