[Steve at Sounds Heavenly]

Hi Beoworlders,

I’ve just returned from a 1,500km trip to experience B&O’s rarest and most exclusive new product – I will be producing a full YouTube video in the coming days, so that all my fellow B&O fans can see and hear it too. This photo is a teaser (no, it isn’t a hairbrush!) as it is one small part of the exclusive product that I found…

[Millemissen]

AdamS wrote:

Oooh, count me intrigued as that looks suspiciously like a record cleaning brush!

Oooh, no ?
They are running out of ideas….in that case.

MM

[Steve at Sounds Heavenly]

Hi guys!

This is a combination of a rebuilt and upgraded product, paired with new items. The end result is really quite stunning… The record brush is just one tiny part of the system, included with lots of other parts 😉

Full video review (and sound test!) to follow in the next few days on my YouTube channel!

Kind regards, Steve.

[chartz]

Something like this? ?

[Mark]

This is certainly not a tease for those of us that would like a nice and reliable B&O turntable but cannot afford one at the price of a house!

 

[Sandyb]

indeed – if we look at the price of the 72-22 that came with BL18s, we can probably make an educated guess as to what this (with Bl28s) will be.

I know they sell out these limited run products, but its become a little sad that some of their aesthetically more special stuff is priced at 50k.

[AdamS]

Oooh, count me intrigued as that looks suspiciously like a record cleaning brush!

Out of interest, is the product truly “new” or another classic product being refurbished?

[AdamS]

I agree, I’m a bit underwhelmed, although I’m sure it will be an excellent system and it does look superb. That said, I’m sure I could take my Beogram 4002/MMC20CL down to my local dealer to hear it through Beolab 28s if i wanted to!

If they were going for a true “flagship”, it should have been a new Beogram 8002 with Beolab 90s, surely?

[Steve at Sounds Heavenly]

Hi Adam and Chartz,

I have been led to believe that any Beolab speaker can potentially be paired with this system and colour matched accordingly if required, including Beolab 50 and 90. Beogram 4002, 4004 or 6000 can be used as the starting point of the turntable (the original 4000 is more complex and hence often considered to be less reliable than the later models).

While the 8000/8002 Beograms are undoubtedly the high point of B&O’s turntable development, in real world use they offer minimal audible gains over a well set-up 4000c, but they are far less “timeless” in their design which I suspect would make them harder to sell to new customers once refurbished.

All in all, I think this is a superb system, combining some of the best and most attractive B&O products from the past 50 years in a stylish, high quality system that can be expected to play for another half a century. I understand the negativity that some traditional B&O fans may have towards retro systems of this type, but I think high-end setups of this type are essential to keep B&O in the public eye and to restore their financial stability. If we can get 100 people buying a £55,000 B&O system, that would have the potential to bring B&O’s finances back on track and give them funds to make more “everyday” products that we can all afford and enjoy.

I can only dream of owning a system like this, but seeing and hearing it makes me happy to be a B&O owner. I’m also proud to be a very small contributor to this system, by building the cable that links the Beogram to the Core inside the cabinet.

I am pleased that B&O made a striking product to divide opinions and generate debate, instead of following the crowd and doing what everyone expected. I’m excited to see what they will do for their 100 year celebration product!

Kind regards, Steve.

[Sandyb]

why so much effort?

I think the answer is the price.

The cabinet is desperately uninspired too, to my eyes.

[Millemissen]

@Steve

I hope you are right in your math!

By the way, this is what was in the Newsletter from B&O 3 weeks ago – no talk of new flagship:

”Bang & Olufsen is pleased to announce the release of the limited-edition Beosystem 72-23 Nordic Dawn – a time transcending music system that connects the years 1972 and 2023 by merging immersive music experiences from both vinyl and digital streaming. The limited-edition consists of only 100 units, each engraved with a unique identification number.

“The Beosystem 72-23 is a testament to Bang & Olufsen’s dedication to extending the longevity of products in the consumer electronics industry”, says Mads Kogsgaard Hansen, Head of Product Circularity at Bang & Olufsen. “As part of the Recreated Classics Initiative, the Beosystem 72-23 Nordic Dawn Limited Edition symbolises a new beginning for a future where audio products are designed to last, where luxury is expert craftsmanship that expands beyond the first lifecycle, and where connectivity can be timeless”.”

The press release about this limited bespoke edition can be found HERE

MM

[Steve at Sounds Heavenly]

Thanks MM!

[NQVHNWI]

I can get the refurbishment of an old Beogram – particularly a factory refurb. But to put it bluntly, in my opinion, B&O are moving in many ways back to oblivion. The BG is in world-terms a mediocre sound deck, as is the cartridge…as is the BL28 loudspeakers, the Core is well below mediocre in terms of SQ as well. A nice custom maple/oak/walnut or whatever can be hand crafted for a fraction of the part-price. The anodising of the alu-parts is in this colour-combo is bordering on vulgar. I get the package of the parts but it screams “no more ideas, rehash the past”.

I think there is something very wrong with a brand – particularly luxury brands when they keep re-hashing merchandise (Ferrari caps, tee-shirts, Aston Martin umbrellas, Omega Speedmasters etc..) to get that super-premium of basically selling tatt and the well-off soak it up.

Company’s then get lazy and make this stuff all the time – driven by Marketing rather than rather than true innovation. Then they die.

Sorry to be negative on this but I’d rather see B&O (or their chosen contractors) advertise for a pay as you go/at cost Deck refurbishment programme (and why stop there – plenty of good loudspeakers and BeoMasters out there with the ability to undertake reproduction components) and have current owners re-generate a second life for these products….rather than what seems the current practice of hoovering up all old decks from eBay and causing massive asset inflation to be ginned-up for a tasteless NY/LA Man-pad that will never really get any use or be enjoyed and savoured.

[matador]

Mr10Percent wrote:

The anodising of the alu-parts is in this colour-combo is bordering on vulgar.

I Agree…

Mr10Percent wrote:

I think there is something very wrong with a brand – particularly luxury brands when they keep re-hashing merchandise…

Again, I agree…

Mr10Percent wrote:

Omega Speedmasters etc…

I can’t agree more (only smart move was the MoonSwatch)…

Appart from this, I must say I don’t really care. That kind of things, relayed by fancy magazines and instagram post make just raise our Beogram 4002 value (happy when you own it, less when your look for one, but, hey…).

Now, whoever want a beosystem like that one but with more peaceful or classic color palette can make it’s own, to his tastes, with the money he has : from my poor Beocenter 72-97, to an old but B&O refurbished BG4002 paired with any Beolab speaker and any high-end RIAA pre-amp. Thank you B&O for giving us the idea of that setup.

That said, the real shame of it is the color… Awfull.

[Sandyb]

Completely agree.

I have no issue, and indeed actively encourage, brave design decisions. Classic designs are often borne out of such decisions. Timeless achievements come out of this.

But this is, if anything, divisive only because of its price, nothing more.

The only achievement of these 50-60k systems is taking money from the mega wealthy. And perhaps, in line with the investor updates of the last 12-18 months, perhaps we should take more literally (their view/words) them becoming a company for the super wealthy alone.

Hard to enthuse about this kind of thing.

 

 

[Mark]

This topic seems to have brought out a lot of emotion out of me!

Millemissen wrote:
“The Beosystem 72-23 is a testament to Bang & Olufsen’s dedication to extending the longevity of products in the consumer electronics industry”, says Mads Kogsgaard Hansen, Head of Product Circularity at Bang & Olufsen.

I am wondering what they mean by this. Are they saying we saved 100 turntables from the trash heap and we sell them to the rich?

I would like it to mean what Mr10Percent wrote:

Mr10Percent wrote:

Sorry to be negative on this but I’d rather see B&O (or their chosen contractors) advertise for a pay as you go/at cost Deck refurbishment programme (and why stop there – plenty of good loudspeakers and BeoMasters out there with the ability to undertake reproduction components) and have current owners re-generate a second life for these products….rather than what seems the current practice of hoovering up all old decks from eBay and causing massive asset inflation to be ginned-up for a tasteless NY/LA Man-pad that will never really get any use or be enjoyed and savoured.

What is B&O going for here? Are they looking to become a high-end home decor brand? Are they hoping to sell these to Hollywood to be used as a set piece in an appartment for a McDonalds employee?

I’m sure the profit on these are incredible. If they sell 100 of these at £55,000, it probably has a much better bottom line than selling 6111 Beosound A5’s. But what does this do for the mortal BeoWorlder?

I am lucky that I found a Beogram 8002 on eBay that was refurbished by someone who knows what they are doing. Its been working fine. This is my second 8002 purchase, the first was nothing but problems, even after multiple visits to the B&O repair shop. While it’s not as elegant as the 4002 (series) is does have that nice double-sided tape elegance!

Playing vinyl is an occasional pleasure for me. I have to be in the mood to devote myself to the music for a period of time. It is a wonderful experience for me. I often ponder how much I would be willing to spend on a “Beogram 4000c” if they ever became available. I don’t need an entire vinyl music system, just the turntable, but the original price of about $10,000 US is too high for me.

[NQVHNWI]

I am wondering what they mean by this. Are they saying we saved 100 turntables from the trash heap and we sell them to the rich?

What is B&O going for here? Are they looking to become a high-end home decor brand? Are they hoping to sell these to Hollywood to be used as a set piece in an appartment for a McDonalds employee?

I’m sure the profit on these are incredible. If they sell 100 of these at £55,000, it probably has a much better bottom line than selling 6111 Beosound A5’s. But what does this do for the mortal BeoWorlder?

I sadly believe as per my last post…..that is exactly what they are doing. The point is that it is not just for the rich………I would feel comfortable that if I really wanted I could cobble together the cash for one of these…but would I want to?

The real issue is that in my opinion B&O have done some serious work in overcoming the “all style and no substance” mantra with the BL90, 50 and Theatre. They have also done this at the more affordable end with the Beosounds. I.e the average Joe on Beoworld and quite a few others have rebuilt the brand and it’s credibility. B&O are now destroying this by releasing this product at the price and in arguably a vulgar colour scheme. You could literally buy a very blingy world-class deck, cartridge and phono-amp, plus the BL28s and still have £20k in change to spend at HVM on vinyl.

The person who buys this I believe won’t give two flying figs as to what it is…or it’s history but it’s just another trophy in a pretty apartment with views. Those aspiring to buy their first Beosound or replace one…read this and in my opinion give up right away. Very bad for future sales IMHO.

I am lucky that I found a Beogram 8002 on eBay that was refurbished by someone who knows what they are doing. Its been working fine. This is my second 8002 purchase, the first was nothing but problems, even after multiple visits to the B&O repair shop. While it’s not as elegant as the 4002 (series) is does have that nice double-sided tape elegance!

Playing vinyl is an occasional pleasure for me.

Me too did exactly the same with my 8002. Sound quality is ok-ish (for the age) but it’s an enjoyable experience if that is your thing?

[Sandyb]

Re their target market now, I’d point everyone to all their recent investor updates of the last 1-2 years.

They are targeting Ultra High Net Worth Individuals. I’ll leave it up to everyone here to decide whether they fit in that category, or Very HNWI just below, or anything below that. This is not my interpretation, this is what they have said.

Lower production volumes, much more bespoke and customisation, and made to order stuff. A production process more like Ferrari they mentioned last call i.e order, and long lead time.

Will there be still stuff for the more regular B&O customer? Sure, but the risk is that the more functional products will start to look a bit ho-hum, while the wow stuff will be at this price bracket.

[NQVHNWI]

Sandyb wrote:

Re their target market now, I’d point everyone to all their recent investor updates of the last 1-2 years.

They are targeting Ultra High Net Worth Individuals…..This is not my interpretation, this is what they have said. A production process more like Ferrari they mentioned last call i.e order, and long lead time.

….and if the stuff is up there like Ferrari performance then ok, but if they are following the Aston business model (old tech, massive depreciation) or McLaren business model (breaks down, warranty issues etc..) then it ain’t going to last long will it?

[Steve at Sounds Heavenly]

Hi Beoworlders,

Time to tell the full story… I made a 1,500km journey to hear Bang & Olufsen’s rarest and most exclusive music system so that you can hear how it sounds! All is revealed in this video…

Kind regards, Steve.

[Author]

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