Beolab 9 vs Beolab Penta Sound Test for Music and Movies - B&O's greatest "Real World" Speakers?

[@soundsheavenly]

Please join Steve from Sounds Heavenly to hear Beolab 9 and Beolab Penta side by side in this video - these are two of Bang & Olufsen's most capable music and movie loudspeakers. Every cable you will ever need for your Bang & Olufsen speakers can be seen on Steve's website here: soundsheavenly.com If these videos have helped you to enjoy your Bang and Olufsen products, please consider buying Steve a coffee at www.buymeacoffee.com/soundsheavenly - many thanks!

[@pauldavies6999]

Hi Steve, thanks for another great comparison. I can certainly hear the tinkle of glass breaking more effectively on the 9, but the Penta sounded big and more 'theatre'. Bass extension on both speakers is impressive. The music comparison really threw me, as the speakers, to my ears, sound completely different (heard through an AV amp and B&O H6 headphones). So much more high frequency sounds on the 9, it made the Penta sound dull. It was like the band were playing higher frequency drums on the 9. As a Penta owner, I'm not sure if I should be disappointed ! I'm so used to B&O speakers having a certain laid-back signature. I like the fact you'll end up with both sets (eventually). I'm not going to let my Penta go just yet, it's only been 36 years. Cheers, Paul

[@soundsheavenly]

Thanks Paul! Yes, there is certainly a difference is the sounds presentation between the two speakers, but there is nothing wrong with the sound of the Pentas at all. Beolab 9 is clearer and the high frequencies come through with more punch, but that won't be to everyone's liking. I will also be keeping my own Pentas for many more years!

[@urokurok8323]

Hi Steve, it is always a pleasure to watch your new posts concerning B&O from new to old devices, considering your professionalism and, above all, your passion for the brand. I love old models because they are affordable, timeless in design and still powerful. But I am a bit disappointed that you never posted a comparison between Beolab Penta and Beolab One, while the latter was the successor of the former, and so the comparison was necessary ! Can you comment on that ? Thanks you.

[@soundsheavenly]

Thanks for your kind words, I'm glad you like my videos! The problem with comparing Penta to Beolab 1 is they are such big heavy speakers - I need to find somewhere locally that has both speakers together so that I can test them!

[@michaelsnelling2918]

Hi Steve my bete noir of watching movies is when surround effects drown out the ‘middle’, in particular speech … what the Penta’s lack in middle definition I have compensated with a powered centre speaker with its own volume control … this allows you to ‘dial in’ the middle without raising the surround level … you would be amazed how just a small change in centre speaker volume improves the overall experience … as they say ‘sound is half the picture’

[@soundsheavenly]

Thanks, that is a very interesting idea! I will try that out in my workshop to see what effect an extra centre speaker can give...

[@Auto_Funk]

Great comparison Steve! It’s hard to say without hearing them in person but to my ears the treble response from the 9’s was slightly better… With the bank of x4 mids in each Penta it stands to reason they would have a sweeter mid range than the 9’s. Also I suspect the DSP in the 9’s scoops the mid somewhat which is a more ‘modern’ sound if that makes any kind of sense!

[@soundsheavenly]

Many thanks for the loan of these superb speakers! Yes, I think that is a good description of the sound. I have linked to your Facebook page in the video description so that anyone who may be interested in buying the Beolab 9s is able to contact you!

[@Auto_Funk]

@@soundsheavenly Thank you :)

[@skodbolle]

Love the 9's but I have to go with the Penta's, the more mellow treble is much more my style then the sharp edgy treble of the 9's. And design wise there is no competition. And I completely agree that these two are the champions of Bang(and Olufsen) for your buck! :D

[@soundsheavenly]

Yes, these are both great speakers, probably the best value for money of any B&O speakers out there. I love my Pentas, I will be keeping them for many years to come!

[@bulentolcay6837]

Very simple but effective movie sound test. Thank you for the video. For me, beolab penta is the best buy. Could you please inform us which preamplifier are you using with these active beolab speaekers.

[@soundsheavenly]

Thank you! These tests were done with a simple Media PC using a Behringer 302USB external sound card.

[@marcelhannover3]

So did you buy the Beolab 9's ? I find these Beolab 9 looking comically retro like some 60's or 70's vision of the future, they remind me a bit of old sci-fi robots like Dalek from Dr. Who or Crichton from Buck Rogers. The Pentas still look like a speaker.

[@soundsheavenly]

Hi, I haven't bought the Beolab 9s yet, as the rest of my family hate the way they look....I'm still trying to persuade them! Still loving the look and sound of my Pentas though ;-)

[@MattHorn59]

Can you do actual sound tests with all of the B&O lineup you have access to? I’d love to hear whole clips of genres to really get a feel for how impressive these speakers are

[@soundsheavenly]

That is an interesting idea... The problem with sound testing high end speakers is that listeners will almost always be hearing the sound on lower quality systems than the ones being tested, which greatly skews the results. For Beolab 28 and above, the best option is to go to a store to hear the speakers for yourself.

[@Smog104]

How I missed this video ?? I agree totally with your analysis Steve I think if I was gonna own Pentas I’d add a sub possibly a Beolab 11 and a pair of Townshend Supertweeters for listening to music . The Beolab 9 got a 5 star review is what HIFI it is of course a more modern speaker by a couple of decades , I’ve listened to the sound test with my BnO EX on and the 9s are more detailed absolutely but there’s a lovely warm sound to the Pentas . Having said that I’ve found Bang and Olufsen speakers in general to have a very nice signature sound my partner says it’s smoooooooth !!!! But detailed . I imagine sat in a listening room the Pentas due to more drivers and much taller , if both 9 and Pentas were stood on the floor , the Pentas would sound better to someone say in a chair . Beolabs 11 are a great little sub for music they are no good really for film but a very musical sub , paired with Pentas and a Townshend Supertweeters I’d plumb for the Pentas Upstairs I have aLG tv on a Beovision 7 stand with a Stage but if the tv was on its own I’d probably plumb for the 9s ?? How do you find Beolab 20 relating to beolab 9 and Pentas ?? Cheers mate

[@soundsheavenly]

Thanks, glad you found the video! I haven't had a good chance to listen to Beolab 20, but they are on my list of speakers to try. I will have to get a pair into the workshop for testing and put a video together once I have had a proper listen!

[@Smog104]

@@soundsheavenly that be interesting Steve cheers Simon

[@NhkNguyễn-g1b]

audio/ video of bang olufsen penta what doing?

[@soundsheavenly]

Hi, the Audio/Video switch under some Penta models just sets the display to work with either a B&O TV or a B&O music system. It won't affect the sound.

[@saitekLT]

From what I heard through video I was leaning towards Pentas but just because I know the price difference. The only reason I might go for 9's is design which still can look modern in todays interior while Pentas give out their age.

[@Auto_Funk]

I agree.... The way to think about it is this... Pentas - Value approx £500-800 BL9 - Value approx £2000-2400 Are the BL9s 4X better than Pentas?? Probably not in most people's opinion! In a way this video highlights what amazing bang for buck speakers a decent set of Pentas are. I firmly believe they are the best value B&O speakers money can buy in terms of £ vs performance....

[@soundsheavenly]

A good pair of mk.3 Pentas could cost up to 50% of the value of a pair of Beolab 9, so the difference in price may be closer than you think... I reckon the improvement in sound quality is well worth the upgrade, but certainly worth hearing them for yourself to decide if you get the chance.

[@Auto_Funk]

@@soundsheavenly That's true, you can pay more for Pentas but there are plenty around at the £500-800 price range - Even less for passive ones but then you have to factor in amplification which adds another layer of cost/complication.... Either way they are excellent value....!

[@devilhomer]

I cant believe@LlewelynTV is not selling them to you at a great discount at this stage 😂😂😂😂

[@soundsheavenly]

@@devilhomer I'm very tempted, but my good lady wife won't let me buy them! ;-)

[@andycapo9you]

Hi! What is your opinion over B&O M100's? I have a couple and a couple of Penta's and I fimd the M100 a bit more clear and open . Bass is way better

[@soundsheavenly]

Hi, I actually haven't heard the M100 speakers yet - I will try to get to listen to a pair (ideally on video) as soon as I can. Thanks for the suggestion!

[@divakarsingh70]

Well explained...thanks 🙏

[@soundsheavenly]

Thank you!

[@NhkNguyễn-g1b]

guide to connection penta 1,2,3 with beomaster 5500 ỏ beomaster 9000

[@soundsheavenly]

Good idea, I will look at making that video soon.

[@irelandgp]

got 4 pentas and 2 beolabs 9 = no comparasing with old 88 pentas- no bass- beolab 9 are so good

[@soundsheavenly]

Yes, they give a very different sound, but each good in their own way

[@michaelrosenlundjensen5016]

For me The Penta is an icon, a classic that was The best from B&O back when i started to pay attention to B&O The beolab 9 have never touched me in design. There simply much to Less of aluminum and to much plastic B&O speakers have to have nice materials too. And I think they are the baddest looking active speakers together with beolab 4 that B&O have made the last 30 years So my choice based on these feelings have to be Beolab Penta

[@soundsheavenly]

Hi, I agree with you on design, but Beolab 9 certainly sounds good!

[@NhkNguyễn-g1b]

guide detail another connection

[@soundsheavenly]

Thanks for watching the video!

[@gepflegtesgequatsche1922]

I strongly recommend Eric Neveux‘s „Once upon a forest“. My Pentas make the air vibrate… music to feel

[@soundsheavenly]

Thanks, I will check that out 👍🏻

[@gepflegtesgequatsche1922]

@@soundsheavenly quite deep bass, little attention is advised

[@NhkNguyễn-g1b]

you help me

[@kurthill7030]

Penta for me 👍

[@soundsheavenly]

Agreed! They still look and sound incredible

[@nerkbaker]

I love my Penta speakers!

[@soundsheavenly]

Yes, my Pentas are still my favourites!

[@snowti3294]

The sound from the Penta sound very confined - it’s giving me the vibes of a small Bluetooth speaker where the sound doesn’t come forward at all. Which is very strange.

[@soundsheavenly]

That certainly isn't how they sound in real life, I suspect you may be using small speakers or budget headphones to listen to the sound comparison? This video is only intended to give you an idea of how the speakers differ, it won't let you hear how they actually sound.

[@snowti3294]

@@soundsheavenlyI use the HX headphones - and i feel like when the 9’s play they violently drags me inside the movie and to the concert. Whereas i feel like the Penta’s aren’t doing the same. They are less direct and not as alive at all.

[@soundsheavenly]

@snowti3294 thanks for clarifying, yes that makes sense now 👍🏻

[@guillaume9047]

no bass?

[@soundsheavenly]

Incorrect, both speakers have plenty of bass. Were you listening to the sound test on ear buds?