Why cheap speakers can be great ? Beovox 3700

Here i review Beovox 3700 speakers .And discuss the qualities of two way speakers and cone materials in general.

[@natanpierce495]

I have an old pair of 1971 B&O Bevox 2600. Had them for hundreds of years....since 1978. They still play amazingly well. Course I don't have deep pockets so it is all I can afford.

[@trekjudas]

I must confess, I like combining vintage amps with modern speakers. its the best of both worlds.

[@stereoreviewx]

This is true

[@billybeck]

I've got a 70s Sony amp with my Q acoustics 2020is. Love the combo. Might even upgrade to the 3030is. 👍

[@hamzatatta952]

@@billybeck hi mate which model number

[@grantwilson4696]

Me too.... it's my favourite thing :)

[@trekjudas]

@Tom Foolery That's unusual, most people go the other way.

[@Tomadair1]

You are so right, your presentation is so full of genuine sincerity that I think you reflect the qualities you ascribe to your vintage speakers, it makes me feel good listening to you, course I may just be feeling a bit homesick for the London I left behind in the mid seventies to come here to Adelaide. Anyway good on you mate .

[@peterrichardson9248]

Great channel well done Kelvin. I’ve had more speakers than hot dinners over 50 years of collecting but I love my B&W 805’s they are just lovely to listen to.

[@dougg1075]

Great review! Love the channel

[@llucrescu9058]

I really like your videos! Thank you for sharing your experience! Listening you talking about these B&O speakers reminded me about some speakers I had, Jamo 35 - Danish speakers, 2 way, Philips drivers. I really liked the midrange of these Jamo: immediate, open and seductive. The high frequencies were there, not extraordinary, but good - more importantly, in synergy with the rest. These speakers can grab your attention and give it to the music, they just get you there. They are especially nice with acoustic music, folk, blues, old jazz, chamber music etc. Seductive representation of voices, they let you feel the human behind the voice. Also, nice timbre for acoustic instruments. Of course, they had their downs: they are not good for electric/metal rock and you can not expect them to give you the image of an orchestra when you listen a classical symphony. There is not too much bass, also. They need a well-match with the amplifier. They like the vintage ones, not necessarily expensive, but they like the ones that are more beefy on bass. They made a good match with a late 60s - early 70s amplifier, Grundig SV 80. These speakers are never gone get you tired and, in good company, they will always get your attention to the music. I gave them for free to a friend, a long time ago, and I went on a cruise to find a better all-around speaker. Still searching, of course :)

[@scottdavis0801]

You have me researching the Rogers ls7t now!

[@garethparr649]

You speak so much sense kelvin. It’s all about a sound you can be happy and live with

[@stereoreviewx]

Thanks Gareth

[@matereo]

The tiny 1700's are wonderful as well. I had them for years hooked up to a Musical Fidelity A1 and a Maticore Matra TT. The rarer version with the seas mass/mid driver are especially good. Do not play very deep bass, but i even enjoyed listening to infected mushroom, and heavy reggae beats through them. Still have them and they are keepers. And i agree on the 3700's. Very fine speakers. Fast exiting presentation. But i think the tweeters are Scan speak, and the bass driver from Seas actually.

[@stevebennington820]

great videos Kelvin, can you recommend some floor standing speakers, need big sound for a party room, will be using a Quad amp and REL sub Thanks

[@sergejmartirosian513]

Great description. That also explains why some Bose's are not taken seriously (including by myself), but that paper mid/woofer of 301/40x alikes does a great job. Despite that it doesn't come in those "special 2 ways that impress". I recognize that tweeter from ScanDyna A25 , also a great one.

[@billybeck]

They must've had big books in 70s?😂👍Another great video Kelvin. I'm hopefully picking up my Sansui 551 on Friday 👍can't wait to hear it. Idea for a future video. Could you tell us all about recapping, modifications and servicing your old gear? The costs, and whether or not its easy to do yourself etc. All the best 😁

[@hamzatatta952]

how dose it sound Sansui 551

[@TheMildperil]

That's a great tweeter. Also used in the Goodmans Mezzo SL I believe. I was very taken with a pair of B&O Beovox 2600 which uses it too.

[@jeroenmeester9528]

I was thinking of getting a set of these for my Beomaster 900, sure, that receiver is a bit older, but it even sounds good with my crappy ITT speakers, and these Beovoxes should be a perfect match.

[@RobertDoyle1]

What are your thoughts on the B&W DM1400 speakers. I picked up a nice pair of these 1980s vintage speakers for 300.00 and I'm really enjoying it's sound.

[@vespass225]

Hi Kelvin, super nice channel you have got here, for a HiFi-nerd like me, age 60.... ! If you compared these Beovox 3700:s with the legendary Heybrook HB1:s, what would you point out as the main difference ? Still got my HB1:s since 1984, and they perform very well in my opinion.

[@earlsfort1974]

I got the ls50s a few month ago and now I want to try something else.

[@jeremytravis360]

When I was a B&O dealer I think I only ever sold these to people who bought B&O systems because they matched visually. They did not try and compete on price with British made speakers like B&W, Celestion or Keff .

[@jorgbornefeld1689]

My speakers (old and used speakers) did cost 40 €. Their sound is wonderful. Brilliant. I like it so much to listen to them, it feels like they are happy to play music :-). I did never expect that such cheap speakers can work so good. It was a lucky deal, normally they cost about 80 up to 100 € on ebay. I'm not only happy with them, I'm truly in love with them.

[@frankvanhelvert6231]

which one you reffering to?

[@shawndees8911]

Very informative learning about some great speakers I did not know about and getting eduacated by an expert on what are good vintage speakers. Got a pair of DCM timeframe tf-600 speakers for $125 US dollars they sound incredible there just big. Also got a pair of Signet SL280B/U Speakers large bookshelf there great speakers but not well known.

[@lerpack455]

I do enjoy your interesting look at vintage comparisons, especially speakers. l agree on the above, l have been using Klipsch 600M’s and 1970 Bose 601 series1. Back in ‘73’ l had a pair of Beovox 5702’s. Their 5700’s had circular bass drivers and the 02’s had Kef ‘racetrack’ ovals. How would you rate either of these compared to the 3700?

[@stereoreviewx]

I think the B139 oval driver was a passive base radiator in that speaker Those top piano speakers with the Celestion supertweeter and a mid range unit I would certainly imagine sound good I have a pair of gales that I’m trying to repair similar kind of things

[@MrJason9142002]

Kevin, if I stream tidal from my tv to my receiver is the sound the same quality as a streamer?

[@astolatpere11]

Good points.

[@unclet7295]

I have to say, this has been such a all round very good video, all these other brands like KEF and B & W gets promoted. I have a set of Bang & Olufsen S25, hooked up to a Marantz NR1402 with a Jamo sub, sound quality is perfect and the external sub complements them perfect, Bang & Olufsen is a different world class...

[@stereoreviewx]

Yes the interesting thing about Bang And Olufsen is that hi-fi purists just don’t like it but most times it sounds pretty dam good the amps and receivers to break quite a bit mind you. Cheers K

[@cicibradley2809]

Kicking myself for missing out on a pair simple Onkyo E200's. By the time I read how much folks cherish them, they were gone.

[@michaelharris4389]

I can not afford new high end hifi this is not my only hobby and to be honest i dont want it, i love mooching about and finding vintage hifi at carboots junk shops thats what i love and i love the sounds and looks of vintage speaker's and hifi at the moment my £10 Nad 3020a is running my spendor bc1 can life get any better you have a fantastic channel i love it

[@stereoreviewx]

Great those are two total classics

[@milojenikolovski7522]

I agree with You 100% and drink my coffee with this review.

[@retohofmann5878]

Your point of view is refreshing...not that high-end-bla-bla...nice you put the music first.

[@andredevries4987]

I love your video,s. You got too try jm lab microns. I got them now And they sound wonderfull. The highs the mids and the bass is correct. This are briliand two way speakers. Greets from André from Holland.

[@metallitech]

I connected my hifi amp to my cheap guitar amplifier's speaker. It sounded great; really powerful. I am trying to make a hifi system that gets some of that sound.

[@roygumpel8415]

kelvin, I have beovox 5700 speakers. Would you say that they need lots of power to get that deep great bass from them? I have read them compared to the AR3a and I am pretty sure that those do need big power to make them rerally sing. thanks

[@stereoreviewx]

I don’t rightly know I wouldn’t of thought they need loads of power I also think they’ll sound very good

[@glennriley9691]

I always get the impression that people dis old speakers because they hate the thought that something quite inexpensive from the 1970s are better than brand new £500 speakers

[@tinshedmodular8096]

Hi Kelvin. I am interested to know, do you regularly rotate your collection or is there a standard listening setup/s that you have?

[@stereoreviewx]

Hi yes I do rotate things I just enjoy changing things and hearing the differences I would say the Rogers LS35A is the speaker that I do literally come back to K

[@tinshedmodular8096]

@@stereoreviewx Appreciate your response. That makes me feel better :) What amp do you keep coming back to? Keep up the awesome work mate.

[@stereoreviewx]

Well amp wise it’s probably the Sansui 441 it’s just so sweet sounding as long as you’re not driving a huge brilliant speakers or you want huge volume

[@tinshedmodular8096]

I have recently got an AU666 which sounds lovely and have an AU6500 on way. I am a real vintage amp convert thanks to your good self. Thank you

[@lawchoongseng789]

Have u heard Spica TC60? I love them. Another great vintage speaker

[@stereoreviewx]

I’m not Familia I will keep a look out

[@trekjudas]

OK, my brand new amp is acting up so I gotta run my expensive Harbeth speakers with my tiny little Sansui amp. (its not half bad actually)

[@ericvankampen5619]

Hi there, I'm considering a purchase of Celestion Ditton 33 series II for 375 euro. They look in great cosmetic condition. Do you think such a speaker are worth the money and should I be wary of any issues with these speakers? Any advice would be much appreciated. Cheers, E.

[@stereoreviewx]

Well I hade the 22s I just don’t think they spend much time on them you know three-way speakers it gets more crucial to get the crossover right. I didn’t have any time for those 22s even though the Twitter is good I’m on the face of it three-way should sound pretty good. For that price if it was me I would say no I mean it will be quite a big sound but I just don’t think it’s going to be very refined cohesive or accurate. This all said from a man that hasn’t actually heard them .good luck K

[@stereoreviewx]

Okay wait a second series two I didn’t notice that that’s a completely different animal all I would say about them is the higher end I would expect to be really good you have two tweeters basically truly I Don’t have good info on those speakers K

[@goodrob13]

Do you have experience with EPI speakers from the 70s or 80s? Did/do you come across those where you are?

[@stereoreviewx]

Not familiar K

[@goodrob13]

@@stereoreviewx Thanks anyway. Maybe EPI (Epicure) speakers were USA only.

[@socksumi]

Wonderful. I've not had any experience with B&O vintage speakers. B&O is rather rare and expensive in my country of Canada.

[@stereoreviewx]

Yes I can imagine that there is quite a lot in the UK I think it was cheap a couple of years ago but now maybe doubled possibly.

[@D1N02]

There is also a 3702 version of this which is three way. I wonder if it is as good.

[@glennriley9691]

I've got a pair of refoamed 3702 and they sound great

[@D1N02]

@@glennriley9691 I have since gotten a set. Also refoamed, but I think I need to recap them.Mids and highs are a bit receded. They are over 45 years old now so probably dried out capacitators.

[@D1N02]

I found out someone replaced the mids with the wrong impedance ones so that explains receded mids. They used a resistor to get the impedance down to spec but that reduces the volume.

[@SzymonWeiss]

May I ask, do you know anything about Beovox 1200?

[@stereoreviewx]

Are those the tall ones quite old am I even have some

[@SzymonWeiss]

@@stereoreviewx Yes. Tall, two way speakers again. I am hesitating, as there's an offer nearby. Perhas I may use your knowledge and ask?

[@stereoreviewx]

Well it depends on the price I guess plus side they gorgeous looking the Twitter is nice the cabinets are well-made and quite big. I wouldn’t call them serious quality sound but they are lively I like them .. With some older not really high quality speakers if you give them a good source you can kick quite a good performance out of them. If they’re cheap like £50 they’re a bargain if you want some great quality speakers I’d have to say no

[@grantwilson4696]

What I've often found with lesser priced gear is that I go into the whole affair with lowered expectations & when I'm pleasantly surprised... the experience is so much greater fun! More than when I go in with high expectations of the the top shelf kit & either satisfied or not.... just sayin'

[@stereoreviewx]

Yes I agree there is truth in that spend a grand and your heart can sink spend £50 I feel like the smartest man on the planet😜K

[@trekjudas]

Vintage stuff was built to last. New stuff is built well but you gotta pay a small fortune for it!

[@martyjewell5683]

Great dialog, very interesting. As you know, speakers, like everything else are designed to a price point. There will always be a market for the best of anything. With loudspeakers, the cost no object models should outperform any others. Trouble is, most folks ain't got that kinda dough. Hence budget models and usually a "line" of speakers, with similar sound. Yes, two way can sound better than three way IF DESIGNED PROPERLY. IMHO the EPI-100 was (and still is??) an excellent loudspeaker. Got mine in 1980. Worst speakers I've heard?? Synergistics S12B. Small cabs, an 8" woofer crossed over at 3,200Hz (way too freakin' high) to a 2.5" tweeter (way too freakin' large). Dispersion is murdered in the upper treble and upper midrange. A claimed "useful" response of 25-20kHz (with no +/- dB) is probably bullshit. On axis response ain't bad but don't move around. The "clinical" sound you describe is also called "dryness", maybe "lifeless" too. Speakers should have musicality and balance. Nice video mate.

[@stereoreviewx]

Yes interesting stuff I had Spender S6r I did a review of them actually they crossed over high maybe 3500 or higher It just didn’t work made the mid range heavy no life Thanks for sharing your thoughts cheers K

[@martyjewell5683]

@@stereoreviewx, gotta tell ya, you do some swell videos. It's funny that acquiring certain brands of components depends on where you live. I'm in the states and a lotta stuff you have in the UK ain't available here. Actually, I'm an ex-Brooklynite and NYC was a fantastic place to grow up with accessibility to great audio stores during the 1970's/80's. Too many folks never consider the crossovers in the loudspeaker systems they buy. Another bummer is two way systems with 1" tweeters and 10" woofers. Just ain't gonna work well for wide dispersion.

[@allanpowell7208]

Kel, how you doing at home? Here's a brain tester for you. Why do Dali Concept 1 and Kef Concertos compliment each other so well? Put them on the same speaker outlet of a decent amp together and it seems like they have a great sound together, much broader response together. Both are 8 ohm so the amp is playing out 4 ohm. Is it my imagination?

[@stereoreviewx]

This is a tricky question I’m not sure what the answer is or even quiet what the question is . But tell me the answer yeah 😀

[@allanpowell7208]

@@stereoreviewx I asked cos I didn't know. It might be something to do with the speakers being driven at a slightly different impedance. I do know the overall reproduction is more satisfying for me.If it is imagination, I am sticking with it. I, like you ,am a fan of older top of the range gear but given I listen to mainly Classical and Jazz I do like have detail revealed.Plus at 65 the ears are not wot they used to. Do try and get some Concertos and give them a review. Cheers matey.

[@stereoreviewx]

Hi Allan well I tell you I had concertos years ago and I love them and I tweaked them and had a lot of fun with them let’s say. Thing with three ways there’s always potential for tweaking positioning I think I might of took the damping out of the mid range or some of it.. As I recall I tried a lot of things to keep the bass tight iyou know the wrong amp and the base is too flabby. Definitely tighten up the base and the mid range and rotate it if you can they get really loose. That is just a win-win But yes basically great speakers A few years ago you would get them for £75 now it’s 200 £300. K

[@keithbickerdike4621]

Any speaker with Seas drivers will sound good...

[@bartvanransbeeck1341]

B&o uses quality components....even today lots are returning to papercone.....andrew jones with mofi....lampizator with alnico papercone preference ...Troels grafesen uses papercone big pro speakers in his top speakers in the jbl 4345 style

[@stereoreviewx]

Yes have always been a fan of paper cones they’re just quicker . I suppose notoriously they would break up quicker But you would imagine advances should make that really the ultimate material. And on the subject of Andrew Jones with his new paper cones I was just listening to those debuts 6.2 Elax yesterday And they have those kind of woven cones like a dam duvet and I’ve got a tell you I just hated and again you know I’ve always hated them. I mean Andrew Jones is the designer but surely all speakers are designed by someone I feel like the hi-fi industry is now taking the playbook from the fashion industry

[@nigelpearson6664]

Dynaco A25 clone I suspect? Box different. Doubtless B&O took Seas advice. A25s can be stunning.

[@h-jg7730]

Just ad a Subwoofer to them.

[@bartvanransbeeck1341]

After listening to ionovac tweeters you know that conventional tweeters are too slow to move fast enough for high freqiencies....

[@stereoreviewx]

Okay, I’m googling that now

[@drs-Rigo-Reus]

Its not seas as in high seas, but cee-ass.

[@stereoreviewx]

I cee

[@jimthvac100]

I love your content but really wish you would stop "smacking your lips" in every video it is very irritating and distracting to listen to. Just a habit you need to break when making your videos.

[@stereoreviewx]

I’ll speak to my therapist 😂

[@frankvanhelvert6231]

@@stereoreviewx kelvin disregard those nonsence!😀

[@terrycard2169]

You got this thing about modern kef speakers every video you do you have a pop. You must be right and everyone else wrong.