BeoLab 5000 Active Loudspeakers

Manufactured: 1988 - 1992
Designer: Gideon Lindinger-Lowy
Colours: Aluminium with Grey or Blue Frets

Bang & Olufsen's BeoLab and Beovox 5000 / 3000 speakers had both the voice and the looks for a leading, acoustic role. And because of their looks, they were known as Bang & Olufsen's range of panel loudspeakers. Panel loudspeakers were one of the most exciting and interesting examples of how Bang & Olufsen united advanced technology and stunning design to achieve totally new effects.

They may not have looked like high-specification loudspeakers - more like works of art - but their sound immediately gave them away. Even at full volume, they kept the total sound picture in perfect balance.

Design as a work of art

The elegant, flat panel loudspeakers were created to hang on the wall. And with their calm surfaces of blue or grey fabric coupled with polished steel, they could be taken for works of art. But the design was only partly for visual effect. The form of the panel speakers was founded on an advanced, acoustic principle that uses the wall as an active part of the sound reproduction process - without causing the wall itself to vibrate.

Optional display and amplifier

The panel loudspeakers were available in two sizes - each with or without amplifier and a display showing which source was playing and at what volume. Also it told you which track number on a CD or tape you were listening to. With display and amplifier the loudspeakers were called BeoLab. Without, they were called Beovox. The option depended upon which Bang & Olufsen sound system was connected. BeoLab speakers were designed to match Beosystem 6500, 4500, 3500 and Beocenter 9500 and 8500.

Why build amplifiers into the loudspeakers instead of keeping them separate?

Because you can reduce the size of the cabinet volume to one-third of the size of a conventional loudspeaker with the same sound capacity. The principle is called Active Loudspeakers, and what you get is a compact loudspeaker that can play at high volume without distortion or damage to its drive units. Furthermore, when amplifier, treble and bass units are paired for the same task, they can be tailored to compensate for each other's shortcomings. What you hear is music that sounds exactly like the instrument it originally came from.

Mounting Options

Wall mounting brackets were supplied with this model. No other mounting solution wall offered.

Bang & Olufsen's preferred supplier for brackets and stands, STBbrackets, have made a range of solutions specifically for this model. Distributed throughout the World by the Bang & Olufsen store network, the STB options add to the diversity of mounting options and positions available.

»Wall Mounting Brackets

Wall Bracket for BeoVox & BeoLab flat panel speaker range

WB3000 has been introduced to meet a growing demand to mount Bang & Olufsen flat panel speakers to the wall. The bracket (sold as a pair) is a faithful reproduction of the original which was supplied with the speakers. These beautiful speakers can now be installed on to the wall, where they are a genuine and authentic Bang & Olufsen statement.

BeoLab 5000 Active Loudspeakers Product Specifications

Market, Intro year and Last sold:

6701 1988 08-92
AUS 6705 1988 05-91
GB 6702 1988 05-92
J 6704 1988 05-92
USA 6703 1988 05-92

Specifications:
Speaker:
Dimensions W x H x D/Weight 45 x 101 x 8 cm/15 kg
Long-term maximum input power 120 watts
Maximum noise power 60 watts
Impedance 8 ohms
Frequency range +4 -8 dB 60 - 20,000 Hz
Power at 94 dB SPL 3.2 watts
Sensitivity 1 W 89 dB
Cabinet principle Bass reflex
Woofer 2 units 5" - 13 cm
Tweeter 1" - 2.5 cm
Crossover frequency 3500 Hz
Net volume 14 litres

Power amplifier:
Long-term maximum output power 90 watts
Harmonic distortion THD <0,1% 55 watts 20 - 20,000 Hz
Frequency range +0 -1 dB 40 - 20,000 Hz
Stand-by function Automatic or manual ON-OFF
Power supply 220 (100-120-240) volts
Power consumption Max. 130 watts
Stand-by 2.6 watts

Connections:
Power Link
Speaker Link
Phono

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Created: 1st December 2006
Modified: 18th September 2012

Author Notes:

Beoworld says: Possibly the best looking speakers made by B&O, these have a vociferous fan club. Not the absolute top in sound quality but with looks like this, your ears might be blinded! Remember they need wall mounting and they are BIG!