Bang & Olufsen introduced a high-end wireless floor standing loudspeaker, called the BeoLab 20, which follows the recently released BeoLab 17, 18, and 19 wireless speakers. With its minimalist lines and relatively small footprint, the new BeoLab 20 gives little indication of the expansive musicality that lies within.
According to Michael Langager, Vice President Core Business, Bang & Olufsen’s latest floor speaker is the result of an innovation process that draws on the company’s design traditions and on its extensive experience in creating audio systems for high-end automobiles. “BeoLab 20 demonstrates everything we’ve learned about engineering radically good sound into small spaces over the last 10 years,” he says. “With these speakers, we give sophisticated technology a very simple challenge: make great music sound exactly the way the artist intended it to be heard.”
In this active speaker, each driver unit (woofer, tweeter, midrange) has its own dedicated 160-watt amplifier and DSP channel, along with ideal crossover networks and individualized corrective filtering. B&O claims the acoustic power derived from such a small volume is simply stunning.
“Among other things, we’ve done a lot of fine-tuning on our digital sound processor to eradicate resonances, measure magnet temperatures extremely precisely, and tune three outstanding drivers to reproduce sound as naturally as possible,” says Langager. “Combined with the active speaker’s huge power reserves, BeoLab 20 delivers exquisite results in the midrange, and also tight, controlled bass with an incredibly strong punch. You will not need a separate subwoofer with these speakers.”
The iconic Acoustic Lens tweeter spreads high frequencies evenly around the room in a full 180 degrees. The aluminium base lifts the cabinet to float gracefully above the floor – and enhances bass performance. Even the back of the speaker is visually intriguing for a reason: the soft-black cooling grill disperses heat so the powerful drivers can deliver everything they’ve got, without overheating.
Bang & Olufsen was the first manufacturer to incorporate the groundbreaking WiSA platform, and BeoLab 20 is the company’s latest Immaculate Wireless Sound speaker. With WiSA’s robust, multi-channel digital audio streaming, BeoLab 20 lets you enjoy premium listening experiences without compromising the integrity of your interior design.
Designer:
Torsten Valeur, David Lewis designers
Materials:
Cabinet: Composite material Cover: Fabric
Connections:
2 x Power Link (RJ45)
1 x RCA (L/R)
1 x TOSLINK
– in: Sample rate 32k, 44.1k, 48k, 96k / PCM16-24 bit
– out: Sample rate 48k / PCM 24 bit
Wireless (WiSA compliant)
Treble unit:
3⁄4” speaker unit based on the Acoustic Lens
Midrange:
5” speaker unit
Bass:
10” dual coil bass unit
Amplifiers:
Class D amplifiers:
– 1 x 160 watts for treble
– 1 x 160 watts for midrange
– 2 x 160 watts for bass
Features:
Adaptive Bass Linearisation (ABL)
Free/Wall/Corner switch
Thermal protection
Line sense — auto on /off
MSRP:
~$12,500/pair (£7,495)
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