Are consumers really willing to fork over $7,990 USD for a soundbar? Our friends at Bang & Olufsen are rather confident that they are. The Bang & Olufsen Beosound Theatre Soundbar comes with a promise of “a new vision for sound” and while that sounds like some slick marketing language to us — the proof will be in the listening and there is a lot of interesting technology packed into this rather substantial loudspeaker system.
The Beosound Theatre combines 12 speaker drivers, including two custom-made long stroke 6.5” woofers with 800 watts of amplification power, providing up to 112dB sound pressure level (SPL). Speech clarity is managed by the custom-made centre channel, where the tweeter is mounted directly in front of the midrange. The alignment of these drivers ensures a better sound distribution elevating the quality audio experience for everyone in the room, while directivity has been designed to optimize speech quality.
Building on the Beam Width and Beam Direction Control developed for Bang & Olufsen’s flagship Beolab 90 speakers, Beosound Theatre introduces a new three-dimensional sound directivity due to the patent-pending combination of the direct, side and upward firing speakers. This means that all loudspeaker drivers are working together not only to produce sound, but to control its beam width and direction.
Soundbar or Center Speaker
Although Beosound Theatre is a powerful all-in-one soundbar, it can evolve to be used as a dedicated center channel speaker as part of Dolby Atmos 7.1.4 surround configuration. In this setup, Beosound Theatre merges Dolby Atmos decoding and custom-tuned post-processing with Bang & Olufsen’s proprietary True Image algorithm to maximize the capabilities of all Bang & Olufsen loudspeakers.
In addition, Beosound Theatre comes with a new bass management system that optimizes bass, allowing all Bang & Olufsen loudspeakers in the system to work together as a single unit. This not only gives you the maximum potential of the entire system, but also helps to control the resonance in your listening room, making sure that the various loudspeakers work with and not against each other.
Roomsense
Beosound Theatre comes with Bang & Olufsen’s new setup technology called Roomsense. By placing the external microphone at the listening position, Beosound Theatre will work with the Bang & Olufsen App to measure the distance from the listener to the soundbar.
But more than this, it will also assign a role for each speaker based on the different placements, carry out sound compensation for each speaker if it placed free standing, up against a wall or in a corner, as well as overall room compensation to avoid unwanted resonance.
Legacy Support
Not only does Beosound Theatre honor Bang & Olufsen’s legacy products with its timeless design language, the soundbar also comes with Bang & Olufsen’s own proprietary software platform called “Mozart”, which continues the heritage of ensuring that the soundbar can connect seamlessly with products as far back as 1986, creating a cross-generational home audio setup.
Mounting
Beosound Theatre comes with a fixed wall bracket and a table stand to set up the product as a soundbar. The cover of the soundbar is replaceable. The aluminium “wings” are also extendable for customers whose TV screens grow as they upgrade.
An optional motorized stand forms a seamless connection between the stand and the TV screen. Cleverly hiding any clutter to present the TV as one integrated design, the bracket includes a compartment to fit smart TV boxes and to excess cables from view.
Inspired by Sailboats
Designed to reflect the effortless grace of sailboats, Beosound Theatre’s keel-like design makes it appear as if it is resting on an aluminium blade, floating in the air as one fluid form.
This illusion was artfully created through the aluminium expertise at Bang & Olufsen’s Factory 5 in Struer, Denmark. The middle-extruded profile of the aluminium was polished and anodized with two end caps that were formed into a curved shape and split into four end caps. This enables the curved edge of the product to seamlessly fit the flat profile of the soundbar, creating one unified piece.
The solid oak lamella cover is made by a family-run factory in Denmark and perfectly matches Bang & Olufsen’s family of Beolab speakers, such as the Beolab 18, Beolab 28 and Beolab 50. The design of the lamellas that clip into place rather than glued means that they can be easily disassembled or replaced, while the fabric version is designed to be a visually softer solution that will easily blend into any interior setting.
Price & Availability
Beosound Theatre will be available October 3, 2022 in a range of premium finishes and customization options priced from:
For more information: bang-olufsen.com
ORT
August 31, 2022 at 9:04 pm
Ummmm…It looks like the air filter in my Ford Mustang. Which I recently removed and upgraded to one of those cool looking (and purportedly cooler) Cold Air Intakes.
Or a stretched out Dyson air filter form one of their purifiers.
Having stated that I can also say that this is more than a bit overpriced for me. Toad Hall will just have to make do with nothing for now. B&O (B/O?) should think hard about this whole affordability thing and the entire weirdo “What’re you lookin’ at? I’ve got tattoos, multiple piercings and half a head of hair that’s a mixture of puke green and booger yellow!” look they seem to be striving for ad nauseam, ad infinitum.
I personally know of no one that thinks, let alone feels that B/Os stuff is nice looking although this is far from their weirdo worst, believe me. That does not meant\ there are no people that find it attractive (and can afford it).
“Mozart”?! More “Brozart”. Ugh. Look, I understand that I am not their target audience but if an average toad living in Toad Hall is not, then just who is?
The weird? The nouveau riche? The Fan(s) of Yoko Ono? Sean Ono Lennon? Yoko Ono herself? Yoko Ono impersonators who independently wealthy (by virtue of impersonating it, they would have to be wealthy)?
Looks matter. This makes me want to impersonate THE GREAT Gus Polinski from “Home Alone” –
“Allow me to introduce myself, Gus Polinski… How are you? Ever heard of the Polka King of the Midwest? The Kenosha Kickers? B&O? No? That’s OK”…
I am certain Yoko has ordered one up as I write this. Way to go B&O. Again.
ORT the cultural Philistine