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B&O Beovox S45.2 info?

T

Thomas

Active Member
I bought a pair of these S45.2 speakers from a neighbor a couple of years ago for $20. He is a former manager of a high-end audio store and told me that they sold for $400 or $500 20-25 years ago. Well, I tried them with various amps (Yamaha, Pioneer, Technics, etc.) and they sounded like, well, crap...much too bright and fatiguing with those amps so I put them away with all of my other "failed" speaker purchases.

Recently, however, I updated my home theater system with a H/K AV235 receiver and went through the process of trying all of my on-hand speakers to find out which sounded best with this new receiver. Well, I want to tell you that these S45.2's with the H/K are unbelievable. I have never heard speakers this good before...incredible detail, imaging, soundstage, 3-dimensionality and an airiness and space in the highs that is mesmerizing. If there is any distortion/color in them, I sure can't hear it. In other words, I'm extemely pleased with them and can only describe them as "sweet and delicious."

The question I have, however, deals with their unusual design. They appear to be a 3-way system (8" woofer, 2.5" "mid-range," and 1" tweeter) but with some odd features. First of all, the tweeter is cantilevered out beyond the plane of the woofer...strange. Secondly, what appears to be the mid-range, really isn't (I'm thinking). In fact, a visit to a Beovox site stated that this "mid-range" is really a "special phase link." Does anyone have any idea what the heck this "special phase link" does? Purportedly it reduces phase distortion but during playback it doesn't appear to be moving/doing anything at all. Not being a speaker guru, I'm in the dark.

If anyone has any insights/opinons re: these speakers, and the "special phase link" in particular, I'd like to hear them.

Also, let me state that my taste in speakers has centered around the old KLH, Advent, etc. class of speakers. I've always liked the laid-back nature of these speakers and, in particular, the way they handled transients. These Beovox's equal or exceed those speakers especially with the types of music I mostly listen to (acoustic, smooth jazz, soft rock, vocals, etc.). I don't think that they are as good with hard rock, rap, etc. in that they don't have the color/edge of some speakers. Still, I can't even imagine a better or more musical sound for the favored types of music...as is often said, "I'm hearing things I never heard before...it's like having a new CD collection." I should point out that while the bass on these speakers supposedly extends down to about 35 Hz, I fill out the bottom a little more with a Yamaha Super Woofer in my home theater set-up.

If you come across a pair of these speakers, and if you have the right amp (and listen to the same type of music as me), it would probably be worth your will to check them out.

In the meantime, any info/input re: these speakers would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance....Thomas
 
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B&O speakers

Hi Thomas,

Check this link: www.beoworld.co.uk/beovoxs45s75.htm.

I have a pair of S75's I bought new back in 1980. I use them with a McIntosh 1900 receiver and they sound great. I have a modest 2 channel system, all vintage stuff. (AR XB turntable)

I think these speakers are very underated. I also like the styling and beautiful rosewood cabinets. Superb craftsmanship!
Very little is mentioned about B&O speakers, they are mostly written off as Danish art objects that sound so-so.

I believe they use drivers from SEAS and Peerless. The woofers have butyl surrounds. They are time aligned.

Good to hear from another B&O speaker owner, I don't think there are many of us.

Best.
Al D'Addario
 
Thanks Al for the response and the link.

I have to admit that until I found the proper matching amplifier I had classified the B&O's as "so-so" at best, so I can understand the general perception of them being mostly Danish art work. Apparently these speakers were designed around B&O electronics which is sufficiently different from most designs that they don't match up well with many amps. Apparently McIntosh and H/K come pretty darn close though.

Several people (some with golden ears, some with tin) have heard these book shelf speakers in my house and they, to the man, have been astounded..."Wow! What kind of speakers are those?"

The key, though, is mating them with the proper amp. Which brings up the whole issue of matching amps and speakers, which I'll save for another thread.

Again, thanks for the reply and link.

Thomas
 
I picked up a pair of S45s at the flea market for $4. They were in horrible shape, but they put out some great sound.

Phillips Tweeter, Seas cast frame Mid, and a Peerless (I'm fairly sure...) woofer. Is this different than the 45.2s? I remember testing all the drivers independantly and the mids were definitly putting out sound.

I am still planning to pick up another pair when I get the chance... they seem to go for around $100 on Ebay, with the stands. I really liked mine, but as I said they were in terrible condition. White pain drips ALL over the cabs, no covers, no stands.

I was very impressed with them though.
 
ZTFH,

According to the link provided by Al above, there are two S45 Beovoxes. One (the Type 6427) is apparently a 2-way with separate housings for the bass/midrange and the tweeter. The other is a "3-way" labeled S45 on the front but with a label on the back stating S45.2 Type 6312.

Since yours apparently has three speakers, I assume that it is the S45.2/Type 6312. Listening a little more closely, it seems that the "midrange" does do something in that on some selections its output is discernable. It seems to minimally fill in what the woofer and tweeter are not producing. Its effect (on mine at least) is minimal with no action at all on some selections. It definitely doesn't act like other midranges with which I am familiar. B&O labeling it a "special phase link" also suggests something other than a routine midrange. Whatever the heck its purpose the result is outstanding (with the proper amp).

Since posting this thread, I've heard from one guy who told me that the S45.2 in particular was viewed as producing "high-end" sound by audiophiles (of which I am not one, but am trying). It's easily the best sounding bookshelf speaker I've ever heard...at least in terms of the acoustical properties that are important to me. But again, properly matching an amp with this speaker seems to be critically important, otherwise its performance is pretty pedestrian.

Congrats on finding a pair of $400+ speakers for 4 bucks; and I thought I got a good deal at $20.

Thomas
 
Ah, thanks for the clarification! I was a little confused about whether or not there were two different S45 models, other than the two-way one.

I really wish these would have been in better condition... the cab problems I could deal with, whether it be painting or re-finishing. But the lack of grilles, and the high degree of difficulty to make some considering the odd baffle design put me off. The mids were covered in dust and hair, one had a tiny tear, and the woofers both had a few rips in the rubber surround, as well as deformed dustcaps, looks like someone tried to pull them back out and ending up making things worse.
 
Sweet Speakers

In high school back in the late 70s, early 80s....my older sister bought a new pair of these S45-2 speakers. She matched them with a H/K receiver and I couldn't believe the sound....just beautiful. Well she went off onto other things in life, leaving her speakers behind, which I was more than happy to "acquire" as my own. (To this day, she still says they are hers....haha). Anyway when I moved out, I took 'em with me and 25 years later, I still have them as my primary speakers. Anytime I find myself in an audio store, I check out other speakers and to this day, for my ear, I have yet to find another set that can beat the clarity, richness, texture, brightness, just pure, gorgeous sound as these Beovox S45-2s. After going through several different receivers over the years, I have once again paired them with a new H/K receiver and wouldn't you know, they sound even better than before. Anyway.....I've always been astounded by 'em and it's cool to see I haven't been crazy all these years.

Peace and good listening.
 
I can get a few of these brand new in box locally, but Im afraid to hook them up to my Sansui 881 receiver.

Anybody have any clue if this will work out? Are Sanui's similar to the H/K at all?
 
Thomas said:
I bought a pair of these S45.2 speakers from a neighbor a couple of years ago for $20. He is a former manager of a high-end audio store and told me that they sold for $400 or $500 20-25 years ago. Well, I tried them with various amps (Yamaha, Pioneer, Technics, etc.) and they sounded like, well, crap...much too bright and fatiguing with those amps so I put them away with all of my other "failed" speaker purchases.

Recently, however, I updated my home theater system with a H/K AV235 receiver and went through the process of trying all of my on-hand speakers to find out which sounded best with this new receiver. Well, I want to tell you that these S45.2's with the H/K are unbelievable. I have never heard speakers this good before...incredible detail, imaging, soundstage, 3-dimensionality and an airiness and space in the highs that is mesmerizing. If there is any distortion/color in them, I sure can't hear it. In other words, I'm extemely pleased with them and can only describe them as "sweet and delicious."

The question I have, however, deals with their unusual design. They appear to be a 3-way system (8" woofer, 2.5" "mid-range," and 1" tweeter) but with some odd features. First of all, the tweeter is cantilevered out beyond the plane of the woofer...strange. Secondly, what appears to be the mid-range, really isn't (I'm thinking). In fact, a visit to a Beovox site stated that this "mid-range" is really a "special phase link." Does anyone have any idea what the heck this "special phase link" does? Purportedly it reduces phase distortion but during playback it doesn't appear to be moving/doing anything at all. Not being a speaker guru, I'm in the dark.

If anyone has any insights/opinons re: these speakers, and the "special phase link" in particular, I'd like to hear them.

Also, let me state that my taste in speakers has centered around the old KLH, Advent, etc. class of speakers. I've always liked the laid-back nature of these speakers and, in particular, the way they handled transients. These Beovox's equal or exceed those speakers especially with the types of music I mostly listen to (acoustic, smooth jazz, soft rock, vocals, etc.). I don't think that they are as good with hard rock, rap, etc. in that they don't have the color/edge of some speakers. Still, I can't even imagine a better or more musical sound for the favored types of music...as is often said, "I'm hearing things I never heard before...it's like having a new CD collection." I should point out that while the bass on these speakers supposedly extends down to about 35 Hz, I fill out the bottom a little more with a Yamaha Super Woofer in my home theater set-up.

If you come across a pair of these speakers, and if you have the right amp (and listen to the same type of music as me), it would probably be worth your will to check them out.

In the meantime, any info/input re: these speakers would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance....Thomas
Click to expand...
Decent speakers if you can buy them for the
Thomas said:
I bought a pair of these S45.2 speakers from a neighbor a couple of years ago for $20. He is a former manager of a high-end audio store and told me that they sold for $400 or $500 20-25 years ago. Well, I tried them with various amps (Yamaha, Pioneer, Technics, etc.) and they sounded like, well, crap...much too bright and fatiguing with those amps so I put them away with all of my other "failed" speaker purchases.

Recently, however, I updated my home theater system with a H/K AV235 receiver and went through the process of trying all of my on-hand speakers to find out which sounded best with this new receiver. Well, I want to tell you that these S45.2's with the H/K are unbelievable. I have never heard speakers this good before...incredible detail, imaging, soundstage, 3-dimensionality and an airiness and space in the highs that is mesmerizing. If there is any distortion/color in them, I sure can't hear it. In other words, I'm extemely pleased with them and can only describe them as "sweet and delicious."

The question I have, however, deals with their unusual design. They appear to be a 3-way system (8" woofer, 2.5" "mid-range," and 1" tweeter) but with some odd features. First of all, the tweeter is cantilevered out beyond the plane of the woofer...strange. Secondly, what appears to be the mid-range, really isn't (I'm thinking). In fact, a visit to a Beovox site stated that this "mid-range" is really a "special phase link." Does anyone have any idea what the heck this "special phase link" does? Purportedly it reduces phase distortion but during playback it doesn't appear to be moving/doing anything at all. Not being a speaker guru, I'm in the dark.

If anyone has any insights/opinons re: these speakers, and the "special phase link" in particular, I'd like to hear them.

Also, let me state that my taste in speakers has centered around the old KLH, Advent, etc. class of speakers. I've always liked the laid-back nature of these speakers and, in particular, the way they handled transients. These Beovox's equal or exceed those speakers especially with the types of music I mostly listen to (acoustic, smooth jazz, soft rock, vocals, etc.). I don't think that they are as good with hard rock, rap, etc. in that they don't have the color/edge of some speakers. Still, I can't even imagine a better or more musical sound for the favored types of music...as is often said, "I'm hearing things I never heard before...it's like having a new CD collection." I should point out that while the bass on these speakers supposedly extends down to about 35 Hz, I fill out the bottom a little more with a Yamaha Super Woofer in my home theater set-up.

If you come across a pair of these speakers, and if you have the right amp (and listen to the same type of music as me), it would probably be worth your will to check them out.

In the meantime, any info/input re: these speakers would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance....Thomas
Click to expand...
They are decent sounding speakers but IMO nothing special. Good frequency range but not very engaging. If you like them and are in the market I would not pay more than $200 a pair. There are many many speakers from that era that will outperform them, especially from IMF, RAM, KEF.
 
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