News

16/10/2003

Bang & Olufsen Introduces Next-Generation Digital Loudspeaker

Revolutionizing the Audio, Acoustic, and Design Sectors With the Touch of One Button

Bang & Olufsen, the Danish worldwide provider and pioneer in multi-room and custom music systems, unveils its first-ever digital loudspeaker, the BeoLab 5, to the American market. The BeoLab 5 has been recognized by industry critics for its state- of-the-art design, geometric style, and technological breakthroughs in acoustics and bass control. By introducing four new technologies, the BeoLab 5 is the only loudspeaker on the market that by simply pushing one button it can adapt to an entire room's surroundings to produce a very loud, clean sound that circulates throughout an entire area, regardless of the speakers' positioning.

"We are very excited to introduce the BeoLab 5 to the American market as we believe we have produced the ultimate loudspeaker by seamlessly converging technical excellence and emotional appeal to fulfill our customers everyday entertainment and lifestyle needs," states Michael Andersen, President of Bang & Olufsen America. "The BeoLab 5 is a sensational evolution to the marketplace that will set new standards in sound delivery and speaker design."

Behind this unique product lies twenty years of intensive acoustic research, that all began with a meeting in a Los Angeles hotel suite and a young Danish engineer's dedicated work with bass control. The initial concept of the BeoLab 5 began by simply exploring the relationship between the loudspeaker, the room, and the listener. By combining several cutting-edge technologies, the BeoLab 5 further evolved to ensure optimum sound experience regardless of the position of the listener's loudspeaker.

How it Works:

By means of two elliptical shapes the Acoustic Lens Technology delivers sound from treble and mid-range at a 180-degree angle in the horizontal plane. A long-throw bass driver of 15 inches for the deep bass and a 6.5 inch unit for the upper bass is supported by two 1000 watt ICEpower compact amplifiers, occupying two thirds of the unit from their position at the base of the cone. Once the loudspeaker is positioned in its desired location, or changes have been made to the content of the room, you press a small button at the top. A small, moveable microphone -- the Moving Microphone System -- will then measure the room's bass properties by analyzing the emitted sound waves and adapting the bass in accordance with the loudspeakers positioning, resulting in a crisp, clear and equally dispersed sound delivery throughout an entire room.

The BeoLab 5 does more than simply stand out acoustically. With its cone shape and three circular top-mounted discs, it differs enormously from existing loudspeaker designs. The shape underscores the new Acoustic Lens Technology patented by Sausalito Audio Works and licensed exclusively by Bang & Olufsen.

"Bang & Olufsen typically does not manufacture for technology's sake, however, with the BeoLab 5, we aimed to produce the best of the best in loudspeakers. In this instance, the design followed the technology," states Zean Nielsen, Director of Marketing for Bang & Olufsen America. "Everyone can hear the difference with BeoLab 5 not just the experts, you can turn it up as loud as you want and the sound will not be distorted."

www.bang-olufsen.com