Combining three types of speaker: surround sound system, standalone speaker, and stereo pair in a distinctive design, Bang & Olufsen introduces the most versatile creation to date in the home audio system. Notably, this speaker model is now available early in Vietnam through official stores in limited quantities.
Beolab 8 – The Most Versatile Speaker to Date in Bang & Olufsen’s Catalogue
With a vast legacy, Bang & Olufsen, a brand that will celebrate its 100th anniversary next year, continuously inherits and innovates based on its successful previous generations of audio devices: the Beolit 20 comprehensively upgrades the Beolit 17, the Beoplay HX follows the Beoplay H9, the Beosound A1 is an “update” of the Beoplay P6, etc. Similarly, the all-new Beolab 8 can be seen as the true successor of its predecessor, the Beolab 17, filling the current gap in Bang & Olufsen’s catalogue for a versatile interior speaker.
“We’ve crafted three new speakers: a surround-sound powerhouse, a standalone masterpiece and a stirring stereo experience. The twist? They’re all the same speaker.”
Homeowners can set up a complete surround sound system with 3 to 7 Beolab 8 speakers or even more; create a home theater setup with a soundbar and TV; arrange a “simple” stereo with a pair of speakers; or even replace bookshelf speakers by choosing a single standalone Beolab 8 – in fact, most homeowners equip themselves with two or more speakers to achieve a stereo sound system. The Beolab 8 also comes with three installation options: default, on a stand, or mounted on the wall, both of the following options are specifically designed by Bang & Olufsen for the new speaker model.
Absolute flexibility offers homeowners new entertainment experiences, limited only by their needs and imagination. The Beolab 8 will become the first premium stereo pair to enjoy music and digital content with unprecedented depth, placing the whole family at the center of the action in the latest blockbuster with two units on stands by the TV and two ceiling-mounted units behind the sofa; or enjoy favorite tunes emanating from a bookshelf or bedside table, disconnecting from reality after a tiring day of work.
Whether arranged as a standalone unit or within a large-scale speaker system, the Beolab 8 can serve as a component speaker alongside other current Bang & Olufsen products, or even older models dating back to 1984, thanks to the exclusive Power Link technology. This allows Bang & Olufsen to enable homeowners to utilize their existing equipment, extending the longevity and connection with their beloved speakers across generations.
Gorgeous from all angles
At first glance, the Beolab 8 appears both familiar and novel. Its newness comes from a design reminiscent of a small trophy or a microphone in recording studios, crafted by Bang & Olufsen in collaboration with Noto Design Studio – the team behind many masterpieces of the Danish brand, such as the Beolab 50 speaker tower. According to the studio in Cologne, Germany, the Beolab 8 combines cylindrical and spherical forms, with soft curving lines enveloping the speaker grille and drivers. All elements harmonize to create a sleek yet robust overall design.
“Years of audio expertise in the most compact form factor. A crucial factor during the design process was to ensure gorgeous looks from all angles, no matter the bracket or stand the speaker is mounted onto.”
An elegant stand brings the Beolab 8, with its glossy black mirrored glass interface, closer to the ears and hands of users; meanwhile, the wall mount delivers sound to unexpected places within the home. Noto Design Studio has cleverly integrated a flexible Y-shaped spline on the mount for the Beolab 8, allowing the speaker to rotate in various directions whether placed on a stand or wall-mounted.
And the familiar touch? Bang & Olufsen enthusiasts will appreciate the oak lamellas, a signature element of the Beolab 18, Beolab 28, and the premium Beosound Theatre soundbar. These straight oak slats, gently curving down to the base of the speaker, harmonize effortlessly with interior designs featuring predominant wood materials, fitting seamlessly into both Zen-inspired Asian interiors and minimalist Scandinavian styles.
Not only aesthetically pleasing, but the oak lamellas also impact the acoustics of the Beolab 8: the slats help distribute sound waves evenly and efficiently. Upon closer inspection, there is no intermediate grille between these slats and the speaker cones. In addition to the light or dark oak slats, the Beolab 8 also offers a black woven fabric option, providing homeowners with more choices.
With over 70 years of expertise in premium aluminum craftsmanship, Bang & Olufsen has once again created a smooth, unibody aluminum masterpiece. The speaker body is crafted at the renowned Factory 5 of Bang & Olufsen in Struer, Denmark, and is available in various finishes, including natural aluminum, anthracite black aluminum, and gold-tone aluminum. All these elements combine to create a luxurious, premium, and elegant impression for the Beolab 8.
Fidelity from every angle
In terms of sound, the Beolab 8 delivers an outstanding performance. Before listening, users should set up the speaker using the B&O App, which offers extensive control features. For instance, the app’s customizable equalizer, Beosonic, guides the Beolab 8’s tonal adjustments with an easy-to-use interface, allowing users to enhance the bass for a livelier sound or increase the treble for a clearer tone. Beosonic refers to these adjustments as ‘Energetic’ or ‘Vocal’ modes, which are more intuitive and user-friendly compared to traditional column-based controls. With the Beolab 8, users also have access to advanced EQ features such as Frequency Tilt and Sound Enhancement.
Even in the standard Optimal mode, the Beolab 8 impresses with its performance across all frequency ranges, including surprisingly deep, warm, and powerful bass. The speaker continues Bang & Olufsen’s strong tradition of delivering detailed sound separation and faithful reproduction of recordings, particularly evident in complex instrumental tracks or films. The manufacturer has also focused on delivering clear midrange frequencies, unlike many other brands that sacrifice midrange clarity for enhanced bass power. Consequently, recordings played on the Beolab 8 do not exhibit the muddiness or compression often associated with complex bass passages. The headroom capability is also highly praised by experts, allowing the Beolab 8 to perform beautifully from the softest notes to the climax fortissimo.
With its compact size, the Beolab 8 packs an impressive array of technologies to enhance the listening experience.
With its compact size, the Beolab 8 packs an impressive array of technologies to enhance the listening experience. With its compact size, the Beolab 8 astonishingly integrates numerous technologies to enhance the listening experience. The array of three drivers – a 0.6” tweeter, a 3” mid-range, and a 5.25” woofer – ensures detailed and immersive sound, with the woofer placed behind a shield to enhance dispersion and boost the bass. The Beolab 8 offers comprehensive connectivity options, from Wi-Fi to Bluetooth 5.3, including stereo pairing and Power Link, which allows it to connect with B&O devices from 30 years ago. At the end of 2023, the WiSA Association recognized the Beolab 8 as meeting the prestigious WiSA Home Theater certification, affirming its superior wireless signal transmission performance.
Active Room Compensation technology ensures consistent sound across all rooms, while the linear bass feature helps control unruly low frequencies. The Beam Width Control capability allows listeners to switch between ‘wide’ or ‘narrow’ sound waves through the app. A smart feature introduced in the Beolab 8 is the flexible ‘sweet spot’ (optimal listening position), where the speaker tracks the phone’s location when connected to direct sound more accurately towards the listener.
In line with Bang & Olufsen’s sustainability goals, the Beolab 8 joins the company’s ‘circular’ audio devices, such as the Beosound 5 and Beosound A9. Extending its lifecycle with a modular approach, many components of the Beolab 8 are fully removable and replaceable. The Mozart operating system ensures the speaker remains up to date with future technologies through software updates.
Conclusion
Priced at over VND 200,000,000 per pair, the Beolab 8 is a high-end speaker not easily acquired. However, Bang & Olufsen has certainly pleased experts, enthusiasts, and music lovers alike with a product that combines “beautiful design with excellent sound.” The Beolab 8 meets a variety of needs, boasting an attractive appearance, premium materials, superior connectivity, and exceptional sound quality without the need for complex amplifiers. With its sustainable craftsmanship, the Beolab 8 offers users a durable companion that will last through the years. And with the highest level of flexibility in the brand’s catalogue, the Beolab 8 truly sets a new standard for Bang & Olufsen’s home entertainment systems. The product is currently exclusively distributed through Bang & Olufsen’s official stores in Vietnam.
