Price Paid:  $3995.00 from Dealer

Summary:
Somewhere in a far off Scandinavian country, sits one of the most unusual electronics manufacturers around: B&O. What is there to do in Denmark? I guess not much. These folks must spend all their time obsessing about DESIGN. It''s a national obsession. Is it really a great stereo? That depends what you''re looking for. There are plenty of Japanese component systems that are more versatile, have more power, and probably sound just as good. They also cost less. Lots less. But... Once in a long while, something comes along that might be irrational, but is worth it. Does a stereo need to be made from high quality materials? No, and most aren''t. Does it need to have motorized doors and surfaces designed to optimal touch? Of course not. Does it need to be finished in anodized aluminum so the installers wear white linen gloves? I don''t think so. Do other manufacturers use CNC machining for something a simple as a stand. No way. Do we need tempered glass, stepper motors, and fiber optics to make a CD player? Heck no. It''s nice sometimes, when the constraints of regular economics are somehow lifted. Where the creative process and the quality of the product is elevated beyond its normal level. Where instead of asking how to make something cheaper, the designers make it nicer. The two B&O systems I''ve owned have always been prized possessions. A lot of us spend most of our lives working with (and employed by) technology. If you''re one of us, or if you appreciate just how great ordinary simple objects can be, then you should probably indulge your desires and get a Beosound 9000. Two final thoughts: (a) the systems aspect: These units are designed to be part of a system. They have a nifty wiring connection called Masterlink that allows you to put remote speakers, remote controls, amps, and displays in many rooms throughout your house. It''s worth the effort and can be lots of fun to install. If you''re just using it like a component stereo, you''re missing a lot. Think of a B&O stereo system as jewelry for your house. (b) price: If the price just kills you, you might want to consider some of the other models. Check out eBay as well, as there is an active resale market. I have an older receiver in my office that has all the B&O attributes, but would sell for about $200.

Strengths:
Design and product quality

Weaknesses:
Price

Similar Products Used:
Beosystem 5000

Price Paid:  $4000.00 from Dealer Store

Summary:
This is a piece of great sounding art. If have owned Nakamichi and Tag Mc Laren systems but then I changed around my interior and wanted audio stuff that really looked and sounded good. After visiting several audio stores I ended up in a B&O store. The first time I looked and listened to the Beosound 9000, I was sold. This machine holds 6 cd''s and also an AM/FM tuner with 60 presets. The new upgraded 2001 model can be connected to your PC to play internet music from your harddisk. This requires special B&O software that you can download for free from the B&O website. The Beosound 9000 is made of aluminum and glass which gives it a very stylish look. Operating the unit is very easy and when it plays you won''t be able to take your eyes of it. The cd clamp in the system can be moved around to play one of the 6 cd''s in it. Changing from one to another cd goes really fast. I have never seen anything like that. The sound is great, the unit has a built in high quality pre-amplifier that works with the B&O speakers which have built in amplifiers. This makes it almost necessary to buy B&O speakers with this machine, but these speakers also look and sound fantastic.

Strengths:
Great machine, looks fantastic, very fast cd changer, very simple to use, great AM/FM tuner quality.

Weaknesses:
If any: Price

Similar Products Used:
Tag Mc Laren, Nakamichi

Price Paid:  $3000.00 from Dealer

Summary:
First I would like to say that I agree with those who state that the amount of money paid for B&O equipment, can be used to purchase even better quality sound systems. But that is not the only valid point in this particular discussion. The BeoSound 9000 offers a whole new approach to integrated audio systems. The design, performance and quality of used materials is state of the art and more important, timeless.Teamed up with two Beolab 8000 loudspeakers, the system forms a fantastic combination that will fill you with joy, every time you look or listen. The system offers unique features such as: displaying the names of 200 cd''s, editing modes that allow you to skip certain cd tracks forever and autopositioning which stops the 6 cd''s in the changer at preprogrammed positions.This feature makes it possible to create your own piece of art by stopping each of the 6 cd labels in the unit at a different position. The cd-changer itself is the fastest in the world and actually makes 6 cd''s into one piece of music. In the random play mode, the time between tracks on two different cd''s seems no longer than the normal interval between two tracks on one compact disc. This speed has not yet been beaten by any other audio brand. Furthermore the BeoSound 9000 can be placed at the wall, on a stand or at a table. Wherever you place it, it will blend in with any interoir type and style.To avoid the fact that the display cannot be read properly, you can easily take out and turn around the control panel, which will automatically change the read out position of the display. The sound quality in combination with the Beolab 8000 loudspeaker is full bodied, crisp and clear. For those who like to have more bass, the new Beolab 2 subwoofer can be added. The Digital/Analog conversion modules used in the system can compete with the techniques used by high-end audio brands. The system uses display dialogue for all programming functions. Combined with the metal Beo 4 remote control, all functions can be accessed from your chair. The thought through menu operating controls of the system and the remote control, make it extremely userfriendly. For those who would like to go further, the BeoSound 9000 can be used with the Beolink system, which connects all B&O audio and video equipment in your house with only one cable. This way you can distribute the sound si

Strengths:
Timeless design, exellent quality & new approaches to consumer technology.

Weaknesses:
High price of system and matching B&O loudspeakers

Price Paid:  $2800.00

Summary:
The simple fact is that this system isn't for you if you are an audiophile and that is why almost every one of them will give this product a bad rating.

An audiophile cares very little about how a product looks and is more interested in how it performs.

The simple fact is that this product lies somewhere in between of a medium to high quality sound system. Over 90% of the population will be more than satisfied with the sound quality and thrilled about how this thing looks.

Strengths:
Craftmenship and a design that blends in ANY interior

Summary:
I've been testing different units within the last couple of weeks, one of them has been the B&O BeoSound 9000.
Some of the comments to this product show that the system hasn't been positioned as its supposed to be. First of all, on the technological point of view, we're not talking about a simply over priced cd changer. The system has a lot mote to show then that. Beside the cd player, it's got a tape deck and a RDS radio included. Also, it build's the base for a multizone system which extends its capabilities into the whole house.
Of course, for someone having difficulties punching the right holes out of a simple election card, a technical product flyer must be overwelming. So I don't realy give to much on the so called american technical expertise.
Second, and now we're talking about design, the unit is simply a piece of art. Of course, for someone who believes that those golden arches of the McDonald 'M' are art and culture, this must come as a shock. So, stick with Your pick up trucks and hill billy songs and keep using that cheap japanese stuff in K-mart, that will make all of us happy - americans, the japanese and the europeans.
But we ask you just for one thing, don't pretend to be intelligent, nobody believes you that anymore after the last election.

Now back to the unit: of course, the Aphrodite from TAG-McLaren (starting at aprox. US$ 5'000.-) has a better sound quality, so does the 'Rondo' system manufactured by Burmese (starting at aprox. US$ 10'000.-), but for it's price class (around US$ 3'000.-), the BeoSound 9000 is one of it's best.
So, as a cultured and well educated european, I give the system a close 4 for audio quality, a 4 for overall technology and a pure 5 for design!

Strengths:
Design, functionality (CD changer, Radio, tape deck, multi zone system)

Weaknesses:
Price

Similar Products Used:
Aphrodite from TAG-McLaren