Beolab 90 at auction for way below retail… is this actually a smart buy?

[Astrea70]

I just came across something pretty unusual and wanted to sanity check it with people who know more than me.


There’s a pair of basically new Beolab 90 on auction right now, and it looks like they’ve already hit reserve at what seems like a fraction of retail:
https://www.catawiki.com/en/l/101413804-bang-olufsen-beolab-90-speaker-set


I know these are kind of “statement speakers”, but I’ve never had the chance to properly listen to them.


From what I’ve read, some people say they’re among the most advanced speakers ever made, while others think you’re mostly paying for design and brand.


So I’m curious:


• Are they actually worth it if you can get them significantly below retail?
• What speakers would you compare them to at lower price points?
• Is this one of those rare “buy once, cry once” situations, or are there better-value options out there?


They’re still a bit above my budget… but this feels like one of those moments where you either make a great decision or a very expensive mistake!

 

[Purité Audio]

They are in my opinion extremely capable loudspeakers and the one speaker that I haven't had the chance to represent, although that particular colour combination isn’t my favourite.
There are though many fine speakers which are far less expensive, how far away do you intend to sit from them?
Keith

 

[Mart68]

Agree with Keith they are very capable but there's a 'plug n play' lifestyle element to them and to some extent you're paying for that.

For 53 thousand dollars the skies the limit in terms of what other speaker systems you could get if the 'lifestyle' aspect isn't important to you. Plus probably enough left over for 2 weeks in the Virgin Islands.

 

[Arindal]

Are they actually worth it if you can get them significantly below retail?

I think, a dimension of ´worth it´ is a very personal judgment for a luxury product. From the sole point of sound quality, I would say they are way overpriced even at 1/10th of the the retail price. It is one of the few high end loudspeaker concepts, which read like groundbreaking technology on paper, but continue to disappoint when listening to music through them, in my personal opinion. Have never experienced them producing tight, precise bass, transparent mids and even average treble clarity, not to speak of a credible imaging and ambience.

What speakers would you compare them to at lower price points?

It depends on the room and application in question, particularly listening distance and desired maximum SPL. There are plenty of active concepts between 10 and 20 Grand which actually deliver on directivity (which is a main proposition B&O is making) for unusually big rooms.

 

[Hayabusa]

They were 90k, so 50k is already a good bid. Not cheap

 

[Puddingbuks]

Catawiki is an auction site, so this will be a starting price, who knows what it will go for in the end.

 

[Mart68]

Catawiki is an auction site, so this will be a starting price,

No, it's the current price, so far there have been 35 bids.

Opening bid was one euro.

 

[Sir Sanders Zingmore]

For 53 thousand dollars

Price is in Euro isn’t it?

 

[tineared]

I'd love to hear a pair, but I'd be concerned with keeping them clean
They look like dust magnets

 

[Mart68]

Price is in Euro isn’t it?

Yes I only noticed that later.

 

[thegeton]

Price is in Euro isn’t it?

Yeah, that's $61404.31 in USD today.

 

[thegeton]

I'd love to hear a pair, but I'd be concerned with keeping them clean
They look like dust magnets

or Cat Magnets...

 

[Oddball]

I just came across something pretty unusual and wanted to sanity check it with people who know more than me.


There’s a pair of basically new Beolab 90 on auction right now, and it looks like they’ve already hit reserve at what seems like a fraction of retail:
https://www.catawiki.com/en/l/101413804-bang-olufsen-beolab-90-speaker-set


I know these are kind of “statement speakers”, but I’ve never had the chance to properly listen to them.


From what I’ve read, some people say they’re among the most advanced speakers ever made, while others think you’re mostly paying for design and brand.


So I’m curious:


• Are they actually worth it if you can get them significantly below retail?
• What speakers would you compare them to at lower price points?
• Is this one of those rare “buy once, cry once” situations, or are there better-value options out there?


They’re still a bit above my budget… but this feels like one of those moments where you either make a great decision or a very expensive mistake!

IMO not a smart buy. If itching for statement speakers there are Blades in spades.

 

[JeffS7444]

They certainly look nice, but I'm not surprised that they're being sold at considerable discount: Stuff like that isn't very "liquid", so if you buy and decide you don't care for them, you may find that they're not so easily disposed of.

 

[al2002]

I just came across something pretty unusual and wanted to sanity check it with people who know more than me.


There’s a pair of basically new Beolab 90 on auction right now, and it looks like they’ve already hit reserve at what seems like a fraction of retail:
https://www.catawiki.com/en/l/101413804-bang-olufsen-beolab-90-speaker-set


I know these are kind of “statement speakers”, but I’ve never had the chance to properly listen to them.


From what I’ve read, some people say they’re among the most advanced speakers ever made, while others think you’re mostly paying for design and brand.


So I’m curious:


• Are they actually worth it if you can get them significantly below retail?
• What speakers would you compare them to at lower price points?
• Is this one of those rare “buy once, cry once” situations, or are there better-value options out there?


They’re still a bit above my budget… but this feels like one of those moments where you either make a great decision or a very expensive mistake!

My main speakers are Revel Salon2s. If I found a pair of Beolab at 90s for well below the new price I would grab them. That’s how good I think they are.

 

[caught gesture]

If you are in the market for these actual speakers, then it’s a great price. If you are just attracted by the great price, then I think it wise to demonstrate them (and others in the price range) to decide if they are what you really want. Chasing “bargains” based on price only can be a crapshoot.

 

[Moti]

When introduced 10 years ago new pair was 75k€ with 24% VAT. The price increase has been huge.