Loudspeaker manufacturers are constantly trying to refine the wireless speaker concept for home applications, introducing new designs and more integrated features for both all-in-one or networked system use. Bang & Olufsen started from scratch for its latest project. The new BeoSound 35 is probably the epitome of all-in-one wireless music systems, generating a wide staged sound experience at home.
Unveiled for the first time at CES 2016, Bang & Olufsen’s BeoSound 35 is the result of careful design and much attention to detail, like all Bang & Olufsen products. It offers an excellent and well-balanced sound profile designed to fill the entire room with a wide staged sound. It features an intuitive interface, distinct Bang & Olufsen design, several placement options, easy connectivity with mobile devices and integrated access to music streaming services.
With two 4-inch bass units placed at the centre of the loudspeaker and two 3/4 inch tweeters at the end, slightly angled outwards, BeoSound 35 maintains the stereo perspective, but spreads out the sound across the room in a way that is optimized for an informal listening experience. The system is active with one amplifier per driver unit providing 80 watts amplification. This enables the sound system to provide a sound performance that will exceed most customer’s expectations.
BeoSound 35 includes Adaptive Bass Linearisation (ABL) technology, developed in order to produce an extended low-frequency range from smaller loudspeakers by constantly monitoring the level of the output signal and limiting its output in a limited frequency band in order to prevent distortion at higher listening levels. This results in a significantly improved bass performance, without the risk of damaging the drivers.
The BeoSound 35 contains temperature sensors, which report the current state of various components within the loudspeaker back to its DSP “brain”. This information is used together with the output power of the amplifiers to calculate the temperatures of even more locations, such as the loudspeaker driver voice coils.
BeoSound 35 works as an independent music system with integrated access to TuneIn radio stations, Spotify and Deezer or whatever drive the user has for its music collection. Connectivity includes one Ethernet 10/100 Mbit/s interface, two RCA with sense for analogue devices, one optical input and Wireless Power Link (24 bit/48 kHz). Supported formats include WMA, AAC, ALAC, FLAC, WAV, and AIFF, with standard sample rates up to 192 kHz, stereo and up to 24 bit. Of course, also MP3 - but who would use MP3 with a Bang & Olufsen system?
The speaker features an intuitive, touch sensitive edge with essential function buttons found directly under the OLED display. The music system can also be operated through the BeoRemote One or the BeoMusic App and will integrate seamlessly as part of a BeoLink Multiroom system. BeoSound 35 also works with AirPlay, Bluetooth and DLNA based devices.
The designer behind BeoSound 35 is Torsten Valeur, David Lewis Designers, who has attempted to make the speaker as light in its expression as possible. This is achieved through a design that is slightly thinner at the ends and this was possible due to the acoustic construction of placing the small treble drivers there. At the centre of the loudspeaker there is more volume, which is required for bass drivers. By this, BeoSound 35 is a true case of form follows function.
It is a true case of form follows function as the cabinet volume is where it is needed – in and around the bass area. The cabinet is made of polished aluminum that is bent into half of a pentagonal shape, the other half is covered with fabric. The pentagonal shape of the speaker allows you to place the speaker in different positions. It comes with a wall bracket for placement high and low and a stand for placement on a shelving system or the like.
BeoSound 35 is scheduled to be available in Bang & Olufsen stores mid April, 2016 at a recommended retail price from €2.295/$2.785.
www.bang-olufsen.com
