Hi all, if you would like to support me on making these videos you can now buy me a coffee here www.buymeacoffee.com/beojohn . I love making videos for you all but this isn't my main job, it's more of a fun hobby really, I can't really commit to extra benefits from Patreon so Steve at Sounds Heavenly suggested this instead. If not, ignore this message and continue life as normal. All the best, John
Ive just ordered an Emerge to compliment my existing setup. I plan to connect (Google Chromecast Speaker Group) my current M5 on one side of the room, A9 in the middle and Emerge on the otherside. I do like the look of these
@@BangOlufsenManchester I'm so pleased with it. How can something that small and thin produce that much sound... and the quality is typical B&O, outstanding!
Great detailed video. a big fan of B&o products even though i cant afford one. but their product are out of this world in listening to great quality sound.
Good, insightful video John. I share your view of the Black Anthracite version. Three separate people have now said they think it looks like a router! The sound is fairly impressive for its size. As you say, nits limitations become apparent really when comparing against the other bigger brothers and sisters in the lineage. One comparison may be worth making, is downstream with th Beolit 20. I would say the Black Anthracite Beolit looks and feels more premium than its Emerge counterpart and sounds good too.
Beolit 20 sounds and looks great, one the finest portable Bluetooth options out there. Although Emerge has a more defined hifi sound and multiroom network streaming it can't compete with the depth and power of the Beolit.
Thanks for a fair and honest review, John. This speaker - especially the wood and gold version - looks gorgeous. I was super keen on this one but I think the Beosound Level might be the better option - not surprising I suppose given that it's a more expensive speaker - and it also looks amazing. Neodymium ...... ;)
It's lovely for background and casual listening but I think Beosound Level is an absolute masterpiece! Plus, you have the added flexibility with the placement and battery. Neodymium indeed my good man! John.
Thanks a lot for the honest review John. When Tidal connectivity for this speaker? Will the streaming engine have to be replaced or will everything be solved by a software update?
Such a nice shop you have John! Very nice and honest review. Sad to hear M3 and M5 are discontinued, but I guess all the "non- Mozart" speakers will disappear over time.
A year on (April 2022) there have been a number of updates in the software. It takes about 10 minutes to download and install the latest version during the set up process. Both Emerge and Level are not available for online ordering but dealers have stocks so no need to pay higher than the B&O recommended price. I purchased a pair of B&O Beosound Emerge and ordered a pair of B&O Beosound Level. The excellent demonstration in the store still left questions for me that I feel only extended testing in my own home and garden will satisfy. I fully expect to keep both pairs. The difference in cost for the veener oak finish over the black is excessive. The gold over the dull black on the Emerge and the gold over the aluminium Level is my preference but on other models with silver, black and gold finishes the price is the same - makes the veener oak very expensive. Setting up of the Google presets was more confusing that it needed to be (lack of any real instructions; ask Google to play a radio station and when pressing on the preset repeat the request to store - the first is to make sure Google understands and picks the right station). The power supply for the B&O Emerge is a small block with a USB C to USB C cable. I did try a battery power pack - 24000mAh 88.8Wh 5V/3Am 9V/2A, 12V1.5A - the B&O supply is is rated 5V/3Am 9V/3A, 12V3A and the Emerge 20V/2.25A which is why it failed to power up. With the computer playing RU-vid or locally stored films there is no sync problems (already set up wireless WLAN for the software download) and no additional set up needed on the computer. The range of the smaller speakers groups with an increase volume (size - in litres) and doubling of price. Beolit 20 (£499), Emerge (£539/£669, £1078 pair), Level (£1149/£1399 £2298 pair), 1 (£1399), Balance (£2099), 2 (£2299), A9 (£2699). The Beosound Level is a stereo system (others are needing pairing for stereo) and at slightly more cost than a pair of Beosound Emerge that lacks the portability - grab and move - and battery. The Emerge pair allow for a wider placement. Pair the Beosound Level doubles the cost and the room taken up for a wider sound stage. Early reviews often only considered a single Level and found pairing an issue. A lot has changed in a year. The eventual choice might be down to the extremes (wanting the party booming bass) or to be louder in a larger room. For normal listening the differences are more subtle - at least in the showroom. It has been suggested that B&O might enable the Mozart family of speakers to work in a surround sound system. These are not WiSA supported but there is no reason the software could not enable placement in a surround sound setup. Perhaps have a Level as centre with Emerge front and rear left/right, three Levels with a pair of Emerge for rears or five/seven identical speakers. If the streaming aspect in Emerge and Level are the same then I would not expect a timing difference in hardware. Just needs a "matching" sub-woofer - a Phantom II in the showroom has insane bass. A much lower price point than A20, 18 or 28 speakers and disappear in the living space by comparison.
I love the design of the emerge. It is unbelievably thin and it looks the striking as well. If I were in the market for a speaker, I would buy two of these, put it on a long table and create a stereo setup using the google home. It may not be so striking like the 2 or 1. However, that Antrachite model catches my eyes
I’m wondering. If you put this in stereo pairing via either Ethernet or WiFi, and connect something via optical will the paired speakers still play in stereo ? Probably a stupid question but just curious.
Great video once again. What is your opinion on the Beolab 28 which is coming out later this month? Is there much difference if you compare the Beolab 28 with the Beolab 20 and 18?
Hello. I appreciate your honest assessment vs other guys who will recommend a brand just because they retail it. So not a ringing endorsement from you of the emerge because of not so great performance once it cross 60% or so volume levels. So i gather even the Balance has limitation in terms of direction acoustics if its placed in a certain way. Havent seen any review of the Level. What do you make of that one.Would be great to know. Another question, would two emerge units make sense or its simply not something one would be happy even as a single unit? Tks
Hi Anil. the Emerge is a great product that delivers what it can but is ultimately limited by its size and power capability. The Balance and the level do not suffer from this as much and the balance packs well above its size restrictions. Overall the balance is the best but please take a look at the level its my home audio unit and I love it. Ps keep your eye on the products being launched in April you may be pleasantly surprised.
Can you give me a precise answer on a question about the voice assistant? If I switch off the microphone on this or the Level (which I have), does the saved and applied room compensation stay enabled? I ask this because the room compensation also disables itself on the Level when on battery power instead of mains power. I contacted B&O support and they only said it "should" stay enabled.
Hi John, another great video. Thanks. Btw is the new BV contour also on the Mozart platform? Is there any plans to make it possible to use Mozart speakers as stereo or suround speakers with a contour? I am right now planning to update my setup from a bv v1, beolab 3s as stereo and surrounds and I do not really know what to do. Happy to get some ideas.
Hi Stefan, no, Contour is based around Beosound Stage so no additional speakers can be added to it. We will have to wait and see what the Wizards at Denmark bring out in the future. For external speakers at the moment Beovision Eclipse and Harmony tick those boxes.
Hello John, what will you recommend if I want to do a house party with bass heavy dance music? The space is about the size of your living room, or slightly bigger... I’d like to blow out the windows if possible... lol 😂
Good question! Beolit is tuned to be more powerful as it's often played outdoors with no walls to help it. Beolit certainly has deeper and more powerful bass response and 360 sound. Emerge is more flexible with its Chromecast, Airplay and Google Assistant plus it's multi room credentials. It also has a more refined hifi sound. If you want something to play at higher levels that can move go Beolit, for something with multi room ability in the house that looks the part go Emerge. Best of both worlds go Beosound Level 😉
Hi Markus, from software 2.2.2 the Mozart platform speakers have been added to Beoliving Intelligence to give you some features. Auto discovery of latest B&O products. Basic control of Sources and Sound. Light & Control commands from Beoremotes. Source & Sound status information. Next update steps will focus around multiroom, and content integration followed by adding support for key 3rd party control systems.
@@BangOlufsenManchester yes that I know. I already listen and collect vinyl a long time. I mean. I try to watch RU-vid and follow B&O afficionados, but I believe they are more into bass music and streaming. :-) So now I try to figure out if the clarity and detail is alright with an old turntable.
Hey Muzfuz, on a sound only basis the Emerge has a more hifi sound and wider dispersion. It's just more grown up somehow if that makes sense? Although bass response at mid level is fairly similar. Emerge has much better connectivity with Chromecast, Airplay and Bluetooth where as A1 is Bluetooth only. Particularly in the oak finish, the Emerge feels much more premium too. Although the A1 has the advantage of battery power where Emerge is mains only. John
It's a Bang & Olufsen sound system called Beosound Shape. It does have sound dampers in it as well as speakers and amplifiers. www.bang-olufsen.com/en/speakers/beosound-shape
You certainly can, here is a video showing you how. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-JkburfkgC7o.html&ab_channel=Bang%26OlufsenManchester
@@BangOlufsenManchester that's unfortunately not true, John. After contacting customer support regarding bluetooth HFP availability, they informed me it does not have speakerphone capabilities like the A1, which even has a supporting page for operating it as such.
If you find M5 a bit on the heavy side you'll probably love Beosound Emerge. Best thing would be to go to a store and have a listen or buy from Bang & Olufsen's official store online and send it back if you don't like it. John.
Error in placing the mark that is read from top to bottom .... Which means that the brand is falling... in my pinion the brand must be placed to read it from the bottom up ... the brand is rising ... for generating something positive in sales and acceptance
yes until it breaks or something happens to it they will not repair anything like my Beo Play A1 portable speaker lasted only 2 months gangBang&Olufsen my ass
There is a warranty return portal on the website. If you have only had it 2 months from new B&O will replace it for you. The only things not covered are physical damage or misuse.
I was indeed late as my oak version was delayed but it did give me plenty of time for listening to and enjoying the black one. I would hate to disappoint such a seasoned subscriber as you.....surely you can forgive me this time? 😁
I don't really do sound tests unless I'm comparing 2 products to give an idea of the sound difference. It's no substitute for listening to the actual product, too many variables over RU-vid.