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Bang & Olufsen has expanded its soundbar line-up with a new model, the Beosound Premiere. Positioned between the cheaper Beosound Stage and the flagship Beosound Theatre, it aims to offer some of the capabilities of the more expensive model at a more accessible price. The manufacturer has not abandoned its signature design or the use of high-quality materials. The soundbar supports Dolby Atmos, works with LG TVs and allows the system to be expanded with additional speakers. However, early tests show that not all the solutions found in the Beosound Theatre made it into the new device. Even so, the Beosound Premiere may appeal to users seeking an elegant, premium audio system.
Beosound Premiere impresses with its build and dialogue quality
The new soundbar features a 4.1.2 configuration made up of ten drivers, each driven by a separate amplifier. The design includes forward-, side- and upward-firing speakers, so the unit supports Dolby Atmos. Bang & Olufsen has again opted for an aluminium enclosure with distinctive styling that really stands out from the competition. The model is available in several colour options and with interchangeable grilles in wood or fabric. The soundbar also offers a backlit touch panel and subtle light animations when adjusting the volume and when powering on. In tests, the biggest strength of the Beosound Premiere is its exceptionally clean reproduction of dialogue and vocals. Voices sound natural and remain perfectly audible even during more demanding film scenes. The device also works with LG TVs, allowing the whole system to be controlled using the BeoRemote One. It also supports AirPlay, Google Cast, Spotify Connect and Google Home. In terms of build quality, the Beosound Premiere remains one of the most exclusive soundbars available on the market.
Dolby Atmos and system expansion have their limitations
Although the Beosound Premiere supports Dolby Atmos, tests indicate that its spatial effect does not match the most expensive models on the market. The biggest issue is the lack of a dedicated subwoofer, so the lowest frequencies do not deliver the same depth and impact when watching films. The soundbar can only be expanded with speakers compatible with the Mozart platform, which means there is no support for many older Bang & Olufsen models. In practice, this limits the options for people who already own previous systems from the manufacturer. The Beosound Premiere supports up to four additional speakers, whereas the considerably more expensive Beosound Theatre offers far greater configuration flexibility. Tests also showed that at higher volume levels the bass becomes less precise, and the enclosure can emit faint noises as the unit heats up. On the other hand, setting up the new model is simpler than with the flagship Theatre and does not require such advanced calibration. The Beosound Premiere is best as an elegant, standalone soundbar delivering high-quality dialogue and a well-balanced sound. However, those expecting a full-blown home cinema with a powerful spatial effect may find the new model's capabilities insufficient.
The Bang & Olufsen Beosound Premiere is a luxury soundbar that combines high build quality with very good dialogue reproduction and elegant design. However, its limited expandability, lack of a dedicated subwoofer and average Dolby Atmos performance mean it will not be an option for everyone. It is primarily aimed at people who value design and Bang & Olufsen's distinctive sound more than the ultimate capabilities of a home cinema system.
source: flatpanelshd
