Bang & Olufsen Beolab 5700 (1985)

Name: Bang & Olufsen Beolab 5700
Brand: Bang & Olufsen

The Bang & Olufsen Beolab 5700, introduced in 1985, stands as a landmark in high-end audio design and engineering. As one of the first fully active floor-standing loudspeaker systems offered by the Danish luxury brand, the Beolab 5700 represented a bold departure from conventional passive speaker design. It combined cutting-edge electronics, precision acoustics, and the iconic minimalist aesthetic for which Bang & Olufsen is renowned. This speaker system was not merely an audio component—it was a statement of design philosophy, technological ambition, and sonic excellence.

Design and Aesthetic Philosophy

The Beolab 5700 embodies the essence of Scandinavian design: clean lines, functional elegance, and an almost architectural presence. Designed by David Lewis, who was responsible for many of Bang & Olufsen’s most celebrated products during the 1980s and 1990s, the speaker features a sleek, cylindrical aluminum enclosure mounted on a polished steel base. The upward-firing tweeter and midrange drivers are housed in a sealed aluminum column, while the bass driver is located in a separate, downward-firing compartment beneath. This unique configuration allowed for a compact footprint while maintaining acoustic integrity.

The entire enclosure is crafted from extruded aluminum, anodized in B&O’s signature champagne or black finish, depending on the model variant. The materials not only contribute to the speaker’s luxurious appearance but also serve a functional purpose—minimizing resonance and ensuring a rigid, acoustically inert structure. The base includes a built-in leveling system, allowing the speaker to remain perfectly vertical even on uneven surfaces, a subtle but thoughtful touch that reflects the brand’s attention to detail.

Active Electronics and Amplification

One of the most significant innovations of the Beolab 5700 was its integrated active design. Unlike traditional passive speakers that rely on external amplifiers, the Beolab 5700 contains built-in amplifiers for each driver. Specifically, it features a total power output of 150 watts—75 watts dedicated to the bass driver and 75 watts shared between the midrange and tweeter. This bi-amplified configuration allows for precise control over each frequency band, reducing intermodulation distortion and improving transient response.

Each speaker functions as a self-contained audio system, requiring only a line-level signal from a preamplifier or source component. This eliminates the need for speaker cables and reduces the complexity of system setup. The internal crossover network is active and electronic, operating at line level before the signal reaches the amplifiers—this is in contrast to passive crossovers that operate after amplification and can degrade signal quality.

The amplifiers are based on Bang & Olufsen’s ICEpower technology (though not branded as such at the time), utilizing efficient Class D or Class G topologies to deliver high power with minimal heat generation. This allowed the amplifiers to be housed within the compact speaker enclosure without requiring large heatsinks or ventilation grilles, preserving the clean exterior design.

Acoustic Performance

The Beolab 5700 employs a three-way driver configuration:

Tweeter: A 22mm textile dome tweeter, upward-firing, with a waveguide to control dispersion.
Midrange: A 75mm aluminum cone driver, also upward-firing, time-aligned with the tweeter.
Bass Driver: A 230mm (9-inch) downward-firing woofer with a long-throw design and powerful magnet structure.

The upward-firing midrange and tweeter are designed to reflect sound off the ceiling, creating a diffuse, spacious soundstage that minimizes the effects of room boundaries. This “indirect radiation” approach was intended to produce a more natural, enveloping listening experience, particularly in domestic environments where traditional speaker placement is constrained.

The downward-firing bass driver couples with the floor, using it as a reflective surface to enhance low-frequency extension. The bass enclosure is sealed (acoustic suspension), which provides tight, accurate bass response without the coloration often associated with ported designs. Frequency response is rated from 35 Hz to 20 kHz, with a sensitivity of approximately 89 dB, which is respectable given the active design and controlled dispersion.

Connectivity and Integration

Each Beolab 5700 speaker includes a dedicated input terminal for a stereo line-level signal. For stereo operation, a special Y-splitter cable is used to send the same signal to both speakers, with one speaker acting as the master and the other as the slave. The master speaker contains additional circuitry to distribute the signal and synchronize operation. This setup was innovative for its time but could be confusing for users unfamiliar with active speaker systems.

Later versions of the Beolab 5700 included support for B&O’s proprietary Link System, allowing integration with other Bang & Olufsen components such as the Beovox control units and Beocord tape decks. This created a seamless, high-end audio ecosystem where components communicated digitally and could be controlled via remote or wall-mounted interfaces.

Legacy and Collectibility

The Beolab 5700 was produced from 1985 to 1992 and was succeeded by models like the Beolab 6000 and Beolab 8000. While not as commercially widespread as some of B&O’s later products, the 5700 has gained a cult following among vintage audio enthusiasts and design collectors. Its combination of advanced engineering, striking appearance, and rarity makes it a sought-after piece in the world of high-end vintage audio.

Today, working examples are prized not only for their sound quality but also as design artifacts. They frequently appear in design museums and private collections focused on 20th-century industrial design. Restoration projects are common, with specialists refurbishing amplifiers, replacing aging capacitors, and re-foaming the bass drivers to restore original performance.

Conclusion

The Bang & Olufsen Beolab 5700 is more than a speaker—it is a synthesis of art, engineering, and innovation. At a time when most high-fidelity systems relied on passive designs and bulky enclosures, B&O dared to rethink the entire concept of the loudspeaker. The Beolab 5700’s active electronics, architectural form, and room-filling sound set a precedent for future generations of high-end audio products.

Its influence can be seen in modern active speakers from companies like KEF, Bowers & Wilkins, and even B&O’s own current lineup. For collectors and audiophiles alike, the Beolab 5700 remains a symbol of what happens when uncompromising design meets fearless engineering—a true icon of 1980s audio innovation.