Bang & Olufsen Beolab 4700 (1987)

Name: Bang & Olufsen Beolab 4700
Brand: Bang & Olufsen

The Bang & Olufsen Beolab 4700 is a landmark in high-end audio design, representing the Danish company’s unwavering commitment to merging aesthetic elegance with cutting-edge sound engineering. Introduced in 1987, the Beolab 4700 was part of B&O’s Beolab series, which focused on active loudspeaker systems—speakers with built-in amplification tailored precisely to the drivers. This integration allowed for optimized performance, reduced signal loss, and a streamlined user experience, setting the Beolab 4700 apart from conventional passive speakers of its era.

Design Philosophy and Aesthetic

True to Bang & Olufsen’s reputation, the Beolab 4700 was designed not just as an audio component but as a piece of modern furniture. Crafted with minimalist Scandinavian design principles, the speaker features clean lines, a compact footprint, and a timeless silhouette. The cabinet is typically constructed from high-quality wood veneer or matte aluminum, available in finishes such as black, silver, or natural oak, reflecting B&O’s emphasis on material integrity and craftsmanship.

The front baffle is slightly angled, directing sound toward the listener for improved imaging and soundstage accuracy. The grille is optional, allowing users to expose the drivers for a more industrial look or conceal them for a smoother appearance. The overall dimensions are modest—approximately 38 cm in height, 20 cm in width, and 26 cm in depth—making the Beolab 4700 suitable for both shelf and stand mounting without dominating a room.

Acoustic Engineering and Driver Configuration

The Beolab 4700 is a two-way active speaker system, meaning it contains separate amplifiers for the low and high-frequency drivers, housed within the enclosure. This design eliminates the need for external crossovers and allows for precise tuning of each driver’s performance.

The system features a 13 cm (5.1-inch) mid-bass driver constructed with a mica-reinforced polypropylene cone, providing excellent stiffness and damping characteristics. This driver is paired with a 25 mm (1-inch) soft-dome tweeter made from textile material, designed for smooth high-frequency reproduction without harshness. Both drivers are time-aligned and mounted on a shared front baffle to ensure coherent wavefronts and accurate phase response.

Each speaker contains dual internal amplifiers: one rated at 100 watts for the bass/midrange driver and another at 50 watts for the tweeter, resulting in a total peak output of 150 watts per speaker. The amplifiers are based on B&O’s ICEpower technology precursors, emphasizing efficiency, low distortion, and thermal stability.

Active Electronics and Connectivity

As an active speaker, the Beolab 4700 requires a direct line-level input rather than speaker wire connections. It was designed to be paired with B&O’s control units such as the Beovox C 4700 or integrated into systems with the Beolab 4000 preamp. Input options typically include balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA connections, allowing compatibility with a range of high-fidelity sources.

The internal crossover network is active and electronic, operating at line level before amplification. This allows for steeper filter slopes and better driver protection compared to passive crossovers. The crossover frequency is set around 3.5 kHz, a point chosen to optimize the transition between the mid-bass driver and tweeter while minimizing audible crossover artifacts.

A rear-panel control allows adjustment of bass and treble response to suit room acoustics or listener preference. Some models also feature a room compensation switch to account for proximity to walls, helping maintain tonal balance in different placements.

Sound Characteristics

The Beolab 4700 delivers a balanced, detailed, and dynamic sound signature characteristic of high-end Scandinavian audio design. The frequency response ranges from 45 Hz to 20 kHz (±3 dB), making it suitable for a wide variety of music genres, from classical and jazz to rock and electronic. While not a subwoofer, the compact cabinet and efficient bass reflex port design allow for surprisingly deep bass for its size.

Midrange clarity is exceptional, with vocals and instruments rendered with natural timbre and precision. The tweeter provides extended highs without sibilance, contributing to a spacious and immersive soundstage. Imaging is precise, with well-defined placement of instruments and a wide stereo spread, even when listened to off-axis.

Due to its active design, the Beolab 4700 maintains tight control over driver excursion, resulting in low distortion even at high volumes. The integrated amplification also ensures that the speakers are less sensitive to source impedance, making them a consistent performer across different preamplifiers and systems.

System Integration and Legacy

The Beolab 4700 was often used in conjunction with other Bang & Olufsen components, such as the Beogram 4000 series turntables, Beocord tape decks, and Beovision televisions, forming part of a cohesive, high-end home entertainment ecosystem. Its design allowed for seamless integration into B&O’s modular furniture systems, including the Beosystem 4000 and 6000.

While not as widely produced as some of B&O’s later models, the Beolab 4700 has developed a cult following among vintage audio enthusiasts and design collectors. Its combination of advanced engineering, elegant form, and brand prestige makes it a sought-after item in the second-hand market.

Technical Specifications

Model Name: Beolab 4700
Type: Active two-way loudspeaker
Drivers: 13 cm mid-bass, 25 mm tweeter
Amplification: 100W + 50W (per speaker)
Total Power: 150W peak
Impedance: 8Ω (nominal)
Sensitivity: 88 dB (2.83V/1m)
Frequency Response: 45 Hz – 20 kHz
Crossover Frequency: ~3.5 kHz
Cabinet Type: Bass reflex (ported)
Inputs: XLR, RCA
Dimensions (H×W×D): 38 × 20 × 26 cm
Weight: 12.5 kg per speaker
Finish Options: Black, silver, oak veneer

Conclusion

The Bang & Olufsen Beolab 4700 stands as a testament to the fusion of design and technology that defines the brand’s legacy. More than just a speaker, it is a statement of audio philosophy—where sound quality, aesthetic integrity, and user experience are inseparable. Though now over three decades old, the Beolab 4700 remains relevant to audiophiles and design aficionados alike, admired for its enduring style and performance. In an age of smart speakers and mass-produced audio, the Beolab 4700 reminds us of a time when high fidelity was crafted, not compressed.