Bang & Olufsen Beolab 4700 (1987)

The Bang & Olufsen Beolab 4700 came out in 1987. It was part of B&O's Beolab series, which was reportedly focused on active loudspeakers - speakers with built-in amplification matched to the drivers. That cuts signal loss and simplifies setup, and it set the Beolab 4700 apart from the passive speakers of its era.

Design Philosophy and Aesthetic

B&O designed the Beolab 4700 as a piece of furniture as much as an audio component. The design is minimalist Scandinavian, with clean lines and a compact footprint. The cabinet is typically wood veneer or matte aluminum, in finishes such as black, silver, or natural oak.

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. It has separate amplifiers for the low and high-frequency drivers, housed inside the enclosure. That removes the need for external crossovers and allows precise tuning of each driver.

The system uses a 13 cm (5.1-inch) mid-bass driver with a mica-reinforced polypropylene cone, which gives good stiffness and damping. It is paired with a 25 mm (1-inch) soft-dome tweeter, reportedly made from textile material and designed for smooth highs without harshness. Both drivers are time-aligned and mounted on a shared front baffle for coherent wavefronts and accurate phase response.

Each speaker has two internal amplifiers: one rated at 100 watts for the bass/midrange driver and one at 50 watts for the tweeter. That gives a total peak output of 150 watts per speaker. The amplifiers are based on precursors of B&O's ICEpower technology, aimed at efficiency, low distortion, and thermal stability.

Active Electronics and Connectivity

Because it is an active speaker, the Beolab 4700 needs a direct line-level input rather than speaker wire. It was reportedly designed to pair with B&O control units such as the Beovox C 4700, or to work in systems with the Beolab 4000 preamp. Inputs typically include balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA, so it works with a range of high-fidelity sources.

The internal crossover is believed to be active and electronic, working at line level before amplification. That allows steeper filter slopes and better driver protection than a passive crossover. The crossover frequency is set around 3.5 kHz, chosen to smooth the handoff between the mid-bass driver and tweeter and keep audible crossover artifacts down.

A rear-panel control adjusts bass and treble response to suit the room or the listener. Some models are said to have a room compensation switch for placement near walls, to help keep tonal balance in different positions.

Sound Characteristics

The Beolab 4700 has a balanced, detailed, dynamic sound. The frequency response reportedly runs from 45 Hz to 20 kHz (±3 dB), which suits a wide variety of music, including classical, jazz, rock, and electronic. It is not a subwoofer, but the compact cabinet and efficient bass reflex port give surprisingly deep bass for the size.

Midrange is clear, with vocals and instruments rendered with natural timbre and precision. The tweeter gives extended highs without sibilance, and the soundstage is spacious. Imaging is precise, with well-defined instrument placement and a wide stereo spread, even 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 with other Bang & Olufsen components, such as the Beogram 4000 series turntables, Beocord tape decks, and Beovision televisions. It also fit into B&O's modular furniture systems, including the Beosystem 4000 and 6000.

The Beolab 4700 was not produced as widely as some of B&O's later models. It has a cult following among vintage audio enthusiasts and design collectors, and it is a sought-after item on the second-hand market.

Technical Specifications

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

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