Bang & Olufsen Beolab 4703 (1987)

The Bang & Olufsen Beolab 4703 is a striking example of Danish audio engineering and design excellence from the late 1980s. Released in 1987, this floor-standing active loudspeaker represents a bold fusion of advanced acoustic technology, premium materials, and the minimalist aesthetic for which Bang & Olufsen has long been celebrated. As part of the Beolab series, the 4703 was designed not only to deliver exceptional sound quality but also to serve as a sculptural centerpiece in modern living environments.

Design and Aesthetic Philosophy

The 4703 is easy to spot. It is tall and slender, about 120 cm (47 inches) high, with a cylindrical aluminum body in a brushed finish. The design is minimalist, in line with B&O's habit of fitting hi-fi gear into the home as functional art.

The enclosure is extruded aluminum. That gives it good rigidity and damping, which helps keep unwanted resonances from coloring the sound. The base is heavy cast metal for stability and to cut vibration. A fabric-covered dome at the top reportedly houses the tweeter and midrange drivers. The bass drivers sit lower down, partly hidden inside the aluminum column.

One of the most distinctive features of the Beolab 4703 is its lack of visible grilles or screws, maintaining a clean, uninterrupted surface. The fabric used for the upper section is available in a range of colors, allowing owners to customize the speaker to match their interior decor—a hallmark of B&O’s user-centric design approach.

Acoustic Engineering and Driver Configuration

The Beolab 4703 is an active speaker, which means the amplification is built in. The drivers and amplifiers are tuned together as one system. It uses a three-way design with a dedicated amplifier for each driver:

• Tweeter: 25 mm (1 inch) soft-dome tweeter, responsible for frequencies above 6 kHz.
• Midrange: 76 mm (3 inch) cone driver, handling frequencies approximately between 600 Hz and 6 kHz.
Bass: Two 165 mm (6.5 inch) woofers reportedly mounted in a push-pull configuration, covering frequencies typically below 600 Hz.

The push-pull bass arrangement is the interesting part. One woofer sits at the front and another at the rear, working in opposition, so mechanical vibrations largely cancel out. That reduces cabinet resonance and gives tighter, more accurate bass. It matters in a tall, narrow enclosure, where structural rigidity is a big concern.

Each driver has its own amplifier section in the speaker's internal electronics. Total output is typically rated at 150 watts RMS, spread across the frequency range. The crossover is active and electronically controlled, which allows sharper filtering and better driver integration than a passive crossover.

Sound Characteristics

The Beolab 4703 sounds clear, detailed and well balanced. The active design and precise engineering give low distortion, wide dynamic range and good stereo imaging. It can fill large rooms and stays clear at both low and high volumes.

The high frequencies are smooth and extended, avoiding the harshness sometimes associated with metal dome tweeters. The midrange is natural and articulate, making the 4703 particularly well-suited for vocal and acoustic music reproduction. The bass, while not overwhelming in sheer output, is tight, controlled, and well-integrated—thanks in part to the push-pull driver design and the rigid aluminum enclosure.

Because it is active, the Beolab 4703 needs an external preamplifier or line-level source. It has no built-in volume control or input selection, which was typical of high-end active speakers of the era. It was designed to work with other Bang & Olufsen components, such as the Beomaster or Beovox control units.

Connectivity and Integration

The Beolab 4703 uses proprietary B&O connectors for both power and signal input. They give good signal transmission and secure connections. Connecting non-B&O equipment can be hard without adapters. The speaker was meant to be used in pairs and often went into larger Bang & Olufsen systems, including televisions and tape decks from the same period.

The 4703 is still a sought-after collector's item, and some audiophiles still use it. The internal electronics are old, so original units may need servicing or capacitor replacement to perform at their best.

Legacy and Collectibility

The Beolab 4703 is a product of a golden era for Bang & Olufsen, when the company was pushing the boundaries of both industrial design and audio engineering. It represents a time when high-end audio equipment was not just about performance but also about making a statement in the home.

Today the Beolab 4703 is considered a classic of 1980s audio design. It is rare, distinctive in looks and solid in sound, which makes it highly collectible. Units in good condition, especially those with original finishes and working electronics, can command high prices in the vintage audio market.

While not as widely known as some of B&O’s later models, such as the Beolab 5, the 4703 holds a special place among enthusiasts for its bold engineering and timeless aesthetics. It exemplifies the philosophy that audio equipment should be both heard and seen—crafted not just to perform, but to inspire.

Conclusion

The Bang & Olufsen Beolab 4703 is more than just a speaker; it is a testament to the marriage of form and function. With its elegant aluminum construction, advanced active electronics, and refined sound, it remains a standout piece in the history of high-fidelity audio. For collectors, designers, and audiophiles alike, the Beolab 4703 continues to represent the pinnacle of 1980s Scandinavian audio innovation—a true icon of its time.

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