Bang & Olufsen Beolab RL6000 (1985)

Name: Bang & Olufsen Beolab RL6000
Brand: Bang & Olufsen

The Bang & Olufsen Beolab RL6000 is a landmark in high-fidelity audio design, representing the pinnacle of Danish engineering and minimalist aesthetics during the mid-1980s. Released in 1985, the RL6000 was part of Bang & Olufsen’s premium Beolab series, a line dedicated to active loudspeakers with built-in amplification and advanced acoustic tuning. As one of the most sophisticated speaker systems of its era, the RL6000 exemplifies the company’s commitment to marrying form and function, delivering exceptional sound quality within a visually striking enclosure.

Design and Aesthetic Philosophy

The RL6000 is instantly recognizable by its sleek, vertical silhouette and use of premium materials. Standing at approximately 110 cm tall, the speaker features a cylindrical aluminum body with a brushed finish, reflecting Bang & Olufsen’s signature Scandinavian minimalism. The design was influenced by the work of David Lewis, one of B&O’s most celebrated industrial designers, known for his clean lines and functional elegance.

The speaker’s structure is built around a rigid aluminum extrusion, which serves both as a housing and a vibration-damping chassis. This construction reduces unwanted resonance, contributing to cleaner sound reproduction. The front baffle is minimal, housing only the driver array and a discreet LED indicator. The base is weighted for stability and features integrated cable management, allowing for flush floor placement without visual clutter.

Available in silver anodized aluminum, the RL6000 was designed to blend into modern living spaces as a piece of functional art rather than a technical appliance. Its timeless design has allowed it to remain desirable among vintage audio collectors and interior design enthusiasts alike.

Acoustic Engineering and Driver Configuration

The Beolab RL6000 is a fully active, three-way speaker system, meaning each driver has its own dedicated amplifier channel and is powered internally. This design eliminates the need for external crossovers and allows for precise control over frequency response and phase alignment.

The speaker features three drivers:

A 25 mm (1 inch) textile dome tweeter for high frequencies (14 kHz and above)
A 75 mm (3 inch) midrange driver with a paper cone for vocal and instrumental clarity (500 Hz – 14 kHz)
Two 165 mm (6.5 inch) woofers in a push-pull configuration for bass reproduction (40 Hz – 500 Hz)

The push-pull bass driver arrangement is particularly notable. By placing two identical woofers back-to-back and wiring them in opposition, mechanical distortions and cabinet vibrations are significantly reduced. This results in tighter, more accurate bass response with minimal coloration—remarkable for a speaker of its size and era.

Each driver is powered by its own amplifier module:

50 watts for the tweeter
75 watts for the midrange
125 watts for the combined bass drivers

This totals 250 watts RMS per speaker, providing ample headroom for dynamic audio passages and large-room playback. The internal amplifiers are based on B&O’s proprietary ICEpower-like technology (though predating the trademarked ICEpower brand), utilizing efficient Class D or Class TD designs to minimize heat and maximize output.

Crossover and Signal Processing

The RL6000 employs an active crossover network operating at line level before amplification. This allows for steeper filter slopes and more precise driver integration compared to passive crossovers. The crossover points are set at 500 Hz (between bass and midrange) and 14 kHz (between midrange and tweeter), optimized for seamless frequency blending.

Equalization is handled via B&O’s unique Automatic Sound Optimization (ASO) system, which includes boundary compensation. The speaker features adjustable bass response settings—Free Space, Half Space, and Quarter Space—allowing users to tailor low-frequency output based on room placement (e.g., in open space, against a wall, or in a corner). This feature was revolutionary at the time and remains a hallmark of high-end B&O speakers.

Connectivity and Integration

As an active speaker, the RL6000 requires AC power and an audio input. It features balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA inputs on the rear panel, allowing integration with a wide range of preamplifiers and source components. A master/slave configuration enables stereo pairing, with one speaker acting as the primary (with volume control and input selection) and the other as a slave receiving signal via a dedicated link cable.

Volume is controlled via a rotary knob on the top panel or through the BeoRemote system, which allowed centralized control of multiple B&O components—a precursor to modern smart home audio systems. The front LED glows softly to indicate power status and input activity.

Sound Characteristics

The RL6000 delivers a balanced, detailed, and dynamic sound signature. The active design ensures low distortion and high transient response, making it well-suited for both classical and contemporary music. The midrange is particularly transparent, with vocals rendered with lifelike presence. The tweeter provides smooth, non-fatiguing highs, avoiding the harshness sometimes associated with metal domes.

Bass performance is deep and controlled, reaching down to 40 Hz with authority. The push-pull woofer design minimizes cabinet resonance, resulting in clean low-end reproduction even at high volumes. While not intended for home theater use (a concept still in its infancy in 1985), the RL6000’s clarity and imaging make it ideal for critical two-channel listening.

Legacy and Collectibility

The Beolab RL6000 was discontinued in the early 1990s as B&O shifted toward more compact and modular audio systems. However, its reputation has only grown over time. Today, it is considered a classic of 1980s high-end audio and a collector’s item among vintage audio enthusiasts.

Well-maintained units command high prices in the secondhand market, especially those with original finishes and working electronics. Due to the complexity of the internal amplifiers, servicing requires specialized knowledge, and original parts are increasingly rare. Nevertheless, dedicated B&O technicians and enthusiast communities continue to support restoration efforts.

Conclusion

The Bang & Olufsen Beolab RL6000 stands as a testament to the company’s philosophy of “design for life.” It combines cutting-edge audio engineering with timeless visual design, creating a speaker that is as relevant today as it was in 1985. While modern speakers may surpass it in raw specifications, few match its holistic integration of aesthetics, technology, and user experience.

For audiophiles who value both sound and design, the RL6000 remains a benchmark in the world of vintage active speakers. It is not merely a relic of the past but a living example of how high fidelity and high design can coexist in perfect harmony.