In a move that echoes its previous successful ventures into reviving classic audio equipment, Bang & Olufsen has unveiled its latest endeavor: the Beosystem 9000c Music System. This new product pairs the classic Beosound 9000 CD player from the 1990s with the contemporary Beolab 28 speakers, offering a fusion of nostalgia and modernity in audio technology.
The Beosystem 9000c represents Bang & Olufsen's commitment to sustainability and longevity in product design, showcasing the company's dedication to a circular economy model. Following the success of their previous restoration project involving the Beogram 4000 turntable, Bang & Olufsen embarked on the ambitious task of reviving the Beosound 9000 CD player, a beloved icon of the 1990s audio landscape.
Mads Kogsgaard Hansen, Head of Product Circularity & Portfolio Planning at Bang & Olufsen said: “With our Recreated Classics series, we are showcasing how Bang & Olufsen’s unique capabilities within sound, design, and craftsmanship are creating long-lasting, circular products."
"We want to demonstrate that a second-life product can be just as attractive as a new product and that a high-quality item such as the Beosound 9000 doesn’t need to have an end date,…More than showcasing our commitment to product longevity, we wanted to celebrate the revival of physical media that has taken place in recent years."
"Vinyls and CDs have returned to being something special, where people invest time and energy to connect with the music and artists they love. Longevity in design and the passion for music listening are essentially what we are celebrating with the launch of Beosystem 9000c. It is all about keeping listening choices alive”.
At the heart of the Beosystem 9000c lies the fully restored Beosound 9000 CD player, originally unveiled in 1996. This six-disc CD changer, designed by industrial luminary David Lewis, captured the essence of B&O's philosophy of 'autovisuality,' where functionality is exposed to create a tangible connection between the user and the music. The Beosound 9000's distinctive glass panel and linear display of CDs reflected Lewis' vision of integrating technology seamlessly into everyday life.
To breathe new life into the Beosound 9000, Bang & Olufsen sourced 200 units of the original CD player and restored them at their legendary Struer factory in Denmark. Skilled technicians, including some who worked on the original production line, disassembled, inspected, and repaired each unit to meet B&O's exacting standards. The result is a reborn classic, infused with the latest wireless audio technology and craftsmanship that embodies Bang & Olufsen's heritage of excellence.
The Beosystem 9000c is more than just a CD player; it's a complete music system designed for the modern audiophile. Paired with the Beolab 28 wireless speakers, featuring innovative mechanical design and advanced wireless streaming capabilities, the 9000c promises a truly immersive audio experience.
The Beolab 28 speakers, with their striking design and versatile functionality, complement the timeless elegance of the Beosound 9000, creating a harmonious blend of past and present.
In line with Bang & Olufsen's tradition of meticulous craftsmanship, every detail of the Beosystem 9000c has been carefully considered. From the inverted color scheme that harmonizes with the Beolab 28 speakers to the motorized glass lid that opens with precision, each element reflects the brand's pursuit of perfection.
“We wanted to enhance the graphic edge of Beosound 9000 whilst maintaining the integrity of the original design. To do this, we introduced a Cosmic Black finish to Beosound 9000’s aluminum back plate so that the CDs stand out even more as artworks which was Lewis’ original design intention. This creates a stark contrast against the Natural Aluminum on the control panel, creating a bold and modern finish whilst referencing the 90’s aesthetic of the original CD player,” said Tiina Kierysch, Head of Design at Bang & Olufsen.
“The result is timeless and showcases that even though the two products were designed in different decades, they become closely related through the application of colors, materials and finishes,” she concluded.
The 9000c also embraces modern convenience with features like wireless connectivity via Airplay 2, Chromecast, and Bluetooth 5.0, as well as intuitive controls accessible through the Beoremote One or smartphone app. The Beolab 28 speakers boast a physical interface on top, illuminated for easy navigation, allowing users to customize their listening experience with favorite playlists or radio stations.
The Bang & Olufsen Beosystem 9000c is now globally available for $55,000.00, with a limited production run of just 200 units.