BeoSystem 2500

Large photo Small photoSmall photo

Manufactured: 1991 - 1994
Designer: David Lewis
Colours: cobalt grey, black, white, cerise or jade

David Lewis’ Beosystem 2500 from 1991 marked a new era of design for hi-fi. In its design, he set out to emphasise the function of the machine. The front is protected by a Perspex eyeshade which slides inwards when in use. Lewis here introduced the flat, standing shape which has come to characterise his Bang & Olufsen designs; for instance BeoSound 9000.

Its interface, designed by Sally Beardleys, is simple and well thought out. Since Beosystem 2500 is very compact it has taken a lot of work to make its small loudspeakers effective and harmonious. Among other things this has been solved by making use of separate power sources to the loudspeakers in order to optimise their sound. The design was followed up by BeoSound Century, which, compared to the 2500 is smaller and cheaper.

Tradition had it that music systems should be recognised at such. However, not so at Bang & Olufsen. In spite of its size, Beosystems 2300 and 2500 featured operation and performance on a level that compared with larger B&O audio systems. And adding to the magic of the fascinating new sound experience at the time of its introduction, was the way that the smoked glass doors slid open the instant the beams are broken by a wave of your hand - revealing the controls beneath.

Beosystem 2300 / 2500 gave you two extremely powerful active loudspeakers - BeoLab 2500 - which acted as completely integrated components in the system. The source selection and programming keys you needed to operate Beosystem 2300 / 2500 were located in a central keypad. And just above them was an illuminated display which could keep you informed of the source and track you were listening to. Every time you touched a key, the display told you exactly which function you activated.

Beocenter 2500, or Beosystem 2500 as it was called when used with BeoLab 2500 active speakers, was developed from the idea of a flexible music system that could compete with the sound quality of heavy music systems. Thanks to the advent of active speakers, this was a possibility with both Beocenter 2500 and its CD-only capable Beocenter 2300. With active speakers, each of the powerful bass and treble units were equipped with their own separate amplifiers. In addition, the electronic cross-over network ensured full bass reproduction.

The loudspeakers were located on both sides of a centre console, where two clear glass covers automatically glided to the side when a hand was passed in front of them. Behind the glass covers there was access to the operating panel, receiver, CD player and a cassette recorder.

The receiver allowed the option of presetting 2 x 20 FM/AM radio stations. The cassette recorder featured Auto Reverse, Automatic Recording level, search function and Bang & Olufsen's HX-PRO recording system, a system which ensures that the sensitive treble range is captured in recording. The memory in Beocenter 2300's CD player allowed you to edit up to 100 CDs.

Both systems could be operated via their operating panel or a Beolink 1000 or Beolink 5000 remote control. There were sockets for headphones and connection to additional sound sources; extra loudspeakers can also be connected.

Beocenter 2500 was available with loudspeaker panels in cobalt grey, black, white, cerise or jade. It was later known as BeoSound Ouverture and could be made up to the Beosystem 2500 when incorporated with the BeoLab 2500 active loudspeakers.

Mounting Options

This classic design was reincarnated over a 21 year period with various mounts and stands. Floor stands were available with a pole stand or CD and tape storage, wall mount solutions allowed for the Hi-Fi only, or with BeoLab2500 speakers until these were discontinued

Bang & Olufsen's preferred supplier for brackets and stands, STBbrackets, have made a range of direct replacements and accessories for wall mounts 2052 and 2087. Distributed throughout the World by the Bang & Olufsen store network, the STB solutions add to the diversity of mounting options and positions available.

»Mounting Solutions

Replacement wall bracket for BeoSound 3200

Bracket 2052 mounts the Hi-Fi to the wall without speakers. Compatibility: BeoSound Ouverture, BeoCenter 2300, BeoCenter 2500, BeoSound 3000, BeoSound 3200, BeoSound 4000

System Bracket for Ouverture

This replacement for Bang & Olufsen System Bracket 2087, has been engineered to meet a growing demand from customers who wish to mount BeoCenter2500 and later models, with BeoLab2500 speakers.

Compatibility: BeoSound Ouverture with BeoLab 2500, BeoCenter 2300 with BeoLab 2500, BeoCenter 2500 with BeoLab 2500, BeoSound 3000 with BeoLab 2500, BeoSound 4000 with BeoLab 2500, BeoSound 3200 with BeoLab 2500

Wall bracket BeoLab 2500 (Speakers Only)

Mount BeoLab 2500 active speakers directly to the wall with BL2500 Wall Bracket. Sold as a pair of brackets, this solution allows you to independently mount the BeoLab2500 separately from the BeoCenter / BeoSound hifi.

Wall Plate ONLY for 2500/3000/Ouverture series HiFi with BeoLab2500

This replacement Wall Plate is designed to allow Bang & Olufsen System Bracket 2087 for BeoCenter 2500 and later variants, with BeoLab 2500 speakers to be attached to the wall.

See all products for...

BeoSystem 2500 Product Specifications

Dimensions W x H x D: 83 x 36 x 16 cm
Weight: 20 kg
Black front
98 dB IEC stereo
Active speakers frequency range + 4 - 8 dB 55 - 20,000 Hz
Pre-tuned radio programmes 2 x 20 FM or AM
Tuner range FM 87.5 - 108 MHz
76 - 90 MHz (Japan)
LW 150 - 350 kHz
MW 520 - 1610 kHz
Power consumption/minimum Max. 35 watts/ 4 watts (Beocenter only)

Tape recorder built-in
Recording system HX PRO
Tape transport Auto Reverse
Noise reduction Dolby B NR
Frequency range 30 - 16,000 Hz
Signal-to-noise ratio chrome Dolby B > 65 dB

CD player built-in
Frequency range: 3 - 20,000 Hz +/- 3 dB
Signal-to-noise ratio A-weighted > 110 dB
Converter system: 2 x 16 bit 4 x oversampling

Connections:
Beocord Tape 2 Via Aux socket
Beogram LP (RIAA built-in) Via Aux socket
BeoLab speakers 2 x Power Link
Beovision Via AUX socket
Local rooms, speakers 2 Via MCL 2P
Aux 7-pin socket

Related Products

Created: 7th December 2006
Modified: 19th September 2012

Author Notes:

My BeoWorld



0 items in your basket

Need a cable? Just ask Steve at Sounds Heavenly
Want to sell your B&O products