The amplifier section of the Bang & Olufsen Beocenter 1400 stood out for offering exceptional quality, especially for a product in its price range. It boasted a frequency range of 20-30,000 Hz and kept harmonic distortion under 0.5% even at maximum output. With a power output of 2 x 20 watts RMS (80 watts total music power), it delivered impressive sound. The FM section, like the amplifier, exceeded DIN 45500 high-fidelity standards by a significant margin, ensuring a broad frequency range for both mono and stereo reception. Additionally, the balanced light indicator provided a simple yet effective way to achieve precise tuning, while the automatic frequency control (AFC) further enhanced accuracy.
Tuning into distant stations was effortless with the Beocenter 1400, thanks to its highly sensitive receiver (better than 1.8 µV IEC). The compact cassette section offered its own dedicated controls, including an ON/OFF switch and piano-style push buttons for recording and playback. Users could easily switch between chromium dioxide and standard tapes, while recording levels were adjusted via a convenient slider, complete with numerical markers and light indicators. A red light signaled overloading, while green confirmed an optimal recording level. The tape heads, made from super permalloy, a highly durable material, ensured long-lasting performance. Wow and flutter were kept under control at less than ±0.28% (JIS standard).
With chromium dioxide tapes, the signal-to-noise ratio exceeded 50 dB, ensuring crisp sound quality. Bang & Olufsen prioritized excellent station separation in the AM section (long and medium waves) without compromising audio fidelity. A slider made radio tuning smooth and precise. The Beocenter 1400 was also equipped with inputs for a record player, headphones, and loudspeakers, as well as a port for an additional tape or cassette recorder.
Cutting-edge for its time, the Beocenter 1400 featured advanced electronics, including Darlington transistors, field-effect transistors, integrated circuits, and ceramic filters.
When paired with Beovox 1702 speakers and/or the Beogram 1203 turntable, the entire setup was known as the Beosystem 1400.
Type Numbers: 2604
Designer: Jacob Jensen
Production Years: 1973 – 1975
Available Finishes: Rosewood, Teak
BeoCenter 1 Product Specifications
Power Output:
• RMS: 2 x 20 watts / 4 ohms, 2 x 19 watts / 8 ohms
• Music Power: 2 x 40 watts / 4 ohms, 2 x 25 watts / 8 ohms
Speaker Impedance: 4 ohms
Harmonic Distortion: < 0.1%
Intermodulation Distortion: < 1.0%
Frequency Response: 20 – 30,000 Hz
Tone Controls:
• Bass: +/- 17 dB
• Treble: +/- 14 dB
FM Tuner Range: 87.5 – 104 MHz
AM Tuner Ranges:
• LW: 147 – 350 Hz
• MW: 520 – 1610 kHz
Tape Transport:
• Wow and Flutter: < 0.35%
• Speed Deviation: < 1.5%
• Fast Tape Motion: 90 seconds
Record/Playback Data:
• Frequency Range: 40 – 8,000 Hz / 40 – 12,500 Hz
Power Supply: 110, 130, 220, 240 V
Power Consumption: 15 – 120 W
Dimensions (H x W x D): 8.5 x 66 x 26 cm
Weight: 8.6 kg
Beocenter 1400 service manual can be downloaded here for free.
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