Beocenter 4600 emerged as a worthy successor to the Beocenter 3600. Notably, it introduced an AM radio section, thus offering a comprehensive range of audio sources. While the cassette section remained largely unchanged, it added a convenient tape counter with a “memory” stop at “000.” Additionally, the receiver, based on the Beomaster 1500, benefited from enhancements consistent with the rest of the B&O lineup. As a result, users widely adopted the Beovox S 35 loudspeakers, contributing significantly to the model’s appeal.
Features of the Beocenter 4600
The Beocenter 4600 functioned as a multi-functional unit, incorporating a 2 x 25 watts RMS AM/FM receiver, an intuitive hi-fi cassette deck, and an automatic record player. Moreover, the lightweight tonearm featured built-in bias compensation and utilized Bang & Olufsen’s MMC 20S pickup cartridge with a spherical diamond stylus.
The AM radio effectively covered both long and medium wavebands, ensuring outstanding reception quality and high selectivity. An Automatic Gain Control circuit, active noise suppression, and hybrid filters enhanced this performance. Furthermore, the highly sensitive FM tuner allowed users to pre-set up to four stations, enabling quick access.
Hi-Fi Cassette Deck Features
The hi-fi cassette deck included features typically reserved for separate high-end models. Specifically, these features encompassed:
A 3-digit counter with a memory function
Electronic tape stop at the end of play
Dolby B Noise Reduction
Compatibility with both chrome and normal tapes
Importantly, the super Permalloy tape head not only proved durable but also ensured a long lifespan for optimal performance.
User-Friendly Record Player
The record player operated automatically, with users controlling all functions through a single button, which added to its user-friendliness. In addition, the anti-skating mechanism worked automatically, further simplifying the experience. As mentioned earlier, the MMC 20S pickup cartridge played an integral role in this unit’s design.
Type Numbers:
2631 (1977 – December 1980)
Designer:
Jacob Jensen
Manufacturing Period:
1977 – 1980
Available Colour Options:
Rosewood, Teak
BeoCenter 4600 Product Specifications
Amplifier Specifications
Power Output (RMS DIN)
2 x 25 watts at 4 ohms
2 x 20 watts at 8 ohms
Harmonic Distortion
< 0.1%
Intermodulation Distortion
< 0.15%
Frequency Range
20 – 30,000 Hz
Tuner Specifications
FM Frequency Range
87.5 – 108 MHz
LW Frequency Range
150 – 350 kHz
MW Frequency Range 520 – 1610 kHz
Record Player Specifications
Pickup Cartridge MMC 20 S
Recommended Tracking Force 15 mN / 1.5 g
Speed Control Range 33 – 45 rpm / > +/- 3%
Wow and Flutter < +/- 0.09%
Rumble (Weighted) 62 dB
Rumble (Unweighted) 42 dB
Tape Recorder Specifications
Wow and Flutter < +/- 0.2%
Speed Deviation +/- 1%
Fast Forward and Rewind (C60) 85 seconds
Beocenter 4600 service manual can be downloaded here for free.
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