BeoLab Penta speakers emerged from a revolutionary acoustic principle, blending extraordinary design with unparalleled sound quality. Thanks to its innovative pentagonal cabinet, the design minimized internal standing waves and reflections, effectively reducing distortion. The cabinet’s unique construction, featuring a moulded inner structure and stainless steel exterior, created the ideal environment for the loudspeakers to deliver optimal sound performance.
No matter the size of your room or the layout of your furniture, BeoLab Penta consistently produced remarkable sound. Moreover, it required minimal floor space and only needed ample headroom to fit seamlessly into your space.
Bang & Olufsen introduced the BeoLab Penta in the late 1980s as their flagship speaker, and it evolved through several upgrades over the 1990s. Interestingly, the Penta I and Penta II featured an orange display, while the Penta III introduced a vibrant green display. Initially, there was a passive Beovox Penta version available. However, as time progressed, Bang & Olufsen focused exclusively on active loudspeakers, discontinuing models like the Beovox 4500.
Why build amplifiers directly into the loudspeakers? The answer lies in the ability to achieve a more compact design. This approach reduced the cabinet size to just one-third of a conventional speaker while maintaining the same powerful output. This method, known as Active Loudspeakers, allows the speaker to produce high volume without distortion. Furthermore, the amplifier, treble, and bass units work together, compensating for each other’s weaknesses and delivering music that replicates the original performance. As a result, you hear the music exactly as it was intended.
BeoLab Penta features nine individual loudspeaker units, strategically placed in a vertical alignment. This arrangement ensures exceptional sound dispersion and eliminates reflections from the floor and ceiling. Consequently, you can place BeoLab Penta almost anywhere in the room without compromising sound quality. In addition, the operating panel at the base allows users to fine-tune the bass reproduction across three settings.
The pentagonal cross-section of the cabinet eliminates standing waves, a common issue in traditional speakers. Moreover, Bang & Olufsen used polished stainless steel to help the speakers blend seamlessly into their surroundings. The reflective surface mimics the room’s color, giving the speaker a subtle, artistic appearance.
The design of BeoLab Penta ensures that sound waves travel without interference from floor or ceiling reflections. As a result, BeoLab Penta produces an extraordinary acoustic experience. In fact, the sound quality is so clear and dynamic that it redefines how music should sound in any room.
At the heart of BeoLab Penta sits the BeoLab 150 amplifier, which delivers 175 watts of power (DIN/IEC). This power boosts both sound quality and volume, making it perfect for those who love high-energy music. Additionally, the amplifier includes a Dynamic Soft Clipping system, which prevents distortion during high-volume play. The system gently rounds off any overloading, ensuring the sound remains pure.
A Perfect Match for Bang & Olufsen Systems
To experience premium sound, your speakers need to match the quality of your system. BeoLab pairs perfectly with Bang & Olufsen’s Beosystem 5000 and Beocenter 9000, both featuring built-in CD players. These systems required equally exceptional speakers, and BeoLab Penta more than met the challenge. Moreover, the light display on the column base indicated the active music source. For seamless integration, Beolink® allowed you to enjoy music throughout your home, further enhancing the listening experience.
Type Numbers
BeoLab Penta 1
6601 (1986) 05/89
6605 (AUS) (1986) 10/89
6602 (GB) (1986) 10/89
6604 (J) (1986) 11/89
6603 (USA) (1986) 11/89
BeoLab Penta 2
6621 (1989) 05/92
6625 (AUS) (1989) 09/91
6622 (GB) (1989) 10/91
6624 (J) (1989) 01/92
6623 (USA) (1989) 12/91
BeoLab Penta 3
6631 (1991) 05/2000
6635 (AUS) (1991) 05/2000
6632 (GB) (1991) 05/2000
6634 (J) (1991) 05/2000
6633 (USA) (1991) 05/2000
Designer Gideon Lindinger-Lowy
Manufactured 1986 – 2000
Colour Options Aluminium/Grey
BeoCenter Product Specifications
Power Handling and Performance
RMS Power Handling Capacity: 150 watts
Music Power Handling Capacity: 200 watts
Frequency Range (+4 to -8 dB): 40 – 20,000 Hz
Power at 96 dB SPL: 2.5 watts
Sensitivity: 92 dB
Distortion
250 – 1000 Hz: <0.5%
1000 Hz: <0.5%
Cabinet and Drivers
Cabinet Principle Bass Reflex
Driver Configuration
Woofer: 4 units, 13 cm
Mid-range: 4 units, 8 cm
Tweeter: 2.5 cm
Net Cabinet Volume: 32 litres
Amplifier and Power Supply
Power Amplifier
Bass level switch: Linear, +3 dB/40 Hz, +6 dB/40 Hz
Sensitivity: 3 dB, -3 dB, -6 dB
Power Supply
6601: 220V
6602/6605: 240V
6603: 120V
6604: 100V
Power frequency: 50-60 Hz
Power Consumption: Max 300 W / Stand-by: 2 W
Dimensions and Weight BeoLab Penta 1
Dimensions (W x H x D): 5-13.5 x 165 cm (incl. stand)
Weight: 24 kg
Connections
Line Phono Plugs
Power Input: 4-pin DIN spring-loaded contacts
Power and Performance
Long-Term Maximum Power (IEC): 320 watts
Maximum Noise Power (IEC): 150 watts
Impedance: 8 ohms
Frequency Range (+4 to -8 dB): 40 – 20,000 Hz
Power at 96 dB SPL (1m): 2.5 watts
Sensitivity (1 W, 1m): 92 dB
Distortion:
• 0.250 – 6 kHz: <0.5%
Cabinet and Driver Configuration
Cabinet Principle: Bass Reflex
Driver Configuration
Woofer: 4 units, 13 cm
Mid-range: 4 units, 8 cm
Tweeter: 2.5 cm
Net Cabinet Volume: 32 litres
Amplifier and Power Supply
Power Amplifier
Long-term maximum power (IEC): 300 watts
RMS (DIN): 175 watts
IHF: 150 watts
Total harmonic distortion (IHF): <0.015%
Intermodulation (IHF): <0.02%
Dynamic headroom: >1.5 dB
Bass Extension Switch: 0 dB, +3 dB, +6 dB
Input Level Switch: 0 dB, -3 dB, -6 dB
Dynamic Clipping Attenuator: Automatic
Power Consumption
Max: 300 W
Stand-by: 2 W
Dimensions and Weight
W x H x D): 22 x 165 x 20.5 cm
(Stand): 35.5 x 4 x 34 cm
Weight: 24 kg
Connections
Power Link
Speaker Link
Dimensions and Weight BeoLab Penta 3
Dimensions (W x H x D): 22 x 165 x 34 cm
Weight: 12 kg
Cabinet and Finish
Cabinet Finish: Stainless Steel
Power Consumption
Typical: 24 watts
Stand-by: < 2.5 watts
Mains Voltage
6630 KOR: 120V
6631 EU: 230V
6632 GB: 230V
6633 USA-CDN: 120V
6634 J: 100V
6635 AUS: 240V
Performance Specifications
Maximum Sound Pressure Level (stereo, pair): 103 dB
Power Amplifier Modules: 1 unit
Long-Term Maximum Output Power (per module): 281 watts
Effective Frequency Range: 39 – 20,000 Hz
Bass Equalizer Switch: 0 dB, -3 dB, +6 dB
Driver Configuration
Woofer: 4 x 13 cm
Midrange: 4 x 8 cm
Tweeter: 2.5 cm
Net Volume: 32 litres
Connections
Power Link: 2
Phono (Line): 1
Speaker Link
Beolab Penta MK 1 service manual can be downloaded here for free.
Beolab Penta MK 2 service manual can be downloaded here for free.
Beolab Penta MK 3 service manual can be downloaded here for free.
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