BeoLab 28 vs BeoLab 50
Bang & Olufsen's Premium Floor-Standers Compared
Both are statement floor-standing speakers. But they are built for very different rooms — and very different budgets.
When Bang & Olufsen introduced the BeoLab 28, it gave serious hi-fi listeners something genuinely new: a tall, elegant floor-stander with Beam Width Control, Active Room Compensation, and wireless connectivity — at a price that, while never cheap, was attainable for dedicated enthusiasts. The BeoLab 50, by contrast, remains one of the most technologically sophisticated loudspeakers ever made, occupying a different stratosphere entirely.
This guide breaks down exactly what separates these two speakers, who each one is for, and how to decide between them.
| Specification | BeoLab 28 | BeoLab 50 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | 3-way floor-standing active speaker | 3-way floor-standing active speaker |
| Drivers | 1× tweeter, 1× midrange, 2× woofers | 1× tweeter, 2× midrange, 3× woofers |
| Total amplification | 800W (4 channels) | 2,100W (8 channels) |
| Beam Width Control | Yes (Narrow / Wide) | Yes (Narrow / Wide / Omnidirectional) |
| Active Room Compensation | Yes | Yes (more advanced) |
| Wireless connectivity | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Powerlink, WiSA | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Powerlink, WiSA |
| Omnidirectional mode | No | Yes — bass fires in all directions |
| Physical dimensions | Slimmer, contemporary tower | Broader, more imposing sculpture |
| Approx. UK price (pair) | From ~£14,000 | From ~£26,000 |
| Colours / finishes | Black, Natural, Brass Tone, Gold Tone | Black, Silver, Gold Tone |
Swipe table to scroll
The BeoLab 28 is, by any measure, a beautiful loudspeaker. Its tall, slim profile — clad in either anodised aluminium or a choice of fabric covers — makes it suitable for modern living spaces where a speaker shouldn't dominate a room. It looks purposeful without being imposing.
The BeoLab 50 is a different kind of object. Wider, weightier, and more architecturally dramatic, it makes no apologies for its presence. Both speakers are made at Bang & Olufsen's Factory 5 in Struer, Denmark, with the finish quality you'd expect at this price level.
The BeoLab 28 is remarkably capable for its size and price. Beam Width Control allows you to focus the soundstage — choosing Narrow mode for a more precise stereo image, or Wide mode to fill a room with sound. Active Room Compensation adjusts the frequency response based on placement near walls or corners.
The BeoLab 50 takes all of this further. With over twice the amplification, three woofers in a push-push-push arrangement, and true omnidirectional bass capability, it fills large rooms with authority that the BeoLab 28 simply cannot match. The BeoLab 50 was designed alongside the BeoVision Eclipse TV and was built to anchor a serious home cinema or high-end listening room.
Both speakers integrate into the full Bang & Olufsen ecosystem via Beolink Multiroom, support WiSA for wireless home cinema setups, and connect to Bang & Olufsen televisions via Powerlink. Both work with the B&O App for source selection, room compensation, and sound customisation. There is no meaningful difference here — ecosystem integration is equally strong on both models.
You want flagship B&O sound in a considered, liveable package
The BeoLab 28 is the right choice for most serious enthusiasts. It delivers genuine high-end performance in rooms up to around 40–50m², pairs beautifully with B&O TVs and soundbars, and won't overwhelm a domestic space.
You have a large dedicated listening room and an uncompromising budget
The BeoLab 50 is for those who want nothing less than the best B&O can build in a floor-standing speaker. Large rooms, high ceilings, and serious home cinema installations are where it excels beyond the 28's reach.
The BeoLab 28 is the smart choice. The BeoLab 50 is the extraordinary one.
For the vast majority of buyers, the BeoLab 28 represents the better value proposition — and that's before considering the used market, where exceptional examples regularly appear at significantly reduced prices. The BeoLab 50 is genuinely world-class, but its scale demands a room that can justify it.
Currently shopping for a BeoLab speaker?
Browse our current BeoLab inventory at BeoVerse
We stock both new and pre-owned B&O speakers, fully tested and ready to ship.
View BeoLab Speakers