After a two-decade decline, CD sales saw a surprising resurgence last year, sparking cautious optimism for the revival of this once-beloved audio medium. However, one audio hardware manufacturer has seized the opportunity and taken a bold step.
Bang & Olufsen has announced the direct reissue of classic products from the 1990s. The new Beosystem 9000c music system features a fully restored and redesigned Beosound 9000 CD player, designed to be paired with the company's modern Beolab 28 speakers, promising an "immersive auditory experience." The price for just a pair of speakers exceeds $20,000.
Mads Kogsgaard Hansen, Bang & Olufsen's Product Lifecycle and Portfolio Planning Manager, stated that besides showcasing their commitment to product longevity, they also aim to celebrate the revival of physical media in recent years.
Hansen added, "Vinyl records and CDs have become something special again, where people invest time and energy to connect with their favorite music and artists."
With the Beosound 9000, the CD art is prominently displayed as all six CDs can be seen under a glass cover, rather than being hidden inside the machine.
This isn't Bang & Olufsen's first time bringing back classic products from its hardware catalog. In 2020, the company rediscovered 95 units of the Beogram 4000 series turntables and "brought them home" to Denmark for restoration. Each device underwent a complete disassembly, inspection, cleaning, and necessary repairs.
Bang & Olufsen recently uncovered a stock of 200 Beosound 9000 CD players and brought them back to the factory where they were originally produced in 1996. These six-disc CD changers, equipped with built-in AM/FM radios, were completely disassembled and reworked by a skilled technical team, some of whom had helped manufacture the Beosound 9000 years ago. Each changer underwent individual testing and fine-tuning to meet the company's strict specifications.
The system also comes with a Beoremote One for control, but users can also opt to control the player through Beolab 28 speakers and smartphones.
The Bang & Olufsen Beosystem 9000c will be showcased in select stores worldwide. Priced at 50,000 euros (53,553.30 USD), it is limited to a production run of 200 units.
