WOLF retro DESIGN REVIEW. 17th December 2024
Back to the future!
A retro review looks at products that are at least over ten years old from a present-day WOLF design perspective. While the technology and fashion of the period influence design, and are taken into consideration, great design ideas can transcend their eras to be timeless.
Interesting and factual information may be provided, but our review aims to deliver insight from the perspective of a designer’s mind and eyes.
Pentastic!
Introduction
Product Focus
As with most reviews the focus is on a products design and its evolution within a particular industry. The functioning systems, technology and sound quality are not necessarily considered.
Product description
The Penta speakers were created by Danish company Bang & Olufsen. They were first introduced in 1986 and remained in production for 14 years until the year 2000. So called Penta for its Pentagonal cross section, this was Bang & Olufsen’s top-of-the-line speaker.
Price and Availability.
When new these speakers were over Aust $10,000+, which was huge dollars at the time. They do occasionally come up second hand and in working order can command between $1000 and $3000 depending on condition.
Additional information
The Penta was launched as the Penta I, progressed to be the Penta II and finished as the Penta III. While visually all Penta speakers look almost identical, it was regularly improved and updated throughout its 14-year reign.
Review
Back to the future in 1986!
First impression/ Delight
The Penta’s come from a time when slender tower speakers were uncommon, perhaps even unbelievable. Considering how sophisticated these are, one can only marvel at how futuristic they appeared back in the 1980s. Today they are still marvelous though proportionately hard to identify with because of its height and pentagonal shape. Indeed, they are unique, futuristic and iconic for Bang & Olufsen.
High rise towers!
Exterior Design Review
At 165cm in height, the Penta speakers are tall, and to date remain the tallest ever manufactured by Bang & Olufsen. Each Tower sits on a 1-inch thick base that is also in the shape of a pentagon extending approximately 5cm from each of the towers five sides. The speaker’s weight of 24kg on this thin base is amazingly sufficient enough to keep the speakers relatively sturdy. At the base is also a dark grey plastic section with a single LED light and an operating panel at the front. This allows for the fine tuning of bass reproduction at three levels.
The tower is shaped as a pentagon for acoustic reasons and according to Bang & Olufsen will sound good wherever they are positioned. The towers are encased in brushed stainless-steel panels that both reflect and absorb their surroundings. This was intentional to create a more unassuming presence. The front of the speakers are defined by grey cloth clad covers which returns around the sides and tops by 5cm. The cover is beautifully separated from the stainless steel by a 7mm wide golden strip.
Around one third of the way down is black acrylic display panel that was very novel and cool back in the day. The LED display was orange on the Penta I & Penta II and then changed to green on the Penta III. Extending away from the display screen is a series of dark grey plastic ribs that seem to be more decorative than functional.
Beautifully folded metal corners and edges.
It’s almost unbelievable that these were from the 1980s.
Craftmanship.
In true Bang & Olufsen tradition these speakers were made with the finest materials and built to last. The brushed stainless-steel panels are flat and beautifully finished. This does however make them prone to finger prints and dints.
All corners and edges have exquisite detailing with bevels and fine shadow lines. There is not a visible screw or fastening bolt in sight which is incredible for an object with relatively complex geometry and a mix of different materials. The speaker fabric is like thick pantyhose and very fine compared to most speaker fabrics. It is prone to tearing and after a few decades many will have a small hole or two, usually along the edges.
The base clad in clear acrylic over a reflective surface cleverly mirrors the height of the tower into the ground. The acrylic is thick but still prone to scuffs and scratches. We have also seen some with chips and cracks as they are prone to being knocked by shoes, brooms and vacuum cleaners.
A single gold stripe is all that was needed to create the desired level of luxurious elegance for speaker that cost as much as a small car when new.
All panels are separated my millimeter-wide shadow line gaps.
FUNCTION- Experience.
The Penta speakers have a small foot print so don’t take up much space but being tall they do have imposing presence. At 165cm in height you may also struggle to transport them in your average small car.
They look very much at ease in most corners but were also capable of standing proud in the middle of an open space. Once in place you’ll want to avoid touching them with your bare hands as the stainless steel finger prints easily.
The covers are removable for access to the speakers but be careful not to damage the fine speaker fabric.. The controls are accessed via a concealed push and pop out panel at the base. The springs in these can ware over time to leave the panels permanently in an open position (as with the one in this review).
The display is conveniently positioned at the level of your eyes and is a retro delight.
Desirability / Collectability and what to look for.
These speakers were built to last and most are still functioning as they did when new. Many however, would have been restored or serviced to some degree and this is normally with regards to the speakers and cloth covers. Support and parts are still available through Bang & Olufsen but we also noticed a lot of spare parts available online in places such as eBay.
Being far ahead of their time they still look incredible and very contemporary today. Expect to pay over Aust $3000 for a pair of Penta III speakers in immaculate condition. Immaculate means that they will function as they should with all original parts. Cosmetically the metal panels should be dint free and cloth covers should be void of stains or rips. Scruffy ones can be found for under $1000 but can be expensive to restore so proceed with caution.
The Bang & Olufsen name is discretely printed on a thin acrylic band located just above the control panel at the base.
WORD OF THE WOLF
The Penta Speakers were so futuristic when new, yet at the same time they are so classic 80s. For certain they remain an iconic piece of Bang Olufsen’s history and to be respected. While we don’t normally comment on sound quality, the quality of sound from such a unique shape did pleasantly surprise us. We love the design which is feels as futuristic now as it dis back then. Even without sound they stand confident as a sculptural art pieces. If you come across a mint pair they are certainly something to seriously consider.
WOLF DESIGN EXCELLENCE SCORE = 8.5
With an impressive 8.5 the Penta speakers have one of the highest scores achieved in all of our reviews.
Disclaimer
The information in this review is intended for informational or educational purposes to provide readers an understanding of how something may be seen from a certain design perspective. In this case it is from the view point of WOLF DESIGNS. As design is subjective this review should only be considered as an independent opinion. Information further to being of an opinion is provided to the best of our knowledge based on our own research at the time of doing the review. We cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies or inconsistencies and reserve the right to change or update any content as appropriate.
The final responsibility of the design resides with the original manufacturer.
