BeoMaster 1900
Audio System
1978 (made)
1978 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
The Beomaster 1900 was one of Danish consumer electronics company, Bang and Olufsen's, most successful products in terms of sales. When it was launched, its radical minimalist appearance marked a departure in receiver design, and its descendants remained part of the Beomaster range for over 20 years.
The touch sensitive controls were highly innovative and used a technique which would become known as “sensi-touch”. The functions were divided into 'primary' and 'secondary' groups, with the primary functions arranged on the front panel and secondary functions, such as, tuning the 5 FM stations, treble, bass and balance control, AFC/FM stereo selection etc were concealed under an aluminium lift up lid. The position of the sliding controls for treble, bass and balance were visible without opening the lid and looked like 'electronic' data but were made from clear plastic film carefully printed with a black pattern, and a red lamp behind.
The design continued to be produced with only minor alterations for many years, only changing substantially when the Beomaster 2000 was launched.
The touch sensitive controls were highly innovative and used a technique which would become known as “sensi-touch”. The functions were divided into 'primary' and 'secondary' groups, with the primary functions arranged on the front panel and secondary functions, such as, tuning the 5 FM stations, treble, bass and balance control, AFC/FM stereo selection etc were concealed under an aluminium lift up lid. The position of the sliding controls for treble, bass and balance were visible without opening the lid and looked like 'electronic' data but were made from clear plastic film carefully printed with a black pattern, and a red lamp behind.
The design continued to be produced with only minor alterations for many years, only changing substantially when the Beomaster 2000 was launched.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 4 parts. (Some alternative part names are also shown below)
|
| Title | BeoMaster 1900 (manufacturer's title) |
| Materials and techniques | Metal alloy and perspex |
| Brief description | BeoMaster 1900 audio system with peripherals; Jacob Jensen for Bang and Olufsen, Denmark; 1978 |
| Physical description | A metal receiver with a streamlined, minimal silhouette and touch-sensitive controls for operating the most frequently used switches. The secondary features and adjustments are protected by a hinged lid and an illuminated readout panel provides the receiver's operational status. |
| Dimensions |
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| Production type | Mass produced |
| Gallery label | BANG & OLUFSEN BEOMASTER COMBINED FM STEREO TUNER AND HI-FI AMPLIFIER MODEL 1900
Designed by Jakob Jensen (Danish, born 1926)
Made by Bang & Olufsen, Jutland, Denmark, 1975
Metal alloy and perspex
Given by Director Grue, B&O, Jutland
W.50-1978
The abstract minimalism of this B&O hi-fi component is not only expressed in its monochromatic surfaces and sleek, engineered lines but in the absence of pronounced mechanical switches. A touch-sensitive electronic panel controls the entire system.(ca.1992) |
| Credit line | Given by Bang & Olufsen |
| Object history | This object was acquired specifically for the 1978 exhibition 'Objects: the V&A Collects, 1974-1978', it was given by the manufacturer [RF 78/854]. Commenting on the V&A's decision to show this object its curator, Anna Somers Cocks, commented: 'We wanted Bang & Olufsen because we think it is the most exciting hi-fi system for some time. It has very clean lines and is touch sensitive... has a completely smooth silhouette and features in our modern room set in which we have put items we regard to be of exceptional design' (taken from Bang & Olufsen press statement, June 1978 [ 78/679]) |
| Historical context | The system can be operated electronically. The control panel has no buttons or knobs. When switched on, the Beogram 4002 will assess the record size, and thereby the required speed, and lowers the stylus into the lead-in groove. The amplifier and tuner is operated by touching an electronic panel. Volume is raised and lowered by resting a finger on the control panel until the desired volume is reached. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | The Beomaster 1900 was one of Danish consumer electronics company, Bang and Olufsen's, most successful products in terms of sales. When it was launched, its radical minimalist appearance marked a departure in receiver design, and its descendants remained part of the Beomaster range for over 20 years. The touch sensitive controls were highly innovative and used a technique which would become known as “sensi-touch”. The functions were divided into 'primary' and 'secondary' groups, with the primary functions arranged on the front panel and secondary functions, such as, tuning the 5 FM stations, treble, bass and balance control, AFC/FM stereo selection etc were concealed under an aluminium lift up lid. The position of the sliding controls for treble, bass and balance were visible without opening the lid and looked like 'electronic' data but were made from clear plastic film carefully printed with a black pattern, and a red lamp behind. The design continued to be produced with only minor alterations for many years, only changing substantially when the Beomaster 2000 was launched. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | W.50-1978 |
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| Record created | June 24, 2009 |
| Record URL |
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