Bang & Olufsen Makes Surround Sound Pretty

Surround sound systems were all the rage a decade or so ago, but they've been overshadowed by simpler speakers like soundbars and iPod docks. So it's nice to see Bang & Olufsen inject some flash into the category with the BeoLab 14.

The BeoLab 14 doesn't look like your typical surround system. Instead of rectangular dark boxes, the speakers are round silver rings. The can be wall-mounted or placed on stands, and there are even optional ceiling mounts if you want to go that route.

Regardless of how your room wears them, the speakers' shiny aluminum rings will make it look pretty snazzy. Bang & Olufsen says it deliberately jacked up the style factor — even for B&O — to make the speakers more palatable to women, who tend to make the final decisions about home décor, according to the company's research. Read more...