BANG & OLUFSEN BM 5 1960S - STEREO FIGURE EIGHT PASSIV RIBBON - XLR

Complete Bang & Olufsen Beomic BM 5 stereo ribbon microphone system

Stacked figure-eight ribbon elements with adjustable stereo angle and presence

High reaching concept with incredible timeless delivery.

OPTICAL CONDITION
Mint , minimal sines of handling. no signs of use.

INCLUDED
Original wooden B&O case,

Original holder

Tripod system with three removable legs

Original cable system

Adapter to dual XLR

Mono mode Cap

MODEL DESCRIPTION

The Bang & Olufsen Beomic BM 5 is an exceptionally elegant stereo ribbon microphone system from the 1960s. Two figure-eight ribbon microphones are arranged directly above one another, with the upper section rotating to adjust the angle between them and therefore the stereo pickup.

At 90°, the two ribbons can be used as a coincident figure 8 stereo pair, while the upper microphone can also be removed, leaving the lower section available as a conventional mono ribbon microphone.

Controls built directly into the microphone provide Music / Talk response selection, as well as polarity and mute functions. The result is a remarkably versatile recording system contained within an extremely slender microphone body.

BUILD & DESIGN

The BM 5 is a wonderful example of Bang & Olufsen's approach to functional design, with exceptional build quality and an unusually refined level of finish throughout.

The long satin-metal body is beautifully executed, with precise horizontal acoustic openings, clean transitions between the two microphone sections and restrained red markings for the controls and stereo angle. Even by the standards of professional microphones of its period, the quality of the mechanical construction and finish is immediately apparent.

The mounting system is equally thoughtful. The microphone sits above a ball-joint pivot, allowing 360° rotation together with a controlled range of tilt. Three removable metal legs create a wide triangular footprint beneath it.

The geometry is particularly clever: the available tilt is coordinated with the footprint of the stand, allowing the microphone to lean substantially while its centre of mass remains within the support provided by the three legs. The microphone therefore remains balanced and self-supporting throughout its intended adjustment range.

Everything packs neatly into the original wooden B&O case — microphone, holder, tripod legs and cabling. The materials, finish and mechanical execution make the BM 5 feel less like a microphone supplied with accessories and more like one complete recording instrument.

SOUND

The two passive ribbon elements have classic figure-eight characteristics, with a frequency response extending to approximately 13 kHz.

Sonically, the BM 5 has the smooth and naturally restrained upper range associated with classic ribbon microphones, while its coincident two-ribbon construction makes it particularly attractive for natural stereo recording.

This example is fully functional and exceptionally preserved, with both ribbon channels tested to be working correctly.

For a microphone of this period, the BM 5 remains remarkably practical: mono or stereo operation, adjustable stereo angle, selectable response, polarity control and an integrated positioning system — all without active electronics or external powering.

The BM 5 is an unusually complete piece of microphone engineering, combining stereo recording, exceptional construction and beautifully considered industrial design 

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