While luxury audio brands might take inspiration from their past, Bang & Olufsen is literally using their own heritage for modern releases. The latest in their Recreated Classics series is the Beosystem 3000c, and it’s so stunning that you might wonder why companies aren’t pulling from their own archival pieces more often. To celebrate its 100th anniversary, the Danish brand is restoring 100 of its 1985 Beogram 3000 turntables, but only after each one’s been stripped down, rebuilt, and paired with contemporary Beolab 8 speakers.
The Art of Resurrection
Bang & Olufsen’s Recreated Classics series has become something of a masterclass in high-end restoration. Rather than simply reissuing vintage designs with modern guts, the company actually hunts down original units and restores them for a modern market, all while preserving the soul that made them special in the first place. The Beosystem 3000c marks the third entry in this program, following the Beogram 4000c turntable and the Beosound 9000 vertical CD player.
For the Beosystem 3000c, each of the 100 numbered units starts life as an actual vintage Beogram 3000 that Bang & Olufsen has reacquired. From there, every aluminum component gets pearl-blasted and brushed at the company’s Factory 5 in Struer, Denmark, while the signature tangential tracking mechanism — an engineering marvel that keeps the tonearm perfectly perpendicular to the record throughout play — receives a complete overhaul with modern tolerances.
When the Beogram 3000 debuted in 1985, it was noticeably more compact than other units on the market. Today, it still looks ahead of its time. Aesthetically, the resurrected turntable is as handsome as ever, featuring a distinct platter design with outward lines. Meanwhile, the base is elevated to give off the impression that the unit is floating on your credenza.
Where Heritage Meets High-Tech
The beauty of the Beosystem 3000c lies in how it bridges two distinct listening experiences without compromising on either. The turntable portion maintains all the analog warmth and the intimate ritual of actually playing vinyl records, complete with a precision-machined solid walnut back cover. However, it’s all paired with two Beolab 8 wireless speakers so you can stream Spotify Connect, Tidal, and AirPlay.
The Beolab 8s were selected for a reason, not just because of the matching walnut lamellas and pearl-blasted aluminum shells but because of their studio-quality active monitoring that pairs well with this, or any, turntable setup. The wireless connectivity means you can position them optimally for your room acoustics rather than being tethered to the constraints of your traditional bookshelf speakers.
The Sustainable Luxury Angle
Aside from being a unique way to resurrect a vintage product, the Beosystem 3000c also has a positive environmental impact by the mere virtue of repurposing old tech. By giving these vintage turntables a second life, Bang & Olufsen bucks the industry strategy of planned obsolescence.
The tangential tracking technology itself deserves recognition here. While most turntables rely on pivoted tonearms that introduce tracking error as they move across the record, the Beogram 3000’s inherent linear tracking system eliminates distortion by maintaining a constant 90-degree angle to the groove. This was revolutionary in 1985 and remains impressive today, especially when executed with this level of precision. Oh yeah, and it just so happens to look great on your cabinet too.
Spec Sheet
Model: Bang & Olufsen Beosystem 3000c
Type: Semi-automatic turntable with wireless speakers
Turntable: Remanufactured Beogram 3000 with tangential tracking
Speakers: Beolab 8 wireless active monitors
Materials: Artisan walnut, pearl-blasted aluminum
Connectivity: Wireless streaming, vinyl playback
Limited Edition?: Yes, 100
Price: $30,000
Pricing & Availability
Limited to just 100 numbered pieces, the Beosystem 3000c is available now through select Bang & Olufsen stores and the company’s website, with each unit made to order for an eyebrow-raising $30,000.
Recap
Bang & Olufsen Beosystem 3000c
Bang & Olufsen restored 100 of its 1985 Beogram 3000 turntables and gave them a modern purpose by pairing them with wireless speakers for streaming.
