One of the strangest Bang and Olufsen units ever made. Suggested by the design team of Passer and Petersen, only 25 of these units were produced in 1989 primarily based on the CDX-2 chassis. Incorporating a well known external design from the 1930s, the Hyperbo 5CD was an unusual beast to say the least. Standing at only near 20 inches tall the 5CD was best used as a nightstand although it was impractical as such due to the installation of the upper mounted CD mechanism. It would probably be best to describe the 5CD as a “nightstand alarm clock with CD player” since the microprocessor was a very powerful device with up to 99 different timer modes. With AM and FM capability the 5CD should have given Sharper Image something to sweat about but it was never to be realized as such.

The original Hyperbo 5RG Steel from the 1930s was obviously a mono unit whereas the modern 5CD was fitted with stereo speakers which were quite unusual in placement. It didn’t sound bad at all when the listener was lying down. A drawer on the bottom left could house up to 5 CDs in their cases and had a special space reserved for an optional Beocom telephone. On the right side of the unit DIN connectors were added for external speakers along with an additional plug for an electric razor. The DIN speaker connectors were of the “three pin type” traditionally seen on Datalink capable B&O units but the 5CD had no Datalink capability. On the left side of the unit a recessed carrying handle was installed thus suggesting that the 5CD was easily transportable for use on automotive trips or picnics.

Handheld remote control was not available for the 5CD but for some strange reason the “Sound” button on a Beolink 1000 would cause the CD to begin playing if the CD tray was in the loading position.

The most unique contraption in the 5CD is in how a CD is loaded. A touch sensor on the control panel is activated and the hinged top moved to the left while the CD tray lifted upwards. Once a CD was placed on the tray and “Play CD” pressed the tray would descend while the hinged top would close. Clamping of the CD onto the spindle was unbelievably incredible. Two tractor belts would slide a hidden CD clamp from the left of the cabinet into place over the CD and once the hinged cover was completely closed it would cause pressure against the clamp. It worked well and was a very smooth and quiet operation.

An internal power supply was not designed into the Hyperbo 5CD so the use of an external “wall wart” was necessary. The unit could also be powered by 24 “D” size batteries.

With a cost of over $5500 the Hyperbo 5CD was a tough hot-dog to peddle. Serial Number 5 was purchased in 1990 by the late Victor Borge. Only 3 of these units are accounted for and the whereabouts of Borge’s #5 is completely unknown. Rumor has it that Serial Number 7 is in the MOMA but records verifying this fact do not exist. Those fortunate enough to own a Hyperbo 5CD are lucky, lucky, lucky. You won’t find these babies on eBay anytime soon.

(The unit shown is Serial Number 13 and comes from the Martin Olsen Collection on loan to Beomuse for a length of time to be determined at a later date.)

© Copyright Anthony Garza, used with permission.