How do Bang and Olufsen stereo sound?

Vast majority of stereo gear is rather industrial looking and drab. Well good aesthetic design tends to cost more, most of us are looking for sound more than decoration, so it makes sense. Audiophiles also get a lot of their cues from the professional market, where the rack stuff comes from and practicality rules over decoration. But just because something is stylish doesn't mean it can't be good audio. B&O may not be the best, but then nobody knows what the best is either. Are you paying a little for style? Sure you are.

But there's more than a little technology in there. The moving iron (fixed coil) technology Peter Ledermann uses at Soundsmith comes from working with B&O. That ain't no small thing. More going on than meets the eye.

The question, "Will Vanatuu speakers beat it?" is whack. First, it's not about speakers. Everything matters. Second, it's not about beating anything or anyone. It's all about getting the sound you want. So third, it's not about you. It's about her. What does she want?

I recently almost got a pair of Beolab 5. One speaker was not self-calibrating correctly, so I withdrew, but not before listening to them.
I liked the sound very much. For me the strengths more than outweighted weaknesses, and I liked the design.
At the other end of the range, I had a Beosound A2 (untill my daughter took it from me to use in her tiny student’s flat in Paris). Its noway near Beolab 5, but for its size it could be among the best portable speakers I have heard.
Not all B&O are equal, but they can sound very good.

Agree with the sentiments of @frogman. I owned a B&O turntable years ago and replaced it with a Well Tempered turntable which was a significant step upward. However the B&O was certainly a decent/solid product. 
Charles 

I have a Beogram linear-track TT in my collection. With its B&O MI cartridge it is an excellent performer - and neat to watch in action!

Thank you so much for all those who took the time to post for me - you guys are great!