Hi Tommy.

I work in a B & O store and get asked this fairly often. You can use your BeoLab speakers in a non-B&O surround sound system but you will need to source a surround sound processor that has a line out (i.e. non-amplified).

The best person I find to speak to about this is Steve @ Sounds Heavenly (there is a link at the bottom of this page i think). Give hima call or email and he will be able to help you out tremendously. I know he has helped me with various problems.

You will also need a center channel I would guess.

Good luck

Dave

Just sent a mail to steve §:-)

I would really like B&O to offer a stand-alone processor, even though it of course would compete with their own TV's.

tv800 wrote:

I would really like B&O to offer a stand-alone processor, even though it of course would compete with their own TV's.

They do...

Hi Tommy, have you thought about any of the TV's Lifestyle AV have for sale? Many of those come with surround sound modules along with huge savings on a new TV price?

Regards,
Cal

Yes but isn't the BS3 more a sophiticated stage Manager with endless options ... than a surroundprocessor? I don't need options for projektor, controlling curtains and a built-in expressomaschine .......... I just need a surroundprocessor, just like the optionel surround-module that can  be built in the BeoVisions ....

The BS3 is a very expensive surround processor and would be overkill for what you need.  Unfortunately there aren't a lot of options.  I have a 55" Samsung because I wasn't interested in the B&O Tv prices.  So, I went with an older (US only) BS1.  It is big and clunky, but does the job for me and I got it quite cheap.

Probably your best bet is to get a surround processor from a manufacturer or a receiver with a pre-amp output.  Like someone above said you just need the pre-amp outs and then you will run RCA lines to the Beolabs or get an RCA to powerlink adapter.  There is one problem with this setup, however.  Since the Beolabs will go to standby when they don't get a signal, the rear surrounds will sometimes click on and off during a movie if they do not get any signals in the surround channels.  This wouldn't happen so much with an action movie but like dramas, etc where all the info is in the front speakers it may be an annoying issue.

Look around for a BS 1 or BS 2 there are often some floating around at dealers etc

macjonny1 wrote:

The BS3 is a very expensive surround processor and would be overkill for what you need.  Unfortunately there aren't a lot of options.  I have a 55" Samsung because I wasn't interested in the B&O Tv prices.  So, I went with an older (US only) BS1.  It is big and clunky, but does the job for me and I got it quite cheap.

Probably your best bet is to get a surround processor from a manufacturer or a receiver with a pre-amp output.  Like someone above said you just need the pre-amp outs and then you will run RCA lines to the Beolabs or get an RCA to powerlink adapter.  There is one problem with this setup, however.  Since the Beolabs will go to standby when they don't get a signal, the rear surrounds will sometimes click on and off during a movie if they do not get any signals in the surround channels.  This wouldn't happen so much with an action movie but like dramas, etc where all the info is in the front speakers it may be an annoying issue.

All you have to connect is the pre outs? Thats it? Does the signal and volume control go through the same wire? I have always wanted to know how a non B&O reciever and Labs connect. That seems too simple🤔

evman140 wrote:

All you have to connect is the pre outs? Thats it? Does the signal and volume control go through the same wire? I have always wanted to know how a non B&O reciever and Labs connect. That seems too simple🤔

No volume control at all. When you connect to the line input on the Beolabs, they are basically blasting at full volume all the time - you control the volume with what you feed to them. That is why you need a preamp with controlled volume outputs.

There may be issues with ground loops if/when the Beolabs get their power from a different mains socket than the amp. This might cause a mains hum that prevents the speakers from turning off.