My MarkII's both have 2.5.55678 as well.

link

link

Did you ever get any answer from B&O support regarding that issue?

They did answer but I didn’t get it to work – sorry I should have updated that other thread. They advised me to update the software (which I already had) and asked me to confirm the connections – I sent a copy of the NL/ML eye wiring diagram from the ML handbook and they didn’t say it was wrong. I also asked them to confirm when to set A,OPT 1 – once they understood the question they told me that it should be done when the Essence is in ‘Network Standby’ – again, I had already tried this. So I have given up! If there are new SW updates I will check again. Otherwise, it would be useful to know if anyone has got it to work recently, either with the newer JOIN ML IR eye or the older TIMER version that I am trying.

I have 1 used for the bathroom with the newer ir (Join) receiver in the wall.

I remember that I had to change the option setting. But whether it was 1,2 or 4. Just try. The join"button always works instantly, but responding to the remote (Beo4 in plastic) needed the option instruction. But I can't remember as it (still) works for the past 5-6 yrs.

IR Eye (JOIN button, RJ-45 [8P8C/ethernet connector]) accepts IR commands on Beosound Essence Mk2 under software 2.5.55678.170713653. The IR Eye was configured to A.OPT 2 using a Beo4 while the Essence was on standby.

Before configuring A.OPT2, the Essence had been factory reset and subsequently set to my home’s environment, i.e., network, Deezer password, etc.  Upon plugging in the IR Eye, its buttons activated their respective functions, but it responded to no IR commands.

The IR Eye was unplugged from a working ML/NL Converter.  Inconsistency: on the NL/ML, the IR Eye plugs into the slot marked IR IN - RS232, whereas on the Essence it plugs into the slot marked IR-IN.

I was unable to find nor download any newer version sw for Essence, neither using the “modern” B&O app’s “product settings” nor digging into the “configure” menu on the B&O app which takes you to the product’s original web server page and duplicates and expands the B&O app functionality.

Thanks @Beobuddy, and thanks also to @XavierItzmann for those IR tests.  It's good to know that it is possible to get IR control working, although it's strange that I seem to have been able to get a later SW version.  (But mine was previously at 2.5.556 and IR didn't work then either).  I have tried all those combinations of factory reset, different option settings etc.

I will wait for the next SW update, and if that doesn't cure my fault I think I will open it up and check a few components as suggested by @madskp in the other thread

I set up my Essence Mk2 for the first time for a few weeks today, and noticed that another software update was available - namely 2.6.56379.258833281

Details are shown here (and unusually for the site it shows the date of release as 30 Sep 24):