You say you want to connect a games console to the B&W unit ... except it appears to have no audio / video inputs !

The picture of the rear of the unit does not offer enough clarity to decipher how they intend to attach the optional accessory of the iPod connector.

Also the audio outputs for the speakers seem to be oriented to passive speakers:

Multichannel Power (one channel driven)

65 Watts per channel, 20Hz - 20 kHz @

Thanks for your reply, Afer a bit research. I think I just need a surround sound processor to connect between my speakers and all other sources(such as TV dvd player, ipod..), is this correct? Also, from my understanding, as B&O speakers have their own Amplifier built in, so I do not need a processor with build in power Amplifier, right? something like a NAD M15 can do the job perfectly?

Unsurprisingly, most surround sound processors and look similar and quite ugly. I know it is hard to suggest a good looking one, however, can you suggest a few good quality brands with reasonable prices?

Hi Mivsbai,

Yes, the NAD M15 is an ideal pre-amplifier/receiver for connecting Beolab speakers, as it has audio pre-out sockets fitted for direct connection of Beolab 9 and 3 speakers.  I keep these cables in stock if you need them, so please click on my link at the foot of this page if you need any further help.

Basically, the M15 will take in all of your audio and video inputs (eg. games consoles, satellite receivers, CD players, etc) and then provide an HDMI output to your TV, plus control of the speakers.

I would normally suggest looking at the Denon AVR-4311, Yamaha RX-V667 or RX-V1067 or Onkyo TX-NR808 AV processors/receivers, all of which have audio pre-out sockets for easy connection of Beolab speakers for a Dolby surround sound setup.  However, as the manufacturers seem to change their model numbers every few weeks, the best option is to ask your local TV store for an AV receiver with audio pre-out sockets on all channels.

If you need any help with cabling, please feel free to ask!

Kind regards, Steve.

thanks steve,  your comments are very detailed and helpful. Can the Denon or Yamaha av receiver's  produce quality sound? I have looked a few processors, the price range difference is huge, from 100 pound to 1000. Do they have that much difference in term of sound quality? Thx

Hi Steve, one more question is how can i adjust volume? from the av receiver? Does the B&O speakers have volume control?

Hi Mivsbai,

The quality of most branded AV receivers is very good - the usual difference when you go up to the more expensive models is that the number of features increases.  As you will be wanting to connect Beolab speakers, you will ideally need to choose one with audio pre-out sockets fitted on all of the 7.1 audio channels, which means that you will be usually looking at the top-half of the range from most manufacturers to get this feature.  Expect to pay from £500 GBP upwards at current UK prices.

As Beolab speakers don't have their own volume control (except Beolab 5), you would be using the volume control in the AV receiver to control the speakers.  This means that you will use the receiver remote control (and not your B&O remote) to control the speakers.

Kind regards, Steve.

Thanks for your kindly reply again. It's very helpful. As i am very new to this home cinema system set up, I still have a few questions would like to ask.

1, As you have explained, I need a av receiver with audio pre-out socket to connect with B&O speakers. Most of receivers you have recommended already have surround sound or even 3d functions build in, do Ialso need a bluray/dvd player with surround sound and 3d function to match the receiver? Or the receiver has already done all the hard job, I can just go for a simple bluray/dvd player? Do you have any suggestion about any good media player can play all bluray/dvd/cd also with ipod/iphone connectivity?

2, I saw many branded bluray player such as denon, harman kardon have sockets to connect with speakers. As B&O speakers are active, can I just connect B&O speakers directly to those players? I have noticed some of the players have built in amp in order to connect to passive speakers. I guess these media players with amp won't work with B&O speakers, but how about the ones without build in amp? Does the denon bluray player below can handle surround sound and work with B&O speakers directly? Denon player link:

http://www.denon.co.uk/UK/Product/Pages/Product-Detail.aspx?Catid=HomeTheatre&SubId=BlurayUniversalPlayer&ProductId=DBP2012UD

please suggest me If you know any other media player can be connect to B&O speakers directly. Is it possible  to use the media player  'act' as a processor to connect to playstaion 3 through HDMI? It would save lots of money if such a thing exists.

Just one more question, Are all the receiver systems you have recommend intergrated amp? I am not sure about how the pre out function works? Is it the pre out function bypassing receiver's own power amp and send signals direct to B&O spkeaker? Why can't I just use purely preamp? Will purely preamp works better for B&O speakers?

mivsbai wrote:

Thanks for your kindly reply again. It's very helpful. As i am very new to this home cinema system set up, I still have a few questions would like to ask.

1, As you have explained, I need a av receiver with audio pre-out socket to connect with B&O speakers. Most of receivers you have recommended already have surround sound or even 3d functions build in, do Ialso need a bluray/dvd player with surround sound and 3d function to match the receiver? Or the receiver has already done all the hard job, I can just go for a simple bluray/dvd player? Do you have any suggestion about any good media player can play all bluray/dvd/cd also with ipod/iphone connectivity?

2, I saw many branded bluray player such as denon, harman kardon have sockets to connect with speakers. As B&O speakers are active, can I just connect B&O speakers directly to those players? I have noticed some of the players have built in amp in order to connect to passive speakers. I guess these media players with amp won't work with B&O speakers, but how about the ones without build in amp? Does the denon bluray player below can handle surround sound and work with B&O speakers directly? Denon player link:

http://www.denon.co.uk/UK/Product/Pages/Product-Detail.aspx?Catid=HomeTheatre&SubId=BlurayUniversalPlayer&ProductId=DBP2012UD

please suggest me If you know any other media player can be connect to B&O speakers directly. Is it possible  to use the media player  'act' as a processor to connect to playstaion 3 through HDMI? It would save lots of money if such a thing exists.

 

 

 

Greetings

Some points that may assist...

In the B&O world, one gains an exceptionally capable and yet elegant solution to atypical AV separates clutter, by having a B&O TV as the centrepiece of the AV system, and that additionally plays the role of several other pieces of equipment in an aytpical 'generic' AV separates setup.

The excellent V1 is a case in point; it's not just a TV, i.e. a display panel and HD TV tuner, but also incorporates a state of the art surround sound processor, fully active speakers that can do double duty as the centre channel speaker in an surround sound role, and acts as the pre-amp when used with active B&O speakers connected to it.

If one is not using a B&O TV with those additional features onboard, then one will need for an AV role, either a dedicated surround sound processor, such as the Rotel, or the NAD you've mentioned, OR one of the mainstream AV receivers with surround sound processing on-board.

A dedicated surround sound processor will have inputs to which you connect your sources, and outputs to connect to your B&O speakers with the addition of suitable adaptor cables.

And AV receiver will have an onboard surround sound processor, usually up to 7 individual power amplifiers to drive passive loudspeakers, and an FM radio tuner.  As you will be running active B&O speakers, you will need an AV receiver with pre-out facilities as Steve has mentioned.

This will allow you to use the AV receiver as a dedicated processor.  In this scenario though, the 5 or 7 amplifiers will remain quiescent, and thus consuming some little amount of power, and of course giving off some heat which may be a consideration if you're considering placing it in a cabinet.

The advantage of the AV receiver route, is that the surround sound processing will be state of the art, and because of the volume of scale re manufacturing, will likely be a cheaper option to purchase in the initial instance compared to a dedicated surround sound processor.

With respect to the Bluray question - all current mainstream AV receivers will have full Dolby digital True HD and DTS HD Master audio decoding etc on board.

However, if one has an slightly older AV receiver, which may thus not have these latest audio codecs on board, this can be dealt with by purchasing a mid range Bluray player that will likely have the facility to decode these latest audio codecs on board, and output them either over HDMI or by a set of 7.1 channel analogue outputs.  That way, one can utilise an older AV receiver, and 'update' it by purchasing a current Bluray player with all the latest audio and video codecs onboard.

However, the audio outputs will likely be fixed, not variable and thus of little use to you re making a direct connection between one of them and a set of B&O active speakers.

There may be Bluray players out there with variable audio outputs, but I am not aware of them - nor am I aware of any with full surround sound processing onboard to use in the manner you have described - some internet research will be needed.

On the other hand, if your TV is getting on a bit - the V1 represents superb value, is highly competitive with mainstream products on price, and would answer most of your technical needs whilst providing superior picture and sound, and of course the inimitable B&O elegance and style.

What you choose will be up to your budget and individual preferences, but I hope this is of some help in answering your questions.

Kind Regards

John... 😐