How to connect properly Beolab 2 with Beolab 3 and sonos connect

7 replies

Hello to all the community,

 After many years waiting I'm very pleased to have purchased a BeoLab 2 to add it to my Beolab 3 audio system, having looked in the user guide and search in the forums I'm not sure how best to connect it. 

Previously I had the BL3 connected to a digital 3.5mm out in my xiaomi mi box S through the sounds heavenly cable minijack to beolab line in using powerlink sockets, and the Speakers switch in "Line".

Now with the addition of the BL2 initially i have set it up with the 2 power link Out from BL2 to each BL3 with MK3 cables and change the switch in them to Left and Right, from the BL2 i have purchase the adaptor with trigger single/twin rca to beolab 2 from sound heavenly and connected to the RCA outs from the Sonos Connect but it appears to me that is not as powerful as when i had the BL3 stand alone, am i doing something wrong? or i just need to play with the BL2 switch position or perhaps leave the switch in "Line" for the BL3 since i am connecting to the Sonos?

Some advice would be most welcome!

 

Thanks for the idea Steve, i will check once i arrive home an update later.

 

What about the beolab 3? do they have to be in line or as left and rght when connected to the beolab 2?

Hi MadHouseINC,

I've setup a similar system for my father and have a few suggestions:

On the Beolab 2:

There are two switches on the back:

The Setup switch affects the relative volume between the subwoofer and the speakers, for your specific setup I believe the correct position is #2. A different position may make the speakers too loud/quiet compared to the subwoofer - (Ref English Beolab 2 User Manual Page 8, Beolab 3 sensitivity is the same as the speakers in the #2 category)

The Position switch affects the bass output of the subwoofer, free outputs the most, wall is intermediate and corner is the lowest - (Ref English Beolab 2 User Manual Page 9)

On the Sonos Connect: 

There are settings to control the outputs bass, treble, loudness and volume, you can try adjusting these (Recommend disabling loudness by the way as the ABL feature of the speakers duplicates its function)

There is also a setting for the input level: if you are using the analog in on the back of the Sonos Connect you can adjust its volume relative to music. This is done in "Line In Settings" under "Source Level" . Higher level #'s will make this input louder, though if set too high the input will clip.

Volume limiting was introduced late last year, as Steve suggested, make sure this isn't enabled

On the Beolab 3:

You have them connected to the Beolab 2 using Powerlink MK3 cables, Left and Right switch settings are correct

The Position switch - same explanation as above, not as sure about this one but I set this switch to Free when connected through a Beolab 2, the switch position either doesnt matter, or doesnt matter much as it affects frequencies now being outputted by the subwoofer instead

In general:

Steves got it right, the Xiaomi and Sonos Connect may have different relative and maximum output volumes. If there are different EQ's, bass, treble or loudness settings between the two that may also drive that perception.

Anecdotally: I have only turned my fathers system to max volume on the Sonos on two occasions, both by accident.... I doubt I got that hearing back. Provided your space isn't very large the system should be loud enough if everything is working correctly.

Hope that helps.

Best Regards,

Hyponx

wowwww perfect, thanks a lot for the specific info, i am not home right now but as soon as i arrive i will try all that. really helps!

Regards

Sergio

Just an update fo the situation;

I finally manage to be home enough time to follow the instructions from Hypnox and everything is perfect now, all well balance and clear, so many thanks for all the help!

Regards

Sergio

Trying to do the same, but with a Moment (connected to non-B&O TV) and BL3/11. Would be great to get your help. Thanks a lot in advance!

steve1977 wrote:
1) My built-in TV speakers provided audible audio at level 12, while I now need to increase it to 30. Assume there would be some setup to change that the BL3 run at similar volume (12)? Where do I set this up?

2) The BL11 and the BL3 have quite some manual settings over switches. I haven't touched any of them. What would be the optimized setup for what I am doing?

3) What are the pros and cons of using "line in" vs "optical" to connect my non-B&O with my Core? I am currently using line-in, but could switch to optical (toslink) if there is an advantage in doing so?

4) Shall I "fix the sound level"? Seems to make sense as I would only control from one control, but curious whether any drawback?

5) There are more Core settings related to "line out level" (tick box for "use PL socket for connection to an audio system instead") and "optical out" (tick box for volume regulated output). Any suggestions how to configure both of them?

/forum/general-discussion-and-questions/connecting-bl11-bl8000-to-bv5

 

Hi Steve,

With the TV outputting sound to the Core, optical should give the best sound for this connection.  Please keep the Core set to variable output, or you will lose volume control of the speakers when changing between TV and music on the Core.

Kind regards, Steve.

Location: The cable workshop, England

My B&O Icons:

Beoremote-Beo4.png Beoremote-Beo4.png
Beovox.png Beovox.png
Beotime.png Beotime.png
Beosound.png Beosound.png
Beosound-Moment.png Beosound-Moment.png
Beosound-Level.png Beosound-Level.png
Beosound-Emerge.png Beosound-Emerge.png
Beosound-A5.png Beosound-A5.png
Beosound-9000.png Beosound-9000.png
Beoplay-V1.png Beoplay-V1.png
Beoplay-H100.png Beoplay-H100.png
Beoplay-H95.png Beoplay-H95.png
Beoplay-H9i.png Beoplay-H9i.png
Beoplay-H4.png Beoplay-H4.png
Beoplay-H3.png Beoplay-H3.png
Beoplay-Form-2i.png Beoplay-Form-2i.png
Beoplay-E8.png Beoplay-E8.png
Beoplay-E4.png Beoplay-E4.png
Beoplay-Beolit17.png Beoplay-Beolit17.png
Beoplay-A1.png Beoplay-A1.png
Beomaster.png Beomaster.png
Beolab-18.png Beolab-18.png
Beogram-400x.png Beogram-400x.png
Cables, friendly advice and great ideas for connecting Bang & Olufsen! Ask any questions at https://soundsheavenly.com to get the best from your B&O! Please visit my B&O YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/soundsheavenlycables
or
BeoWorld Gold Membership card
Join BeoWorld

Register to access the forums, reference material, and exclusive member benefits — including our monthly prize draw.

Become a Member

December 2026 Prize Draw

Gold Members Only

As a Gold member you're automatically entered into our exclusive prize draw — your chance to win iconic Bang & Olufsen products. A unique benefit of BeoWorld Gold membership, every draw brings a new opportunity to win something special.