Millemissen wrote:

link

But why not use the app - you will probably need that anyway e.g. for radio/TuneIn.....or?

Note: if you really only want to use DLNA sourced material (no B&O mulitroom etc), you could opt for the A9 first gen.

Preowned they go for rather little money, since they are limited (no ChromeCast/AirPlay 2...) - the sound is just as good as from the 2nd gen.

MM

Thank you. Interesting tip on the MkI and something I will look into.

I imagine the App will be my main way of controlling the A9, either that or possibly using a Logitech Duet controller(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wt9N6NmsHUs) provided I can control the A9 through DLNA using the Logitech Media Server that is my music source. In my living room this is how I feed the stereo, as I have a Logitech box that is connected to my D/A-converter...

I think it is fine there is an app, however I do like that one can also talk directly to the A9 without having to use special software which is dependent on third parties(Apple/Google). To me that help ensuring longevity of a product.

Just for your info - it seems that you are getting things mixed up a bit.

Using the Logitech Media Server (LSM) is one thing - for this you would need to connect the output of the Logitech box (from the YouTubed product).

I suppose this is how you do it now in your main setup.

If this would be what you want for the A9, you will need no app, basicly no nothing. 

Just connect the R/L output of the Logitech box to the L/R input on the A9.

Though this would work, I would not recommend it. You will most likely have to deal with 2 x volume control, which can be confusing.

Soundwise the best thing to do, would be to set the Logi-box to fixed line-output and control the volume solely on the A9.

Not very handy, I guess......when you do everything else on the Logitec controller.

Note: The A9 1 gen can be ir-controlled by a Beo4 - the 2nd and 3rd can not.

The other way to use the LMS, is to use the DLNA server that the LMS also provides (this was your initial question).

Using a DLNA server to get to your music with the A9 means using some kind of DLNA ‘playback software’ (in a controlling device).

This kind of software is essentially built-in to the Bang & Olufsen (iOS or Android) app. Hence my question, why not use the app?

Theoretically you could use any DLNA controller software/application/app for this.....but not the handy Logitech Remote (from the video)!!!

Sorry - maybe this is a bit confusing at first - but you will have to know these differences, in order to avoid false expectations.

MM.

Millemissen wrote:

 

Just for your info - it seems that you are getting things mixed up a bit.

 

Using the Logitech Media Server (LSM) is one thing - for this you would need to connect the output of the Logitech box (from the YouTubed product).

I suppose this is how you do it now in your main setup.

If this would be what you want for the A9, you will need no app, basicly no nothing. 

Just connect the R/L output of the Logitech box to the L/R input on the A9.

Though this would work, I would not recommend it. You will most likely have to deal with 2 x volume control, which can be confusing.

Soundwise the best thing to do, would be to set the Logi-box to fixed line-output and control the volume solely on the A9.

Not very handy, I guess......when you do everything else on the Logitec controller.

Note: The A9 1 gen can be ir-controlled by a Beo4 - the 2nd and 3rd can not.

 

The other way to use the LMS, is to use the DLNA server that the LMS also provides (this was your initial question).

Using a DLNA server to get to your music with the A9 means using some kind of DLNA ‘playback software’ (in a controlling device).

This kind of software is essentially built-in to the Bang & Olufsen (iOS or Android) app. Hence my question, why not use the app?

Theoretically you could use any DLNA controller software/application/app for this.....but not the handy Logitech Remote (from the video)!!!

 

Sorry - maybe this is a bit confusing at first - but you will have to know these differences, in order to avoid false expectations.

 

MM.

Thank you very much for the added info.It is most helpful as I am planning my adventure into the B&O, a place I was last back when they made CRT TV's so it has been while.

I must admit to having no experience with DLNA and I guess that my hope of controlling what the A9 is playing from the server side may be impossible, that was my though regarding perhaps being able to control the music using my Logitech controller as I really like its interface with physical buttons and a screen(especially the scroll wheel is handy and it is clever - wakes up when you pick it up).

No question though that a "solution" where two volume controls are needed is not really a solution at all, so while a Squeezebox->A9 could work I can not imagine doing that. It would also mean having more gear in the bedroom than just the A9, so that would sort ruin the whole idea. If one were to go that way then the Mk3 is to have an optical in, meaning one could at least electrically isolate the A9 from the more basic Squeezebox.

Comparing the specs of the M2 with the Mk3 does have me scratching my head, there is a massive bump in power going to the latest generation(specs copied from the B&O website).

if you're going to get an A9, get the Mk3 when it comes out.  You may get in to streaming in the future and you'll be sorry it's not the latest. 

BlindZenDriver wrote:

Comparing the specs of the M2 with the Mk3 does have me scratching my head, there is a massive bump in power going to the latest generation(specs copied from the B&O website).

Beoplay A9 2nd generation
1 x 160 watt class D for bass
2 x 80 watt class D for midrange
2 x 80 watt class D for treble

Beoplay A9 3rd generation
1 x 400 watt class D for bass​
2 x 200 watt class D for midrange​
2 x 200 watt class D for fullrange​
2 x 150 watt class D for treble

I mean the 480 watt of the 2nd gen is almost embarrassing compared to the 1,500 watt of the new one - class D makes for crazy numbers.

Don’t worry too much about these specs - they tell you something about the amp modules used in the new gen.

They don’t necessarily tell you something about how loud it can play.

But....any A9 can play loud - louder than most people want it, especially in a bedroom.

Not having heard the new version yet, I’d suppose that this (with the additional drivers on the back) will have an even more uniform tonal balance in the room - especially in a bigger room.

You can only find out about these things listening to it and to the earlier versions.....if you can make that possible.

MM

If BlindZenDriver would want to stick with integrating the Squeezebox Duet solution, he already is into streaming - or rather he could be.

The Squeezebox has support for Spotify and even Deezer - it was/still is a highly flexible solution.

In this case any of the A9’s would do.

But I agree - the 2nd and 3rd gen does streaming natively.

Personally I’d prefer the 2nd gen....since they have ditched Spotify Connect support on the new one.

But that is just me 😏

MM

Aussie Michael wrote:

if you're going to get an A9, get the Mk3 when it comes out.  You may get in to streaming in the future and you'll be sorry it's not the latest. 

Ooops - that comment above was meant for Aussie Michael....forgot the quote.

MM

Hey All,... I figured I'd contribute to this one since it was incidentally on my mind recently.

Does anyone remember when Apple (the real Apple:EMI) released all the mono versions of Beatles Mono tracks in back in 2014? That really got the debate going, and it honestly awoke questions within me that I never in my life entertained.

I feel like stereo definitely has its place and will always be relevant. However, the second part is how well the source was mixed. If you recall the stereo versions of some Beatles tracks that were originally in mono, they were remixed into stereo in a horrible way (from an audiophile's POV). I will admit, the strong separation led to quite a successful novelty that still give smiles to anyone that listens. 

But if you think about it, listening to a source with strong separation through headphones, doesn't quite give you the best true experience. Just listen to any of the tracks that were remixed in to stereo (Girl 2009 remaster is a good one). The separation isn't quite 100%, but pretty close. It the band was playing right in front of you, John and George weren't exactly playing right up your left year, but even then, your right ear would pick up more than what the stereo release would indicate. This is a problem for stereo-in-headphones. But like I said, it's still an enjoyable gimmick that won't go away anytime soon.

I feel like the best mixes tend to be recordings of orchestras, but even then, the level of separation needs to be careful. For a front row seat, i like the 1st violin to be right at 10 degrees from center, and violins at maybe 15 degrees further, with some further out to even 80 degrees. Trumpets and trombones closer to 5 degrees off center. Of course, the further your virtual seats might be, everything might be closer to center (mono)

5.1 is a totally different ballgame, but it should still follow basic rules about how much separation is given during the final mixing. 

My total unprofessional opinion is to have stereo, but maybe not have the L and R speakers quite so far apart,... so the A9 might be the best solution to achieve this. with headphones, you're quite restricted. Your source might have decided to place drums 100% in your left ear, which would never happen in real life.

An interesting experiment would be to butt up all your L and R speakers right next to each other and maybe just angle the out so slightly.

I'll have to wait for someone else to try this,... I have too many wires to deal with to give this one a go! 

Anyway, hope I've added somewhat... I hate staying quite for this long.

moxxey wrote:

Millemissen wrote:

But....any A9 can play loud - louder than most people want it, especially in a bedroom.

This is very true and something I was trying to say previously about not being encouraged solely on watts/power.

I'm more than happy with my A9. I'd even go as far as it's possibly one of the best B&O purchases in the last 10 years, in terms of power, design, sound quality and performance. A6 was terrible in comparison and sold.

If I was going to get an A9, I'd take advantage of some of the discounted MKII's dealers are selling off on the market right now.

Just for the record. I am in no doubt that the A9 has more than ample power and that it is the case for all the versions. I should have elaborated a bit more about the specs I posted, basically the numbers are so big I find them absurd and that is for the Mk1 and Mk2 - the numbers for the Mk3 is beyond absurd.

For reference the amp I use in my living room is a Electrocompaniet which is 2x50 watt, another measurement is weight as it gives a rough idea on construction and in there it pretty much matches the A9 (Except of course only A9 uses Class D amps. The bottom line for me is that the numbers doesn't matter, as long as they are big enough that the system is not stressed. With audio amps it is like powerful cars - power is nothing without control.

I haven't made up my mind on exactly what A9 to go for. It is interesting to me that the Mk3 has a changed speaker configuration and apparently also lots of changes to the electronics - I would love to see/hear B&O lets us all in on their thinking. I plan on hitting the local B&O shop, it is just a mile from here, to look, listen and interrogate them on the A9. I also have to decide on the visuals.

As suggested the Mk2 is more friendly to the bank account and I have seen it priced as low as $1.500 for a demo model with full warranty, but I want to hear or at least read some real reviews that compare the two before deciding. Unfortunately finding proper reviews of the A9 seems impossible - so far those I have found has been by gadget magazines, or similar, and they do not know to really review audio gear.