Non-B&O Subwoofer for Beolab 3's ?

16 replies

Hello Folks

I am following this forum for a looong time, but this is my first post here..

I know, this is another post on this subject (subwoofer), and i am aware of what has been written here about it. 

My question is : do you guys have any feedback to share about coupling a Sub to your Beolab 3's speakers ?

I am very interested about your experience on a configuration like : B&W Pv1D + Lab 3's ...or another non B&O sub..

I already had a Lab 2 a few years ago, and i did not like it so much ... also, the Lab 11 seems a little weak for deep bass, even if it is B&O "compatible". From what i know, it seems that Lab11 it is better to use with Lab6000 or 8000, rather than Lab 3's.

I am really considering tio buy the B&W PV1D to use with my Lab 3's... Is it worth it?

 

Best from Paris

Samir

 

As nobody has already been able to listen to a PV1D, the answer is complicated... But the PV1 was a good match.

For me there is a big drawback when using non-B&O sub : on a B&O sub, you get Powerlink outputs that filter the low frequencies of the sub. You then get more bass, but also, and it's very noticeable, better mid and highs! I think that you heard it with the BL2. That's not the case with a non-B&O sub.

yes , that's what i thought. 

In other hands, BW PV1D is cheaper, more powerful and can be used with any another system (TV..). Also, do you think the Lab11 are powerful enough ?

Thanks  

I think one vital piece of information you left out was the audio master. Which are you using Samir?

Location: San Francisco

I'm an automotive audio and acoustic engineer. I design loudspeakers and full sound systems for new automobiles. I also dabble with studio, consumer and pro audio projects from time to time.

Hi Evan 

BS4 or Beomaster 6500  

First : what didn't you like about the BL2?

I'm not sure the BL11 will be good enough with BL3. I think that it's main advantage will be to "deliver" the BL3 from the bass, thus enabling more subtle mids and highs, but basically, a BL11 is just 2 bass drivers from BL3, it doesn't go very deep... I've talked to dealers in Paris at the launch of the BL11, and nobody had it on display with BL3, they all said it was useless...

Maybe the Revox sound S bass 02

@mbee

what i did not like was that i felt it was way too powerful ❓.. i spent my time playing with my remote, because they "boomed" too much, like an earthquake. But maybe because I did not calibrate them properly (setup & placement). 

About dealers in Paris, they told me exactly the same..

Samir,

mbee has presented a serious topic. A primary reason for adding a subwoofer is for redirecting low tones away from your main speakers (BL3s). The B&W PV1 does not have a pass through, which means it will not do any filtering for your 'Labs, reducing the overall benefit of adding a sub. 

Find a suboofer that has inputs AND outputs. Your signal chain will start with your audiomaster, both channels to the sub and then both channels will go from the sub to your 'Labs. All of which will be a 'line-in' setup, no longer Powerlink.

 

Secondly, ask your local dealer for an in-home demo of the BeoLab 11. If you find the 2 was too powerful, you may end up preferring the less powerful 11. Otherwise, look for a sub that has filtering capability.

Location: San Francisco

I'm an automotive audio and acoustic engineer. I design loudspeakers and full sound systems for new automobiles. I also dabble with studio, consumer and pro audio projects from time to time.

Thank you very much Evan

With my limited knowledge, i came aproximately to the same conlclusion.

And I was already trying to find it on google ("active Sub with output signal" or "active Sub with pass through")  ).So i guess, i have 2 options :

- Get a B&O sub (BL2 or BL11) , maybe BL2 should be best choice  => full B&o integration

- Get a Sub with output signal => in fact, more versatile since you can use it with another equipment   

 

If you guys have any idea of a non-B&O Sub that does match these requirements, I woudl greatly appreciate

Thanks

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