PROJECT: Turning a Beosound 3 into a Bluetooth speaker

28 replies
P(
Offline
pinter75 (archived2)
Bronze
Posted June 21, 2015 at 02:56 GMT
#2043750

Hi.

After successfully modding a Beosound Century to use a phone as a media player, now it it time for another B&O system to get a change.

Got a non functioning Beosound 3. Control board and amp were broken. So the guts have been ripped out, control panel is gone and some new stuff has been added.

I may be making my own capacitive touch control for some A2DP control, we shall see.

So far I have fitted a new LED matrix to replace the old 7 seg style display. This will allow me to convey more information, and it looks far better! 

Retaining the antenna, but it only goes up and down a fraction of what it did. Serves no purpose - but as this is a Bluetooth wireless speaker an antenna sorts has it's place.

Check out this video to see the initial test fit of parts and the new LED matrix.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyOG6uxjTRc (Can you embed Youtube videos on this forum?).

I expect this thread to be a mini build log as I get stuff done. 

T.W.G
Offline
T.W.G
Gold
Posted June 21, 2015 at 09:31 GMT
#2043751

I'm getting some popcorn, sitting on the couch and will enjoy this project!

Would be cool if the original Top plate could be re-used. If you do a capacitive touch control it would be nice if it has backlit buttons.

As an easy A2DP controller you could use the Satechi Bluetooth media button

If the LED matrix is availabe in red it would better fit to a B&O product.

And yes, we still need that automatic antenna.

If you are out of hobbys you should work in Struer to get them ideas! 🙂

P(
Offline
pinter75 (archived2)
Bronze
Posted June 21, 2015 at 16:41 GMT
#2043752

Hi.

I used a blue matrix as a kind of lean towards Bluetooth ;-) The red is a B&0 signature, I didn't want to step on their toes.

Also I plan to fabricate my own capacitive touch control panel. I have done this a few times in the past. It may be a laminated laser cut kinda thing, we shall see. Not too sure on backlit buttons, but I like the idea.

As for hobbies, I do this kind of thing for a living :-)

Leosgonewild
Offline
Leosgonewild
Bronze
Posted June 21, 2015 at 17:37 GMT
#2043753
Would it be possible to ask for those mad skillz to build led-displays for Penta's that works with the icepower modules? I have the 250asx2..
P(
Offline
pf85 (archived2)
Bronze
Posted June 21, 2015 at 19:01 GMT
#2043754

pinter75 wrote:

Hi.

I used a blue matrix as a kind of lean towards Bluetooth ;-) The red is a B&0 signature, I didn't want to step on their toes.

Also I plan to fabricate my own capacitive touch control panel. I have done this a few times in the past. It may be a laminated laser cut kinda thing, we shall see. Not too sure on backlit buttons, but I like the idea.

As for hobbies, I do this kind of thing for a living :-)

... Excellent project and thread...  For many of us with bs3 a great possibility to stretch that system into the future. Let us know when crowd funding (through beoworld?) could help...

P(
Offline
pinter75 (archived2)
Bronze
Posted June 22, 2015 at 02:10 GMT
#2043755

Just in case anyone wondered. This is what a Beosound 3's resistive control panel looks like gutted.

P(
Offline
pinter75 (archived2)
Bronze
Posted June 22, 2015 at 02:10 GMT
#2043756

leosgonewild wrote:
Would it be possible to ask for those mad skillz to build led-displays for Penta's that works with the icepower modules? I have the 250asx2..

I honestly have no idea. I am a bit new to B&O stuff.

 

T.W.G
Offline
T.W.G
Gold
Posted June 22, 2015 at 06:55 GMT
#2043757

pinter75 wrote:

As for hobbies, I do this kind of thing for a living :-)

This explains it all. 😁


What exactly do you do for living?

 

Wishlist for your Project:
- Beo 4 control
- Backlit buttons
- automatic antenna still working
- aux-in instead of headphones out
- red LED matrix instead of blue
- ...

 

 

P(
Offline
pinter75 (archived2)
Bronze
Posted June 22, 2015 at 19:36 GMT
#2043758

TWG wrote:

pinter75 wrote:

As for hobbies, I do this kind of thing for a living :-)

This explains it all. 😁


What exactly do you do for living?

 

Wishlist for your Project:
- Beo 4 control
- Backlit buttons
- automatic antenna still working
- aux-in instead of headphones out
- red LED matrix instead of blue
- ...

 

 

I am a professional inventor type of person. My main expertise is in design and engineering. I work mostly in the toy and gadget area, but do consult & do R&D  to some big companies known for their high design products. If I could do some work with B&O a childhood dream would have been realised. I used to copy their stuff and make MDF models in a similar design! But for now I will just hack their stuff to make it relevant in todays World. ;-)

T.W.G
Offline
T.W.G
Gold
Posted June 23, 2015 at 07:57 GMT
#2043759

Sounds like you've got the job of childhoods dream! That explains the quality of your hacks and you are a very welcome contribution to this forum!

The detailed explanations paired with your know-how are very helpful!

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.

View Prize Go For Gold