Surround with B&O

34 replies

misteUS wrote:
I am set on making this work. One last question: If I use the Line input on the Beolab Actives, Can I use Pin #4 on the Powerlink to turn the speaker on?

As far as I can see, yes - the power switching via Powerlink remains in operation even in Line mode.

misteUS wrote:
I would think that the line input is in parallel with the Powerlink Jack. Am I correct?

Not quite. The L/R/line selector switch also switches the signal input around the source connectors. But you can switch the speakers to Line mode, use the RCA connector for audio and the Powerlink input just for the power on signal.

It won't save you from running an extra wire, though. I would probably rather go the other way and equip the alien receiver with fake Powerlink outputs (buy some 8-pin DIN sockets and wire the audio outputs and your power signal there), then use a single neat and thin Powerlink cable over to the speaker. As the 6000s have both Powerlink in & out, you could then even daisy chain those speakers if that is physically more convenient.

tournedos

 

I thank you.

@ everybody ...

I will work on this and report to you all. 

 

Less

Update

 

  1. The Beolab 8000 work extremely well with the Pre/Processor. They just work. You put the switch on "Line" and that's it ... 
  2. I haven't yet experienced the popping sound. If one mutes the receiver then the Beolab speakers remain on for a period of time . I measured the time they remain on on one speaker it was 3'09" and on the other 3'25"....then they go on standby ... If the signal comes back they simply turn back on .. There is a , a soft "click", a slight relay sound but no loud "pop".. and it it almost instaneous about .5 sec ...
  3. The Beosound 9000 simply needs to be cnnected to an ML to work. If there is no Powerlink and Masterlink connected it goes dead, scary dead.. Not even reacts to the remote control... Since in my case the Beosoound is has to be connected to the rest of the house, which I did then  .. Not much of a problem.

 

So far so good. Wil let you know how the Lintronic solution works ... I am very but very peased .. Thanks to all.

Lesly

 

P.S I fell in love with the Beo5 remote. Can I program it myself? .. Are there ways, software available to do so? Let me know people or should that be a new post or :( a search through the forum earlier posts? ;)

Hi

 

I think I have this figured out. One problem remains . How do I force the Beosystem 9000 to play when nothing is attached tit. At turn-on Option 1 works but if the 9000i loses power for any reason.. It goes back to not playing.

How can I simulate a powerlink or make a dummy plug?

I must also thank Sorenmexico for the very long but extremely informative thread at Hifi4all.dk.. I did found all the connectors I was looking for a more .. 

I thank you 

 

Iwill report back but so far I seem to be on the right track .. Thaks to you all

 

lesly

misteUS wrote:
How can I simulate a powerlink or make a dummy plug?

You're right the 9000 somehow senses the presence of speakers. It can't be the data connection, since most of the current Beolabs have nothing connected to it.

The service manual isn't too clear on this, as the Powerlink interface uses some custom IC. Anyway, it seems to sense the speakers from the load on the "Speaker ON" signal (PL pin 4). Try connecting a 33 kohm resistor from pin 4 to ground - it won't hurt anything, but probably will be enough to fool the 9000. Attaching this to only one of the sockets should be enough, as they are connected in parallel.

tournedos

That did it !! 😁. I had some 22 KOhms resistors laying around and it tuned on.  So far, so good...

More later .. :D

 

lesly

Great! That's good to know for future reference, I never had a BS9000 to try it 😁

 

Hi

 

I wanted to take some time to post these impressions:

 

B&O makes startling and beautiful products. No doubt about it. I am in awe of their aesthetics. I also believe in cost effectiveness. If the only available product for a particular task is at a given price, I don't see it as 'expensive”, if there are alternatives and they perform better and are less dear, then the epithet of expensive may apply. In my quest for a surround sound system based on B&O products. I did come to the conclusion that the BS3 was too expensive. For what it does, I can't see any rationale in acquiring it.

On the other hand, the ways to integrate B&O with other brands, require research, determination and some technical knowledge. This forum and a few others, notably the posts by” Peter Pan” at hifi4all.dk , provided most of the answers. There are in addition also some extremely knowledgeable people that need to be consulted before embarking in such a project: Steve at Sounds Heavenly and Michael at Lintronic. These people hold most of the solutions to making B&) speakers work with the more evolved Pre/Processor on the market and there are several, many IMHO superior in processing power,  flexibility, performance and features than anything that B&O currently offers… anything.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

I am a fan of B&O in general and their remotes in particular… but their functionality can be emulated by Remote from Logitech, Universal Remotes (URC brand), Philips and many others. The Logitech Harmony lines, which I don't really like because of the lack of programmability, works surprisingly well with B&O components. 

The current system does work and well. No pops and click . I turn on the Pre/Pro and speakers just turn on with no noise.  Surround decoding from the Yamaha AVR is excellent. I am currently doing 5 channels but am thinking going the full 7 channels. I have 3 subwoofers hooked o the system and I cross over al B&O speakers at 80 Hz.  Crossover slope is steep so that below 80 Hz, the speakers don't have to bother with bass.. Believe me this makes a world of difference.  The active speakers from B&O when relieved from the task of reproducing loud bass take a dimension that may satisfy many audiophiles. They really are better than many would think. The 8000 for example have a very exquisite midrange which becomes even cleaner when the drivers (and the amps) do not have to cope with below frequencies below80 Hz which tend to favor larger drivers … Laws of Physics and all that…😕

I will document my set-up in a subsequent post. I am waiting the arrival of the Lintronic TTRTT455-RT-238  (whew that is a mouthful for a model name 🙂) gear and will let you know how it works. I don't anticipate any problems . There is really more flexibility with this approach than what one can get with the walled-garden  approach of a pure B&O solution.

Thanks to all

More later

Lesly

 

 

Hi

 

I wanted to take some time to post these impressions:

 

B&O makes startling and beautiful products. No doubt about it. I am in awe of their aesthetics. I also believe in cost effectiveness. If the only available product for a particular task is at a given price, I don't see it as 'expensive”, if there are alternatives and they perform better and are less dear, then the epithet of expensive may apply. In my quest for a surround sound system based on B&O products. I did come to the conclusion that the BS3 was too expensive. For what it does, I can't see any rationale in acquiring it.

On the other hand, the ways to integrate B&O with other brands, require research, determination and some technical knowledge. This forum and a few others, notably the posts by” Peter Pan” at hifi4all.dk , provided most of the answers. There are in addition also some extremely knowledgeable people that need to be consulted before embarking in such a project: Steve at Sounds Heavenly and Michael at Lintronic. These people hold most of the solutions to making B&) speakers work with the more evolved Pre/Processor on the market and there are several, many IMHO superior in processing power,  flexibility, performance and features than anything that B&O currently offers… anything.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

I am a fan of B&O in general and their remotes in particular… but their functionality can be emulated by Remote from Logitech, Universal Remotes (URC brand), Philips and many others. The Logitech Harmony lines, which I don't really like because of the lack of programmability, works surprisingly well with B&O components. 

The current system does work and well. No pops and click . I turn on the Pre/Pro and speakers just turn on with no noise.  Surround decoding from the Yamaha AVR is excellent. I am currently doing 5 channels but am thinking going the full 7 channels. I have 3 subwoofers hooked o the system and I cross over al B&O speakers at 80 Hz.  Crossover slope is steep so that below 80 Hz, the speakers don't have to bother with bass.. Believe me this makes a world of difference.  The active speakers from B&O when relieved from the task of reproducing loud bass take a dimension that may satisfy many audiophiles. They really are better than many would think. The 8000 for example have a very exquisite midrange which becomes even cleaner when the drivers (and the amps) do not have to cope with below frequencies below80 Hz which tend to favor larger drivers … Laws of Physics and all that…😕

I will document my set-up in a subsequent post. I am waiting the arrival of the Lintronic TTRTT455-RT-238  (whew that is a mouthful for a model name 🙂) gear and will let you know how it works. I don't anticipate any problems . There is really more flexibility with this approach than what one can get with the walled-garden  approach of a pure B&O solution.

Thanks to all

More later

Lesly

 

tournedos wrote:
It won't save you from running an extra wire, though. I would probably rather go the other way and equip the alien receiver with fake Powerlink outputs (buy some 8-pin DIN sockets and wire the audio outputs and your power signal there), then use a single neat and thin Powerlink cable over to the speaker. As the 6000s have both Powerlink in & out, you could then even daisy chain those speakers if that is physically more convenient.

Why didn't I think of that, a small connector box with powerlink outs, the trigger line build in, simple and useable wherever you need it, could even add some 2 pin DIN outs to it, will be my next project before I, again, move everything around.

Good thread, it got me thinking again, sometimes you just stare yourself blind on things, this thread got my eyes open for new posibilities.

Thank you to all.

Location: Mexico city

Retired
Printing machine technician
Restored various 1960-70 items
Rock and Roll music
Collecting Vinyl
Restored Jukebox Wurlitzer 1050
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.