Hi,

you can use RCA or digital connection from any source of your choice but the Beolab 5 have to be set up accordingly. For that you'll need a Beo 4 remote.
When using them with non Bang & Olufsen sources a synchronisation cable is required between both speakers to ensure that they both play the same volume level.

Userguide: https://bangolufsenassistentgohe.blob.core.windows.net/manuals/SPEAKERS/BEOLAB%205/EN-BeoLab5.pdf

TWG,

Thank you for the reply. I had downloaded the manual and saw the requirement as well. I had hoped in the intervening years, a new method was available. The more remotes we have, the more resistant my wife will be to allowing me to use the equipment! Listening to the BL 5's through the Beosound 5 was great, but the Beosound is entirely too finicky, with limited inputs, to be a long term solution.

If anyone has other suggestions or has code to make a Logitech Harmony compatible, please advise.

Thanks again!

I think I have a more elegant solution to my problem. I have ordered a used Beo4 on e-bay. The elegant part here is how to get a source signal and not fool with a receiver/pre-amp. Not shown on the equipment list above (but now seemingly very important) is a Monarchy Audio Digital Interface Processor (DIP). If it works, I believe I can output the the digital optical output from the TV to the DIP. The DIP should then output a digital coax to the BL5's. Add a sync cable and I think I've got it covered. Then my wife can watch her shows with or without the BL5's and I can watch my shows while she's at work (night time ICU nurse) with some incredible sound. I believe I'll need to use the Beo4 for on/off and volume, correct? I think this will be the simplest solution I can find. Any opinions?

primmdaddy wrote:

I think I have a more elegant solution to my problem. I have ordered a used Beo4 on e-bay. The elegant part here is how to get a source signal and not fool with a receiver/pre-amp. Not shown on the equipment list above (but now seemingly very important) is a Monarchy Audio Digital Interface Processor (DIP). If it works, I believe I can output the the digital optical output from the TV to the DIP. The DIP should then output a digital coax to the BL5's. Add a sync cable and I think I've got it covered. Then my wife can watch her shows with or without the BL5's and I can watch my shows while she's at work (night time ICU nurse) with some incredible sound. I believe I'll need to use the Beo4 for on/off and volume, correct? I think this will be the simplest solution I can find. Any opinions?