Hi guynachum,

Welocme to Beoworld!

Yes, you can use all of these speakers together, but you will get better results and much simpler connections if you are able to upgrade your receiver to one that has pre-out sockets fitted for all audio channels (you can use the existing receiver, but it is more expensive and complex to connect these powered speakers).

I would suggest looking at the Pioneer SC-LX59, Denon AVR-X3400, Yamaha RX-A830 or RX-V775 AV processors/receivers, all of which have audio pre-out sockets for easy connection of Beolab/Beoplay speakers for a Dolby surround sound setup.

Please only use the S8 satellite speakers with an S8 subwoofer - this gives better sound quality and avoids the risk of speaker damage.  The Beoplay A6 and A9 speakers can be linked to the receiver, but these would work better as independent speakers in other rooms, as you will need to power on the speakers and adjust volume levels each time you use them, also their tonal balance may not be ideal for use as surround speakers.

Please can you put together a sketch showing how the speakers are located around the room and which speakers are you priority to use with the surround receiver?  If you can then upload this to Beoworld, or email a copy to me at my sponsor link below, I can then help you to get everything working.

Kind regards, Steve.

Hey Steve, I appreciate your detailed answer.

I am willing to upgrade my receiver if it necessary for the sound system. what is the best option in your opinion between the three which is in my price range?

1. Denon AVR-X3400
2. Yamaha RX-A830
3. Yamaha RX-V775

This is how I placed my speakers at the moment, you can't see the two rear Beovox 2-2 in-wall speakers which are located the same hight as the Beoplay S8 front speakers (also in the picture, one S8 subwoofer is missing).

I was thinking of using the BeoSound Shape and Beoplay A9 as surround speakers (left & right) and move the Beoplay A6 to the middle of the room and rule him as Center speaker. My end game is to create from all a 7.2 sound system

I won't need the Beolab Transmitter 1 / BeoSound Moment in that case?

Once again, 

Thank you.

Hi,

Thanks for this (love your room design and decor, by the way!)

The two Yamaha receivers are particularly good, they work well and are usually very reasonably priced.  It is worth noting that when building a surround system, a law of "diminishing returns" applies, ie (percentages are approximate):-

50% of the sound goes to the centre speaker

25% of the sound goes to the front speakers

10% of the sound goes to the subwoofer

10% of the sound goes to the side surround  speakers

5% of the sound goes to the rear surround speakers

Hence, getting the centre, front and subwoofer speakers exactly right is often more worthwhile than adding lots of channels.

Speaker positioning isn't critical, but getting a "left to right balance" is very helpful to the listening experience.  Looking at your photo, I would suggest using the S8 satellite speakers and subwoofer as your front and bass speakers, but ignoring the A9 and Shape speakers when playing movies (these can be assigned to extra "Zones" on the receiver, to allow you to add them in for music and parties, etc).

The two rear Beovox 2-2 speakers can then be linked into the passive outputs of the receiver (please connect to the "Surround" outputs before using the "Rear Surround" outputs unless you are using all the channels on the receiver).

The best thing to consider now (instead of linking the Shape and A9) is a really good centre channel speaker to sit below the TV - this will carry all the dialogue and centrally-placed sounds, so it is the most important part of the speaker system.  B&O's Beolab 7 speakers are perfect for this role.

Please let me know your thoughts and I can help you to get everything working!

Kind regards, Steve.

I second Steve on that!

Get yourself a BL7-series speaker.....and you are good to go.

MM

Thanks again, you really clarified things for me.

Just to make sure I got it all right: once I replace my current A/V receiver to one of the below, I could just connect the Shape & A9 to my sound system (as zone 2 perhaps) and they could all work together.

I'm thinking about losing the center speaker. I'm trying to create "clean" area around the living room, without the appearance of speakers (my wife hates them). so far I'm doing well, and for my ears I don't feel much of a different without one.

Nevertheless, how do you recommend to connect them?

1. For the Beoplay A9 I could use the rca output so it won't be a problem
2. For the BeoSound Shape I should use toslink to rca cable? or RJ45 to rca cable?

THANKS,

Guy.

Hi Guy,

The Shape and A9 won't really help as part of your surround system, they are best ignored unless you are playing music.  A good centre speaker is the key to getting good sound from a surround system, this will help far more than adding extra surround speakers.

Please link the Shape (via the Core) to the receiver RCA outputs with this cable: link

Please link the A9 to the receiver with this cable: link

This cable and adapter will link the S8 subwoofer to the pre-outs of the receiver:-

Cable: link

Adapter: link

The Beovox 2-2 speakers at the rear will link to the receiver with normal passive speaker wires: 

Thats great!

One last question: Is it possible to connect the A9 & Shape wirelessly? Maybe use the beolab trasmitter 1 with beolab recovers for each speaker? or perhaps the BeoSound Moment?

I sent you an email.

I'm sorry for all the questions, you are really helpful and it's all new for me.

1. How should I connect the speakers to the transmitter?
2. And how should I connect the beolab receiver to my A/V receiver (in this case, I'm assuming my current one is enough)

Thanks Guy

I will reply to your email today. Please ask if you have any questions.

Kind regards, Steve.