Hi,

Well it's a matter of efficiency really. CX speakers are notoriously inefficient speakers. They are not the ideal night club banger!

This said, the Beolab will drive anything. I drive Arcam One (87 dB) very safely, the amp gets barely lukewarm, and believe me, it gets loud!

Thanks charz,

I'm still wondering why the CX100s are barely audible even at full volume? Assuming the Beolab will drive any Beovox speaker as you mention does this mean there's a problem somewhere?

What kind of source do you use?

Using an iPod or any other more modern "line" level device will not be able to produce a sufficient level for the BM5000.

The older BM5000 was designed for the older "Din" level standard. So, a kind of mismatch occurs.

But, beside that, a reasonable amount of music must be heard/obtained.

My Beomaster has an old tape-recorder and a CD player connected. My iPhone poses no level problem either. It is a totally universal integrated amp.

Since the Beolab work with other speakers, it is not a level problem at the preamp.

Do you connect your CXs to the correct speaker outputs, not one to the bridged one by any chance?

Do your CXs work with other amps?

It depends on the output from the cd-player. But it's common knowledge that the din and line level have different standards, resulting in different audio levels. I had several people complaining about the maximum volume, which they found not loud enough for having a party.

Some B&O gear have the option to adjust the level of the attached sources, like the BM8000.

Probably the lower impedance from the 2702's result in a better performence as it needs a lower voltage power supply. That's where the BM5000 has it's limitations. Just my thought.

Thanks for all the suggestions!

@ Beobuddy - when I connected the 2702s everything worked well, including a line input (on AUX) from my iPhone - it was the impedance difference of the speakers that I was suspecting but the fact that other members are successfully using the CX 100s stumped me. Ideally I'd like to use my CX speakers as they're 'plumbed in' to the room 🙁 

@ j0hnbarker - looked at these when I first got the amp but didn't adjust, tried a Beogram 1202 and iPhone via AUX input but the same result with the CXs, as above everything was fine with the 2702s though

@ chartz - I made sure the speakers were connected to the L / R speaker 1 outputs and not the 'centre' speaker, again everything spot-on with the 2702s

Hmmm, sounds like a speaker impedance issue (pardon the pun!) - but I don't really have the space for larger size speakers 😠

Oh and @ chartz - the CXs work perfectly with my Beomaster 1000

I wonder if the cables you are using for the CXs are incorrectly wired (opposing phases). This could more or less kill the bass, making them sound quiet in comparison... but perhaps still not dramatically more silent.

EDIT: according to your last post with the BM1000 info... apparently not.

Just found and read the Beolab 5000 user guide and it states the amplifier can be used with speakers with impedance of 4 - 16 ohm, but with the corresponding drop in volume. 

This reassures me that I'm not going to destroy the amp or speakers but still odd that I can't hear virtually anything!

I will have a play around this weekend and see what I can come up with.