Beolab Penta 1 Crossover - Upgrade to version 2 worthwhile?

14 replies
AN
Offline
andyf1950
Gold
Posted November 2, 2016 at 17:19 GMT
#2205273

Just started an overhaul of my 30 yr old Pentas and have been trawling through old forums but not found a definitive answer to the above question. Given that the drivers are the same in both version 1 and 2, as are the quoted crossover points, I have to assume that the changes were made for technical reasons or sonic improvements. Anyone know if either or both apply?

I have already replaced the mid-range foams with Audio Friends' units - excellent fit, highly recommended, and have the cap and upgrade kit from Martin for the amps. I have just pulled the crossover boards (well, 3 of them so far as the fourth seems to be nailed in..) and all seem good with no burnt bits. Only noticeable item is a dented cap - bad form B and O...  Surprisingly all of the mid-range drivers' foams were intact, although very tired looking.

I'd appreciate knowledgeable comments before I order new bits but I don't intend to fit super duper foot thick caps, or replace speaker leads with hawsers to improve sound ; )

One thing I did notice - they seemed a damn sight heavier than I remember them being. Must be getting old. 

Location: Inverness

K(
Offline
Kiwiaudio (archived2)
Bronze
Posted December 31, 2020 at 15:42 GMT
#2205274

Well now, after days of searching, i finally found someone who asked the very same question i have, and no one replied to him !!

Yay !!

ST
Offline
Stereomensch
Bronze
Posted January 4, 2021 at 09:57 GMT
#2205275

Hi there,

B&O changed the tweeter, so this might be the reason for the different crossover.

 

Regards Chris

L(
Offline
leeshep (archived2)
Bronze
Posted January 4, 2021 at 10:13 GMT
#2205276
I think it was me that asked the original question and I never did find out.

The later crossovers have less components than the early ones and not all of the changes are in the tweeter circuit.

As usual the bean counters probably got involved to make production cheaper. How this alters the sound I have no idea... but since I swapped the tweeters in mine for high quality titanium domed ones I’ve been very happy with them.
K(
Offline
Kiwiaudio (archived2)
Bronze
Posted January 6, 2021 at 20:00 GMT
#2205277

The Cap refresh kit for the crossovers are only good for the later crossovers apparently.

https://www.beoparts-shop.com/product/crossover-capacitor-kit-beovox-beolab-penta/

Why is there not one for the earlier units ?  I seem to remember reading about a certain caps value being unobtainable - Is this true, and therefore the reason?

I guess im pulling mine out to see what i have. They were built in '89, so theres a small chance i have the later boards. If not, i guess ill be looking for a pair of the later units and then upgrade those :(

Lee, what Tweeter did you go with and did you alter the C/over ?

K(
Offline
Kiwiaudio (archived2)
Bronze
Posted January 8, 2021 at 00:53 GMT
#2205278

Yay, i have the later crossover boards  8006027F & 8006028F so the Beoparts kit will work for me.

Can anyone verify the quality of the components in this kit please ? Are the caps in the tweeter/midrange circuit Poly ?

Is there a better solution ?

DI
Offline
Dillen
BronzeModeratorFounder
Posted January 10, 2021 at 18:18 GMT
#2205279

Polyester capacitors were used by B&O where it gave meaning to use them.
The kits from Beoparts-shop contains capacitors custom produced by one of the worlds largest component manufacturers specifically to match
the specs of the original capacitors.
They are the closest you can get to the original caps (when they were new)..

Martin

K(
Offline
Kiwiaudio (archived2)
Bronze
Posted January 11, 2021 at 14:34 GMT
#2205280

Good enough for me. Ordered. Thanks Martin :)

AN
Offline
andyf1950
Gold
Posted January 14, 2021 at 15:31 GMT
#2205281

Not bad..  Activity 4 years after asking the question!   No matter - just wanted to say that the component kit from Martin was first class and restored the glorious sound I remembered from '86 when I first got them.  Try 'Little Neutrino' at a good volume level to appreciate their capabilities.

 

Location: Inverness

K(
Offline
Kiwiaudio (archived2)
Bronze
Posted January 18, 2021 at 22:26 GMT
#2205282

Andy, Thanks for confirming the kit quality and the eventual result after install. I have the crossover kit on the way !

You did crossovers AND amps though right ?  

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