Beoconnect Core with HDMI (e)ARC

[Rick74]

It looks like the successor to the Beosound Core has arrived:
https://www.bang-olufsen.com/en/int/accessories/beoconnect-core

[OlivierC]

Finally! ?

So many questions.

What’s doing more / differently compared to the BS Core, other than being based on Mozart platform instead of ASE?

The site states that’s the bridge between legacy and current products but it is not clear as it’s referring to turntables and speakers, not music systems.
Would it avoid the need of intermediate converters?

What about controlling a non-B&O / non-LG tv set with BR1?
Would it work for volume control only or more?
I presume it is supporting stereo sound only.
It would mean e.g. a pair of BL18 but what if a BL19 is added to the mix?

Is there an improved DAC compared to BS Core?

Olivier

[DT79]

This could be what I’ve been waiting for, but all those questions definitely need to be answered! It’s hard to believe it ought to cost £1k, but I’m not surprised.

 

[Mbee]

Ok, so it’s a Core with Mozart and HDMI ARC.

If it’s also HDMI CEC, it can allow control of any TV with BR1, but B&O don’t say that so I would not bet on it… Maybe that could also come in the future.

The only problem I have with it it that it raises again the price for Core, and it replaces the Core where a lot of people don’t need HDMI (for audio use only). I would have preferred that they had kept the Core for people who don’t need HDMI.

 

[Hiort]

1. OlivierC wrote:

   Finally! ? So many questions. What’s doing more / differently compared to the BS Core, other than being based on Mozart platform instead of ASE? The site states that’s the bridge between legacy and current products but it is not clear as it’s referring to turntables and speakers, not music systems. Would it avoid the need of intermediate converters? What about controlling a non-B&O / non-LG tv set with BR1? Would it work for volume control only or more? I presume it is supporting stereo sound only. It would mean e.g. a pair of BL18 but what if a BL19 is added to the mix? Is there an improved DAC compared to BS Core? Olivier

RIAA still needed.
Stereo only when connected to TV

[Sandyb]

Yep, no processing (from a TV) of anything more than plain old 2.0.

Wasn’t expecting much more, but shame it doesnt do some surround processing nor have WISA to allow connecting more than one pair of BL’s.

 

[Millemissen]

Oh no!

A (Mozart) Core with a HDMI/eARC connection.

With only 2 channels support ?
Where did the most important speaker for tv viewing – the center – go?
Not that I expected TrueImage processing built-in – but this really is too ordinary.

And the CEC support – will that bring control of the tv/the connected AppleTV….
….as Mbee asks?
Or is the future two remotes on the table?
Only a visit in a B&O store can clarify that…I guess.

P.S.
I’ll stick to my trusted Essence MK2 boxes for 2 channel music/radio listening and my Theatre for tv/movie watching with great multichannel sound.

MM

[matteventu]

Disappointed that it doesn’t have WiSA transmitter built-in, given the price (£999 / $1150). And that there’s no surround support – it would have been nice given the addition of HDMI ARC.

But what disappoints me the most… No optical or aux output whatsoever.

[beojeff]

I do think that B&O is going a little overboard in hyping it as a solution for a home theater. It’s certainly no Beosound Theatre. Still, the added HDMI connectivity is a nice feature for the slight price increase. For me, I could see it as a solution for a non-B&O small tv that I have in the kitchen. I currently have it connected to a Beosystem 3 for connection to 2 Beolab 4000 speakers and an Apple TV. That’s then connected to an NL/ML converter to integrate with the rest of my B&O. This small box could replace all of that and allow control via CEC of an Apple TV connected directly to the non-B&O tv. It has its place for a simple setup solution.

[Millemissen]

matteventu wrote:

But what disappoints me the most… No optical or aux output whatsoever.

It has USB Audio out….which is digital.

MM

[Millemissen]

beojeff wrote:

I do think that B&O is going a little overboard in hyping it as a solution for a home theater. It’s certainly no Beosound Theatre. Still, the added HDMI connectivity is a nice feature for the slight price increase. For me, I could see it as a solution for a non-B&O small tv that I have in the kitchen. I currently have it connected to a Beosystem 3 for connection to 2 Beolab 4000 speakers and an Apple TV. That’s then connected to an NL/ML converter to integrate with the rest of my B&O. This small box could replace all of that and allow control via CEC of an Apple TV connected directly to the non-B&O tv. It has its place for a simple setup solution.

As you might have noticed, I am an advocate for a center channel with a tv.
Having only L and R speakers corrupts the sound image, when you are off axis….when you are more people than ‘the one guy without friends’ sitting in the money seat.
If I were to use it with a tv, I would get the BL7.x, which would be more suitable with a screen (and also is a good speaker for music in a kitchen).

The ability to use the BROne for controlling the tv/AppleTV (CEC) still has to be proven!

MM

[DT79]

Yep, after looking more closely at the spec this appears to be a real missed opportunity. If it has HDMI ARC and costs £1k then why no multi-channel,  why no WiSA and why oh why always so stingy with the inputs. Also it’s not beyond the realms of possibility that they could have implemented their active room correction in such a device as well.

Millemissen wrote:

Oh no! A (Mozart) Core with a HDMI/eARC connection. With only 2 channels support ? Where did the most important speaker for tv viewing – the center – go? Not that I expected TrueImage processing built-in – but this really is too ordinary. And the CEC support – will that bring control of the tv/the connected AppleTV…. ….as Mbee asks? Or is the future two remotes on the table? Only a visit in a B&O store can clarify that…I guess. P.S. I’ll stick to my trusted Essence MK2 boxes for 2 channel music/radio listening and my Theatre for tv/movie watching with great multichannel sound. MM

[beojeff]

I suspect that the tv’s internal speaker could be used for the center channel. Such a speaker could hardly keep up with the quality of beolabs, though.

At least we have 3 levels of options: Core, Stage, and Theatre to fit our needs. It would now be nice to see some improvements to the Stage.

[DT79]

I just think there’s an obvious opportunity for a device for people who already have a TV and multi-channel Beolab speakers. And possibly more than one other audio source.

beojeff wrote:

I suspect that the tv’s internal speaker could be used for the center channel. Such a speaker could hardly keep up with the quality of beolabs, though. At least we have 3 levels of options: Core, Stage, and Theatre to fit our needs. It would now be nice to see some improvements to the Stage.

[beojeff]

Indeed. Yet, look at the price point compared to the Beosystem 3 and Beosystem 4.

DT79 wrote:

I just think there’s an obvious opportunity for a device for people who already have a TV and multi-channel Beolab speakers. And possibly more than one other audio source.

beojeff wrote:

I suspect that the tv’s internal speaker could be used for the center channel. Such a speaker could hardly keep up with the quality of beolabs, though. At least we have 3 levels of options: Core, Stage, and Theatre to fit our needs. It would now be nice to see some improvements to the Stage.

[Millemissen]

beojeff wrote:

I suspect that the tv’s internal speaker could be used for the center channel. Such a speaker could hardly keep up with the quality of beolabs, though.

This will not be possible and even if, a really bad idea soundwise.
These internal speakers would still be a set of L/R speakers and there would be no option to adjust for level matching or for setting up speakers distance etc.

Personally – if I would need a non-B&O tv for the kitchen – I’d still go for a Stage, despite it being a bit older now and not a Mozart platform device.

IMO, if you go for a 2 channel setup for a tv, you should place the speakers on either side very close to the screen in order to maximize the illusion of a phantom center.
How about a set of the BL12’s ?

if you use a tv as a computer monitor, you can get away with a 2 channel setup, since you probably are the only person and you are  sitting right in front of the screen.

 

MM

[Severed_hand_of_skywalker]

I agree it’s a missed opportunity. I currently have 2 Essence’ mk2’s Hooked up to my turntable and BS8000 with BL17’s and BL8000 hooked to them plus a third party sub. This is because the Essence has 2 Powerlink ports (For up to 4 speakers) and RCA line in.  It cost me 1/6 of what this new core does and it still only has 1 Powerlink port. I would have to lose the sub which isn’t happening.

Stereo HDMI for Video audio is a joke, it always sounds warped.

It also really needs WiSA support for this high price.

The essence works perfectly all the time and with all my modern stuff. I don’t see what I would gain from this.

Setup PDF if you want more details

I noticed the app on the website looks a bit different or is that speaker selector on the bottom left something new?

 

 

[beojeff]

Perhaps you thought I was asking for your advice? I wasn’t.

Millemissen wrote:

beojeff wrote:

I suspect that the tv’s internal speaker could be used for the center channel. Such a speaker could hardly keep up with the quality of beolabs, though.

This will not be possible and even if, a really bad idea soundwise. These internal speakers would still be a set of L/R speakers and there would be no option to adjust for level matching or for setting up speakers distance etc. Personally – if I would need a non-B&O tv for the kitchen – I’d still go for a Stage, despite it being a bit older now and not a Mozart platform device. IMO, if you go for a 2 channel setup for a tv, you should place the speakers on either side very close to the screen in order to maximize the illusion of a phantom center. How about a set of the BL12’s ? if you use a tv as a computer monitor, you can get away with a 2 channel setup, since you probably are the only person and you are sitting right in front of the screen. MM

[jongsang Han]

“USB-C: For digital audio connection to Beolab 50/90 or to connect audio from a computer.” According to the product’s user manual, USB-C can be used for output from a PC.

[Millemissen]

beojeff wrote:

Perhaps you thought I was asking for your advice? I wasn’t.

Sure no – it was just a general statement.

I guess you’d ask for an advice, if you’d need one ?

MM

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