Beolab 5 sync Cable

[MMC]

I am trying to determine, what is the “Syncr” or sync cable , that needs to run between the two Beolab 5 speakers.     I’ve looked at the manual and can’t tell, and I don’t have access to the speakers right now, they are in storage.   I have to run some wires in the floor, before it’s finished and need to locate the cable.    I’ll be using these with Sonos, so I have the other connections, just not the sync cable.

[NQVHNWI]

[MMC]

I must have missed that.  The manual I found online, described the jack, but not what kind of connector it was.    So it’s a 3.5mm stereo cable.  That’s an easy find on Amazon then.   Thanks so much!

[Steve at Sounds Heavenly]

Hi MMC,

The sync cable is specially wired, so a regular 3.5mm minijack cable won’t work. However, this is rarely needed.

Its aim is to keep the speakers at a matched volume level when using the line input, but they won’t normally require this unless one speaker is hidden out of sight from the remote control (and I don’t advise this anyway as it would spoil the sound!)

If you really want a Sync cable then I can make one for you via my sponsor link below, but they are rarely needed.

Kind regards, Steve.

Location: The cable workshop, England
Favourite Product: Beosystem 72-23
Signature: Cables, friendly advice and great ideas for connecting Bang & Olufsen! Ask any questions at https://soundsheavenly.com to get the best from your B&O! Please visit my B&O YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/soundsheavenlycables
My B&O Icons:

[ardiri]

I know i had one of these when i purchased my BeoLab 5’s.. but, i’ve misplaced it.

while you mention a standard 3.5mm mini-jack wont work; do you happen to have a schecmatic for the sync cable? i noticed that SoundsHeavily can make a cable – but, they do not ship outside of Europe, and I am based in Australia.

i can make my own cables 🙂 i just need to know what is so special about the BeoLab 5 sync cable.

// Aaron

[ardiri]

 

It seems the 3.5mm mini jack is an RS232 connection.. so, a three pin TRS cable would do, as long as the Rx and Tx lines are swapped. Does anyone know which pin the GNDD signal is on? The tip, ring or sleeve?

I respectfully contacted someone who made cables, only to be blocked/refused info since I am not in UK/Europe.. go figure.. maybe someone else can clarify the wiring schematics.

// Aaron

 

[stefan]

ardiri wrote:

I respectfully contacted someone who made cables, only to be blocked/refused info since I am not in UK/Europe.. go figure.. maybe someone else can clarify the wiring schematics. // Aaron

?!?!!

ardiri wrote:

It seems the 3.5mm mini jack is an RS232 connection.. so, a three pin TRS cable would do, as long as the Rx and Tx lines are swapped. Does anyone know which pin the GNDD signal is on? The tip, ring or sleeve? // Aaron

Yes, correct. sleeve is ground as in all 3,6mm and 6,3mm jack plugs.

You jut must swap  tip and ring (Tx – Rx) on one side of the cable – that`s it.

Hope this helps

Stefan

[ardiri]

yes, was a little shocked – oh well 🙂

i managed to splice two 3.5mm mini jack cables, swapping the Rx and Tx (T+R), while the S is ground. this worked once i wired it up – meaning i can now order the bits and pieces to make a more official cable that isn’t spliced together *g*

for future reference, anyone interested:

(tip)
TIP
RING
SLEEVE

one side needs to be:

(tip)
Rx
Tx
GNDD

and the other side should be

(tip)
Tx
Rx
GNDD

thanks for the clarification; now i’m curious about the RS232 protocol.. baud rate, messages etc.. because, it does more than just synchronize the volume; it also controls the power on/off.. so, there is probably a nice little proprietrary binary (or even AT command) protocol that would be interesting to see what you could do with these cables..

[Author]

Posts