Clarifying Beoconnect Core capabilities

[sorenfelden]

I’ve noticed that Bang & Olufsen’s description of the Beoconnect Core on their website doesn’t really dive into the specifics of what it can actually do, which leaves a bit to the imagination! I’d love some help verifying if I’ve got the right understanding of its features and benefits. From what I’ve gathered, the Beoconnect Core primarily serves two functions:

Connecting non-B&O TVs to B&O speakers: This includes smart TVs from any brand, allowing you to enjoy B&O-quality sound without needing a B&O television. If you happen to have an LG TV, it seems the Beoremote One can even control it via the Core, adding a nice level of integration.
Easy music streaming: The Core allows streaming music from devices (e.g., an iPhone) to your speakers through a dedicated B&O music app.

Is that correctly understood? Also, a few questions come to mind:

Compatibility with speaker types: It sounds like the Beoconnect Core works with both older and newer B&O speakers, regardless of whether they’re wireless or cabled. However, if the speakers are cabled, is there any benefit to using the Core rather than connecting directly to the TV? Other than enabling control via the Beoremote One and music streaming, does it add value for cabled setups?
Speaker setup options: I understand it can handle a standard 2-speaker stereo setup, but can it go further? For instance, could it manage a more complex arrangement, like 2 speakers plus a subwoofer or even a full surround setup with rear speakers?

Thanks in advance to anyone who can shed some light on these points – it’s always great to hear real user experiences!

• This topic was modified 1 week, 1 day ago by sorenfelden.
• This topic was modified 1 week, 1 day ago by sorenfelden.

[DT79]

I can’t answer all your questions but i can clarify a few things because i looked into this myself to potentially use a Beoconnect Core with my BL18s & BL19.

The BC Core can only connect to the speakers via cables. Things can be wireless streamed to it, but it cannot connect wirelessly to speakers. To do that you would need a Transmitter 1 (which would be connected via Powerlink cable from the BC Core), but that loses the ability to tailor the sound profile to the connected B&O speakers (one of the big benefits of the BC Core versus the old Beosound Core or a 3rd party preamp).

You can connect it to both BL18s and a BL19, but it requires the use of a powerlink splitter and you have to set the crossover filtering in the sub yourself (there is no crossover filter applied to the output from the BC Core, so nothing can be applied to the BL18s). This arrangement is somewhat sub-optimal, but with a little experimentation should work well.

The BC Core only outputs a stereo signal – so no surround sound.

Hope that helps.

[sorenfelden]

Thanks for your reply. This is actually mind-blowing to me – I thought the whole point of a Beoconnect was to ensure you could wirelessly connect a non-B&O TV to wireless B&O speakers, such as the Beolab 18/19? But apparently not…. So, what is exactly the Beoconnect’s purpose?

[DT79]

It’s essentially a streamer/pre-amp

[Jmen]

I have a Beosound Core connected to a Beomaster 4400.  The B&O app allows the Beosound Core to join a multi-room session as well as begin a multi-room session using line-in.  All other speakers available in the B&O app can join with the Beosound Core used as a line-in source.  All wireless here.

Joe M in WV

[sorenfelden]

It makes perfect sense for B&O to produce a streamer, as this is likely the primary sound source for most users these days, apart from TV. But seriously, why on earth didn’t they make it wireless and thereby compatible with their own range of wireless speakers? It’s baffling that two key products from the same brand don’t work seamlessly together. You couldn’t make this up!

[DT79]

Agreed, the Beoconnect Core and the Beosound Core before it have been horribly compromised in a number of pointless ways. Not including the WISA transmitter capability is only one of them. Why combine analogue and optical inputs into a single socket thereby effectively meaning there’s only a single input? Why exclude the optical output from the Beoconnect Core? Given the fact that it costs what it does, why include an HDMI input on the Beoconnect Core but then limit it only to Stereo? Why doesn’t the connected speaker sound profile persist if you connect the Beoconnect Core to a Transmitter 1, given that’s the only way of connecting to speakers wirelessly? Why not have the ability to connect both speakers and sub and have the Beoconnect Core manage the crossover (like the transmitter 1 can via WISA)? Why give the option of connecting the speakers and sub using a splitter cable, but then not allow the option to select sound profiles for both speakers and sub?

I wanted to go full B&O, but the ‘Core products are just too compromised, even within their own ecosystem, let alone if you want to connect any 3rd party sources.

If you really want to connect up your speakers wirelessly, then have a look at Almando, Soundsend and google ‘WISA transmitters’ in general and see what’s out there. It will be hidden away, so the fact it’s not B&O need not be ‘in your face’ except for the fact that you won’t be able to use a Beoremote 1 (which I realise is a major drawback).

On the other hand if you really want to go full B&O and be able to use the Beoremote 1 and the Beoconnect Core otherwise does what you need it to, then bite the bullet and get a Transmitter 1 – at least it can be hidden away.

wrote:

It makes perfect sense for B&O to produce a streamer, as this is likely the primary sound source for most users these days, apart from TV. But seriously, why on earth didn’t they make it wireless and thereby compatible with their own range of wireless speakers? It’s baffling that two key products from the same brand don’t work seamlessly together. You couldn’t make this up!

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