Low-Budget Multiroom Setup for Ceiling Speakers

[Christian]

Dear Forum Members,

My head is spinning with all these Bang & Olufsen products, especially the older ones. There’s Master-Link, Powerlink, BeoLink, and who knows what else, with all sorts of crazy cables I’ve never seen before. I assume this all comes from the past and is some kind of legacy stuff. But for someone new to this topic, it’s just too complicated – at least for me.

Current Setup:

• BeoSound 2 (1st Generation) → Already in place and connected to the network via Wi-Fi.
• BeoSound Level → Already in place and connected to the network via Wi-Fi.

I can stream music to each device via AirPlay (whether from Apple TV, iPhone, or iPad). I can also play B&O Radio on one device and then, with a single click, add the other device so that the radio stream plays synchronously on both. I believe this feature is called “BeoLink.” Either way, it’s a multiroom feature.

Goal:

• I want to install affordable ceiling speakers to play background music through my Bang & Olufsen setup. These should also support AirPlay or at least the multiroom feature.

Idea:

• My understanding is that I need something like a BeoSound Core, which connects to an amplifier that powers the ceiling speakers. Bang & Olufsen offers options like the BeoAmp 2 (expensive) or BeoLink Passive. Maybe there are other alternatives?
• A key requirement is that the amplifier should turn on automatically via the BeoSound Core, so it doesn’t consume power when not in use.
• Additionally, volume control should work through the Bang & Olufsen app or AirPlay – I don’t want to adjust anything manually on the amplifier.

Can anyone enlighten me on how to achieve an affordable setup?

Thanks in advance!

[BeoKei]

You simply need a Beoconnect Core. From there you can decide to stay all B&O with the current architectual speakers and Beoamp 2 or using adapter cables you can connect any brand amps and speakers.

[Christian]

Thanks for the fast response. So I understand you suggest the Beoconnect Core (new). I mentioned the BeoSound Core (legacy). Will the BeoSound Core be sufficient or is the Beoconnect Core needed? This first one is available for around 300-400 € at eBay where the later is > 1.000 €. Furthermore the BeoAmp 2 is also very expensive, more like 650 €. Therefore I tend for a 3rd party solution as it should be a budget solution. Its just for background music.

You mentioned Adapter Cables to run 3rd party Amplifier and Speakers. What would I need here?

[Guy]

Christian wrote:

Furthermore the BeoAmp 2 is also very expensive, more like 650 €. Therefore I tend for a 3rd party solution as it should be a budget solution. Its just for background music.

Don’t rule out the Beolink Passive – you can pick these up very cheaply second hand and they are easy to trigger (turn on) with the Powerlink output from the Core*.   If you are using passive ceiling mounted speakers then at the very least trial a Passive and see how you get on.  I suspect that this solution will be fine for background music.

* Using a cable like this:  https://soundsheavenly.com/bang-olufsen/31-325-rj45-to-powerlink-compatible-all-in-one-cable-convert-new-2013-ethernet-powerlink-to-traditional-8-pin-din-powerlink.html#/9-length-18m

To keep costs under control, you may also want to consider the Beosound Essence Mk2 instead of the Core.  Available second hand for £100-200 on UK eBay.

Location: Warwickshire, UK
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[Millemis]

@Guy

Are you sure that that is the right cable?

I was recommended – and bought – this one and an adapter cable piece, when I wanted to connect my Essence MK2 to a Passive driving my CX100 in the kitchen (so basicly same scenario).

That works perfectly!

MM

Location: Flensborg————Danmark

[Guy]

Millemis wrote:

Are you sure that that is the right cable?

I was using one earlier today to power a Passive from my Essence Mk2 and it worked perfectly also, include on/off trigger.

However, for the cable that you linked I do see the note about Essence, Passive, etc on @Steve at Sounds Heavenly’s site, so perhaps he can comment?

My cable from Steve is fully wired, and I note that the Beolink Handbook has a note against the fully wired RJ45 to Powerlink to say ‘needed for Passive’.  See attached jpg.

But let’s not over-complicate things for Christian – rest assured that he will be able to trigger a Passive from a Core, or an Essence!!!

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[Millemis]

Interesting!

Yes, maybe Steve can say something about the difference between our two solutions.

MM

Location: Flensborg————Danmark

[Christian]

Wow, thanks a lot for the information. Very appreciated. So if I understand correct I can choose from the following components:

Main Component:

• Beosound Essence Mk2 (cheap)
• BeoSound Core (medium)
• Beoconnect Core (expensive)

Amplifier:

• Beolink Passice (cheap)
• BeoAmp 2 (medium)

Speakers:

• Every cheap ceiling speaker will do

Correct?

If this assumption is correct, two more questions:

1. Are there any active ceiling speakers you are aware of, so that I can skip the Amplifier? My understanding is, no, as they would also need to speak “Powerlink”
2. If I have multiple Speakers (say 2 as stereo pair in the kitchen, maybe 1 in the guest toilette and maybe 2 in the dining room, I would need several “main components”, see above. There is no solution where I can have only one “main component” like a Beoconnect Core and drive 3 areas independently, correct?

 

[Steve at Sounds Heavenly]

Hi everyone,

Sorry for the late reply, I had missed this thread (thanks to Guy for prompting me!)

Basically, the standard (fully wired) RJ45 to Powerlink cable will *sometimes* operate a Beolink Passive from a newer B&O product like Beosound Core or BeoConnect Core, but more often than not it will only work the first time the Passive is powered up, then after the Passive has returned to standby it will usually fail to turn on again.  This is due to one of the two required 5 volt trigger pins in the Powerlink connection being disconnected in the Essence (and in all B&O master products since the Beomaster 5).

I have heard of instances where B&O installers have used the regular cable, powered the Passive on and off once and then left the customer’s home, only to be called back later when the Passive fails to operate for the customer later on in the day.

The fail-safe option is the custom-wired version of the cable which I made for MM as he mentioned above, which provides the two correct voltage triggers to ensure that the Passive operates reliably.

Hope that helps!  Any questions, please ask.

Kind regards, Steve.

Location: The cable workshop, England
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[Guy]

Many thanks Steve – that’s all useful to know and will hopefully help Christian if he decides to go down the Passive route!

But back to his questions …

Christian wrote:

Every cheap ceiling speaker will do Correct?

I suppose so, but if you are going to the trouble of cutting holes in your ceilings then it’s worth investing in a decent product.  B&O did make some Passive ceiling speakers (search for Beovox 1 and 2) and even an in-wall speaker (IWS2000), but other makes will probably sound equally good and there will be a better selection available.  Again, worth trialling with a Passive before committing to a big spend!

Christian wrote:

Are there any active ceiling speakers you are aware of, so that I can skip the Amplifier? My understanding is, no, as they would also need to speak “Powerlink”

Not that I am aware of from B&O, but if you were happy with the aesthetics your could mount Beolab 4000s up in the corners of your rooms – there are wall brackets available.

Christian wrote:

If I have multiple Speakers (say 2 as stereo pair in the kitchen, maybe 1 in the guest toilette and maybe 2 in the dining room, I would need several “main components”, see above. There is no solution where I can have only one “main component” like a Beoconnect Core and drive 3 areas independently, correct?

Ideally you want an NL-capable  ‘main component’ (Essence Mk2, Core etc) per room – I think that this is the only way to get true independent operation with control from the B&O app.  You could maybe get away with an NL/ML Converter in one of the rooms as this has a Powerlink output and should be able to play sources from other NL devices.

• This reply was modified 54 minutes ago by Guy.

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