2 pairs of Beolab 8000 speakers with Core

Hey, I already have one pair of Beolab 8000 speakers and I was thinking about buying another pair of Bang & Olufsen speakers but I don't know which. Are there smaller ones I can add? Or should I just buy another Beolab 8000 pair? I also want a Core to replace my BeoCenter 2300 and play music via Airplay 2. What do you guys think?

The 8000s are about two generations old

Their smaller cousins are 6000s.

Many BeoWorld people and the Jarmins don’t rate them.

We like the 6000s coupled with a beolab 11.

The next generation was the acoustic lenses; in order of release:

- BeoLab 5 aka the Daleks

- BeoLab 3 ..... we have these

- BeoLab 9 aka the Penguins

- BeoLab 18 ... the successor to the 8000s

- BeoLab 20s ... we have these; and they are successors to the Penguins

The latest generation is the BeoLab 90s and the BeoLab 50s.

Rumour has it that something like a BeoLab 30 is coming. Maybe we will know after IFA in Berlin.

If you can afford them go for the rumoured 30s.

Or stick to what you know and love

A new Mark II Core will probably support any of the above with the right cables from Steve and Sounds Heavenly.

How you use two stereo pairs with a single Core is a separate discussion !!!

Thanks elephant!

Two pairs of Beolab 8000 speakers connecting to the single output socket of a Core is certainly possible, you would need:-

1 x RJ45 to Powerlink splitter: https://soundsheavenly.com/bang-olufsen/27-313-rj45-powerlink-compatible-splitter-new-powerlink-to-two-8-pin-din-powerlink-compatible-sockets.html#/20-length-02m

2 x Powerlink splitters: https://soundsheavenly.com/bang-olufsen/26-129-powerlink-compatible-splitter-doubler-2-fully-wired-powerlink-compatible-sockets.html#/20-length-02m

4 x Powerlink cables: https://soundsheavenly.com/powerlink-8-pin-din-connection/20-266-powerlink-mk-3-compatible-8-pin-din-cable-with-4-cores-wired-low-profile-cable.html#/1-length-05m

I find that Beolab 6000 works very well alongside Beolab 8000, especially with the smaller 6000s at the rear of the listening area.

Kind regards, Steve.

Hiddecollee:

Are there smaller ones I can add?

Hi

Yes, there are (quite a lot), but do you want them new or preowned (vintage)?

Same style as the BL8000?

As Steve said above...I have a pair of 6000s as rear channel speakers in 5.1 configuration, with 8000s as front speakers.  I'm happy with it.

That said, let me put in a plug for the 4000s, which I think elephant may have skipped in his list.  The Beolab 4000 punches above its weight, both in terms of sound and value on the used market.  If your use case requires a smaller, inexpensive speaker to sonically match your 8000s, you should look at the 4000s as well as the 6000s.

BeoFrederic:

As Steve said above...I have a pair of 6000s as rear channel speakers in 5.1 configuration, with 8000s as front speakers. I'm happy with it.

That said, let me put in a plug for the 4000s, which I think elephant may have skipped in his list. The Beolab 4000 punches above its weight, both in terms of sound and value on the used market. If your use case requires a smaller, inexpensive speaker to sonically match your 8000s, you should look at the 4000s as well as the 6000s.

Thanks Frederic - you are quite correct !

I deliberately left the 4000s and their successor the 17s out as they were “non-conforming” to the acoustic lenses :)

Similarly the BeoLab 4s.

I left out the subwoofers 2, 11, & 19 because they are um subs

Except to mention the 11 in passing, because when daisy chained with 6000s it significantly improves the overall 6000 experience.

Maybe less so in your 5.1 rear configuration - although personally I would prefer bass effects in my rears. Which is where one day my BL3s will go ... although when I think 7.2.2 I wonder whether I should have bought +4xBL3s as they went EOL

If all you need is AirPlay 2. The easiest option with any combination of Beolab 8000 or 6000s are:

1. Get and AirPort Express Gen 2 (can be had for $50 on eBay)

2. Get a stereo jack splitter (can be had for $7 on Amazon)

3. Get two pairs of stereo to RCA cables (Steve sells these).

4. Set all the speakers to line.

5. You can also have a sub such as a BL 2 in the mix if you want. In that case, you’ll need PowerLink splitters for the BL 2. You don’t need the stereo splitter just go from AirPort express to the sub.

You can replace the AirPort express with a Sonos Amp if you like or similar. My guess is that either option will give you at least good AirPlay 2 support at a lower cost and fewer cables :)

Thanks Jaffrey,

The cheaper Sonos Connect is a better option than Sonos Connect:Amp, as this has pre-out sockets to allow the speakers to be connected directly.

You can use Beolab 2 with any of these music players, but a powered trigger cable is needed (I can provide variants with either a minijack input for Airport Express, or twin RCA plugs for Sonos Connect).  The other speakers will then link to the output of the subwoofer with normal Powerlink cables.

Please ask if you need any help with connections and I will be pleased to assist.

Kind regards, Steve.