ARCHIVED FORUM -- March 2012 to February 2022READ ONLY FORUM
This is the second Archived Forum which was active between 1st March 2012 and 23rd February 2022
Can anyone advise me on what maybe the issue with the display screens on my Penta Mk1 active speakers please. The switches all work at the bottom, the sound is superb too. Just would love the displays to work as intended.
Cheers
Welcome to Beoworld !
What are your speakers connected to and how ?
Martin
Welcome to Beoworld.
What do you have them connected to? Have you got the correct version of the cables to your speakers? Have you set the switch underneath to 'video' or 'audio' depending on your source?
Dave.
Hi,
They're independently connected via power link cables to a Beocentre 9500 (1986), along with a Beogram 9500.
The sound is incredible from all sources.
The sound is incredible from all sources. The small switch at the base, underneath, is switched to Audio.
Welcome to Beoworld! If these are mk.1 Pentas, they won't have Powerlink sockets fitted, just 4pin Speakerlink and RCA Line sockets. This means that there is likely to be a short adapter under each speaker if they are connected via Powerlink cables to the Beocenter. Please check that the Powerlink cables are the fully wired mk.2 versions (approx. 4mm diameter) as shown below, as other versions of Powerlink cable won't operate the displays:-
http://soundsheavenly.com/powerlink-8-pin-din-connection/23-powerlink-mk-2-black-8-pin-din-cable-with-fully-wired-8-cores.html
The other option is that 4 pin Speakerlink cable may have been used directly from the speakers to the Beocenter (as shown below), these should operate the displays without any problems:-
http://soundsheavenly.com/speakerlink-4-pin-din-cables/19--speakerlink-.html
If you are able to send a photo of the speaker sockets and the cables, I will be pleased to advise further.
Kind regards, Steve.
Steve.
www.soundsheavenly.com
Founder of Sounds Heavenly Cables and Brand Ambassador for Bang & Olufsen
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BarringtonSmedleySmythe: Hi, They're independently connected via power link cables to a Beocentre 9500 (1986), along with a Beogram 9500. The sound is incredible from all sources. The small switch at the base, underneath, is switched to Audio.
FYI. The mk1 doesn't have a switch. It will only respond (if connected correctly) to audiosources. Connecting the mk1 to for instance a BV7 with powerlink to speakerlink cables, will not work.
Did anyone notice that a 6632 is a MK 3 Penta?
These for sure have Powerlink.
So the Audio/Video switch is there and the Audio setting correct.
No idea why it's not functioning, though.
hx
First things first: Also from me a welcome to Beoworld!
If the Audio/Video switch is set correct and the displays are not working, my first approach would be the cables.
As Steve alredy mentioned, please make sure that you are using fully wired 8-pin Powerlink cables, theese are necessary for the displays to work. With a none fully wired Powerlink cable you will get sound but the display wont work.
Foxtrott
"The first thing we do, let's kill all the lawyers."
William Shakespeare, Henry VI, Part 2, Act 4
Hi everyone and thanks for your warm welcome and interest in this issue.
I've taken photos of the base and cables. I'm unable to attach pictures on this forum from my iPhone, so I'll describe to the best of my abilities.
There is 4 connections, consisting of...
Power link 1 (8 din pin),
Line in (jack plug type?)
Power Link 2 ( 8 din pin) and the final connection... Speaker link ( 4 or 5 pin).
There is also the audio/video switch.
The cables are female+female 8 din pin type.
I'm guessing, with my little knowledge on this matter, that if the 8 wires after 25 years have broken down. Probably trampled on whilst tucked under carpets... TUT TUT...That the delicate signal wires for the displays are possibly the culprits.
I've bought this entire system from a family 150 miles away, a few weeks before Christmas. I was too excited to examine closely when I first set my eyes on the beautiful system.
However the system does work, a couple of niggles, but I'm determined to resolve these.
Kind regards Bazz
I'd invest in the correct Powerlink cables from Steve at Sounds Heavenly. Carpet grippers are horrendous for causing damage to these cables (as are cats!) and if the outer sheath is damaged, one of the internal wires may well be compromised. I have had this exact problem before.
Start afresh with new cables, check the switch is on 'Audio' and take it from there.
Cheers Dave and everyone else that has got involved,
I'll do just that, thanks... Steve... I'll be contacting you some time soon.
Still curious in finding out if these active speakers are mk1 2 or 3, I'm guessing mk1.
Has anyone got wiring diagrams for these?
toodle pip, enjoy the weekend guys, kind regards Bazz
The mk1 doesn't have the audio/video switch and no powerlinksockets.
the type 6632 is mk3, but can't be from 1988, mk3 were released from the early 90's. The mk1 started mid 1986.
The mk3 has the green display. ( also with 2 versions)
I suspect a most common confusion: the "1988" you might see in the bottom is the copyright year of the design, and has nothing to do with the actual date of manufacture (except that the latter obviously can't be earlier than that).
To keep things interesting, some previous owner / repairer / reseller might have swapped the amps and towers between different marks for some reason or another.
--mika
Ahhhh,
the plot thickens. Haha. Post 1988 possibly 1990 mk3 speakers with greeeeen displays, ooooh. Can't wait to find out.
I'll let you guys know how I get on with the new cables, I'm needing x2 16 metre 8 din with right angle connections on one end... Steve, I'll be in touch.
Thanks Bazz!
Get some good cables. There are far too many "cheap alternatives" and homemade ones around and they are often completely worthless.This type of cable, where the amplifier basically is at full volume at all times, is quite sensitive, not only to good shielding but often also tohow the signal leads pass through the cable in relation to data traffic leads.
Bodging something yourself could easily end in loss of money and time. I would order from Steve.
Thanks Martin,
Yes, there are great differences in the quality of cables being offered and this can have a very noticeable effect on sound quality.
This is the reason that I always offer a 60 day "home trial" on all of my cables, as I find that is the best way to ensure that a buyer can satisfy themselves as to the quality of the cables in their own home before they have to commit to keeping them. I'm always happy to refund cables for any reason if a buyer isn't happy, but they are very rarely returned
Thanks to everyone,
Displays on my ... MK3 ! Penta's are now working.
The new powerlink cables from Sounds Heavenly ( Steve )
did the trick.
One happy chappy Bazz
That's great news Bazz
Thanks for letting us know!
Nice that they're Mk III. I love my Mk II Pentas.
Unfortunately one of them has packed up and keeps turning off. Thought about trying to find Mk IIIs to replace them but got a really good deal on New Beolab 12-3s on floor stands.
Stoobie
Hi Scoobie,
The colour of the displays .... Drum roll...
GREEEEEEEN :)
I meant sToobie :) sorry