Cabling issues among Beolab 17, 12, Beoplay A6 with Beosound Core

Hello everyone.

I am very new to B&O and recently fell in love with speakers, ended up buying some B&Os

I currently have: Beolab 17, Beolab 12 subwoofer, Beoplay A6, and Beosound Core (receiver)

My local dealer didn’t provide me a clear instruction of installing all of them with a Samsung UHD TV (2019) so I had to figure it out alone.

 

Starting from TV, It’s currently connected from TV to Beosound Core (from Optical output to 3.5 mm port input via a converter box)

 

Then, Ethernet cable from Beosound Core to a Beolab 17.

Then, Ethernet cables (2) from the Beolab 17; one for another beolab17 piece, another one for beolab 12.

Beosound A6: Wifi using b&o app.

From my engineering background, I am 99% sure I am not getting the maximum sound quality from this structure, especially with the cheap($10) opt-3mm converter box.

i’ve talked to several b&o dealers and i realized they are just salesmen and don’t fully understand the system.

My Beosound Core has only 3.5 mm  input with Optical out, that’s why I am using the converter box... 

Can someone please help me with this poor situation to get maximum(better) sound quality? I am trying to listen to FLAC or high quality sounds recently. I also wonder if there’s a way to directly connect my computer to the receiver as well.

 

I understand this is a silly question, please understand I am very new to this area.

 

Thank you for your time!

Ssookgat:

Starting from TV, It’s currently connected from TV to Beosound Core (from Optical output to 3mm port input via a converter box)

Hello - Why a converter box? My 2017 Samsung optical out is directly connected to my Core optical in.

My Beosound Core has only Line-in/Optical (but 3mm only) and Optical Out.

I just tried using Opt cable on both sides and did not work.

Is your Core unit different from what I have?

I use a Toslink (Samsung connect hub) / Mini Toslink (Core) cable:

Thank you so much!

 

I see those cables are under $10 too.

 

Would it help me get better sound quality if I replace the converter with the cable you listed?

Then I would like to understand the following:

You wrote: I currently have: Beolab 17, Beolab 12 subwoofer, Beoplay A6, and Beosound Core (receiver)
Question: For me the Beolab 12 is a speaker, not a sub and has no RJ45 port. Can you clarify the exact product you have as sub?

You wrote: Then, Ethernet cable from Beosound Core to a Beolab 17.
Question: Which category of Ethernet cable?

You wrote: I am 99% sure I am not getting the maximum sound quality from this structure
Question: Can you describe?

You wrote: I am trying to listen to FLAC or high quality sounds recently.
Question: Where are these FLAC files stored? How do you use to play them before acquiring B&O products?

You wrote: I also wonder if there’s a way to directly connect my computer to the receiver as well.
Question: What do you want to achieve here knowing that all components (Core, A6, Computer) can communicate over a LAN, wired or wireless.

Question: Are you using other music sources such a Deezer, Spotify, Apple Music, DLNA, Internet radios, etc....?

 

Ssookgat:

Would it help me get better sound quality if I replace the converter with the cable you listed?

I hope so, the less components you use, the better it is usually, but it also depends on the answers you'll provide to the other questions

I really appreciate your time and guidance.

I forgot the name of the subwoofer which is actually Beolab 11.

I am not sure what you exactly mean by ‘which type of ethernet cable’, but I believe it’s power link RJ45 cable purchased at bang and olufsen.

I meant that I was 99% sure  I wasnt gettting maximum sound quality for having a cheap Optical-3.5mm converter in the middle of the system.

Flac files can be anywhere among a windows PC, Macbook pro, iphone, ipad, TV, Internet router share drive...

I don’t mind the system communicating over LAN, Wireless, or Wired. I am trying to learn what I can do to develop....

I usually play musics on the TV using Apple TV device and a laptop.

 

Again, thank you so much!!!!

Sorry - but that is fairly eay connectionwise.

 

First - with the BL17’s you hardly will need the BL11 (dependent on your room and the placement....testing it will tell you!).

However, if you still want it in the chain, go from the BS Core to the BL11 (using a RJ45 to DIN PL cable).

As for bas management etc consult the user guide of the BL11.

From the BL11 use PL cables to the BL17’s (DIN to RJ45), set these correctly L/R......

If you leave the BL11 out, just connect the BL17’s to the Core using RJ45 PL cables.

 

The Core has an optical input - use an optical cable from the tv to connect it.

When the tv has an optical out - which probably will be the case - there is no need for any converter for the connection to the Core (optical input).

There might be setting to make in the sound menu of the tv (?)....decode to PCM, downmix....

The input of the Core detects the signal from the tv, when it is active....then control the volume (of the Core) with the Bang & Olufsen app, or - better - with a BeoRemote One/BT.

 

Correctly set up you can use the Core as part of the multiroom experience with the A6....

You can also AirPlay etc directly to the Core...or use it as a DLNA renderer.

For settings of the Core please consult the guide, look at videos, see app etc.

 

MM

Hi Ssookgat

First of all, you should know/understand several things:

When you use optical fiber wires (Toslink), the signal is going optical/digital (vs electrical/analog when you use copper wires with Jack/miniJack or RJ45 Powerlink).

Your TV is able to receive digital data (HDMI, DVB, etc.) and to transmit digital signals via its optical output.

The Beosound Core is able to receive and to transmit both analog and digital signals.

The Beolab 17 are able to receive and to transmit both analog and digital signals.

The Beolab 11 is (only) able to receive and transmit analog signals (via Powerlink).

Your TV, the BS Core and your BL17s have all a Digital to Analog Converter (DAC).

If you go digital, better go digital as far as possible (or up to your best DAC).

Avoid multiple digital analog conversions.

Avoid very low quality DAC, wires and plugs (ask Steve from Soundsheavenly)

When you introduce a subwoofer (even if the BL11 is more of a boomer) in your setup, and because the signal is filtered by the BL11, you have to wire your setup like this:

Source —> Subwoofer —> Speakers.

Now, if I were you, I would try these various setups and compare what I like most - what is the most convenient (without order of preference):

#1 without the BL11 and without the BS Core

TV opt out —> BL17-1 opt in —> BL17-1 opt out —> BL17-2 opt in.

Add this if you can: BS Core opt out (Toslink) —> TV opt in

#2 without the BL11

TV opt out —> BS Core opt in —> BS Core opt out —> BL17-1 opt in —> BL17-1 opt out —> BL17-2 opt in.

#3 with the BL11

TV opt out —> BS Core opt in —> BS Core PL out —> BL11 PL in

+ BL11 PL-1 out —> BL17-1 PL in

+ BL11 PL-2 out —> BL17-1 PL in.

And please, give us your feedback

To add to MM and CB detailed answers, you also have the following option (assuming you want to keep your BL 11 and the cables provided by B&O):

Core <- Power Link RJ45/DIN cable -> Beolab 11 Power Link IN ---- Beolab 11 Power Link OUT <- Power Link DIN/RJ45 cable -> Beolab 17-1 <- RJ45/RJ45 -> Beolab 17-2

Note: all products must be configured according to their role, position, etc...  e.g Left, Right, Wall, Corner, Free, INT. BASS Management, and, Core speaker setup must be set accordingly. See products' documentation (available on line case needed).

You: I am not sure what you exactly mean by ‘which type of ethernet cable’, but I believe it’s power link RJ45 cable purchased at bang and olufsen.

Hopefully B&O has provided you the right cables. I let you search on the net about the different Ethernet cable types, but usually Category 7 or Category 6 are recommended, mains cables and ethernet cables path should be separated as much as possible.

You: I meant that I was 99% sure I wasnt gettting maximum sound quality for having a cheap Optical-3.5mm converter in the middle of the system.

The converter (if we are talking about an adapter here, i.e not powered product) may not be an issue, unless you hear a bad sound after you have correctly installed your products as recommended in this thread. What is important too is not to bent the fiber too much between the TV system and the Core

You: Flac files can be anywhere among a windows PC, Macbook pro, iphone, ipad, TV, Internet router share drive...

Core and A6 are not able to mount a share drive where FLAC files are located. One way for these products to play music files is to leverage a DLNA server that you can easily install on you computer, even for free. If you want to physically connect your computer to the Core, you'll have to share the optical in of the Core with your TV which implies other components in the setup. For Apple mobile devices, Bluetooth, Airplay or Chromecast (for some applications) are ways of streaming to your B&O products, but it will not be the highest quality. Again, your products must be configured accordingly.

You: I usually play musics on the TV using Apple TV device and a laptop.

You could try first using Airplay from your computer or your Apple TV to the Core in order to setup your sound configuration.

Then you can try the B&O multiroom experience with Core + A6 or Airplay 2 (if you are an Airplay fan). This assumes your products are up to date from a software point of view and are correctly configured to support multiroom experiences.

Then you can try the sound from your TV, but you'll face setup challenges regarding the delay, i.e. if you want proper image/sound synchronisation you'll have to deactivate Opt.IN delay in the Core which will impact the B&O multiroom synchronisation.

Then you can think about installing a DLNA server (e.g  Minimserver) on your computer where you have FLAC files and stream them to your Core (or A6) leveraging the B&O App for example, with hopefully a better sound quality (this is very subjective and conditional to your environment).

You are juste at the begining of your experience :-) and as CB is saying, please share.

Thank you gentlemen: Milemissen, CB, and mbolo01!!!

I can’t thank you enough for your awesome considerations!

Now I am trying to install: TV - Core - Beolab 11 - Beolab17’s using DIN/RJ45 cables

I just placed an order of two extra DIN/RJ45 cables from B&O (from beolab 11 to each beolab 17s)

It will take about 2-3 weeks to receive the cables from Denmark.  Agh...

I will surely inform you how it works differently as soon I install them.

 

Thank you so much!

 

Ssookgat:

I just placed an order of two extra DIN/RJ45 cables from B&O (from beolab 11 to each beolab 17s)

It will take about 2-3 weeks to receive the cables from Denmark.  Agh...

If I may, and if you can cancel your order, I would have ordered the cables with https://soundsheavenly.com/

KR

Hello everyone,

 

i have the same configuration of Ssookgat more 2 beolab 6002.

So my question is if is possible to connect BL17 + BL11 + BL6002 with the core ?

 

Now all the speaker are connected to BV8 and the streaming with ATV to BV8 via HDMI. Also one BS3200 is connect to BV8.

The sound with CD are ok but with Spotify is not so good.

 

I thinking to move to rhe LG C9 + Stage and keep the BL' s only for music.

I hope if this possible  and (for music) the quality can improve.

 

Sorry for my english.

 

Thank you for your time!

Ciao a tutti,

 

is possible this connnection ?

 

Core opt out --> BL17-1 opt in --> BL17-1 opt out --> BL17-2 opt_in

+  Core PL out —> BL11 PL in

+ BL11 PL-1 out —> BL6002-1 PL in

+ BL11 PL-2 out —> BL6002-2 PL in.

 

Thank you for your time!