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
Hi everyone... I'll begin by stating that I'm technically not proficient, at all.
I've bought (twice, trying to get it right) a Beomaster 1900 and a set of beautiful S45 speakers. I've spent a lot of time and money finding the right examples of each and they are both in incredible condition.
I have now paired the two and the combination sounds terrible. There is no warmth, it sounds tinny, life-less and on the brink of distortion, even at low volumes
It's been suggested to me that the amp isn't powerful enough to run these speakers, is this true?
If so, what speakers would everyone recommend to pair with the 1900? Or, is there a way that I can install something between the 1900 and the S45's to achieve the right output and run the speakers nicely? (that would be preferred).
I really would prefer to keep this combo, but advice on new speakers would also be welcomed.
Thanks everyone!
Welcome!
Check foamsurrounds from the S45's
S45-2 has rubber surrounds and will probably be in good condition.
Hi Beobuddy, thanks so much for your reply.
The speakers are actually S45-2 and the rubber surrounds are in perfect condition.
I would assume the poor sound quality is coming from a potential under-powered amp that's running them. What are your thoughts on this?
The BM 1900 is in no way an underpowered amp, and is capable of driving nearly all Beovox speakers, I have a BM 2400, and connects Bvox 3703, P 45, S45, Bvox 1600, type M, CX 100, even some non Beo, rated at 150 W and they all sounds good or very good.
Check your wires, and try to connect a pair of known good speakers
Collecting Vintage B&O is not a hobby, its a lifestyle.
Change capacitors in the crossovers?
The rubber surrounds may look OK in the speakers but does the speaker actually work? One problem with S45's that are moved is the magnet becomes dislodged and the voicecoil becomes 'blocked' so the speaker will not work. Can you gently push the speaker in and does it flex back?
S45-2's are one of the best speakers B&O produced and should be ample for this system.
Dave.
Thanks Søren and Dave...
The speakers flex perfectly and are producing a sound, however the sound is not what I'd consider good. It's a sound that makes you slightly cringe at the thought that, even at low volumes, they sound like they are on the verge of distortion.
Søren, it has been bought to my attention that, the 1900 is not capable of powering these speakers properly. Even here, on beoworld, the speakers are rated a 45W, however both outputs on the 1900 are at a max of 30W. I've been told that the amp requires the same or more power than the speaker rating, and this could be the reason for the poor sound.
I hope I'm mistaken as this set up has cost a lot of money!
The seller of the S45's tell me that they worked very very well with a beautifully rounded, full sound on a higher powered amp prior to shipping. The seller of the 1900 confirms that the amp sounded lovely with other speakers too.
Would you suggest a rebuild of the crossovers as a next step? Braids? Everything looks perfect on these speakers, it baffles me that they don't sound right.
Thanks again for all your help!
It's also worth noting that there are no pops, crackles, hums or anything of that nature from the speakers when active.
Also, to help solve the case, just for the sound to be bearable, the 1900 bass and treble sliders are cranked all the way to max, and loudness is also active.
Cheers!
with a 20 W amp you can drive nearly any speaker if the sensitivity is lower, my 3702s are 40 W, my P45 are 45 W and my BM 2400 (nearly the same as 1900) is 20 W.
Now you will have to locate the problem, that means: Try the speakers with another amp, if they are good there, the problem is in the amp, if the amp plays good with another set of speakers the speakers are bad. When we know which part is bad (speakers or amp) then we can start finding the real problem.
The difference in wattage in the speakers and the amp is not important, my M type speakers are 6-8 W and plays good on my 2400.
There may be a problem with the crossovers, but there may also be a problem with the BM 1900, if non of them was repaired before, the electrolytic caps in both may be bad. BTW most sellers claim that what they sell is in top condition, and the one that told you that a 20 W amp cant drive 30 or 40 W speakers dont know what he is talking about.
Agree with Søren. These are very old by now. They are probably in dire need of service.
/ Johan
Hi there
in no way is the amp under powered for those speakers. The BM 1900 will happily drive most B&O speakers including the S75. I have a BM1900 and a pair of S45-2 speakers and the sound is superb with loudness on and bass and treble set at 0 . Don't worry about what is written on the labels.
I really suspect there is something wrong with either your speakers or your amp, just because you spent a lot of money doesn't mean there can't be an issue. The only way to really determine this is to test them in isolation of each other. You could start by testing the amp with headphones. Then the speakers on another amp and another set of speakers on the amp, it could also be the speaker cables.
most BM1900 will require recapping at their age, so if this hasn't been done and you can isolate the amp as a problem,this is a good place to start.
the s45-2 are pretty reliable and if the woofers are moving freely, unless they have been over driven are less likely to be the source of the issue.
drew
Check the woofers.Does the cone move freely when pushed (carefully of course) or is it frozen solid ?
And grab a capacitor kit for the Beomaster as suggested above.
Martin
Okay guys, thanks again and message heard loud and clear (pardon the pun).
From here I'll find some new cables and test amp and speakers independently and revert back to you all with the results.
Really appreciate the help fellas.
Mitch
I own BM1900, BM2400, and BM4000.
I also own BV S40, BV S45-2, BV P30, BV P45, and BV M70.
I have tried all combinations of these 3 receivers with these 5 pairs of speakers. The BM1900 can sound fabulous with BV S45-2. I know first hand. There is nothing underpowered with a BM1900. It can drive the M70 just fine as well.
Are you sure the source material is not the cause of your poor sound?
PS I don't think cranking bass and treble sliders all the way up and having loudness engaged is the answer. If anything else, I would think that would make things worse.
Dom
2x BeoSystem 3, BeoSystem 5000, BeoSystem 6500, 2x BeoMaster 7000, 2 pair of BeoLab Penta mk2, AV 7000, Beolab 4000, BeoSound 4000, Playmaker, BeoLab 2500, S-45, S-45.2, RL-140, CX-50, C-75, 3x CX-100, 3x MCL2 link rooms, 3x Beolab 2000, M3, P2, Earset, A8 earphones, A3, 2x 4001 relay, H3, H3 ANC, H6, 2014 Audi S5 with B&O sound, and ambio
Does it sound like that on the Radio?, you havent connected a cd plyaer or other device other than a turntable to Phono have you? That would give the symptoms you are describing
Hi AJames,
No, connecting anything other than a turntable to Phono sounds dreadful.
I am using an iPad through the TAPE input.
Good thought though!
I've yet to try the radio as I haven't got an arial for this unit. Will also try that.
Cheers again.
You don't need an aerial. Soren for one just uses a length of bare wire (connected with an alligator clip I believe).
Connecting any high level source to the Phono input wouldn't just sound terrible, it could blow the thing up.
Do you have the equalization setting (EQ) on the iPad set to something other than "Off"?
Well, add me to the owners of the Beomaster 1900-2 and S45-2.
Put simply, the sound is superb, tone controls at their zero settings.
There is plenty of steam too.
It is however less sensitive than a Beomaster 5000 or a 4400.
Jacques
Rich: You don't need an aerial. Soren for one just uses a length of bare wire (connected with an alligator clip I believe). Connecting any high level source to the Phono input wouldn't just sound terrible, it could blow the thing up. Do you have the equalization setting (EQ) on the iPad set to something other than "Off"?
Right, just connect a wire to the middle pin in the FM areal