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,
I have an opportunity for a pair of beolab 3. My system though isn’t (yet) B&O.
I would like to use them as a front left and right in a 5.1 surround system. All satellite speakers are connected to the back of the subwoofer with 1 RCA plug. (Mono?)
I know you have to put the Beolab 3 in “line” mode and use a special cable (7din to RCA) but as I understand these cables have red and white plugs and I can only plug in 1 RCA. Can I just use one (red or white) or will this not work? Does a powerlink 7din to mono RCA exist?
What about power on the speakers? Will this be enough? (Or are those trigger outputs needed?)
In the manual there is also mentioned that the line signal has to be a volume-controlled line-level signal not exceeding 3 Vrms. What does this mean? Do I have to look for some output specifications on my system?
According to my system specs the satellites are each powered by 9 watts RMS
I know it sounds a bit stupid to connect a pair of B&o speakers to a cheap system but this is just temporary and since I can have a good deal I wanted to know if it would work.
Thank You,
Fred
Hi Fred,
based on your info it is not possible to connect it this way. First of all, you would probably blow your speakers as I believe that the current connection is powered (i.e the amp is in your "subwoofer").
What you would need is a receiver with pre-amp outputs. There are receivers where it is possible to only connect the two fronts to pre-outs and the others to the powered speaker connections.
I have for instance a Cambridge Azur 540r v3 (which is for sale btw) which I am using as the "heart" of my 5.1 setup (all Beolabs). However, it is possible to only have Beolabs as fronts and other powered speakers as center and surrounds.
BR
Riven
My B&O products: Beosound 9000, Beosound 2300, Beosound Century, Beolab 8000, Beolab 6000, Beolab 4000 x2, Beolab 3500, Beolab 2000, Beolab 10, Beolink Active x2, Beotime, Beo5 x2, Beo4, A9 keyring x2, LC2 dimmer x6 and growing....
I agree with Rivenflush.
The setup you describe whereby all speakers are plugged in to the Subwoofer are generally known as Home Theatre in a Box setups. The HTIB i have seen it generally is just speaker wire going in to the Subwoofer. Bose systems I have seen where there is one RCA going in to the subwoofer then speaker wire (with a connector) going in to the satelittes. That type of setup would not work as the Subwoofer is powered; and your Beolabs are powered.
A receiver with "pre outs" is basically used for setups where the satelitte speakers are powered, like Beolab 3s are.
If you have the chance to grab the BL3s you will not regret them.
Living Room: Beosystem 4, Beolab 7-2 (Center), Beolab 9 (Fronts), Beolab 8000 (Rears), no Subwoofer. Screen: Sony KD-85XH9096Dining Room: Beosound Essence MK II with Beolab 4000 on stands, fed by Amazon Echo Show 8Home Cinema: Beosystem 4, Beolab 7-4 (Center), Beolab 1 (Fronts), Beolab 4000 (Rears). Projector: Sony VPL-HW55Home Office: Beosystem 3, Beolab 7-4, Beolab 5000, Screen: Sony KD-55XH9005 on Beovision 7-40 stand, ML to Beosound 9000 MK3 and Beosound 5/Beomaster 5 (1 TB SSD version)Bedroom: Sony KD-65XH9077, Beosound Essence MK II with Beolab 6002 and Beolab 11 (all white, wall-mounted)
In storage: Beolab 5000/Beomaster 5000 (1960s).