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
I know its boring going over old ground, but all of our devices work aswell. Only the Beolit suffering stoppages.
Again, and please read every review thoroughly. The greatest sound for sure, but........
http://store.apple.com/us/reviews/H7355LL/A/bang-and-olufsen-beolit-12-airplay-speaker
Beosound Stage, Beovision 8-40, Beolit 20, Beosound Explore.
Chris Townsend:I know its boring going over old ground
Not at all.
This reminds of the whacky BS9000 thread (problem with too many discs played) over in the old forum.
I am looking forward to the conclusion... OR the launch of the Beolit 12 Encore.
I still think its a network issue.
Any BeoLit 12 owners who have a working unit in their setup, who would be prepared to swap units and see if the the issue follows it?
My bet would be on Chris ending up with a unit that works faultlessly somewhere else, but which fails in his setup, and his falty unit, working fine somewhere else.
I would be up for it but mine is a very early dark grey with several battle scars, and I think postage could be expensive.
I think it's only decent that someone from BANG&OLUFSEN comments on this problem as judging by Amazon and Apple store customers, it is effecting a lot of BeoLit12 users. Personally, I find this an absolute disgrace. Imagine my team running our radio stations on equipment that didn't work properly - let's just say, we wouldn't be around for long!!!
I can't believe that B&O can carry on producing this product when so many people are unhappy with the same fault. Shocking A real let down!!!
rednik: I still think its a network issue.
It's not a network issue - Chris has proved that most, or all, his other wifi and AirPlay devices do not suffer from disconnections or dropouts, it only affects the BeoLit 12. Others have reported the same issue.
It's clearly a software issue with the BeoLit 12. As I've mentioned loads of times, hardware is only as good as the software that controls it and, as we know, B&O sometimes struggle with their software. It's likely just to be a firmware problem as it uses a similar chipset to the Airport Express (which doesn't suffer from dropouts). B&O need to find that fault and update the software.
Moxxey, it's been on sale for nearly eight months now - they are taking a heck of a long time to sort out the firmware update - damn!!!
moxxey: rednik: I still think its a network issue. It's not a network issue - Chris has proved that most, or all, his other wifi and AirPlay devices do not suffer from disconnections or dropouts, it only affects the BeoLit 12. Others have reported the same issue. It's clearly a software issue with the BeoLit 12. As I've mentioned loads of times, hardware is only as good as the software that controls it and, as we know, B&O sometimes struggle with their software. It's likely just to be a firmware problem as it uses a similar chipset to the Airport Express (which doesn't suffer from dropouts). B&O need to find that fault and update the software.
But the fact remains if it's a software problem, it only impacts some users. Mine is fine, my mums is fine, most my dealer has sold are fine, and where their clients have had problems they have swapped units and found units that are good in the showroom, don't work in the clients setup.
B and W, and other airplay devices have the same issues in some setups. We can argue it forever, but swapping BeoLits would prove point
Paul W: Moxxey, it's been on sale for nearly eight months now - they are taking a heck of a long time to sort out the firmware update - damn!!!
B&W still sell the zeppelin, the web is littered with tales of users suffering dropouts. It's what AirPlay does.
rednik: Paul W: Moxxey, it's been on sale for nearly eight months now - they are taking a heck of a long time to sort out the firmware update - damn!!! B&W still sell the zeppelin, the web is littered with tales of users suffering dropouts. It's what AirPlay does.
And my BeoCom 5's ! They still drop the connection to the base, reset and so on. And they've been on-sale for years now. Frustrating.
AirPlay is NOT a network connection. That's not what is causing the network dropouts. I wish people would stop slating AirPlay as the reason for disconnections. Good grief. AirPlay is simply a standard that enables one device to securely connect to another and stream compressed audio (in this example). The disconnections are network related and/or the drivers that control the hardware in the device that connects to the network.
AirPlay has been used in Apple devices for years. The Airport Express has been around for 8 years now. That's always used AirPlay and no-one discusses Airport Express dropouts. Why? As Apple are extremely good at building resilient networks with excellent software, with caching. B&O, B&W and others are less good, I suspect, hence the issues with the hardware.
Streaming any content over a network is always prone to issues. That's the way it will always be. I have one of the fastest cable connections possible in our office, but we were streaming the Olympics to an iPad yesterday and uploading content at the same time (to a remote server) and, guess what, the Olympics streaming started to stutter, started to breakup. And that's using the fastest connection you can buy.
Chris Townsend:Today after an 8 hour spirit crushing HR presentation, I returned back to Townsend Towers mortally wounded in the patience and tolerance department. I simply connected my IPhone 4s using the dependable but rather scruffy USB cable so as to enjoy at least 10 minutes of uninterrupted music. 9 minutes and about 30 seconds later Mrs Townsend made the foolish mistake of trying to phone, my phone. Warning if you have a Beolit 12 connected to a phone by USB cable and you are phoned, the once funny ringtone you have installed is belted out a full volume! Not so funny if your mother in law with a heart condition is ironing right in front of it, enjoying the soothing charms of the Proms. I give up, and she nearly did :-/
9 minutes and about 30 seconds later Mrs Townsend made the foolish mistake of trying to phone, my phone.
Warning if you have a Beolit 12 connected to a phone by USB cable and you are phoned, the once funny ringtone you have installed is belted out a full volume! Not so funny if your mother in law with a heart condition is ironing right in front of it, enjoying the soothing charms of the Proms.
I give up, and she nearly did :-/
...... sorry, shouldn't laugh!..........................
Ban boring signatures!
8 hours of HR would indeed be spirit crushing. As I often say, meetings are where the minutes are kept but the hours are lost. You have my sympathy, I only had to sit thru a three hour meeting yesterday where the program manager decided we should all review the statement of work and spec by going over them line by line on a big monitor on the wall. I was about ready to gnaw my own leg off to get out of there.
I've had the same thing happen with my iPhone connected to a Klipsch dock I have, it will definitely wake you up, or scare you into an early grave.
Jeff
I'm afraid I'm recovering from the BeoVirus.
Chris, can you summarize your setup?
iPhone -> Time Capsule -> Beolit12
or
iTunes on MAC/PC -> Time Capsule -> Beolit12
Is your MAC/PC wired or wireless to the Time Capsule?
Both configs have dropouts when using Airplay?
Jeff:8 hours of HR would indeed be spirit crushing. As I often say, meetings are where the minutes are kept but the hours are lost. You have my sympathy, I only had to sit thru a three hour meeting yesterday where the program manager decided we should all review the statement of work and spec by going over them line by line on a big monitor on the wall. I was about ready to gnaw my own leg off to get out of there.
My god -- I have been those places too .... perhaps we can start a new thread ?
BeoNut since '75
DoubleU: Both configs have dropouts when using Airplay?
I do love the way people keep persisting with AirPlay being the issue. Chris has already described, many times, that his BeoLit 12 struggles to get a strong signal from his wireless router, which is the primary reason for dropouts. The source for this is clearly BeoLit 12 firmware issues (ie. software). AirPlay isn't a wireless network, it's simply a protocol that enables one device to connect to another stream and cache (with caching being important here) audio/video.
People are complaining about lag issues when using AirPlay to mirror their Mac through the Apple TV. However, that's not AirPlay that's the issue, it's the lack of bandwidth and/or other people using your network whilst you are mirroring - forgetting that bandwidth required to mirror the video, live, through wifi can easily be affected by another user downloading or uploading content on your network.
We created this for you Chris: http://www.pcworld.com/article/260524/how_to_fix_your_wifi_network_7_tips.html
Just got back so i will give all of that a go. Thanks for the effort put in.
Chris, do ask your dealer if you can borrow an A8 Airplay. It will be very interesting how it copes!
moxxey: DoubleU: Both configs have dropouts when using Airplay? I do love the way people keep persisting with AirPlay being the issue.
I do love the way people keep persisting with AirPlay being the issue.
Tsss... I did NOT say Airplay is the issue. I did say the music drops when Airplay is used. Don't you agree with that?
I will have to ask Paul as this is driving me mad. I'm not re arranging my house for the benefit of a bloody Airplay speaker. Toys a quarter of the price work seamlessly on our network, and always have. Only one gadget, the Beolit struggle with this, which lets face it is just simple audio playback.
I came back from work today wanting yet one more time to just listen to a few tracks on my updated network, which has already been fine tuned by our local branch to sort this out. Should i connect my childs Sony Vita or Ipod Touch to the 3.55mm jack, just to get a reliable Airplay playback? What madness. Its directly under and Airport Express and 7 paces down a hall from the Time capsule. Reception=marginal to poor.
I'm now listening to my music through my Beovision 10-46 via Apple tv and an Iphone 4s. Surrounded by metal, cables and electrics at twice the distance, guess what...
I'd cut your losses and get a refund. Sounds like this thing has a serious design fault.
Maybe the mk 2 will sort it out.
Hopefully B&O will still be in business by then , at this rate making shoddy stuff like this I'm starting to doubt it.
Flappo: I'd cut your losses and get a refund. Sounds like this thing has a serious design fault. Maybe the mk 2 will sort it out. Hopefully B&O will still be in business by then , at this rate making shoddy stuff like this I'm starting to doubt it.
Clearly Chris has an issue with his unit in his setup.
B&O have sold tens of thousands of these things, most of which work fine. There is nothing shoddy about mine, or my mums, or many thousands of others.
Google issues with any brand, of any type of product and you will find a number of buyers having problems. There is no serious design fault, it's not a shoddy product, and it won't put B&O out of business.
I love mine and have recommended to many friends, I guess Chris won't.
Rednik, I do believe that if you read through the Apple store and indeed Amazon reviews over 50% of the reviews are stating this problem! That is a real problem. The fact that this is a B&O means that the BeoLit12 is a first time introduction to the world of BANG&OLUFSEN for many of its customers. This problem has to be addressed in order to stop these first time customers from fleeing the brand. I have a lot of sympathy for Chris with this issue especially with his demanding career, busy family life etc.
Chris has remained incredibly professional and extremely courteous throughout the whole of this ordeal! I know that I certainly wouldn't of!
Paul W: Rednik, I do believe that if you read through the Apple store and indeed Amazon reviews over 50% of the reviews are stating this problem! That is a real problem. The fact that this is a B&O means that the BeoLit12 is a first time introduction to the world of BANG&OLUFSEN for many of its customers. This problem has to be addressed in order to stop these first time customers from fleeing the brand. I have a lot of sympathy for Chris with this issue especially with his demanding career, busy family life etc. Chris has remained incredibly professional and extremely courteous throughout the whole of this ordeal! I know that I certainly wouldn't of!
http://store.apple.com/us/reviews/H4029VC/A/Bowers-and-Wilkins-Zeppelin-Air
Airplay devices into homes with many different types of network setup can cause issues for some users. The BeoLit is not unusual in this regard. I am sorry Chris is having problems, but it's par for the cause with non Apple AirPlay devices for some users.
B&O bought out the BeoSound 8 without AirPlay and got slated on here, they bring out an AirPlay device with it's associated issues and get slated again.
Rednik, the Beolit12 Airplay would not get slated if it worked properly - period. It's a lovely little boxy thing and perfect for the bijou apartment - I love it! But one must remember that this is a very very very expensive product. An absolutely beautiful sounding separates hifi system can be bought for this amount of money. Is it only right to expect that it performs well? Of course it is! I buy a new Audi, I expect it to take me on any journey I desire, not stop half way down the street!
Paul W: Rednik, the Beolit12 Airplay would not get slated if it worked properly - period. It's a lovely little boxy thing and perfect for the bijou apartment - I love it! But one must remember that this is a very very very expensive product. An absolutely beautiful sounding separates hifi system can be bought for this amount of money. Is it only right to expect that it performs well? Of course it is! I buy a new Audi, I expect it to take me on any journey I desire, not stop half way down the street!
I'll say it again. Mine works fine, thousands of others work fine. If you go looking there will be people slating their Audis because it stops halfway down their street, as well as the many many Audi drivers who are happy with their cars.
For most people, there is nothing wrong with the BL12.
Here we go again,apples not without flaws either.My airplay devices dropping out does my head in ,but not as much as my iphone 4s with its poor battery life,pointless siri and numerous other bugs,made for £100 ish and sold for £500+,but they are still bought by the bucketload.If you want quality build you by a vertu phone.
No no Vertu is simply a Nokia with plenty of bling for the 'new money'
I also have a Time Capsule configured as router. What interests me is, when I have a Beolit12, will I have the same problem? If not, there has to be some interference from other wireless networks at Chris place. Can’t think of anything else.
Buying audi (expensive vw) does not mean its going to be perfect, and not breakdown,we seem to forget cars are machines, and they can easily have problems and flaws.Thats why, you should never, buy a new launch model.You should wait until the flaws have been ironed out.
Its the same with electronics,whatever the brand or price,they will have problems,especially the newer ones on the market,which are testing the water.Its happened for years,look at the early lcd tvs and look at them now.I hope this is a learning curve for B&o, as airplay and the digital networked age is quite new technology for them ,I hope they get to grips and master it like they did with crt tvs.
Well if Johns words don't hammer every poorly thought out observation ever made on the value of B&O, into the ground, then nothing will. ;)
I agree . I personally think its a problem with the wifi in his house . Interference from a mobile phone system could be the culprit.
That or the beloit is a pile of crap. ( that was a joke btw )
Chris Townsend:,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Beosound 8 from my dealer, and so far AirPlay is perfect................ Chris Townsend:The Beolit Facebook page which had others commenting on exactly the same connection problems as i had, today no longer exists!!!!
Chris Townsend:The Beolit Facebook page which had others commenting on exactly the same connection problems as i had, today no longer exists!!!!
There you go then, QED.............. it's definitely your network set up!!..............................
Paul W: This is so sad that you are having problems and really explains why i'm so scared to buy into the BANG&OLUFSEN name again after i've had so many problems with them over the years. I
This is so sad that you are having problems and really explains why i'm so scared to buy into the BANG&OLUFSEN name again after i've had so many problems with them over the years.
I
I ask respectfully, why be part of a B&O enthusiasts site??
If I was totally frustrated with Bang & Olufsen and had no intention of ever buying their product ever again, I wouldn't be wasting my time at Beoworld!
x:________________________
Paul i have some Form 2's in subtle orange and your more than welcome to them for free, if that qualifies you to exercise your freedom to an opinion.
This morning i have been trying both the dock setting sound quality, and the Airplay one too. Wether the dock automatically raises the volume on "dock" setting therefore artificially changing my impression i don't know, but i'm sure there is a distinct improvement in quality over Airplay. My dealer confirmed the dock setting is a better quality.
Who's idea was it to make a white Beosound 8 with white frets, and then supply it with a black power cable
Both work by the way
Happy again.
ps Alison Krauss is a great singer i've never heard before, but a review used her music as a test and i'm glad they did. Hot stuff
So after blaming Airplay it was the beloit at fault all along.
Nuff said.
Chris Townsend:ps Alison Krauss is a great singer i've never heard before, but a review used her music as a test and i'm glad they did. Hot stuff
Absolutely ... I started buying here on a recommendation on this (older version) forum under a thread about "best recordings" or perhaps "best reproductions" or combination of the both (kind of rosette label as in the Penguin CD guide), anyhow these are the ones I have:
The collaboration between Krass and Robert Plant ('Raising Sand') is great too - well worth checking out.