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I've a 7.1 speaker from an old BV7 which I'm thinking we could repurpose as a front speaker on another TV set up. As a non-technical guy I'm not sure this is even possible. However, if it is what would be the connection leads into a regular receiver or direct to the TV??
Cheers
@ Coolhurst
Not only doable,- but also providing the best sound ever crafted by B&O for a TV, ever!
..as you properly already know
The speaker basically has a line in connection,- the 8 pin Powerlink!
Apart from that, all you need is a trigger voltage to turn on the speaker!
In order to give you the best solution, you need to be a bit more specific about your TV & receiver ?
Connect iT to a Loewe bild7?
Rombeek: Connect iT to a Loewe bild7?
Interesting proposition, since the Loewe B7 will be right next to the Beovision/Horizon range in some Danish B&O stores..!
Sounds hopeful.
tv is a Samsung plasma ps51e8000 with the evolution kit fitted. Receiver is an old Sony str-dn1000 but with plenty of connectivity, to my untrained eyes anyway.
if the 8-pin is line in I'll need a converter lead/plug? trigger voltage is a new one on me so you'll need to walk me through a solution to that!!
Cheers, brian
Your Sony STR-DN1000 unfortunately doens't have RCA-preouts...Because this receivers hasn't got pre-outs, you can't connect speakers with build in amplifiers, like all beolabs.
Most (non-b&o) av-receivers have volume controllable rca outputs these days. The simpler ones (or models which have their focus on being compact/slim models) only have those preouts for the left and right front speaker.The more complete av-receivers have 5.1 / 7.1 preouts.
If that would be the case, you could use the center-pre-out rca and buy a rca-to powerlink wire (your mentioned beolab 7.1 hasn't got a rca input, like some other beolab models have. It has only got the powerlink input).
If you use the powerlink input on beolab speakers, one of the pins is used for triggering the speakers on and off. If there is 5v on this trigger wire, the speakers turn on. So if you want to use this connection with a non-b&o pre-amplifier, you need to use a special 'triggering kit, like the one from soundsheavenly: http://soundsheavenly.com/line-in-connection/101-singletwin-rca-to-beolab-2-7-10-2500-powered-trigger-kit.html
You could buy a 'high to low converter' for your Sony av-receiver. With such a device, you can make rca outputs from the high level/speaker outputs, but I wouldn't advice this. A lot of soundquality is lost with such converters: http://soundsheavenly.com/line-in-connection/33--attenuator-.html
Another solution: If you want to use the beolab 7.1 speaker only as a good stereo tv speaker (so not as a dedicated center channel in a surround setup, controlled through your Sony av-receiver), you could directly connect the Beolab 7.1 speaker tot you Samsung plasma, connected to the headphone output. This way, you can control the volume with the Samsung remote and u use the Beolab 7.1 as a stereo speaker (and the internal crappy Samsung speakers are turned off). If you want this, you need this triggering kit/connection:http://soundsheavenly.com/line-in-connection/102--trigger-trs-.html
Hi Brian,
The simple answer is YES, you CAN use the Beolab 7-1 with either just the TV or with the TV and receiver. To use the speaker with the TV, you just need to check that the 3.5mm Audio Out socket on the TV is volume controlled, by plugging in a pair of headphones. The headphone volume setting may be in the TV menu, this is not always directly controllable via the main volume buttons on the remote.
As long as you can control the headphone volume, then you just need this cable to generate the required trigger signals to power on the speaker:-
http://soundsheavenly.com/line-in-connection/102--trigger-trs-.html
If the headphone volume cannot be easily adjusted, then you need to connect the speaker via the Sony receiver. I will create a separate post for this in a moment.
Kind regards, Steve.
Steve.
www.soundsheavenly.com
Founder of Sounds Heavenly Cables and Brand Ambassador for Bang & Olufsen
Sounds Heavenly are proud to sponsor BeoWorld!
Please check out my YouTube channel at https://youtube.com/soundsheavenlycables
Further to my previous post, to use the Beolab 7-1 speaker with the Sony receiver, you need a high-to-low level converter, as this connects to the red and black speaker terminals to add a pair of pre-out sockets that are missing from the receiver:-
http://soundsheavenly.com/line-in-connection/33--attenuator-.html
The speaker then needs this version of the trigger cable mentioned in my post above to provide the required signals to turn on the speaker without a B&O system being connected:-
http://soundsheavenly.com/line-in-connection/101-singletwin-rca-to-beolab-2-7-10-2500-powered-trigger-kit.html
Volume control is now achieved via the receiver remote as normal. The speaker still needs its own mains power cord.
Although Steve is technically correct,-
In this specific case, where no dedicated pre-out connection is available I would highly recommend the Beoplay Connection Hub. It does everything you need and a bit more!
Good point Beovox141!
Yes, the S8 Connection Hub is a great solution for using any Beolab speakers (not just the S8!) with non-B&O TVs if there is no volume controlled output available, as this can learn the TV remote commands to add volume adjustment from either line level audio outputs or an optical digital output.
The other solution (budget permitting!) would be to upgrade the receiver to one with pre-out sockets on all channels, as then you have the option of adding more speakers for full surround sound if required at a later date.
In summary, plenty of choices, but the answer is generally "YES" for any of them!
I wouldn't advice a high to low converter. Audio quality will be influenced. I used this method to create a zone2 low level output on my marantz av receiver. Connected my BL6000's to it. Sound quality was hearable not as good as connected to a dedicated low level output.
So better buy a new av receiver with enough pre outs.
The beohub solution is indeed also a possibility. But this way you only get stereo sound from the beolab 7.1
The question is: do you want the beolab 7.1 to be a real dedicated CENTER channel in a surround (3.0 / 3.1 / 5.0 / 5.1 / etc) setup? Or do you want to use it just as a good (stereo) tv loudspeaker (without extra other beolabs)
Thanks to all who've offered advice, really helpful.
Tuttivini - to your question - I'm in two minds on whether to hook the 7.1 up as a centre speaker via the current receiver set up or, run it as a single speaker for the TV and drop the 5.1 set-up altogether. How you achieve either of these options? I'm no techie so please bear with me!
cheers, Brian
I've posted earlier in the thread with details of how to achieve both of these options - if my answers are too technical, please let me know and I will try to explain them a bit better!
Hi Steve,
I was going to PM you to say it seems the TV does NOT have a Headphone jack. I'd like to see if I can still use the speaker as a stand-alone without the receiver if possible? Otherwise I'll look at your solution as a centre speaker within the 5.1 set up.
Thanks for your patience with my newbie Qs!
No problem! In this case, the simplest option is likely to be a Beoplay S8 Connection Hub (around £149 from a B&O store), which will connect to the optical output of the TV with this cable:-
http://soundsheavenly.com/input/149-premium-braided-toslink-optical-cable-with-metal-plugs.html
The Beolab 7-1 will then plug into the Connection Hub with this cable:-
http://soundsheavenly.com/bang-olufsen/31-rj45-to-powerlink-compatible-all-in-one-cable-convert-new-2013-ethernet-powerlink-to-traditional-8-pin-din-powerlink.html
If you need any further help, please feel free to ask!