Howto setup a NON B&O amplifier with Beolabs (3.1 or 5.1 surround setup with Pioneer Kuro + Pioneer AVR)

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kallasr replied on Mon, Dec 21 2015 5:47 AM

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harjdesign:

or are you saying we need to determine the preamp setting is correctly activated before solving this issue?

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chickenceo replied on Sat, May 12 2018 7:24 AM

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Hi Ralf,

I have a similar setup with yours and I am thinking to moved to Pioneer LX73 amp. For the past few years, have you encounter problem using 12v trigger from the amp directly to keep the beolabs on?

The thread for my situation just in case

https://archivedforum2.beoworld.org/forums/t/30959.aspx

Many thanks for your input.

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chickenceo replied on Tue, May 15 2018 6:53 AM

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Thanks for you reply. I actually jump the boat and got my LX83 and all hooked up fine, would eventually like to move to Beosystem 4 if not for its price. :)

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kjoak replied on Wed, Jan 9 2019 8:34 PM

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Great detail on your setup - love the pictures and the SIMPLE explanations of how/why you setup your system!

My current setup is a Marantz AVR, pair of BL8000 for FL/FR, Penta MkIII for RL/RR, Velodyn SW, and a single BL4000 as a center channel speaker.   I have another BL4000 that I'd like to pair with the center channel to have two BL4000 center channel speakers.  

How did you link the two BL4000?  Did you daisy chain with a powerlink cable or did you use a splitter via the RCA cable to the two speakers?  

Also, any thoughts on the best way to mount the speakers?  I'd like to mount them horizontally underneath the TV (approx 3 feet off the ground).  Should they be angled (i.e. slightly upward) so that the speaker faces straight out?  If feels like this setup forces sound to go down.  

The next step is figuring out the trigger output.  Currently using pretty ordinary shielded RCA cables.  It looks like using the trigger output would entail buying to cables.  May be a good excuse to upgrade!

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Aussie Michael replied on Fri, Jan 11 2019 7:53 PM

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Can this thread be pinned?

I was thinking of suggesting if we can pin a few threads to assist new users to the Forum.

Things like where people ask the same questions such as:

- how do i use an Amp from another brand with Beolabs

- how do i use Beolabs with a TV from another brand 

- how do i use a record player with Beolabs 

etc 

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macjonny1 replied on Fri, Jan 11 2019 10:49 PM

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I've been using a Marantz amp for years with Beolabs.  have some passive speakers mixed in as well as I have a 9.2 setup with ceiling speakers, etc. .  No issues at all.  There's the initial click when they first come on but a proper surround movie you will never see the surrounds go off and on at least in my experience.  Plus the non-B&O setup gives you the flexibility to use the passive speakers.  Never had a need to use triggers.  

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Steve at Sounds Heavenly replied on Sat, Jan 12 2019 9:32 AM

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Hi everyone,

Superb thread, sorry I missed this previously.  The following summary may help:-

• All Beolab speakers can be used with a non-B&O AV system, although Beolab 2000 and 3500 should be avoided as these don't behave well as part of a surround sound setup.
• Beolabs 2, 7-1, 7-2, 7-4, 7-6, 10 and 2500 don't have Line input modes, so these will need a trigger signal to activate them when used with a non-B&O AV system.  Other Beolab speakers not mentioned below can optionally use these trigger cables, but they aren't essential.
• Beolabs 5, 2000 and 3500 need a B&O remote control to activate them when used with a non-B&O system
• Beolabs 50 and 90 require the B&O app to set them to Line mode when used with a non-B&O system

All other Beolab speakers can be used in Line mode with an AV receiver that has RCA pre-out sockets fitted.  (They can also be used with the speaker terminals of a receiver or amplifier via an extra converter box).  Don't connect Beolab speakers directly to the speaker terminals of a receiver, as this will cause damage to the speakers.

Speakers with Line input modes can be set to trigger on and off automatically when the music plays - we find that in over 90% of setups this works well.  In a few cases where users tend to listen at lower volume levels, the speakers can turn off from time to time when in use, so in these cases it can be helpful to use trigger signals to manually activate these speakers while the receive is powered on.

The USB output of a TV should not be connected to Beolab speakers, as most TVs have electrically noisy voltage rails, which can cause unwanted noises through the speakers.  The 12v trigger on an AV receiver should also not be connected directly to Beolab speakers (several receiver manufacturers have told us that doing this could damage the receiver and would void their warranty).  for this reason, I don't offer cables that use the 12v trigger on the receiver.....if you decide to use these, please check with the seller to ensure that the 12v trigger is electrically isolated from the audio connections of the speaker to avoid any risk.

The safest option where a trigger signal is needed is to provide this via a mains power adapter, you can then either control this manually or use a remote control to power this on and off when required.

I am always happy to help with any enquiries, as we are setting up systems like this on a daily basis.  Please feel free to get in touch via my sponsor link below if you have any questions about using Beolab speakers in a non-B&O AV system and I can help you to get the best results.

Kind regards, Steve.

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chucky replied on Sat, Jan 12 2019 1:50 PM

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Steve at Sounds Heavenly:

Hi everyone,

Superb thread, sorry I missed this previously. The following summary may help:-

All Beolab speakers can be used with a non-B&O AV system, although Beolab 2000 and 3500 should be avoided as these don't behave well as part of a surround sound setup. Beolabs 2, 7-1, 7-2, 7-4, 7-6, 10 and 2500 don't have Line input modes, so these will need a trigger signal to activate them when used with a non-B&O AV system. Other Beolab speakers not mentioned below can optionally use these trigger cables, but they aren't essential. Beolabs 5, 2000 and 3500 need a B&O remote control to activate them when used with a non-B&O system Beolabs 50 and 90 require the B&O app to set them to Line mode when used with a non-B&O system

All other Beolab speakers can be used in Line mode with an AV receiver that has RCA pre-out sockets fitted. (They can also be used with the speaker terminals of a receiver or amplifier via an extra converter box). Don't connect Beolab speakers directly to the speaker terminals of a receiver, as this will cause damage to the speakers.

Speakers with Line input modes can be set to trigger on and off automatically when the music plays - we find that in over 90% of setups this works well. In a few cases where users tend to listen at lower volume levels, the speakers can turn off from time to time when in use, so in these cases it can be helpful to use trigger signals to manually activate these speakers while the receive is powered on.

The USB output of a TV should not be connected to Beolab speakers, as most TVs have electrically noisy voltage rails, which can cause unwanted noises through the speakers. The 12v trigger on an AV receiver should also not be connected directly to Beolab speakers (several receiver manufacturers have told us that doing this could damage the receiver and would void their warranty). for this reason, I don't offer cables that use the 12v trigger on the receiver.....if you decide to use these, please check with the seller to ensure that the 12v trigger is electrically isolated from the audio connections of the speaker to avoid any risk.

The safest option where a trigger signal is needed is to provide this via a mains power adapter, you can then either control this manually or use a remote control to power this on and off when required.

I am always happy to help with any enquiries, as we are setting up systems like this on a daily basis. Please feel free to get in touch via my sponsor link below if you have any questions about using Beolab speakers in a non-B&O AV system and I can help you to get the best results.

Kind regards, Steve.

Steve.

www.soundsheavenly.com

Sounds Heavenly are proud to sponsor BeoWorld!

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Steve at Sounds Heavenly replied on Sat, Jan 12 2019 4:56 PM

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Thanks chucky,

We have many ideas and solutions that B&O themselves don't offer, hence why so many of their dealers use our cables

However, Beolab 5 will always need a B&O remote control to set the speakers to Line mode before use - unless you have a system such as Crestron or Lintronic that can interface with the speakers directly, or a high-end universal remote that can emulate 455kHz B&O IR codes.

Kind regards, Steve.

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Steve at Sounds Heavenly replied on Sat, Jan 12 2019 5:48 PM

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Hi chucky,

Yes, a Beo6 remote is ideal to activate Beolab 5 speakers.  I don't get involved with Beolink Gateway or Lintronic, as these generally need specialist support on site, so they are better arranged via a local installer.

Please drop me a line via my sponsor link below with any cable enquiries and I will be happy to help.

Kind regards, Steve.

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macjonny1 replied on Sat, Jan 12 2019 5:58 PM

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I've purchased all my cables from Steve great resource!  Unless you have a B&O TV there are way more economical ways to get a surround system from a non B&O receiver, with way more flexibility and performance.  

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Steve at Sounds Heavenly replied on Sat, Jan 12 2019 7:17 PM

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Thanks chucky,

Email received, will reply tonight!

Kind regards, Steve.

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kai replied on Sat, Jan 12 2019 8:01 PM

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Hi. 

The set up is great, I hope you don't mine me asking a question my friend has just disposed of his beovison 4, but has kept all the speakers, problem is he can't rewire them, I can see you have been able to do this, is it possible to use the beolab 1 transmitter, to do this ? 

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macjonny1 replied on Sat, Jan 12 2019 8:20 PM

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Hi there I use the beolab transmitter and have my surrounds set up wireless.  So, I have some beolabs hooked up through line-in (front speakers and center), some passive non B&O speakers for rear surround connected through speaker wire, and my main left and right surrounds are hooked up through the transmitter.  Works perfect.  

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kai replied on Sat, Jan 12 2019 9:16 PM

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Thanks for the reply, unfortunately, these can't be rewired is it possible to just plug in the speakers with an rj45 adaptor and have the optical cable from the LG TV will this allow to work with the optional or?

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Steve at Sounds Heavenly replied on Sun, Jan 13 2019 8:10 AM

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Hi kai,

No problem!  Please drop me a line via my sponsor link below with details of which models of speakers you have and I will be pleased to confirm how to use these with a non-B&O system via the existing cables.

Kind regards, Steve.

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djmp replied on Tue, May 26 2020 12:40 AM

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I just switched from a Beosystem 3 to an Anthem MRX 1120. I have Beolab 18, 7.1, 2 and 3 speakers and Cat 7 house wiring. I built a converter using a shielded RJ45 patch panel. It takes RCA line level audio from the preamp and converts to Powerlink RJ45. I pull a trigger for each speaker out to a Raspberry Pi4 so that I can switch them on/off using GPIO. The RPi is using an B&O IR eye to control it (see https://archivedforum2.beoworld.org/forums/p/36717/308861.aspx#308861). 

It took a lot of work to get the grounding right but it's 100% hum free and doesn't pick up dimmer noise. Line level audio is very picky so shout out to Steve from Sounds Heavenly for making quality options available with his excellent cables for those who don't go the DIY route.

Photos attached, hope they are useful.