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
My Essence has stopped accepting Spotify connect. The Essence shows in the app, but when I press it, it will not change the output to the Essence. I did a reset on the Essence, no help.
Any ideas?
"You think we can slap some oak on this thing?"
Try restarting your phone and/or toggle WiFi on/of and wait a bit. I don't think this is a problem with the Essence, but with Spotify. Once in a while, my Spotify can't talk to my Chromcast or Essence.
Not any help I’m afraid, but I had the same issue. The dealer and I couldn’t resolve it even with an exchange essence. Gave up and switched to deezer, which is actually the only source it can play without dropouts and chrashes.
I am having exactly the same problem. it used to work and since last week it stopped connecting completely. I am using essence first generation. Does that happen as well with the 2nd generation?
Hi, I have the same problem with the MKI. Since one week no Spotify connect.
I contacted B&O support. They are looking into it.
I'll post here when I get a reply.
BeoNut since '75
Contacelted support again, no news on the issue.
They said they would inform me when they know.
0
Maybe that's the reason ...?
Spotify is removing itself from a number of home audio speakers and receivers from the likes of Onkyo, Denon, Marantz, Bang & Olufsen, Pioneer, and Yamaha. Some devices are losing Spotify integration completely, while others will require firmware updates if users want to continue receiving built-in access to their music.
https://www.theverge.com/circuitbreaker/2018/2/6/16979102/spotify-ends-support-speakers-receivers-pioneer-denon
https://support.spotify.com/us/listen_everywhere/on_speaker/why-cant-i-use-the-spotify-app-on-my-speaker/
If so ...
."Manufacturers can update their firmware to be compatible with the new platform,” a Spotify spokesperson told The Verge.
Hopefully you will be informed by the company...?...
No Information till now.
I found a cheap workaround (for the meantime). Took my Amazon Dot and connected it via Cable to the Essence. The Dot supports Spotify connect. It works fine.
The Spotify Support confirmed, that the Essence is no longer supported by Spotify connect. As I understood, there will be more B&O devices without Sp. connect soon.
My B&O Dealer could not confirm this, but gave me the note, that B&O will pretty shure no longer support SP. connect in new devices. The M3 ist the first in this line without connect. Instead they will increase the usage of Chromecast.
I just received an A9 mk1 and it won’t connecy either. Guess that’s all related the thI Spotify support thing too.
Could this have something to do with the recent rumours that they are developing their own hardware, like the HomePod?
http://variety.com/2018/digital/news/spotify-hardware-1202704960/
So looks like Airplay and Chromecast will be the principal workarounds for Spotify + B&O 'integration' going forwards.
Maybe.
Another possible reason:
https://www.theverge.com/2017/3/1/14776780/spotify-hi-fi-preparing-launch-lossless-audio-tier
Since Chromecast implementation they already have, which allows lossless and even Hi Res streaming up to 96.0 kHz, this means less programming efforts and thus developing costs for streaming Spotify flawlessly on various devices.
But, just wondering about B&O information policy?
At least their dealers should know and keep customers informed. It was announced many months ago.
That's much more plausible @Ulrike, makes perfect sense really.
Also good shout on information flow from B&O; it can't be impossible to push such notices into the B&O app, without using notifications. I am only an iOS user, so I don't know what the 'droid m.o. is for permitting alerts/notifications. On iOS you'd have to opt-in at app launch.
And yes, you'd expect the information to be in the hands of dealers early on in the game, even if it's 'this is coming, we don't know what it means yet, stand by'.
Interesting news on Spotify Hi-Fi too!
Just checked my A9 mk1, and the Connect feauture is missing in mine too.
This is quite the blow, as we use the Spotify Connect feature as the only way to connect to the speaker.
I hate Airplay. It never really became useful. Too many drop outs and too high battery consumption on the host device.
Hopefully I’ll be able to fit a Chromecast Audio in the back of the A9 and use the RCA input. And not have any problems.
Im quite disappointed that I have to find out like this. The only referenced system in the Spotify press release was the Beosound5.
B&O should as a minimum have this information corrected to reflect all products now missing Spotify Connect.
Beovision Eclipse gen2 (GX) w/ floorstand, Beolab 14.2, 4 speaker Shape and ATV4/Chromecast.
Beoplay A9mk4 GVA, Beosound 1 GVA, H2, H3, H8, E6, Beoplay EQ
Is another device like the Chromecast really an option? I mean you'd attach to the super expensive A9 a cheap DAC, which harms sound quality.
Since Spotify Connect is gone, is Deezer a proper replacement? I understand that the client is running on the speaker itself (e.g. Essence MKII, A9, etc) independently, so no streaming from mobile device is required.
Spotify Connect for Essence Mk1 and A9 mk1 is gone and it will not return.
I don't understand really how they can update the software on the Essence Mk2 to work with Spotify, but not with the mk1 and A9mk1.
Here is a copy of what Beocare wrote:
leogoeswild: Spotify Connect for Essence Mk1 and A9 mk1 is gone and it will not return. I don't understand really how they can update the software on the Essence Mk2 to work with Spotify, but not with the mk1 and A9mk1.
Different hardware used for these versions.
Maybe BeoCreate could offer a solution ;-)
Untill then I’d pop in a ChromeCast Audio dongle....and be happy.
MM
There is a tv - and there is a BV
Then you might swell skip the Essence. Adding a Chromecast gives you a VERY fancy volume control.
You might - I would not....if I had an Essence first gen.
What does ‘fancy’ mean?
Hmmm,
not quite sure about fancy volume.
How fancy it is depends on the better or worse Chromecast implementation into an app's software, and it seems Spotify has to deal with various issues related to this:
https://community.spotify.com/t5/forums/v3_1/forumtopicpage/board-id/spotifyandroid/thread-id/74980/page/5
I am a Qobuz subscriber for years, using GCC Lossless and Hi Res Multiroom every day and it works perfectly now. But I remember those earlier days with Qobuz when it was a real pain! Always disconnecting => no volume control and no ability to change tracks, no way to stop the stream going on and on so rebooting my phone, reconnecting GCC, playing for 10 minutes ... DISCONNECTING AGAIN! ... same procedure going on ..
No fun!
So in case you're getting issues with Spotify or others like Tidal and Deezer this workaround may help:
In order to prevent disconnections you need to keep the CPU of your device running when the screen's turned off. If the device changes to "sleep mode" GCC disconnects. This feature should be implemented into the software of your streaming client.
But if not done or not done correctly it can drive you crazy.
Some phone's OS or IOS settings give permission to that, no "sleep mode", keep "CPU running". If there is no way to enable this in the phone's settings you will have to use an additional application like Backlight Manager, Screen On or others. And hope for your streaming service getting able soon to fix it.
Good luck anyway!
stampfki: I mean you'd attach to the super expensive A9 a cheap DAC, which harms sound quality.
Ok, maybe I'm going deaf with age (mid-50s), but I have a chromecast connected to the AUX input of my BS9000 + BL1s + BL2, and I'm pretty happy with it. I generally cannot hear the difference between the same song played via lossless on BS5 or CD for most music unless I really try. For background music, I don't think there should be any problem. For "critical listening", I guess it depends on how critical you are. Then again, it definitely sounds better than silence
Stan
May this thing about the Chromecast dongle and a ‘cheap DAC, which harms sound quality’ is just a myth.
For some background on what the Chromecast in terms of sound quality offers, have a look here:
http://archimago.blogspot.com/search?q=Chromecast
stampfki: Is another device like the Chromecast really an option? I mean you'd attach to the super expensive A9 a cheap DAC, which harms sound quality.
stampfki,
Chromecast Audio supports a feature "Full Dynamic Range" you can enable in the settings.
Thus Chromecast is working just as a streaming client, streaming audio files to another digital analogue converter, built in the device, in this case.
And indeed, there is a difference in sound quality.
I am using a Chromecast as a streamer, connected to an excellent Chord Electronics DAC, converting audio files, DAC connected to an amp.
Easy to hear the difference by enabling or disabling "Full Dynamic Range" in the settings.
It's a lot.
Regards,
Ulrike
At its price point the Chromecast Audio is in a league of its own!
A well designed, capable piece of hardware, WIFI complete with diversity antennas, built in DAC, and even the option to add your personal flavor of religion : simply pick you own DAC (properly at ten time the price of the CCA)
And why there is no driver available to add it to the mixer in windows is beyond me.
..well actually, not really. If its free,- you're the product
BEOVOX141: At its price point the Chromecast Audio is in a league of its own! A well designed, capable piece of hardware, WIFI complete with diversity antennas, built in DAC, and even the option to add your personal flavor of religion : simply pick you own DAC (properly at ten time the price of the CCA) And why there is no driver available to add it to the mixer in windows is beyond me. ..well actually, not really. If its free,- you're the product
True.
And updated regularly. Working flawlessly if implemented correctly into the software of a streaming service. Depends on the streaming service you're choosing.
For windows ... maybe for the same reason windows sound mixer disappeared? Maybe. Just my guess, to make it more difficult to capture audio.
In case you are interested ... or wanting to improve your computer's sound quality by an external sound card:
https://usa.denon.com/us/product/hifi/dac/da300usb
Not the best but really good. Cheap on eBay, used.
@ Ulrike.
Thanks,- But I already have an iFi Nano, which I am totally in love with.
Its small, can run on the internal battery pack, handles DSD, DSX and everything else you throw at it.
Not as many features as the Denon though.
I’ve just installed a Chromecast Audio in the back compartment of the A9, and so far I’ve fully satisfied with the sound quality. Turning on full dynamic range really means a lot. It’s noticeable right away.
The only down sides so far are the volume control. You need to adjust the volume on both the A9 and in the Spotify app. And you can’t control the volume from the lock screen. This makes it a bit more anoying to change the volume. Turning the volume to max and the A9 doesn’t seem like a solution, as even the lowest setting in the app is quite loud compared to the volume settings using Spotify Connect. I feel like the lowest setting is too high and the increments are to large.
But the Chromecast has turned my A9 from worthless (for my use) to something I can enjoy again.
Mikael: The only down sides so far are the volume control. You need to adjust the volume on both the A9 and in the Spotify app. And you can’t control the volume from the lock screen. This makes it a bit more anoying to change the volume. Turning the volume to max and the A9 doesn’t seem like a solution, as even the lowest setting in the app is quite loud compared to the volume settings using Spotify Connect. I feel like the lowest setting is too high and the increments are to large.
Mikael,
that's good news.
Some adjustments hopefully making things more comfortable for you:
I'm an Android user only and can't tell about IOS, here's what I'm doing with my Galaxy Note 8.
Open your phone's settings.
Turn on notifications for Spotify app, and also turn on notifications for Spotify app for the lock screen.Step 1 - Settings --> Notifications --> Turn on notifications for Spotify (or other)Step 2 - Settings --> Lock screen & Security --> Notifications on lock screen --> turn on notifications for Spotify.
Open B&O app -> A9 -> Configure -> Info -> Status -> IP adress of your A9 -> copy IP
Open your phone's browser, paste the A9 IP adress, open the website.
Next -> Configure -> Sound -> open Volume Control.
Now you can make some adjustments:
Adjust Standard Volume loudness and also adjust Maximum Volume loudness. Save settings.
NOW PUT A SHORTCUT TO THIS WEBSITE ON YOUR PHONE'S HOMESCREEN. Add a name for shortcut.
(It should be easy now to adjust volumes in Spotify only.)
Me, I have made shortcuts also for other adjustments in the browser.
Nearly never using the B&O app.
Hope it works for you, I made some screenshots, following ...
@all
Have a nice weekend!