Beolab 3500 in MCL mode (connection with Apple TV)

Hello everyone.

I need to link an Apple TV to the beolab 3500 as speaker in order to watch films with a projector in my bedroom. I already provided to connect an audio converter (from optical to analog) 'cause the Apple TV only has an optical plug for audio. I provided to insert a shielded audio cable into the home system. But it doesn't work.  So I provided to unplug the Beolab 3500 and pluig the MCL outlet with a short cable that I know that works (I already used said cable to link my Beosound 1 with an iPhone/iPod). It results that with this cable the Beolab 3500r works properly in MCL mode, even with some noise in background. So I realized that this connection is possible; I just need to know the exact connection of the three cables (mass, left channel and right channel) into the 7 legs din plug . Thanks in advance to whiom will try to help me.

Hi Edoardo,

Thanks for your enquiry, your Beolab 3500 mk.1 speaker has special wiring in the MCL plug.  If you decide not to make your own cable, I will be pleased to provide one ready made with the correct wiring, which you can see here:-

https://soundsheavenly.com/airport-express/155-2345-ipodtvairport-express-to-beolab-3500-mk2-cable.html#/2-length-1m/63-beolab_3500_version-mark_2

Please note that you will need a B&O remote to turn on the speaker before use, but volume control will be from the Apple TV.

Kind regards, Steve.

Hello Steve, thank you for your prompt reply.

I already have a 2-pole shielded cable, which I have already provided to insert into the ducts of the home electrical system. but it doesn't work. Probably the connection in the 5-legs din plug are not correct.

then I tried to connect the Beolab 3500 with my iPhone, through a short cable given me by a B&O reseller, years ago: with this cable the 3500 works, even with some noise in the background.

Said that, I need to make you some questions:

1 - Do you think that if I will replace the actual cable with your one, I can easily switch from Master Link (for CD, N.Music, N.Radio) to Master Control Link (for the audio while watching films with Apple TV?

2 - Will I have a warranty of good functioning of this cable?

3 - Do you think I will be able ti insert your cable in my home electrical system?

4 - What is the cable diameter in mm.? Is it enough flexible?

5 - ast but not least, I don't know if my Beolab 3500 is Mark 1 or Mark 2; I even took a picture of the label, but the Mark is not specified; I could I know wich Mark is my device?

6 - what is the price for a 20 meters cable with a din plug on one side, and nothing on the other side (so I can insert the cable into the electrical home system)?

7 - as you can imagine, I would be more happy to use the cable I already have inserted in my electrical system (even 'cause it was nothing easy to insert it); I am avaliabe to pay in order to know the corrwect connections in the Din plug.

Keep waiting for your answers; thank you in advance.

Edoardo

Hello Edoardo,

Thanks for your reply.  To answer your questions:-

1) Unfortunately you cannot use both MCL and Masterlink cables at the same time on a Beolab 3500, as the Masterlink cable will always be the connection that the speaker recognises.  This means that the MCL cable will not work when there is a Masterlink cable connected.

2) Yes, I give a full 12 month warranty on all of my cables, plus after this period I will try to support the buyer indefinitely as long as they own the cable.

3) Please can you clarify what you mean by your "home electrical system" so that I can answer this?

4) The cable is flexible, with a 4mm outer diameter.

5) If the socket on the back of the speaker says "MCL" then you have a mk.1 speaker, if the socket says "POWERLINK" then you have a mk.2 speaker.  Each speaker needs a different cable version.

6) Please contact me directly via my website with any questions about prices and I will be happy to assist.

7) I will be happy to help further via my website once I know more details about your home electrical system.

Kind regards, Steve. 

Hello Steve,

thank you for your reply; with this, I finally start to understand the situation.

You asked me what I mean by "home electric system"; is the quantity of plastic pipes insitde the walls, where inside are all the cables (electrical, audio, ethernet, etc.).

So I know that my Beolab 3500 is MK1. having an MCLsocket, and not a POWERLINK one.

The worst thing is that, as you wrote, the MCL connection is not working while a Master link cable is connected, 'cause i need the ML connection to hear N.MUSIC, CD, RADIO and N.RADIO, and I need MCL connection to hear the audio while watching films with the Apple TV.

Unplugging one of the two connection each time I need to switch from ote to the other is not a possible solution. Do you have a better one?

Can you connect the audio out from your projector to your Audiomaster?

Might of course cause delay.

Edoardo:

The worst thing is that, as you wrote, the MCL connection is not working while a Master link cable is connected, 'cause i need the ML connection to hear N.MUSIC, CD, RADIO and N.RADIO, and I need MCL connection to hear the audio while watching films with the Apple TV.

Unplugging one of the two connection each time I need to switch from ote to the other is not a possible solution. Do you have a better one?

Hi Edoardo

Even I want to do this.

It’s not possible to have both connections plugged in and so I use an NL/ML converter and plug the music course into this...

Put the converter in Videomaster mode and map the newer NL sources to the video commands. Ensure you do not have an ML tv in the masterlink.

Best thing would be to buy an Apple Airport Express which you can Airplay to.

Airport express has line out which can go into the NL/ML converter...

OR

If you use Android, you can get some sort of Google Chromecast with line out and plug this into the converter?

This is the best solution and one B&O would recommend if you want to “plug” something in...

👍🏻💯