Latest software version BL18 and BLR1

Hi all,

I recently purchased the BL18’s and I’m impressed with the sound of this iconic speakers.

Before I had the BL8000 mk1 which I replaced with the BL14.4. On the BL14 I found that I had to tweak the bass on many different songs and got tired of this. I found myself listening to my BL 3’s only. Now with both 18 and 3 my living room is filled with clear and full spectrum sound again! All speakers connected through wisa via the Horizon.

My question now is what the latest software version is for the BL18’s and as I have my BL3’s on wisa through the BL receiver1, is there a software update for them also?

Does anyone have experience with the receivers? I find them really sensitive for positioning close together, as they tend to drop out easily. Is there a strickt rule for installing them?

Thanks for your guidance on this matter

This is the same setup as me

Horizon (Avant) with 18s in the front and 3s in the rear with receivers. I also have a BL19 too.

I have only ever had one drop out on the 18s but I just turned it off and on and never had an issue since.

The 3s with receivers are rock solid. Never had a drop out.

I however am not that happy with the sound of them. I mean they sound good but I wouldn’t say scintillating.

I wouldn’t know what software they are on and if and how to update them if there was. I think I was advised once that the TV would automatically send the software to the speakers but I’m. It sure how accurate this is.

You either need a BR1 to update them or ask for an engineer to come out. Had mine updated just before Xmas but not 1 issue in 4-years.

mawheele:

You either need a BR1 to update them

You meant a TR1 (Transmitter 1)

mbolo01:

You meant a TR1 (Transmitter 1)

BS Moment, BS Core, BS Ouverture, BS1, BL18, BL19, BL8000 + RCV1, A6, M5, M3, A1, H5, TR1

Are they automatically updated if they are connected to a transmitter 1?

Thanks for your experience. My 18’s are rock solid and close to the Horizon. The 3’s are approx. 9 meters away and not perfect yet. Solid as long as I leave the BLR1’s in sight, if I put them (together) behind a cabinet they tend to drop out. I’ll try to separate them, maybe they interfere when close together.

Duels:

Are they automatically updated if they are connected to a transmitter 1?

Nope - You need to download the software to a USB key and follow a procedure for the TR1 to detect any B&O WISA receiver around and update them if needed. Process is simple, while taking several minutes to complete.

I did it several times already without issue.

The firmware on Beolab's connected via WISA via a TR1 - are NOT updated automatically over-the-air.

There is a firmware update procedure which involves downloading the latest firmware onto aUSB stick, which is stuck into the back of the TRA, re-booting the TR1 into a mode which will send the firmware to the WISA-connected speakers.

It's not for the faint-hearted, as there's no screen on the TR1, so it communicates though a series of coloured/flashing LED states. It takes quite a bit of time too, and if interrupted midway, you can brick your speakers!

If you have a dealer nearby, I'd recommend a service visit for peace of mind.

I was suffering dropouts, and the new firmware fixed it. There's no way of telling what firmware you speakers have without the dealer service tool (I think)

T

 

Fansastic:

I’ll try to separate them, maybe they interfere when close together.

B&O recommends at least 1m between a wpl transmitter and a receiver. I guess having two RCV too close may create some issues.

That said .... one of my BL18 is less than 1m from my TR1, my other 18 is less than 1m from my 19, my RCV1 are located between 8 and 9m from my TR1, sitting on the floor .... and I have no drops or very rarely on my 18 which are more or less horizontally aligned with the TR1. Moving the TR1 a little bit fixes the drops.

I had more issues when i had my WiFi on 5GHz and before the latest BL18 software. I never had drops on my 8000 connecté to the TR1s

mbolo01:

B&O recommends at least 1m between a wpl transmitter and a receiver. I guess having two RCV too close may create some issues.

That said .... one of my BL18 is less than 1m from my TR1, my other 18 is less than 1m from my 19, my RCV1 are located between 8 and 9m from my TR1, sitting on the floor .... and I have no drops or very rarely on my 18 which are more or less horizontally aligned with the TR1. Moving the TR1 a little bit fixes the drops.

I had more issues when i had my WiFi on 5GHz and before the latest BL18 software. I never had drops on my 8000 connecté to the TR1s BS Moment, BS Core, BS Ouverture, BS1, BL18, BL19, BL8000 + RCV1, A6, M5, M3, A1, H5, TR1

Thanks!

My 18’s are from late 2018 and guess they have the latest software. Not sure where I can find the version. I will try to have some distance between the RCV1’s as they are now only 10 cm or so separated. I assume they all work with there own private 5Ghz band and need some space on there own. All in all the Wisa protocol sounds very stable based on the feedback.

Nice, as I once had the beo wireless 1’s and they were a complete failure.

The BLRs that are powering each BL3 are stuck behind a big chair and even though each BL3 is physically 2-3m apart each BLR is about 20cm from each other.

They are about 3 m from the Avant.

Pity you can’t update the speaker with the USB through your Avant - for those who do not have a BL Transmitter