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Hi beoworlders,
Currently I use a BeoLab3500 as link speaker. Last week I heard the new BeoPlay A9 speaker and thought this would be a nice option to upgrade my BL3500. But how can I use it as link speaker?
So I started a new research project and I think I have found a solution to make the A9 a full working link speaker. I've put together my ideas in a document attached to this post.
What are your opinions?
hfat
hfat:What are your opinions?
... that I will be very interested in your research and findings !!
BeoNut since '75
What is the problem?
No need for writing a multipaged guide for this. Just connect the line-input of the A9 to a BeoLink Actice-PL-output - and use it as any other Link-speaker/ActiceSpeaker. And you have the AirPlay/DLNA for that room as well.
You could use this cable: http://soundsheavenly.co.uk/bando-beosound8.htm
Greetings Millemissen
There is a tv - and there is a BV
I can`t see a reason, why your idea shoudn`t work...:)
When I tested the Scart solution, the cinema solution and the MCL solution years ago, I was really surprised (and Michael too) what his little -238 box can do in a Beolink setup - described in the Beolink application note linked to your guide.
And as far as I know many people now use these solutions in their setups.
But for this one I agree with Millemissen. Only problem is volume control will react to both BL active and A9 simultaneously - but worth a try.
Stefan
As said before I agree with Millemssens solution - AND - volume control shouldn`t be a problem, because the soundsheavenly cable can be connected directly to BL active PC port (output), which should be a fixed line level output, right, Steve?...:)
"You are learning every day" - that`s right...
Millemissen:What is the problem? No use for writing a multipaged guide for this. Just connect the line-input of the A9 to a BeoLink Actice-PL-output - and use it as any other Link-speaker/ActiceSpeaker. And you have the AirPlay/DLNA for that room as well. You could use this cable: http://soundsheavenly.co.uk/bando-beosound8.htm Greetings Millemissen
The problem is: I want to use as link speaker operated only by beo4 - no fiddling around with an iDevice.
How do you solve the following use case: I want to play the CD source of my ML system? Simply by pressing the button CD on the beo4?
I'm eager to hear your solution.
BTW: the PL output signal of the BL active is not at line level, which will result in a double response to the volume IR signal.
The BL active PC port is for input, so use the PL socket...
A9 can be set in option 0 so it won’t react on the beo4, but will switch on as soon there is a line level detected. Volume is controlled by your active kit.
The AUX IN of the A9 has the highest priority so you can still use Airplay if you want as long your active kit is standby.
DoubleU: A9 can be set in option 0 so it won’t react on the beo4, but will switch on as soon there is a line level detected. Volume is controlled by your active kit.
does the A9 go to standby if line input is terminated?
Nice document, but Millesmissen is right.
Beolink Active connected to line in on A9. A9 in Opt 0.
CD, Radio, Amem etc will turn on active, A( will notice input and turn on, volume control from Beo 4/5/6.
Use Airlay or DLNA to stream straight to A9 and volume control is from idevice or hands on with A9.
I have the same setup at home with an A8 and one of Steve's cables and it wrks brilliantly.
The A8 goes into stadby a while after you turn the active off, so I assume the A9 will do the same.
Either way, the A9 uses class D amps, so power consumption drops pretty close to zero if there is no input detected.
Thank you all for your input.
I'll do some testing next weekend and report here.
Hi All,
After having read all your fedback I have done some testing and put the results into an new version of my guide.
The easy to use solution is the use of BeoLink Active with some limitations. If you want to have a solution behaving exactly the same way a BeoLink speaker does, the more complex BeoLink Video/Lintronic solution is the way. If you are interested feel free to read the guide (HowTo...). If you regard it useless please skip this posting.
this is a very interesting project!
BS Ouverture, BS 9000, AV 9000, Avant 32 DVD, BV9, BV6-22, BS 5, BS 4500, BS 7000, BC 9500, Beo6, BL Penta, F1000, BLGW, etc....
doubled...
hfat: Hi All, After having read all your fedback I have done some testing and put the results into an new version of my guide. The easy to use solution is the use of BeoLink Active with some limitations. If you want to have a solution behaving exactly the same way a BeoLink speaker does, the more complex BeoLink Video/Lintronic solution is the way. If you are interested feel free to read the guide (HowTo...). If you regard it useless please skip this posting. hfat
Hello hfat
thanks a lot for your work and this detailed instruction how to set up your system;
but is it really that complicated? I hoped that the setup would be as simple as mentioned above -> beolink active connected to speaker -> finished
Couldn't work a Beoplay A8 or A9 just like a simple Beolab?
connecting beolabs to a BL active - you can use powerlink and the labs do not have a remote sensor - which makes the difference
If it's true that audio options could be set - the problem with IR control should be fixed
the beolink active should be able to do all the control-thing (source and volume)
just need a cable - if possible - to connect BL active PL out with eg A9 line in ?!?!
is this way to easy to be done?
Best regards elmar
Hi elmar,
The problem is only that complicated if you want to use solely Beo4 and never touch a button of the beoplay speaker. I plan to set it up in my bathroom at a hight where I cannnot reach the buttons easily. I tested the procedure with my BeoLit12 and this tst showed that it does not wake up from standby by the presence of a signal on line-in, I have to touch the standby button. In future when I want to use the airplay I see the problem when setting a.opt 0 to resolve the volume problem, where I cannot reach the wifi button of the speaker.
It could be a lot easier if you can rely on the input signal management implemented by B&O in the A9 speaker. Then you can omit the IR channel to BeoPlay speaker to set input source. In this case you do not need a Lintronic box. I do not have an A9 for testing, at least BeoLit12 does not behave as needed.
Regarding the volume problem: It is up to everybody to decide if it's a problem or not.
Let's say the BeoLink Avtive solution is a 95% solution, The guide shows the 100% solution. Maybe I'm too perfectionistic.
Hello hfat!
I like your approach to control everything only using beo4 - me too I would like it the Same way; lets say the speaker turns ob/Off Depending on a Signal through line-in there is still a problem with Volume Control? I do not want to use AirPlay - got all my Music on beomaster 5; would it be possible to control Volume?
Regards Elmar
Hi Elmar,
The problem with the volume control is the follwing: If you set the Speaker to a.opt 0, then it does not respond to IR commands. The volume is controlled by BL-Active. The speaker has to be set to a fixed preset value.
If the speaker does not turn on/off on the presence/absence of a line-in signal you cannot set a.opt 0 as you need an IR command to wake it up. Then both - BL-Active and the speaker - will respond to an IR volume command and being doubled.
You have your music on a Beomaster 5. Do you have a N.Music capable Audio master like BeoSound3000 etc.?
I've got a Beosound5/BM5 combo connected through ML to my BS9000; now the BS9000 is set as A.masterI've also got a BS 3200, which is not linked
I also tried to stream music with an Apple AirportExpress (before I got the BS5/BM5) - but I don't like to distortion and gaps.
I'm thinking about an update with a link speaker - but I don't want to rely on AirPlay or anything like that - and somehow the beoplay "labs" (especially the "9") attract me more than any "conventional" Beolab
Your way - controlling everything with the Beo4 - is the way I'd like to go...I hope the more easy way with beoactive only would work
Best Regards
Elmar
Honestly. An A8 or A9, connected to a BeoLink Active, does everything you want it to .
It's very easy. You put the A8 or A9 in opt 0, connect to the active, and make sure the active eye is visible to you.
Call CD, Radio, Amem, Vmem, Aaux, whatever from the remote, and the speaker activates, use the remote to control volume from the Active eye.
BeoLit 12 may behave differently (It has 3.5mm input, rather than twin phono) but I use A8 like this every day and it works perfectly.
That is exactly what I wrote 8 days ago
Millemissen: That is exactly what I wrote 8 days ago Greetings Millemissen
i know, and I agreed but there still seems to be talk above of a 95% solution, and the need for hands on control.
i was just pointing out again that it works totally, and is very simple