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
New: Beovision Harmony, Beolab 50's, Beolab 28's, Beolab 18's, Beolab 17's, Beosound Stage & LG, Beosound 2, Beoplay M3, Beoplay A1, Beoplay Portal, Beoplay H4 gen 2, Beoplay E8 3.0
Mikipedia on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Mikipedia
Mikipedi4 on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/mikipedi4
Mikipedia on Intagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikipedi4/
Old: Beosound 9000 mk3, Beolab 3's, Beovision Eclipse, Beolab 1's, Beolab 2, Beovision 10-46, Overture 2300, beolab 8000's, Beolab 4000's, Beovision avant 32" etc. etc.
Mikipidia:I do more than one, but the volume was 50% at ~1 meter away. Different music to come as per usual
I’ll look out for it and watch it, of course....
(....and thanks for making your videos).
But live listening is prefered.
MM
There is a tv - and there is a BV
Agreed, to be honest dont feel YT videos showcasing speakers playing music illustrate very little to me.
Any differences between different speakers is minimised to viturally zero.
Of course, its difficult to do, especially finding acceptable copyright free music to use.
Millemissen: Mikipidia:I do more than one, but the volume was 50% at ~1 meter away. Different music to come as per usual I’ll look out for it and watch it, of course.... (....and thanks for making your videos). But live listening is prefered. MM
Does anyone know if the Balance can be used in a setup with Beolabs and Beovision to create a surround setup?
I have BL18 and 19 and Horizon and have been thinking for some time to get a pair of BL17 to complete the setup but I don't like them for some reason - the Balance would be perfect if they could be easily integrated into the setup somehow.
Th issue is the Horizon wont see the Balance as a speaker, which I guess you know.
Products like the A9 /BS1,2, and Balance are seen by the BV only as another system, where you can integrate its internal sources to play through the Horizon.
Whether that changes if the Balance is somehow wired in to the Horizon, I dont quite know.
NVGAE: Does anyone know if the Balance can be used in a setup with Beolabs and Beovision to create a surround setup? I have BL18 and 19 and Horizon and have been thinking for some time to get a pair of BL17 to complete the setup but I don't like them for some reason - the Balance would be perfect if they could be easily integrated into the setup somehow.
BV Harmony 65 / Eclipse 55 / BL 50 / 19 / 18 / BS 2 all brass
BV Horizon 48 / V1 40 / BL 17 / Beoplay S3 all black
V1 / BL 3 / BS Essence MKII / Beoplay A3 all white
BS Moment / BS 3000 / BS 3200 / BL 400 all silver
Headphones / bluetooth speakers / BLC NL-ML / BLGateway
I know…B&O virus has grown on me !
Sandyb: Th issue is the Horizon wont see the Balance as a speaker, which I guess you know. Products like the A9 /BS1,2, and Balance are seen by the BV only as another system, where you can integrate its internal sources to play through the Horizon. Whether that changes if the Balance is somehow wired in to the Horizon, I dont quite know. NVGAE: Does anyone know if the Balance can be used in a setup with Beolabs and Beovision to create a surround setup? I have BL18 and 19 and Horizon and have been thinking for some time to get a pair of BL17 to complete the setup but I don't like them for some reason - the Balance would be perfect if they could be easily integrated into the setup somehow.
That would only be the case, it the BS Balance (or two if them) could be used directly as a speaker - means it would have a PL/DPL input port (one of the RJ45’s to connect to the PL output of the Horizon or alike.
Nothing wrong with having a speaker, that can double as a Beosound with it’s own control and streaming possibilities (AP2/CC).
Not yet seen, but why not?
P.S. I remember people earlier having asked for the BL90 to have streaming possibilities built right in to the speaker.
Millemissen:Nothing wrong with having a speaker, that can double as a Beosound with it’s own control and streaming possibilities (AP2/CC).
Dom
2x BeoSystem 3, BeoSystem 5000, BeoSystem 6500, 2x BeoMaster 7000, 2 pair of BeoLab Penta mk2, AV 7000, Beolab 4000, BeoSound 4000, Playmaker, BeoLab 2500, S-45, S-45.2, RL-140, CX-50, C-75, 3x CX-100, 3x MCL2 link rooms, 3x Beolab 2000, M3, P2, Earset, A8 earphones, A3, 2x 4001 relay, H3, H3 ANC, H6, 2014 Audi S5 with B&O sound, and ambio
But that would cannibalise sales of their BeloLabs surely.
Which is why they wont do it.
Sandyb: But that would cannibalise sales of their BeloLabs surely. Which is why they wont do it.
Not sure that is right - maybe they would sell more!
Do you really think, that people have enough Beolab speakers to choose from.....or that they/B&O think it is ok with what is offered right now.
Besides - if you can use that one (the Beosound Balance) as just one speaker added?
Believe it or not - I am sure that some people would be happy with just one Balance in omni mode to boost the sound of their BV.........in addition to have it as a handy AP2/CC-GA speaker without the tv turned on.
Disclaimer: I probably would not ;-)
(I once helped someone setup an A9.........he just wanted that to add ‘some oomph’, when he watched tv).
I doubt that the Balance will canabilize a lot into the current line up, especially not the legacy Beolab. From my point of view the connectivity is just so little in the current beo world that does not make sense to buy this one. For me just moved in the beolink world it just does not make sense.
It might be an nice product for some one who owns a Beosound 2300/3000 with the attached speakers (there are still many around) who uses it stand alone, or for someone who has not purchased a B&O product yet except Headphones...and has deep pockets..
Or maybe the future brings something else? A Stage on steroids who drives two balance and some other speakers over the network? (like Sonos). this could be a killer from both design and sound Perspektive.
kawo: Or maybe the future brings something else? A Stage on steroids who drives two balance and some other speakers over the network? (like Sonos). this could be a killer from both design and sound Perspektive.
Unfortunately - fom the answer I get from the B&O support, you should not expect that they will do any magic tricks with it.
It seems to be entirely a product aimed at people, who are used to AP2 and/or CC/GA and even want to be able to integrate it with other non-B&O AP2/CC devices.
There is nothing that indicates, that it could fit into, what people/costumers, who use BeoLink, the BeoRemote One, the Join function, are used to.
On the contrary, there is no backwards compatibily like we have seen before, when B&O changed/upgrated their technology.
3 ways of of approaching this device:
1: Use it as a ‘standalone’ unit....not thinking of the rest of your B&O gear.
Be prepared for having your mobile phone at hand all the time, everywhere....unless you prefer to talk to the device.
Enjoy the good sound!
2: Adapt and switch from Beolink Multiroom with your older gear and use AP2/CC/GA only......and maybe put your Beoremote One in the cupboard!
This integrates your stuff well, but at the cost of integrating with the ML stuff, you might have and the BV’s from generation BV11 etc.
3: Sell all your old gear, buy the Balance (one or more) and hope for more, new fantastic sounding B&O devices to come (and maybe that the Beoremote Halo could be usefull there). You’ll need a BV with AP2/GA built in., if not already there.
Hi there,
many thanks for all those info, links and videos about Beosound Balance, pretty interesting because I am considering buying one.
Connectivity is no issue and completely sufficient for me, as a Qobuz and ROON subscriber I only need Airplay 2 and Chromecast anyway for multiroom functionality and best sound. Plus the option of being able to pair a second BB speaker later in stereo mode using the Google Home app.
Regarding the two ethernet ports I wonder whether they could be useful for connecting a digital source via optical, such as a streamer for additional options, daisy chained to the BB's second ethernet port. If possible, one could stream music in higher resolution - unfortunately Airplay and Chromecast built-in are limited and downsampling hi res files to 48 kHz.
It would be pretty interesting to have a direct comparison between moderate room volumes SQ of the new BB and my old BS2, I am not really satisfied with and which I would possibly give away.
I suspect a comparison of both devices at a dealer will not provide any precise information because of the BB's room measuring function, which would have to be done at home and not at the dealer ...
Anyway, thanks everyone, looking forward to @Mikipedia's next video! Ulrike
There is a 4th suggestion in addition to the ones I mentioned earlier:
4: Go buy a BS Core, connect that to the line-in of the BS Balance (if you use the optical, be sure to set the output to variable in the Core).....then go buy aome flower to place on the top of the Balance, you won’t be able to usecthe controls there anyway ;-)
A costy (and a bit absurd) solution, I know.....but the only one to use the Balance as a speaker in a BeoLink envirement.
Millemissen: A costy (and a bit absurd) solution, I know.....but the only one to use the Balance as a speaker in a BeoLink envirement.
So, for just €2800,- you will have a Balance with the optional NL functionlity.
Millemissen:There is a 4th suggestion in addition to the ones I mentioned earlier: 4: Go buy a BS Core, connect that to the line-in of the BS Balance (if you use the optical, be sure to set the output to variable in the Core).....then go buy aome flower to place on the top of the Balance, you won’t be able to usecthe controls there anyway ;-) A costy (and a bit absurd) solution, I know.....but the only one to use the Balance as a speaker in a BeoLink envirement. MM There is a tv - and there is a BV.
@steve1877
As for Deezer you might be right.......or not!
But my main point here was, that you this way would get NL/Beolink multiroom, support for the BeoRemote One, support for Spotify Connect, DLNA and TuneiIn built-in and direct from the remote.
If you don’t need this, you surely can save your money.
Not that I would advocate for this solution, but there might be some who would want to do so.
Millemissen:@steve1877 As for Deezer you might be right.......or not! But my main point here was, that you this way would get NL/Beolink multiroom, support for the BeoRemote One, support for Spotify Connect, DLNA and TuneiIn built-in and direct from the remote. If you don’t need this, you surely can save your money. Not that I would advocate for this solution, but there might be some who would want to do so. MM There is a tv - and there is a BV.
steve1977:I’. Speaking from a experience having bought a moment and then gracenote/deezer support being discontinued.
Fansastic:The latter is the only Deezer related problem on the Moment
BS Moment, BS Core, BG 4002, BC 4500, BS1, BL18, BL19, BL8000 + RCV1, A6, M5, M3, A1, P6 (tks Botty), H5, TR1
mbolo01:There was a Deezer issue for some users where only 30 sec of music was played per track like if the user had no Deezer subscription. I understand it has been fixed already in a recent update. BS Moment, BS Core, BG 4002, BC 4500, BS1, BL18, BL19, BL8000 + RCV1, A6, M5, M3, A1, P6 (tks Botty), H5, TR1
Fansastic:To prevent misunderstanding, there is no problem with Deezer service on the Moment. Only a gracenote issue (metadata) resulting in problems with artist covers for DLNA collection and leads to dysfunctional inner circle on the Moodwheel. This generates moods from the DLNA collection and the Deezer favourite list. The latter is the only Deezer related problem on the Moment and my guess is it is due to the DLNA / gracenote issues.
Millemissen:Unfortunately - fom the answer I get from the B&O support, you should not expect that they will do any magic tricks with it. It seems to be entirely a product aimed at people, who are used to AP2 and/or CC/GA and even want to be able to integrate it with other non-B&O
Is it not that while some (many?) here use NL some of the time or more, from what Christian has said on the podcast, around only 10% of B&O products / customers use NL (how they define that statistic I dont know).
So while it would be awesome if they maintained it (now seemingly highly unlikely, get used to it I suppose), they'd be doing so for a niche of a niche, in a way.
I doubt the new remote will have no ability to control the NL experience for those products, but it may be more secondary in the UI given the future direction.
And the bigger question is whether B&O products going forward - specifically any sound centre with power link to create 5.1 setups - are actually surroudn capable. Its hard to imagine they wont be, but nothing is sacred these days, especially when Apple are seemingly going to build surround capability into their products.
Carolpa: Millemissen: Unfortunately - fom the answer I get from the B&O support, you should not expect that they will do any magic tricks with it. It seems to be entirely a product aimed at people, who are used to AP2 and/or CC/GA and even want to be able to integrate it with other non-B&O strange policy to surpass an easy part of the market? Who are in the market in which B&O operates, the easiest costumers to win for a product like the BS Balance? I’m afraid that NL as described in another post is definitely killed for integration in newer products..... All described alternatives are so, so, if you have ML products connected to NL and for the rest just NL products Yes the EUR2800 option with a core would be the only (over the top) option
Millemissen: Unfortunately - fom the answer I get from the B&O support, you should not expect that they will do any magic tricks with it. It seems to be entirely a product aimed at people, who are used to AP2 and/or CC/GA and even want to be able to integrate it with other non-B&O
It seems to be entirely a product aimed at people, who are used to AP2 and/or CC/GA and even want to be able to integrate it with other non-B&O
I’m afraid that NL as described in another post is definitely killed for integration in newer products.....
All described alternatives are so, so, if you have ML products connected to NL and for the rest just NL products
Yes the EUR2800 option with a core would be the only (over the top) option
Sandyb: Is it not that while some (many?) here use NL some of the time or more, from what Christian has said on the podcast, around only 10% of B&O products / customers use NL (how they define that statistic I dont know).
But what if these 10% are those who buy 50% of the suff that B&O makes?
Apart from that - I must confess - that you are right........no Beolink/NL anymore, no more Bang & Olufsen app to control the future products.
I just wonder why nobody has asked, if we need a Beremote One in the future?
What should be the use case for that?
As for that upcoming Halo remote.....what could be controlled with that in a CC-GA/AP2 setup....I can’t really imagine what it will be.
I used to have great confidence that the guys in Struer will come up with surprising - in a good way! - solutions.....now I feel a bit empty.
But what if these 10% are those who buy 50% of the stuff that B&O makes?
Millemissen:But what if these 10% are those who buy 50% of the suff that B&O makes?
Well this is actually a very good point. Hmm, remains to be seen as well for the Halo remote what will it do.
AnalogPlanet: Millemissen:But what if these 10% are those who buy 50% of the suff that B&O makes? Well this is actually a very good point. Hmm, remains to be seen as well for the Halo remote what will it do.
It's an interesting observation indeed, but x B&O may not see it the same way.
I use to work for a very high end brand selling very expensive fancy things to a world of passionate clients. All was good.Onde day they decide they had to look into the future and wonder if they could continue to make money by selling few items, to wealthy initiated clients, who will eventually… Die. Of course: no. So they start to expand the lineup with more or less success, wander into new territories and open new markets.Now they're a little less premium (enough still) and you can see their brand in the street on any teenager. But the business has expanded and the brand is no longer in danger.
If 10% of users and historical client which include those who are able and willing to spend a lot into expensive TV sets an speakers, are using NL and rush into the dealer each time they need something without even looking around for competition are 50% of the sales, they must certainly be worried and must be working at giving the boat another direction.
Agreed and exactly why I wrote that I dont know really how that 10% statistic is calculated or interpreted by them.
I take the point that things that some of us love and regard as important, be it NL or even full 5.1 setups, may be infrequent use cases in the macro aggregate, but if the 10% are those spending not 2k on B&O equipment at home, but 20K then there are implications potentially from the decision to remove NL
Anyway, many questions remain, especially (for me) when it comes to BLI Gateway integration / control.
And I don't think these will be answered for many many months.
But I don't quiet share your confidence in the company.
They are clearly reducing their involvement in the experience chain over the years -where once they were the pioneers of multi room, they are ceding that space. And now removing built in sources from their own (albeit new) products is further evidence of this.
The reasons for maintaining a whole home B&O architecture are just getting weaker and weaker.
They're pretty close already to just becoming a speaker and headphone company now, and nothing else.
Which is what some on the forum were derided for suggesting I recent years.
Millemissen: Sandyb: Is it not that while some (many?) here use NL some of the time or more, from what Christian has said on the podcast, around only 10% of B&O products / customers use NL (how they define that statistic I dont know). But what if these 10% are those who buy 50% of the stuff that B&O makes? Apart from that - I must confess - that you are right........no Beolink/NL anymore, no more Bang & Olufsen app to control the future products. I just wonder why nobody has asked, if we need a Beremote One in the future? What should be the use case for that? As for that upcoming Halo remote.....what could be controlled with that in a CC-GA/AP2 setup....I can’t really imagine what it will be. I used to have great confidence that the guys in Struer will come up with surprising - in a good way! - solutions.....now I feel a bit empty. MM
KMA
B&O product history since 1991: Ridiculously long to list in a signature.
KMA:As smartphones and tablets are ubiquitous and high-end televisions are accessible to most at the €1000-2000 price range, soundbars, one-point AP/CC wireless speakers and wireless headphones are the future. 5.1 and bigger systems are for the enthusiasts, not for the style&design conscious people who want things to be easy and flexible. KMA B&O product history since 1991: Ridiculously long to list in a signature.
Finally I've been able to go to the dealer and have a quick listen. Impressive sound. The various sound profiles and directions are awesome. Really good.
On the NL/multiroom-issue the dealer told me that the new Audio Engine will develop more and get some nice features. It seemed as if the current stereo pairing will be expanded (maybe a Sonos-like possibility to create wireless surround setups?).
I'll wait and see. I think I will try out Airplay multiroom for a month (disabling BeolInk in the app) to see if I like it.
Sandyb: I doubt the new remote will have no ability to control the NL experience for those products, but it may be more secondary in the UI given the future direction.
Millemissen: As for that upcoming Halo remote.....what could be controlled with that in a CC-GA/AP2 setup....I can’t really imagine what it will be.
I really dont believe there is a new form of NL (what would it actually even be anyway?)
It was explained to me almost 2 years ago that the decision was made to prioritise phone / voice as the primary control paradigm, and the Balance seems to me to be the start of that transition. If indeed only 10% of customers use NL, that again underlines the assumption behind that decision.
A new form of NL would seem to be wishcasting to me, much as I share the disappointment at the demise of NL.
If they have decided to ditch NL as too few are using it, and the alternatives of AP / CC dont leave anyone high and dry really, where they may have an issue is for those with whole home gateway controlled setups. BLI / Khimo may need to do something here (I'm no expert here) so that a new Halo remote can trigger scenes involving lights / blinds / and video / audio experiences. Somehow. Because there are not similar ease of use alternatives to triggering complex scenes, in the same way as there are ready alternatives to NL.
Again, how this is realised, or indeed if it is possible I dont know.
When it comes to AP and Apple, is it not the case that Roon (for example) can act as a controller for Airplay speakers? There are Roon users who only have Airplay speakers, rather than Roon ready endpoints which use Roons own streaming protocol.
Anyway, I cant help but feel the Halo will be, at least at launch, much more limited than we might hope for.
But given coronavirus, I'd expect everything to go very slow for this year.
steve1977: Sandyb: I doubt the new remote will have no ability to control the NL experience for those products, but it may be more secondary in the UI given the future direction. That’s my biggest question and secret hope. There will be a new remote and the remote needs to control something... If not NL, what else could this be. It cannot be AP as apple doesn’t allow anyone (not even sonos). It could potentially be CC, which i hope it is not. If not CC, the only other option would be some form of “new NL”, which may be added to future devices. That’s still my hope...
That’s my biggest question and secret hope.
There will be a new remote and the remote needs to control something...
If not NL, what else could this be. It cannot be AP as apple doesn’t allow anyone (not even sonos).
It could potentially be CC, which i hope it is not.
If not CC, the only other option would be some form of “new NL”, which may be added to future devices. That’s still my hope...
Sandyb:When it comes to AP and Apple, is it not the case that Roon (for example) can act as a controller for Airplay speakers? There are Roon users who only have Airplay speakers, rather than Roon ready endpoints which use Roons own streaming protocol
Sandyb: When it comes to AP and Apple, is it not the case that Roon (for example) can act as a controller for Airplay speakers? There are Roon users who only have Airplay speakers, rather than Roon ready endpoints which use Roons own streaming protocol.
Yes, it works with Roon, prefering my iPad:
Ulrike:Yes, it works with Roon, prefering my iPad:
steve1977: Ulrike: Yes, it works with Roon, prefering my iPad: That‘s the Roon APP from your iPad, isn‘t it? That should be feasible. But not working from a non-Apple physical device. So if the B&O remote will be a physical device (not an IOS app), then I don‘t know how it can control AP/AP2 streams.
Ulrike: Yes, it works with Roon, prefering my iPad:
That‘s the Roon APP from your iPad, isn‘t it? That should be feasible. But not working from a non-Apple physical device. So if the B&O remote will be a physical device (not an IOS app), then I don‘t know how it can control AP/AP2 streams.
As far as Roon is concerned, Airplay control also works with any operating system such as Android, Windows or Linux.
I guess a device as a remote control would be Linux based.