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
Hi,
I recently bought a Sonos Port. I connected the port to my Beolab 5 (digital coax and sync cable).
All works fine and I enjoy the Sonos Software and integration with Google home and Airplay.
One thing is missing; I need to switch on the BeoLab with my Beoremote one.
Not a big issue, but ideally I would to have them triggered by the Sonos Port, once it sends a signal / I trigger it with the Sonos app / Airplay2 / Google Home.
The Sonos port has a 12v trigger but I understand there is no cable available to leverage this with the Beolab 5.
Are there other solutions? Will this work?: https://almando.com/index.php/b-o/almando-powerlink-switch-stereo.html?___store=endkunde_eng&___from_store=default
Other (cheaper) solutions?
Thanks for your response / ideas!
Peter
use a low voltage car type relay.
The sonos 12v activates the relay then making the contact for the 5v?? signal from a separate transformer for the power link?
When activated does the Sonos send out the 12v constantly?
With a couple of adapters from sounds heavenly this should be possible.
Thanks for suggesting my cables. Unfortunately with Beolab 5 it is not possible to activate the speakers via a voltage trigger - a coded Datalink signal is needed (either via the Powerlink socket or IR remote control) in order to wake the speakers before use.
The simplest option is to use a Beo4 remote to turn the speakers on.
Kind regards, Steve.
Steve.
www.soundsheavenly.com
Founder of Sounds Heavenly Cables and Brand Ambassador for Bang & Olufsen
Sounds Heavenly are proud to sponsor BeoWorld!
Please check out my YouTube channel at https://youtube.com/soundsheavenlycables
thanks StUrrock and Steve for your suggestions and comments.
One other low-tech-high-tech solution I can think of is to bold this https://www.switch-bot.com/bot to a Beo4, place them out of sight (but still with an eye on the beolabs) and then switch on the speakers with a Google Voice command (already in operation) or via Ifttt (turn on the labs when I come home, switch off when away or maybe switch on when Sonos is playin (not sure if this is supported)
Steve, isn't it time to develop a cable that can do this activation?
Using a USB charger as power supply and a PIC chip...?
Hi Dante,
That is a good idea....but first I need to borrow a pair of Beolab 5s for testing - anyone have a spare set that I can borrow please?
Thanks,
That is good to know. If there is enough interest, I will make a serious attempt to locate a pair of Beolab 5s with a view to designing an auto-trigger device.
that would be awesome and you can already sign me up ;-)
unfortunately I do not have a second pair of Beolab 5 standing around........... but if this needs to be tested I am happy to do so if that is helpful.
I am interested in getting this auto-trigger cable as well!
Hi Peter, I bought a Sonos Port recently and i have Beolab 5 too. Can you pls explain to me how did you connect Sonos Port and Beolab 5. I am a beginner and appreciate your explanation in details.
ThanksTom
Hi Tom,
I have experimented with two set ups:
1. Sonos Port to Beolab through digital out (Port) and digital in (Beolab 5). Added a sync cable so the volume of the Beolabs sync with one another if you use a Beoremote to control the volume. I did not use this because I set the volume in the Sonos app to variable so I could keep the volume of the Beolabs the same. This worked fine but I had to switch on and off the Beolabs with the beoremote (jn my case the Beoremote one). You have to set the Beolabs to Option 1 or 4 if I remember correctly. You have to do that with the Beoremote. (with the Beoremote one I struggled, the old one is easier). Happy to give a step by step guide if you struggle as well.
Downside of this option is that when you start music on your Sonos app and the speakers are not switched on already you have to switch them on with the remote. or you leave them on all day. or you switch them on in the morning and switch them off at night. None of this was ideal for different reasons (energy usage, longevity of the speakers and my family did not get the sequence of first using the remote control and then the app). Another downside I found is that the loudness function in the Sonos app is quite bad compared to the B&O one. I do not like the frequency curve (bumps in mid bass) and it does not respond to volume changes either.
2. My current set up is using the analog line out of the Sonos Port and use the line in of my Beosound Moment. I have set the volume control in the Sonos app to fixed. No digital connection, but I am too old (> 25) to hear the difference anyway and 99% proces of the people do not hear difference anyway regardless of age. Now regardless of the source (Beosound Moment, Sonos, Airplay) music starts to play. I control the volume with the Moment (or the B&O app, but the latter is not great / not user friendly. Works perfect for for me and my family. Loudness function in the Moment is very good.
Hope this helps!
Let me know if you have follow up questions.
Hi Peter
Really appreciate your kind and clear explanation !! Very easy to understanding !I would like to try first set up first since i have no Beosound moment.
Will try to get all necessary cables and try it out.
RegardsTom
Hi Peter, ist the Moment than connected via Powerlink to the BL5? If yes, try to connect the digital output of the Sonos to the BL5. If the moment fires up the BL5 and Han you start to play music usually the BL5 gives priority to the digital input. In the past you needed a CD Player to help the BL5 to listen to the digital input.
I figured out that setup when a had a BS9000 in my office and the BL5 connected to a BS3 in the media room with a Sonos Connect. Today I have a Core with BL5 with no Masterlink anymore in the network, the BL5 also gives priority to the digital signal.
An other option to switch on the BL5 is to use the adapter from Almando, that works as well but comes with a 300 Euro price...