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
I am contemplating assembling a surround sound system using BeoLab 3's, 5's and 7-4. However, I'd like to use a non-B & O preamp/processor. I'm not interested in any streaming or storing of files in a server. I will not need to control speakers in another room. However, I do want a processor that will properly adjust speaker levels and cross-over frequencies between the speakers in the system.
Having read of another person's questions about this issue, is there a good way to do this? It seems that the BeoLab 5 volume is only to be adjusted using the remote. This would obviously be a big hassle in a surround sound system when the other speakers are adjusted through the preamp and matched to one another using the surround sound processor.
Is there some intermediate component that could go between the preamp/processor and BeoLab speakers such that the volume for each speaker could be varied at the same time through the preamp?
Nothing has been purchased yet so I'm wide open to suggestions.
David
Even if you today does not want to have Airplay to stream music or pictures, it is easy to implement as with a Playmaker - to my understanding.
We do share the same problem - I expect to find a solution based on one remote to control all of it.
What I lack with the Beosystem 3 which seems to be the best solution - as I see it for the moment - is that it does not support upscaling of picture. Let´s see what B&O comes up with at CES - if they are attending which I have no clue of.
Another issue is they only support 50 Hz
Hello David,
a lot of people ask this question.
Why do you want to use a non-B&O preamp?
Sure it is possible to create a solution - but it would involve a lot of cabling and external power-triggig for the speakers. And you would need some kind of Lintronic-solution or a learnable remote to manage your system, which probably would include a non-B&O tv and blurayplayer and....
A lot of those who have experimented and spend many hours and days installing, have gone back to a pure B&O setup!
If you are willing to spend that much money for tha speakers-combination you might concider spending a little more getting a full B&O-setup.
Have a look at the new BV11 or perhaps the Beoplay V1. They have all you need including preamp, easy setup/managing of speakers and possibility to control your external devices via auto-puc-updated remotecontrol - and much more.
But I am sure someone in the Beoworld-community could give you some hints how to do it, if you....
So keep asking, keep waiting for the answers.
Greetings Millemissen
There is a tv - and there is a BV
With regard to video, I like having a projector system.
Having looked at the B & O website, I don't see a preamp-like component that provides sound balancing and cross-over adjustment for a surround sound system. Having read Sound & Vision magazine, there are many non-B & O preamp processors that do this. Please correct me if there is a B & O component that does this and what it is.
I saw in a previous post about using the BeoLab 5 in a surround sound system in which it was noted that the BeoLab 5 volume is to be adjusted solely by the remote One user said he just sets the BeoLab 5 to a high volume with the remote and then changes the overall volume of the system with the preamp.
I thought I saw something like this elsewhere but haven't found it yet. Has does this seem to you?
As for why I'd like to use B & O speakers, I like the ideas of the acoustic lens, built-in amps for each driver, active cross-overs, and room correction (BeoLab 5).
I have lab 5s and 3s hooked up to an Anthem processor, no problems at all and it sounds incredible. I just left the lab5s volume alone and I let the processor set the calibrations for volume, coss-over, etc with mic and Anthem software. I have to use the Beo4 remote to turn the lab5s on, but that's it. All volume is controlled via the processor.
For my center, I looked into getting a 7-4 but implementing that into a non B&O setup is tricky and not worth the hassle. I used an active speaker from another company without issues.
I feel the Beosystem 3 is OK, but it's now outdated and a WAY, WAY overpriced.
Hope this helps
Hi David,
maybe this can help:
http://www.bang-olufsen.com/en/customer-service/product-support/picture/beovision-11
It describes the possibilities of the new videoengine used in BV11 and in V1.
In case you only want run a cinema/projektor-seup have a look at the BeoSystem 3. It is the 'external box' that drives many of the current B&O-tv.:
http://www.bang-olufsen.com/en/customer-service/product-support/picture/beosystem-3
You might get that solo, and it can be set up as cinema-only.
As I already stated, it is absolutely possible to configure a setup with only-B&O-speakers.
It is your choice - I can't recommend it.
beoinbuff: I have lab 5s and 3s hooked up to an Anthem processor, no problems at all and it sounds incredible. I just left the lab5s volume alone and I let the processor set the calibrations for volume, coss-over, etc with mic and Anthem software. I have to use the Beo4 remote to turn the lab5s on, but that's it. All volume is controlled via the processor. For my center, I looked into getting a 7-4 but implementing that into a non B&O setup is tricky and not worth the hassle. I used an active speaker from another company without issues. I feel the Beosystem 3 is OK, but it's now outdated and a WAY, WAY overpriced. Hope this helps
Thanks for your input and for letting me know it can be done!
What complications are there with using the BeoLab 7-4? I'm contemplating using it or the BeoLab 10. Is it because they don't have a phono jack input?
Do the BeoLab 3's turn on automatically when there is a signal present? If so, is that a problem during a movie in which no surround sound is present for awhile in those channels? I'm assuming you use the BeoLab 3's as surround speakers which is what I plan on doing.
David,
The main problem with the 7-4 was the lack of line in option. The speaker needs a trigger signal sent which would would have required me to get more cables and do more finagling than I preferred. It was simply easier to get a different active center speaker from another company.
The Lab3s do turn on automatically, no problems there. I've never had an issue with the speakers not receiving a signal for awhile and turning off. They stay on for awhile after getting a signal, and if they do turn off, they are instantly on again when they get a signal without any pops or anything like that.
beoinbuff: David, The main problem with the 7-4 was the lack of line in option. The speaker needs a trigger signal sent which would would have required me to get more cables and do more finagling than I preferred. It was simply easier to get a different active center speaker from another company. The Lab3s do turn on automatically, no problems there. I've never had an issue with the speakers not receiving a signal for awhile and turning off. They stay on for awhile after getting a signal, and if they do turn off, they are instantly on again when they get a signal without any pops or anything like that.
Thank you for your pioneering (audio pun not intended) work in using the BeoLab speakers with a non-B & O preamp. I feel much better at putting together such a system, hopefully this year.