Beosound Level firmware glitch ?

Just installed my new Level and very happy with performance and sound.

until now a few things that raised my eyebrows. After initial powerup and and adding the Level an automatic firmware update was performed. Once finished the app stated the firmware update on my Beovision 7 was succesful……What ? Beovision 7 ?! 

But more interesting is the room compensation feature only works when the level is being charged. When moving the level and manually selecting the compensate function and error message states that it only works with a power cable connected. I did not read any manual yet, so sorry if I asked something stupid ….:)

but this seems so unlogical to me.

I have the non Google version by the way

Edit: also the leds at the control panel are always on. Toggling the motion sensor on/off does make no difference. The app states that when the motion sensor is on the “controls magicly light up when you approach the level”. Mine are always lit up?

thanks

 

edit 2 : the motion sense works, it’s quit subtle but on a different position it was better noticable! 

WOW, this thing sounds so nice !! 

 

I just got a Level this week too, and I experienced the same. You cannot run the room compensation on battery power. It is strange indeed, since it is exactly in these situations that you want to run the room compensation. Also it seems that it can run the room compensation only in the standing up position and not while lying flat.

Regarding the lights, my do light up while approaching. It seems there are three modes: no lights (only when turned off), only the play button lit, all buttons lit with dim light and finally all buttons bright.

For information, mine is the version with GVA.

Thanks Frederik. I have made a bug report within the B&O app, this works really easy. Suggest yo do the same?

 

today I paired an essence remote with my Level and this works quit nice. The initial response is not immediate since the essence remote uses very low current bluetooth but once woken up after one or two seconds the volume adjusting with the essence wheel is buttery smooth and really satisfying! 

This was just discussed during the BeoTalk podcast, apparently room compensation is intentionally disabled when on battery power. Reason is that if room compensation is on and you move it it could actually sound worse than without room compensation.

Personally I think it would make sense to disable room compensation the moment you move it (it does have an accelerometer) but allow to re-run once it's again in a fixed spot.

My BS Level won’t allow me to run room compensation MEASUREMENT while it is running off its batteries.

Are you saying that room compensation itself is off while running off batteries too?

lawrencejmcook:

My BS Level won’t allow me to run room compensation MEASUREMENT while it is running off its batteries.

 

Are you saying that room compensation itself is off while running off batteries too?

I haven't been able to test yet, but yes, that was how I understood it, once you unplug it it will turn off room compensation.

Thanks, Frederik. I had no idea. Will have a listen tomorrow.

It’s annoying enough that it won’t re-measure without mains power. But to switch room compensation off entirely is awful. I’m sure I’m not the only owner who wants to take it to settings without mains power.

Maybe I need to find a BIG power bank. Like a laptop battery. And plug the Level in to it when it’s off the grid.

OK, perhaps a stupid question but the way I want to use the speaker is that every time I move the speaker within the house I want to manually recompensate . I use the speaker in three different locations and each of them is very different acoustic wise, position to walls, size room etc etc.

Or is this not necessary and does the speaker does this adjusting non-stop ?!

but what exactly is the manual compensation option in the B&O app then ?

 

also :

Level connected to charger. Manual compensation executed. Then you move the speaker to different location. Compensation is switched off according the app.  But then even if you move the speaker back to the first position (where the compensation was performed) the compensation does not work anymore until you reconnect the charger ?! The info the app gives is so confusing !!

 

Ok, I got a reply from support but they want a screenshot of the “error” message and advice me to reinstall the app and see if that helps. At least this person is not aware that this supposes to be a “feature” , the fact that room comp only works with power connected. Also the information the app gives you it seems this is indeed the case…. But how on earth is that a good idea with a mobile battery operated speaker ?!?! I’m really confused !

 

 

I agree the app is confusing. If you disconnect power it seems room compensation is still on, while according to the aforementioned logic it should disable. Also why allow to tab re-run if that's not supposed to work anyway?

I have the impression that the intention of the speaker's behaviour doesn't map with the implementation of the interface in the app.

I have asked support to clarify the room compensation feauture , will post here when I get some more info

At least give the customer the opportunity to manually remeasure every time you move the speaker.

 

 

 

I’d be very interested too, although I’d take their knowledge on such details with a grain of salt. The last time I asked them something complicated was when I needed to know how one could tell if my Balance actually did not have Google Assistant. While they gave me some useful insight that seemed correct, their information regarding the packaging was incorrect and therefore misleading. I got more and better help here on the Beoworld forum. I’m in talks with them right now due to my Balances not working well in stereo, and I already feel it is a waste of time. I’d love to talk to their software developers though, who are in a different league.

LeMirage:

At least give the customer the opportunity to manually remeasure every time you move the speaker.

Strongly disagree: B&O should make that adjustment *invisible* to the user and automatic, like what Sonos does with their "Move": Re-adjust every time you set the speaker down stationary for more than 1 second -- but do the adjustment based on what they know the output signal is, compared to what they hear back from the room -- no frequency sweep necessary.  (There probably was some patent on that technique, but it must be expired or readily licensable, since Apple does the same kind of thing with Homepods.)  If the user wants to run the frequency sweep manually while docked on wall power, that's fine and will probably be more "precise" (insofar as once can call these techniques such) than listening to its own output, but when waving the speaker around at the beach or on the balcony, approximately is better than nothing.  The customer gets the benefit of high technology and doesn't even have to think about it!  That's the B&O way, or it used to be.

Obviously thats an even better option, but I already would be ok to be able to enable room compensate whenever and WHERE ever I want ! 

I got an interesting reply from support that they escalated this issue and will be updated when more info is available.

 

Their current method appears to be: Remember the docked compensation settings; go to flat when un-docked (power lost); adjust for horizontal/vertical; return to the memory preset when docked again.  Your method only requires enough extra memory for 2 presets (current compensation vs. docked compensation), and a change in the go-to-flat trigger: either when un-docked OR moved.  Sounds very good, and straightforward, but likely this casual speculation overlooks some cases.

Still remaining, the problem that the docked position might have been changed out from under the memory -- or even 2 docks for 1 speaker.  Thus the desirability of "measure-my-own-signal" auto-compensation.  Or it could just do a frequency sweep every time you set it down... after auto-announcing in a loud, Googly voice, "Hush Everyone, I'm setting up my Speaker now!"  The uncertainty of what B&O's method might be, merely highlights their shameful lack of instructions in the box, and that Technical Sound Guides are absolutely indispensable.

New firmware is available for the Level, no info on improvements. Anyone already installed it ?

Apart from the room comp feature not being available on battery power actually quit happy on the stabiliy so a little hesitant ;)

 

 

What is the version number of the update? I have 1.7.40060 installed, but not sure if that is a recent update since I have the automatic updates function enabled. I cannot identify any obvious differences. I also just checked, as reported in other threads, the left and right channels are still reversed

Frederik:

What is the version number of the update? I have 1.7.40060 installed, but not sure if that is a recent update since I have the automatic updates function enabled. I cannot identify any obvious differences. I also just checked, as reported in other threads, the left and right channels are still reversed

Hi Frederik - as noted in my post below, my Level received ver 1.7.40060 a few days before 07Dec2021. It was on the same version when I checked this morning.

https://archivedforum2.beoworld.org/forums/p/49620/351761.aspx#351761

Should be new then, version number ready for download is 1.8.10009 

currently in a hurry so will install myself on a later moment and report

 

 

(i have the Non GVA version)

 

 

I have updated my non GVA Level to firmware 1.8.10009.11619 

No changes notices so far. Remark after installation stated “updated chromecast to version 1.52”

 

also got a reply about why the room compensation only works with AC power connected:

 

The action requires some extended amplifier power, and if the battery is almost drained then the calibration will fail each time. Then this would be another issue. 

 

i am not an electrical engineer by any means but it does sound logical.

 

what still is not logical is the huge power consumption with the unit in “standby”. That should be something that can be improved I guess

 

Sorry for high jacking this thread but I have heard non GVA version is more compatible and future proof than the GVA version is that true? Thanks Vince

vlohjr1:

Sorry for high jacking this thread but I have heard non GVA version is more compatible and future proof than the GVA version is that true? Thanks Vince

There are a few differences, on the GVA version. You cannot use Bluetooth if the speaker is not set up in Google Home and you cannot use the line-in with multiroom. 

I doubt it would be less "future proof", however, there might be Google related functionalities that can change or disappear over time. This is currently happening with volume control on speaker groups. However, these changes do not affect the B&O native functionality.

It is also worth noting that if you use Google Voice to play something it will always play via Chromecast. In other words, things like touch to join for example will not work when playback was initiated via voice.

Finally, if you plan to add a second Level in the future to make a stereo pair, both should be the same version (GVA or non-GVA).

Frederik:

There are a few differences, on the GVA version. You cannot use Bluetooth if the speaker is not set up in Google Home and you cannot use the line-in with multiroom.

I doubt it would be less "future proof", however, there might be Google related functionalities that can change or disappear over time. This is currently happening with volume control on speaker groups. However, these changes do not affect the B&O native functionality.

It is also worth noting that if you use Google Voice to play something it will always play via Chromecast. In other words, things like touch to join for example will not work when playback was initiated via voice.

Finally, if you plan to add a second Level in the future to make a stereo pair, both should be the same version (GVA or non-GVA).

Many thanks for this Frederik

Regards Vince