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
Hello all,
I've just acquired a lovely Beolab (1967)/Beomaster (1969) 5000 and have a question about the speakers I can use with it.
I was going to connect it to a pair of CX 100s and a pair of CX 50s (replacing the Beomaster 1000 I'm currently using) but when I did this I could barely hear anything even with the volume up to 10! I connected a pair of 2702s and everything works perfectly.
I've looked online and read about damage that can be caused to an amplifier if you use the incorrect impedance speakers but was slightly confused as in an this archived thread one of the users was using CX 100s. I know that the 2702s are 4 ohm and CX 100s are 6 ohm but am mystified why the volume on mine was so low!?
Any help greatly appreciated as I'm itching to start using it!
Hi,
Well it's a matter of efficiency really. CX speakers are notoriously inefficient speakers. They are not the ideal night club banger!
This said, the Beolab will drive anything. I drive Arcam One (87 dB) very safely, the amp gets barely lukewarm, and believe me, it gets loud!
Jacques
Thanks charz,
I'm still wondering why the CX100s are barely audible even at full volume? Assuming the Beolab will drive any Beovox speaker as you mention does this mean there's a problem somewhere?
What kind of source do you use?
Using an iPod or any other more modern "line" level device will not be able to produce a sufficient level for the BM5000.
The older BM5000 was designed for the older "Din" level standard. So, a kind of mismatch occurs.
But, beside that, a reasonable amount of music must be heard/obtained.
Turn the Beolab over and check which input you are using. Then check the two small screws that are labelled on the underside with each channel for that input, and make sure they are not turned down towards the - mark. If they are, turn them both up equally to the + mark.
Try that and see how you go.
My Beomaster has an old tape-recorder and a CD player connected. My iPhone poses no level problem either. It is a totally universal integrated amp.
Since the Beolab work with other speakers, it is not a level problem at the preamp.
Do you connect your CXs to the correct speaker outputs, not one to the bridged one by any chance?
Do your CXs work with other amps?
It depends on the output from the cd-player. But it's common knowledge that the din and line level have different standards, resulting in different audio levels. I had several people complaining about the maximum volume, which they found not loud enough for having a party.
Some B&O gear have the option to adjust the level of the attached sources, like the BM8000.
Probably the lower impedance from the 2702's result in a better performence as it needs a lower voltage power supply. That's where the BM5000 has it's limitations. Just my thought.
Thanks for all the suggestions!
@ Beobuddy - when I connected the 2702s everything worked well, including a line input (on AUX) from my iPhone - it was the impedance difference of the speakers that I was suspecting but the fact that other members are successfully using the CX 100s stumped me. Ideally I'd like to use my CX speakers as they're 'plumbed in' to the room
@ j0hnbarker - looked at these when I first got the amp but didn't adjust, tried a Beogram 1202 and iPhone via AUX input but the same result with the CXs, as above everything was fine with the 2702s though
@ chartz - I made sure the speakers were connected to the L / R speaker 1 outputs and not the 'centre' speaker, again everything spot-on with the 2702s
Hmmm, sounds like a speaker impedance issue (pardon the pun!) - but I don't really have the space for larger size speakers
Oh and @ chartz - the CXs work perfectly with my Beomaster 1000
I wonder if the cables you are using for the CXs are incorrectly wired (opposing phases). This could more or less kill the bass, making them sound quiet in comparison... but perhaps still not dramatically more silent.
EDIT: according to your last post with the BM1000 info... apparently not.
--mika
Just found and read the Beolab 5000 user guide and it states the amplifier can be used with speakers with impedance of 4 - 16 ohm, but with the corresponding drop in volume.
This reassures me that I'm not going to destroy the amp or speakers but still odd that I can't hear virtually anything!
I will have a play around this weekend and see what I can come up with.
MrRoast:This reassures me that I'm not going to destroy the amp or speakers but still odd that I can't hear virtually anything!
That's certainly not right. I wonder if the DIN plugs you have in the CX wiring just don't make proper contact with the sockets in the Beolab.
Hmmm, I'll try with a different set of cables, although the ones I used are genuine B&O cables that came with the CXs when I bought them.
Hey Magnus you're using my picture!
You are welcome to do so
Problem solved! After a concerted process of elimination (i.e a bit of a fiddle about!) it looks like the issue was a mix of input levels and ignorance
The AUX input doesn't seem to work with an iPhone/Airport Express feed even with the levels adjusted by the dials underneath, however, works fine with the TAPE input.
I've also switched the PHONO input switch and the volume is much improved, I think this may have been because the previous owner was using a non-B&O turntable.
I also soldered up a new set of speaker cables and checked with a multimeter just in case!
Thanks for all the suggestions, glad I've got up and running!
That's odd.
I use my AUX input with the iPhone/iPod without any problems.
@ charz - Hmmm I did think it a bit odd, however, it's now playing music so I'm happy for the time being!
Also can anyone tell me if I can get new rubber feet for the Beolab/Beomasters? Mine have hardened and would like to replace them.
Got mine here, they are perfectly sized and of excellent quality. There is a metal washer at the bottom of the bigger hole.
Often, the rubber has released some kind of watery substance, which has made way for rust underneath the old feet...
Thanks for the link chartz, will order some today. There is some rust under the feet but I'll live with it for the time being!
chartz:Got mine here, they are perfectly sized and of excellent quality.
How wicked to put them in bags of 10 - you need to order two sets to get a multiple of four! (as I just did - thanks for the link)
And remember, the ones underneath the Beomaster are riveted!
Update - read on an archived post that the AUX input on the Beolab 5000 has certain pins wired differently to the TAPE input which was the reason I wasn't getting a signal from my iPhone! At least I know it's not faulty!
@ chartz - got my new feet but have used small bolts on the tuner to replace the rivets, needs a bit of fettling though!
Good. Now we need pictures, don't we?