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 all.
I have previously posted on the forum and received some great advice, but I have a quick question regarding my BeoLab 5's and my Onkyo AVR.
The problem: The BeoLab 5's do not sound like they are being driven to their full potential (in fact quite far from it!) I play a song directly from my BeoSound 5 Encore to the BL5's and they sound AMAZING. Play the same song from the Onkyo AVR and it sounds nowhere near as good!
The setup: I currently have the BeoLab 5's connected to my Onkyo AVR via the pre-out RCA connections in the pic below, connected to the LINE inputs of the BeoLab 5's .
Unfortunately, my ONKYO PR-SC5509 (even though it is/was one of the top of the range models) does not have Digital Out/SPDIF out as you can see in the picture below (only Digital IN)....
LINK TO FULL SIZE PIC
As mentioned above, the speakers simply do not seem like they are being driven to their full potential, which I think is a real shame for these BeoLab 5's...
Questions:
- Could it be that the lack of Digital OUT Connection is causing this? Maybe by connecting to the LINE of the BeoLab 5's I am bypassing some sort of DAC/DSP built into the BeoLab 5's?
- Could it be the amp is not powerful enough to drive the speakers? Here are the stats for this amp:
If I play a song from my BeoSound 5 Encore directly to the BeoLab 5's for instance, the BeoLab 5's sound AMAZING. VERY punchy, and MUCH, MUCH louder.
Unfortunately using the ONKYO AVR above, music does not sound anywhere near the quality of the BeoSound 5 Encore...
Can anyone please offer me some advice! I would really appreciate it, and will even send you some beer money if someone can solve this for me :D
Look forward to hearing your suggestions.
Thanks!
I am well aware that I won't earn the beer money with this comment - but it could be a start
At first I would look into the settings of the Onkyo - does it do some processing to the sound before outputting it?
MM
There is a tv - and there is a BV
Thanks for your reply!
That is definitely a valid point. I have just uploaded an album of screenshots of all the current relevant sound/speaker settings of the Onkyo AVR:
Settings > https://picasaweb.google.com/106757494016008090298/OnkyoSettings?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCKWb94qtg9ji3AE&feat=directlink
I have an Onkyo TX-NR 708, it couldnt drive my BL 8000 to max volume, volume level on the amp set 80 (max) gave a little more than normal listening level.
Setting the Dynamic volume (pic13) to light gives a little more, but I dont think you will ever be able to drive your 5s to full potential with this amp. The preouts are just too low.
Collecting Vintage B&O is not a hobby, its a lifestyle.
Søren Mexico: I have an Onkyo TX-NR 708, it couldnt drive my BL 8000 to max volume, volume level on the amp set 80 (max) gave a little more than normal listening level. Setting the Dynamic volume (pic13) to light gives a little more, but I dont think you will ever be able to drive your 5s to full potential with this amp. The preouts are just too low.
Hmm. Thanks for your input. Any alternatives you have looked into?
Mine is not just the volume, but the sound quality too.
Have you gone into the speaker settings on the onkyo and changed the frequency response of speaker? And have you tried setting them to large.
just throwing some suggestions in the air which may or may not make a difference.
Beoplay A2
"Questions:
- Could it be the amp is not powerful enough to drive the speakers?"
1: if you use the line-in connection of the BL5's, you (generally spoken) don't use the built-in DAC in the 5's. The DA-conversion is done in the Onkyo.
2: it might be (as Søren suggests) that the (RCA) line-output from the Onkyo is too low.
Have you ever tried to or thought of using the XLR'r via an XLR to PL-adapter?
You can find thoughts to this here:
http://archivedarchivedforum2.beoworld.org/forums/t/34602.aspx
and here:
http://www.hifi4all.dk/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=32157
I don't know if that makes a/the difference, but it is worth it to consider.
Perhaps Steve from SoundsHeavenly could have some hints too.
Greetings MM
I suppose that you want to use the 5's as part of a surround setup (via Onkyo)?
Otherweise just keep using them with the B&O (Encore) - as StUrrock writes: this is always the best.
- did you use "FRONT" pre out or "FRONT wide" pre out?- do you have the same problems if you switch the receiver to "direct" or "stereo" (if this option is available)?
Hi,
To what volume step have you set your BL5's?
Cheers
-geoff
Firstly thank you to everyone who is prividing their input. Much appreciated.
To answer your questions:
markiedee: Have you gone into the speaker settings on the onkyo and changed the frequency response of speaker? And have you tried setting them to large. just throwing some suggestions in the ear which may or may not make a difference.
just throwing some suggestions in the ear which may or may not make a difference.
Hi there!
Here are my settings in full (seems like it needs to be opened on a computer) - https://picasaweb.google.com/106757494016008090298/OnkyoSettings?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCKWb94qtg9ji3AE&feat=directlink
- The speakers of the BL5's (fronts) are set to "Full Band" as seen here
- Subwoofer is set to "No"
- You can also see in the above screenshot that my center and surround are set at 80 Hz (THX) crossover.
- "Front High" and "Front Wide" are set to "No"
- LPF/LFE are set to "Bypass" as seen here
When I talk about the BeoLab 5's I always test them to see if putting the AVR on Stereo or Direct makes any difference, and it does sound better when just coming out of the BeoLab 5, but again, nowhere near how the BeoSound 5 sounds when directly connected to the BeoLab 5's via Powerlink.
StUrrock:When connected to the pre out of the amp do you get fizzing/hissing sound through the top acoustic lens? With non B&O preamps connected via analogue outputs this can be annoying and troublesome, especially with BeoLab 5s and 9s. Owing to their superb true to life reproduction. Can safely say that when connected to B&O hardware background noise is never a problem EVER. Just goes to show how seriously B&O take great sound. Other manufacturers take note!
With non B&O preamps connected via analogue outputs this can be annoying and troublesome, especially with BeoLab 5s and 9s. Owing to their superb true to life reproduction.
Can safely say that when connected to B&O hardware background noise is never a problem EVER.
Just goes to show how seriously B&O take great sound. Other manufacturers take note!
Hi!
YES and YES!! I've asked about this on the forums before, and it seems it's because I have "hard set" the volumes of the BeoLab 5's using the Beo4 remote, and then control volume only with the amp/AVR.
Some have suggested I simply turn down the volume of the BeoLab 5's using the Beo4 remote until you can't hear any hissing, but I personally feel like this makes the speakers sound even worse and lack even more punch.
I was wondering, since I am connected via Analouge Pre-outs (RCA), if I had an AVR/amp that has Digital OUT, would this solve the hissing issue? And if so, I would then hope that it solves the poor/inferior sound quality issue I am currently experiencing with the Analog Out option..
I totally agree with this: 'Can safely say that when connected to B&O hardware background noise is never a problem EVER."
Which is why I mentioned above that, when I connect the BeoSound 5 Encore DIRECTLY to the BeoLab 5's via Powerlink, they sound beautiful in comparison to when run through the AVR. It is then quite obvious the AVR is doing SOMETHING to the audio feed, i'm just not quite sure yet.
I have tried turning all EQ's on the Onkyo AVR off (such as Audyssey EQ etc etc.), but this sounds even worse! So I have kept the Audyssey EQ's on for now.. Ideally though, i just want a clean direct signal sent to the BeoLab 5's (and all other speakers in my config [2 x rear BL3]) for that matter. But since the rear BL3's are only really used for small sound effects in surround soundtracks I'm not really too bothered.
I just want to bring the life to my BeoLab 5's!
Millemissen: 1: if you use the line-in connection of the BL5's, you (generally spoken) don't use the built-in DAC in the 5's. The DA-conversion is done in the Onkyo. 2: it might be (as Søren suggests) that the (RCA) line-output from the Onkyo is too low. Have you ever tried to or thought of using the XLR'r via an XLR to PL-adapter? You can find thoughts to this here: http://archivedarchivedforum2.beoworld.org/forums/t/34602.aspx and here: http://www.hifi4all.dk/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=32157 I don't know if that makes a/the difference, but it is worth it to consider. Perhaps Steve from SoundsHeavenly could have some hints too. Greetings MM
Responses:
1 - Maybe this is my issue then.. I'll have to try and get hold of an AVR which has Digital Out, so then as I understand, i'm letting the BL5's do all the work?
2 - I'm not quite sure what kind of output I am looking for. I posted the AVR output specs in the OP, hopefully someone here who understand it will be able to advise!
I was actually trying to find some XLR - Powerlink cables last night, but I don't understand enough about XLR to know if it would help. But at this point i'm quite willing to get two of these cables to check! Thanks for those links, I will check them out.
Millemissen: I suppose that you want to use the 5's as part of a surround setup (via Onkyo)? Otherweise just keep using them with the B&O (Encore) - as StUrrock writes: this is always the best. MM
Yes that;s right. I am using the BL5's as the two front speakers in a surround setup.
I have a BeoLab 7-2 for the center, and 2 x BeoLab 3 for the rears.
I wish I could switch between the BeoSound 5 Encore audio and the AVR audio so easily.
The problem here is that the BeoSound 5 Encore when connected to the AVR sound far worse on the BeoLab 5's, as opposed to when they are connected to the BeoLab 5's via PowerLink. I have not found a solution for this yet, but I really want to fix my AVR output audio too for movies, and all other audio etc.
TWG: - did you use "FRONT" pre out or "FRONT wide" pre out?- do you have the same problems if you switch the receiver to "direct" or "stereo" (if this option is available)?
- Nice thinking! But I have connected it to the FRONT pre-out.
- Yes, both options are available, and the sound still doesn't sound great.
Here is how my back panel is connected:
Starting from the left, red wire is for center speaker (BeoLab 7-2), two underneath is for front R and L (BeoLab 5's).
The other two on the right of these are Surround R and L. (BeoLab 3's)
Geoff Martin: Hi, To what volume step have you set your BL5's? Cheers -geoff
Hi geoff!
I have played around with various volume configurations, from 100%, to 90%, to 60%. I'm probably now around 60-70%, to have a balance between hissing and volume.
ari:I have played around with various volume configurations, from 100%, to 90%, to 60%. I'm probably now around 60-70%, to have a balance between hissing and volume.
When I demo BL5's, it is almost NEVER with a B&O source. It's typically using a line out of a mixing console or a semi-pro sound card. So, normally, I'm doing what you're doing.
The Onkyo manual that you posted indicates that you can get 5.5 V rms out of the RCA output. This is more than enough - so I wouldn't bother with the XLR's. The line input of the BL5 is "expecting" a line output with a 2.0 V RMS max. You might even be able to clip the input of the BL5 with a 5.5 V RMS signal - but I'm not sure about this. I know I've clipped its input with a mixing console output, but that can go up to about 13.5 V rms, give or take.
Normally, when I do a demo, I reduce the volume of my source (the mixer, let's say...) crank the volume of the BL5's up to maximum and then come back by about 18-20 steps (to reduce the hiss that you mention). (I just stand far enough back in the room to make sure that both BL5's can see the remote and I hit down-down-down... on the volume counting as I go) Make sure when you do this reduction that both BL5's have the same volume setting.
Then, I'm ready for the demo.
So, assuming that you set up your system with a similar procedure as mine (although I don't know what this will do to your front/back level matching in your surround configuration...):
- IF this sounds significantly worse than using a B&O source with a PL signal, then something is going on in your Onkyo. In this case, you should start poking around, looking for post-processing stuff that's turned on when it shouldn't be.
- You might not be able to get the same maximum level out of this system as you would with PL and a B&O source, since the B&O-only system is actively managing the gain structure of the entire system via Power Link data. The fixed BL5 volume in your Onkyo setup will have an impact on your maximum output - but it'll still be pretty loud. (If you want it to go louder, say, for a party, then you can turn up the volume on the BL5's as a second-step after maxing out the Onkyo's volume (assuming that you're not clipping the BL5 input...))
- When you're playing music, is the Onkyo upmixing or bass managing? This will, of course, have an effect on the total system output.
- The only possible thing left that I can think of that MIGHT be worth considering here is the auto loudness function on your B&O source which would be tweaking the bass (and maybe the treble - it depends on the product) at lower volume settings. Without looking at the Onkyo manual, I don't know whether it can do something similar to this or not. However, it certainly won't know what sensitivity loudspeaker to expect, so if it does have an autoloudness, it likely will behave differently than a B&O source.
Hope this helps!
-g
Geoff Martin: ari:I have played around with various volume configurations, from 100%, to 90%, to 60%. I'm probably now around 60-70%, to have a balance between hissing and volume. When I demo BL5's, it is almost NEVER with a B&O source. It's typically using a line out of a mixing console or a semi-pro sound card. So, normally, I'm doing what you're doing. The Onkyo manual that you posted indicates that you can get 5.5 V rms out of the RCA output. This is more than enough - so I wouldn't bother with the XLR's. The line input of the BL5 is "expecting" a line output with a 2.0 V RMS max. You might even be able to clip the input of the BL5 with a 5.5 V RMS signal - but I'm not sure about this. I know I've clipped its input with a mixing console output, but that can go up to about 13.5 V rms, give or take. Normally, when I do a demo, I reduce the volume of my source (the mixer, let's say...) crank the volume of the BL5's up to maximum and then come back by about 18-20 steps (to reduce the hiss that you mention). (I just stand far enough back in the room to make sure that both BL5's can see the remote and I hit down-down-down... on the volume counting as I go) Make sure when you do this reduction that both BL5's have the same volume setting. Then, I'm ready for the demo. So, assuming that you set up your system with a similar procedure as mine (although I don't know what this will do to your front/back level matching in your surround configuration...): - IF this sounds significantly worse than using a B&O source with a PL signal, then something is going on in your Onkyo. In this case, you should start poking around, looking for post-processing stuff that's turned on when it shouldn't be. - You might not be able to get the same maximum level out of this system as you would with PL and a B&O source, since the B&O-only system is actively managing the gain structure of the entire system via Power Link data. The fixed BL5 volume in your Onkyo setup will have an impact on your maximum output - but it'll still be pretty loud. (If you want it to go louder, say, for a party, then you can turn up the volume on the BL5's as a second-step after maxing out the Onkyo's volume (assuming that you're not clipping the BL5 input...)) - When you're playing music, is the Onkyo upmixing or bass managing? This will, of course, have an effect on the total system output. - The only possible thing left that I can think of that MIGHT be worth considering here is the auto loudness function on your B&O source which would be tweaking the bass (and maybe the treble - it depends on the product) at lower volume settings. Without looking at the Onkyo manual, I don't know whether it can do something similar to this or not. However, it certainly won't know what sensitivity loudspeaker to expect, so if it does have an autoloudness, it likely will behave differently than a B&O source. Hope this helps! Cheers -g
Hi Geoff.
Thanks once again!
I have performed exactly the same setup (standing back, and counting the volume down presses). Then to get all speaker levels in sync, I use the AVR level cailbration until they all sound the same volume at listening position - see this screenshot (rears are also adjusted further down on the page which I didn't include).
As you can see on that level calibration page, I have upped the gains on the BeoLab 5's in order to try and get more "oomph" out of them. By oomph I don't only mean low end, but low end is DEFINITELY much weaker on the AVR.
So I put the volume on the BL5's themselves down enough to try and eliminate the hiss, then I up the gains on the level calibration of my AVR for the front L and R (the BeoLab 5's), and then match the other speakers (center and rear L/R) using the pink noise that the AVR emits.
My understanding of the AVR output specs were similar to yours, so I adjusted the LINE INPUT LEVEL of the BeoLab 5's as the manual explains here:
Is it a problem that max output of the AVR is 5.5V, and the line input level of the BeoLab 5's is expecting >2V RMS <= 4V RMS?
I have tried turning OFF all EQ's and settings that I could find that could be adjusting the sound stream before it is outputted to the BL5's. It actually sounds much worse/flatter with the EQ's off.
Likewise, I have tweaked the Bass and Treble gains, but it didn't sound great so I just left them at 0dB.
Pardon my ignorance, but I thought connecting via "pre-out" bypassed all amplification/tweaking?
Another thing which is important and that I am waiting for is :
What is the audio source?
Well, the audio source is a combination of devices which I have tested from USB directly to the amp, streaming over AirPlay using my AppleTV connected to the AVR over HDMI, a Media Center PC connected via HDMI to the AVR, even tried the BeoSound 5 Encore connected via LINE cables to the AVR. It sounded MUCH worse compared to when connecting directly to the BeoLab 5's via powerlink cables.
I even studied the pin-outs of the PowerLink cables, and made a 12v - 5V step-down trigger cable, and used RCA to PowerLink cables, with the BeoLab 5's in "Option 0" which is used for when connecting to B&O equipment. This was great, the trigger turned on the BeoLab 5's, sound quality did sound noticeable better than when connecting over LINE, but however there was some clipping which seemed as if it was coming from the mids, so I did away with this option :( It seemed very promising at the time though, until I noticed the clipping.
Thanks geoff.
Hi Again,
I'll have to do some homework on some of those points - however I can address a couple of them:
> Is it a problem that max output of the AVR is 5.5V, and the line input level of the BeoLab 5's is expecting >2V RMS <= 4V RMS?
Only if you're playing REALLY loudly. Just to check, you could put your volume of the BL5's to very low, turn the Onkyo up to maximum, play some music that has been mastered to be very loud, and listen for clipping. I don't know the voltage level that will clip the RCA input of the BL5, however, even if it's 4 V RMS - that is only 2.7 dB lower than 5.5 V. So, this would mean that you would start clipping the input of the BL5's when you're 2.7 dB away from clipping the Onkyo - which isn't that far.
>Pardon my ignorance, but I thought connecting via "pre-out" bypassed all amplification/tweaking?
This is dependent on the device itself. This may be true for your AVR - but it may not. This might be detailed in the manual. My personal expectation is that the "pre-out" is just a feed from the signal path taken directly before the power amp inputs, but after the processing.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on these points.
So if what you're saying is happening, I'm quite sure I don't reach those kind of volumes which would generate that kind of voltage.
The inferior sound quality passed from the AVR can even be experienced at lower volumes.
I'll have to read up on my AVR to see exactly what "pre-out" refers to in the context of my AVR.
Thanks
Maybe you already have tried it?
Is it possible for you
1: to swap the connections to make the BL3 front speakers - and
2: to test/compare those on the Encore directly?
Just to see/hear if they behave different too.
This way it might be possible to locate if the problem is with the AVR or with the BL5's.
Thanks, definitely need to rule that out.
how would I send stereo music to the surround "back"? All channel stereo perhaps?
I meant simply changing the cables from rear to front on the AVR.
And afterwards connect them to the Encore (you would need an adapter for that).
Ah i'm with you. Let me see if I have those cables.
Thx
Geoff
Many thanks for your great contributions to this (and many other!!) threads.
I mentioned before that connecting BeoLab9s and 5s to 3rd party pre amps often leads to background noise ( a sort of fizzing sound ) from the top accoustic lens. This noise just does not happen when connected to B&O equipment. In the normal lisening position it is virtually unoticable, but I would rather it was not there!!
What would your advice be to minimise or eliminate this unwanted noise.
Many Thanks
StUrrock - it is indeed very irritating. I mentioned that I modified my own trigger+RCA cable to Powerlink cable, this hissing was completely eliminated, and there was no need to manually turn on and even control the volume on my BeoLab 5's via the Beo4 remote, it was all done through the amp! Speakers would turn on with amp, and volume would be controlled by amp, with no hissing!!!! Thank god...
BUT.,,
Unfortunately, I noticed some audio clipping when connected like this, but I suspect this was down to my "DIY" cable.
so I'm thinking of getting some new cables and giving it a try. Like the ones from AV-connection.dk ( http://www.av-connection.dk/?ML=2126 ), but I'm not 100% sure if they output the required 4.5-5V that the BeoLab 5 expects. So I need to be sure of this first. I did see some other members mentioning using them here, but I need to be certain for my own peace of mind!
EDIT: ok I just translated the full description and it seems like it does step-down to 5V! I am going to order some! :D
You might want to put that order on hold!
The regular PL-MK3 will not work either with the BL5, if connected to a beosound or beovision. This "special" cable simulates the same. A BL5 needs the fully wired PL-MK2 cable.
DoubleU: You might want to put that order on hold! The regular PL-MK3 will not work either with the BL5, if connected to a beosound or beovision. This "special" cable simulates the same. A BL5 needs the fully wired PL-MK2 cable.
:( :( are you kidding me!!!!
i literally just placed the order :(
i have the newer generation bl5's, so I thought they work with MKiii cable?
I ordered 2 x mono RCA trigger cables (R and L).
and some Powerlink Mk3 cables to connect the bl5's to these trigger/mono - pl (female) adapters.
The link also don't mention BL5.
Maybe someone else can fill me in on this. But I believe the BL5 needs PL-data to work if you use the PL-socket.
Sorry man!
On their site it says the newer generation BL5's work with Mk3 cable.. So let's hope I got the right one!
But I've emailed them anyways. Hopefully they can clarify.
Thanks for making me think twice though because I just assume Mk3 was right... And now I may be wrong and waste a lot of time and money.... :)
Can't find that on their site, but let's hope I'm wrong...
Latest update:
After spending $200+ on the cables from AvConnection, despite on their site saying that the cables will work, they do NOT work with "newer gen" BeoLab 5.
MKiii cables DO NOT WORK on newer gen BL5, only MKii.
Now I'm in the market for the newly announced BeoSystem 4 to replace my Onkyo AVR
we tend to forget there is more to design than designing.
Hi Ari,
I get the impression that you have set your BL5s to not get any input below 80Hz, and that the LFE is not being sent to them, from the image below, which is your description of the settings you've made.
Which means you should be lacking in ooomph.
You write that your center and surround are set at 80Hz crossover.
Make things less complicated.
Large Fronts
No Subwoofer
LFE to fronts
Make your ONKYO understand that music signal, subwoofer and LFE-effects are all to go to the BL5s.
Then follow Geoff's suggestion about how to set the volume for the BL5s. I did the same as he does, first maximum on both, and then stepping back from that about 15 steps. I used the volume control for the processor to control output volume after that.
With the RMS out you have from your ONKYO, you should have no trouble getting a lot of volume from your speakers, mildly put. So then it's a question of whether you're also getting the bass.
I have my BL5s connected to the "PRE-OUT" of my 2001 Pioneer VSX-49TX (one of the last GREAT "Made in Japan" Pio receivers, and makes a fine pre-amp) for demo purposes. No sound quality issues here at all.
Playdrv4me: I have my BL5s connected to the "PRE-OUT" of my 2001 Pioneer VSX-49TX (one of the last GREAT "Made in Japan" Pio receivers, and makes a fine pre-amp) for demo purposes. No sound quality issues here at all.
Well I'll be damned. I just realized this "old" Pioneer receiver has optical digital out (TWO of them!). I'll have to pop on down to Radio Shack and pick up an optical to coaxial digital converter box. No reason to use the analog outs if digital is there, although the manual isn't clear on whether this is a full preamp out or just passes along a signal from other digital devices... It uses the example of connecting a CD Recorder to the digital output for copy purposes, but doesn't specify if volume can still be adjusted when you use this... Hmmm...
Ari - I just had a look at the screen grabs of your setup.
Slide 2 - Go through the options, pick Large for your front speakers, not Normal, if the Large option, or something similar, is available.
I see you have switched Analog Subwoofer OFF. Why? This may mean that the subwoofer signal is not being sent to your speakers. Experiment.
But you need to be certain that you are sending subwoofer signal and LFE signal to your front speakers, and that you haven't configured for those signals to be sent elsewhere.
If you set things up correctly, using THX shouldn't be a problem.
Don't use Dynamic EQ or Dynamic Volume, leave these OFF. You want as straight a signal as possible to the speakers, from the source, as these are full-range and fully capable of delivering the audio, when not constricted through faulty set-up.
Using room calibration shouldn't be a problem. (I do wish that the BL5s came with a reset to normal level feature, one can reset them to a factory calibration, but that's just one that fits a listening room in Struer, if I remember correctly. The built-in room calibration that fits them to the room they are in is useful, but you don't really know whether you are getting the best they can do.)
That said - I had my BL5s set up for movie playback with such power and throw to the audio that the representatives of B&O who came to have a listen were worrying about structural faults appearing in the walls of my flat. My downstairs neighbor at the time could attest to this - his china was moving along on his shelves when I watched a movie. I adjusted the volume after learning that, but he came to watch movies, and then we turned things up. Those speakers can produce amazing audio if fed the correct signal, that uses their full range capabilities. I didn't do anything particular with my processor to get that result - the speakers were fed through LINE IN from the PRE-OUT, and the processor was set up as I mentioned above:
Most processors give you the option to switch off their internal amplifiers, if they are equipped with such. You don't need that, so just select PRE-OUT ONLY.
1. Front - LARGE (or whatever other description is used in the processor menu)
2. Subwoofer - NO
3. Subwoofer signal to Front Speakers
4. LFE to Front Speakers
5. No Dynamic Compression or Dynamic EQ - not necessary with these speakers)
Many thanks for your time and advice soundproof. I'm going to have a play around with the setting as you mentioned again and see how things sound :) Will update.
ari: Many thanks for your time and advice soundproof. I'm going to have a play around with the setting as you mentioned again and see how things sound :) Will update. Thanks
Note how, in your specifications, the RCA output volume is 5.5V, while it's the standard 2.0V from the XLR.
There's been a tendency among makers of components to boost the RMS V OUT, in order to sound better than competitors' components, in comparisons. Listeners tend to equate volume with quality. This is particularly the case when it comes to DACs, where you can have ridiculous RMS OUT levels, and people fall for the trick, thinking the loudest component has to be best, and the one that doesn't have as much oomph, has to be inferior.
I take it that your PRE-OUT volume is variable. Don't have it set at maximum - set it at 50%, just to be safe, before storing the volume level on the BL5s.
Do you have the synchronization cable between your BL5s? (Not all versions of the speakers can use it, but if yours can, then get this cable. It will help you be confident that both speakers have received the same command from the Beo4, and to avoid that one speaker is not at the same level as the other.)
I second the suggestion of the syncr. cable. However, so long as you're using a pre-amp, anyway, there is a more low tech way to ensure they match volume levels (what I have done)... Simply turn one speaker off. Then turn the volume all the way down on the other. I believe they give a visual cue if I'm not mistaken when you've reached the "bottom" of the volume scale. Either way, hold down the volume down button long enough and you'll get there in less than a minute.
Then, count the number of light flashes going one press of the " ^ " button at a time until you reach a good volume level synergy with your pre-amp, where you don't have any hissing from the BL5's, and plenty of range up and down on the pre-amp/receiver still. Store this volume level on the speaker and remember it or write it down. Then you can go to the other speaker (now you'll need to turn the first one off so it doesn't start responding to remote commands) , zero the volume on that one and match the number of flashes you wrote down from the first one, then store it again. Since you will really never use the volume control on the BeoLabs again for most cases after this, and your AVR remote won't interfere with them, this method should be sufficient without needing the Syncr. cable. It's mainly of use if you will be utilizing the volume control of the BL5s themselves on a regular basis, in which case its nearly impossible to keep them at the same level depending on where and how you point the remote. With this scenario, even if your volume levels get changed inadvertently, simply turning the speakers off and then back on will return you to your stored volume level.
Hi all, I think I can safely say I've tried everything in terms of config of the amp. No luck unfortunately. Sound quality is nowhere near that of when connected directly to the BeoSound 5 Encore over PowerLink cables..
At this point i'm contemplating getting an Avant 4K TV and doing away with the amp altogether.. I'm hoping this will fix the sound quality issue as everything will be B&O then.