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
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Thanks, Martin
MM
There is a tv - and there is a BV
I like the look of the beo essence control, but fail to see the point of it. It's just another remote control? If I have beo app on my phone, tablet and a remote, the rest seems pointless. I was hoping for a little more with the hide away box, not the most attractive in the beo range, but surely, it's just another beolink router!
Does essence do everything that beo4 does? Although it's not compatible with my older BC, how compatible with BC6 and Beolink-PC?
Here's another idea, perhaps they could train it to answer the phone, like a hands-free. that would be amusing. :)
Sorry to sound negative about this, but I'm struggling to get it! Shame as I quite fancied one for my collection.
I think for people streaming from iphone/ipad it ownt do much except the volume control will be more instantaneous. If you stream from a macbook/itunes or a DLNA server it makes more sense to have the puck.
Its use case is really just a "receiving" device for airplay, spotify connect or dlna as well as the light switch functionality for "last available source"
For people wanting beolabs and not having a playmaker it will make sense. If I wouldn't have a playmaker, I would prob gotten it
For people without anything - but the smartphone/iDevice - wanting to stream to a set of BeoLab's, the Essence with the 'knob' makes very much sense.
They can turn on the system to last used source (well actually just some of them), turn it off, skip track or radiostation and (best thing) control the volumen without having to dig out the smart-/iDevice.
For people with a Playmaker solo it really depends on how lusty you are for a 'new system' - I would save that money for a rainy day...
For people wanting to hook it up to an existing AudioMaster, it might come handy - see the review from Martin on the previous page. And it might get improved/optimized for it in time.
For people with a V1/BV11... and no audiosystem connected, it might be worth concidering. You could hook it up to the analog-in on the tv, name that port 'Radio' and let the 'knob' turn on the tv - and then with the BeoMusic-app (or AirPlay) throw what pleases you at it, the sound immidiately coming out of the (tv-) speakers.
N.B. the ir-input port on the box is still a mystery!
The guys in Struer are very quiet when it comes to that subject.
Millemissen: For people with a Playmaker solo it really depends on how lusty you are for a 'new system' - I would save that money for a rainy day...
You miss an important point. People with a PM can also choose to purchase the Essence remote (about £120), which will fully control the PM, as confirmed by B&O. This is a good compromise for PM owners.
If that is an 'important point'.
The Essence has the netradio (TuneIN) built in. One of the main purposes of the 'knob' is ro turn on last source or the netradio. This won't work with the Playmaker.
Ok - one can skip tracks, control the volume, turn off - but only if they use the Playmaker solo. That might be enough for someone to buy the 'knob'.
I have mine connected to my AudioMaster (which means Playmaker in Option 0) - so no benefit of the 'knob' in my case.
Raeuber:....Therefor the knob must be able to send a Bluetooth command to the Essence AND concurrent an IR command to the videomaster to trigger the AUX source.
that is not possible - and I don't think that it will ever be.
Millemissen: N.B. the ir-input port on the box is still a mystery! The guys in Struer are very quiet when it comes to that subject.
Are they?
FAQ
Essence is listed under Sound Systems
Can the BeoSound Essence act as a wi-fi solution to send music in a room, like the old BeoLink Wireless 1 ?
I have a BeoSound 5 in a room, and would like to listen to the music in another room on a pair of BeoLab 4 whitout ML connection.
The wi-fi signal is OK in this room (the iPad can connect to the Web, the router is in the same room of the BS5)
Is it a wise solution for me ?
Millemissen: If that is an 'important point'.
Sigh. I note you deem it so unimportant it's not worth noting, yet some users might be keen to know the knob works with their PM.
Millemissen: Ok - one can skip tracks, control the volume, turn off - but only if they use the Playmaker solo. That might be enough for someone to buy the 'knob'.
Yes, but it's considerably cheaper than buying a full Essence, which is your point. You can get some of the functionality, control and a nice-looking knob, for about a fifth of the cost.
DoubleU: Millemissen: N.B. the ir-input port on the box is still a mystery! The guys in Struer are very quiet when it comes to that subject. Are they? FAQ Essence is listed under Sound Systems
What's written in the FAQ's was already bespoken on page 4 in this thread.
I know quite well what's in it - or should I say I 'knew'.
The operation commands, that were in the FAQ's at that time (in the post from user liberal) have been updated.
They are now correct - the earlier version was for the A9.
So thank you for posting that again.
The dealers - at least those who I spoke to - aren't well informed. They don't seem to have gotten these infos from Struer ( don't expect them to read the FAQ's).
At least we (the costumers) now are able to tell our dealers, what to order for the use with a Beo4.
moxxey: Millemissen: If that is an 'important point'. Sigh. I note you deem it so unimportant it's not worth noting, yet some users might be keen to know the knob works with their PM.
First of all - my listing was not supposed to be the complete list of goodies!
So, actually it is great that you point at this feature of the 'knob'.
Can't say anything agaist that - and will not.
For me the main benefit of the Essence (box) would be the built-in netradio - means that my focus is on the box, not on the 'knob'.
I would rather save the 'knob' money for the ir-eye, if I should upgrade from my Playmaker to the Essence - having just one remote has always had high priority at my place.
The fine thing about this new BeoSound is that it can be used in different ways, so really no reason for arguing this or that.
MartinRK: I got Beosound Essence Yesterday, and connected it to a Beocenter 9500 in A-tape 2. I have BC 9500 as audiomaster in the main room together with a Beogram 9500 and a BV7 mk III as Videomaster. I have 2 linkrooms connected to BC 9500 (MCL) and 2 linkrooms with Beolink Passive (ML). I can get sound in all linkrooms from Essence througt A-tape 2, and control it with the app and volume with Beo4. The Essence has a fixed volume settings (Hotel mode) which is set in the Beosetup app. If the volume is fixed, then volume can not be controlled with the wheel on the 'knob' when in bluetooth mode I played a Little with the IR modes on the 'knob'. in mode 1,3,5,6 and 7 there is no function at all (yet) Mode 2 and 4 are very alike. The only difference is, that in mode 4 you can turn on Radio (FM radio) with the 'o' button then the Whole system is off, but if you allready have turned your TV on, then nothing happens if you push 'o'. In mode 2 you will switch to radio (FM) no mather what. OFF button shuts all sources off. You can go to next channel on your tv or radio or Next track on your cd with < >. Volume can be adjusted on all sources. In IR modes it is not possible to use the 'knob' to control Essence, this is only done througt the app Beomusic. Martin
I got Beosound Essence Yesterday, and connected it to a Beocenter 9500 in A-tape 2.
I have BC 9500 as audiomaster in the main room together with a Beogram 9500 and a BV7 mk III as Videomaster. I have 2 linkrooms connected to BC 9500 (MCL) and 2 linkrooms with Beolink Passive (ML).
I can get sound in all linkrooms from Essence througt A-tape 2, and control it with the app and volume with Beo4.
The Essence has a fixed volume settings (Hotel mode) which is set in the Beosetup app. If the volume is fixed, then volume can not be controlled with the wheel on the 'knob' when in bluetooth mode
I played a Little with the IR modes on the 'knob'.
in mode 1,3,5,6 and 7 there is no function at all (yet)
Mode 2 and 4 are very alike. The only difference is, that in mode 4 you can turn on Radio (FM radio) with the 'o' button then the Whole system is off, but if you allready have turned your TV on, then nothing happens if you push 'o'. In mode 2 you will switch to radio (FM) no mather what.
OFF button shuts all sources off. You can go to next channel on your tv or radio or Next track on your cd with < >. Volume can be adjusted on all sources.
In IR modes it is not possible to use the 'knob' to control Essence, this is only done througt the app Beomusic.
Martin
Thanks Matin, that is very useful.
Last night I had a little play with the Essence at the store below (I am on holidays in Europe) - and went back to double check things today.
The demo setup seems to be a standard B&O Point of Sale setup - wallpaper displaying the "knob"'s functions and the "knob" in the middle, and a bench holding two new BeoLabs with the cracked ice fret.
The "knob" is smooth to touch - its outer rim does not seem to rotate - rather the volume up and down seems to be a touch operation.
Under the bench is the box well hidden from view -- and wired to the speakers via PL cables - the assistant confirmed that a separate WISA transmitter would be required to make it "wireless".
But it looks pretty wireless in its PoS
BeoNut since '75
Is the Essence able to stream wirelessly to the new wireless speakers?
No!
Hereford: Is the Essence able to stream wirelessly to the new wireless speakers?
As Millie said "no", however this is why the Essence "white box" is designed to look like/compliment the WISA transmitter "white box" -- i.e. mount them together and link with a very short cable and they will look well together
So, does anybody know if the Essence is capable of controlling other B&O devices (e.g. Volume control, Skip tracks etc.) and choose the right sources (CD, Radio, N.Music and so on)?I saw an open Essence remote control knob and it has 4 (I guess) infrared LEDs mounted behind and around the knob. So it SHOULD somehow be possible to use the IR-in of the base station of the essence, transfer the Ir command from a Beo 4, 5, 6, Beoremote one via ir-input of the base through the Bluetooth connection to the knob which can itself than send out the ir signal to control B&O equipment. I hope B&O did think of this opportunity. Sadly my dealer can not explain any of the functions (ir modes ...).
@TWG - please do read this thread from the beginning - (or at least scroll down on Page 3).
Have a look at this thread as well!
http://archivedforum2.beoworld.org/forums/t/10999.aspx
Millemissen: @TWG - please do read this thread from the beginning - (or at least scroll down on Page 3). MM
I sympathise with TWG ... this is a long thread !
TWG, I posted last week an update that there appears to be a new part no in BeoWise for the Essence - it seems to enable Beo4 IR controls - skip etc, and activates Spotify if you press N.Music (I forget what N.Radio activates - maybe TuneIn ?)
PNo = 8089119
This is a step in the right direction - but I am not sure it works with the Essence remote LEDs/IRs that your keen eyes spotted
In another thread Roger writes about the BS Moment, that it is 'an extension of the Essence concept'.
So maybe we will know more when that comes out..
Speaking of 'ir' and 'Essence' we will have to differentiate between the 'ir-modes' of the remote-knob and the possibily to add a 'ir-eye' to the box.
As I have understood it, the first one is about being able to use the remote-knob with an existing AudioMaster/System. The second is about being able to control the box directly with a Beo4/RemoteOne.
jans:In a number if articles reference is made to the BS Essence as a new step in multi-room audio. To me it is not clear what they refer to. Is the Essence capable of multi-room audio similar to Sonos? Does it allow for different audio in different rooms as well as Party-mode? Jan
Millemissen:In another thread Roger writes about the BS Moment, that it is ' an extension of the Essence concep t'. So maybe we will know more when that comes out.. Speaking of 'ir' and 'Essence' we will have to differentiate between the 'ir-modes' of the remote-knob and the possibily to add a 'ir-eye' to the box. As I have understood it, the first one is about being able to use the remote-knob with an existing AudioMaster/System. The second is about being able to control the box directly with a Beo4/RemoteOne. MM There is a tv - and there is a BV.
I did not mention anything about 'multi-room audio'.
The Essence is a standalone product.
Whether the BS Moment will be NL-enabled, has yet to be verified - then we could perhaps start talking 'multi-room'.
On the other hand, the Essence connected to a ML-master - like my Playmaker - actually is multi-room.
I can hear the same music in every (Link)room - but of cource not different music in different rooms.
But that is another story.
Millemissen:I did not mention anything about 'multi-room audio'. The Essence is a standalone product. Whether the BS Moment will be NL-enabled, has yet to be verified - then we could perhaps start talking 'multi-room'. On the other hand, the Essence connected to a ML-master - like my Playmaker - actually is multi-room. I can hear the same music in every (Link)room - but of cource not different music in different rooms. But that is another story. MM There is a tv - and there is a BV.
Millemissen: On the other hand, the Essence connected to a ML-master - like my Playmaker - actually is multi-room. I can hear the same music in every (Link)room - but of cource not different music in different rooms. MM
Yendys:This is what I was considering replacing my PM to ML master with an Essence.... I dropped into my nearest shop yesterday and they couldn't answer my questions or even offer to demo it with me I'll visit a different store where I believe they have it setup with the IR eye
elephant:...but you still need to switch off the system with the Beo 4. Is that how your system also behaves ?
Is that how your system also behaves ?
This way the Playmaker acts as a source on the AudioMaster (and the ML).
As it is in Option 0 and 'fixed line-out', you can do nothing with it - nothing but tug it away and use it!
As with any source connected you will have to shut down the port, to which it is connected - in my case the A-Tape - with the Beo4.
The Playmaker does not need to be shut down - it goes into standby, when not used.
This s a setup, that long has been described by B&O.
My assumption is that the Essence (the box!) can be used the same way - which means no need for the fancy wheel.
As I remember, someone (in another thread) wrote that it can be put into ''fixed line-out' through the BeoMusic app.
Whether the 'knob' still would have some function or not, I don't know - probably just for activating the last-used source (e.g. Netradio).
For which purposes (in which setups) the 'knob' has all the different 'ir-modes' is still a mystery.
And how you can use the Essence (the box!) with the 'ir-eye' connected to it and a Beo4 as a remote, noone seems to know exactly either.
The dealers don't and there is no hint in the userguide or the FAQ's - I guess someone will have to try it out!!!
Me neither!
No, I write them - don't read them
If you with 'multi-room' mean, that you can hear the same music in every room - then yes!
But that is a quality of the ML, not of the Playmaker/Essence.
If you with 'multi-room' rather think of different music in different rooms - then no!
ML can't, and Playmaker can't either.
As for now the Essence also don't do it. If that will change or if the BS Moment will be able to do that, I don't know.
My definition of real 'multi-room' is: different music in different rooms all controlled from one 'control point'/app (or the interface of the Moment - perhaps).
Millemissen: My definition of real 'multi-room' is: different music in different rooms all controlled from one 'control point'/app (or the interface of the Moment - perhaps).
Or like Squeezebox - quite clever too!
This is what Roger wrote in another thread:
"That is B&O's master plan - to get a stylish alternative to Sonos with improved sound.
The main system will basically pick up anything on your LAN and use the same system to distribute it your B&O "link" receivers."
http://archivedforum2.beoworld.org/forums/p/11118/97357.aspx#97357 and previous pages.
Millemissen:This is what Roger wrote in another thread: "That is B&O's master plan - to get a stylish alternative to Sonos with improved sound. The main system will basically pick up anything on your LAN and use the same system to distribute it your B&O "link" receivers." http://archivedforum2.beoworld.org/forums/p/11118/97357.aspx#97357 and previous pages. MM There is a tv - and there is a BV.
The interface - you forgot the interface!
That is very important - how do I access my files/services in one single 'B&O'ish' userinterface?
But it is correct, that the integration with the ML-sources is a big problem.
Besides - if we look into the future - that will be less and less important.
But, when you think about it - in the past there have always been a couple of guys, who have found a (workable) solution.