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
Some time ago Dave Farr suggested me to (re) design and build a number of the Stereo Width Box for Beolab 5000 and center speaker setup.
Since this box is so hard to find I have decided to follow his advice.
The parts are identified, a suitable box has been found and I will have a front designed matching the original. The cost is not known until now, but I expect a price about 2500.- DKK / 335 EUR.
I will be building the first 3 units during the next month.
The purpose of the message: Are there any interest at the above price level?
Please leave your comments here or send me a PM
/Frede
The photo is the original B&O Stereo Width Box
Hi Frede,
I would have been but you found me an original. I suggested it as the originals are so scarce and a newer version will have the benefit of more modern internal components. I was looking for one for over 2 years without success.
I hope these are of use to those who wish to complete their systems. It does make a difference in use and the ability to use headphones - which otherwise you can't. I'm sure they will also be up to Frede's high standards.
Dave FARR
Today I received the PCB and I have now assembled the prototype.
I stated to test the Headphone function and that worked really fine. Next I tested the Stereo Width function and compared with the original B&O Stereo Wídth Box. Also this function worked exactly as the expected and as the original.
This means I have a full functioning Stereo Width Box for Beolab 5000 and I can order the parts and the front and back panels with printing.
Until now I have received reply / orders from 7 costumers / Beoworlders and I will produce those 7 plus perhaps an extra.
I have chosen to use two transformers (B&O are only using one) for the headphone function. This is to have a better full balanced connection and optimal sound quality.
If someone are interested you can still send me an email / pm I will order the parts next week.
classic: Some time ago Dave Farr suggested me to (re) design and build a number of the Stereo Width Box for Beolab 5000 and center speaker setup. Since this box is so hard to find I have decided to follow his advice. The parts are identified, a suitable box has been found and I will have a front designed matching the original. The cost is not known until now, but I expect a price about 2500.- DKK / 335 EUR. I will be building the first 3 units during the next month. The purpose of the message: Are there any interest at the above price level? Please leave your comments here or send me a PM /Frede The photo is the original B&O Stereo Width Box
Anyone more getting erection from this?
/***
http://tinyurl.com/qj9cjsf
Yes, me!
If I had the money that is.
Jacques
Yes, now I have received the important parts for the StereoWidthBox
Here you can see a comparison with the original.
...and more photo's
and the backside
nice job as I'd expect. I'm glad some people have taken this up. If you were to advertise these more widely, I'm sure you'd get more orders too.
Dave.
Looking forward to getting mine, who else on Beoworld is in the queue ?
Maybe me if Frede puts a rubber gland in the housing.
But then again, 335 euro, hmmmm..
Brengen & Ophalen
Leslie: Maybe me if Frede puts a rubber gland in the housing. But then again, 335 euro, hmmmm..
Of course there are a rubber gland in the final version.
Suppliers don't deliver always as you hope / expects.
The "production" of the first 10pcs is now startet. To get the parts I have to import from the US, France and Ireland.
I am very happy this little project actually is possible because more people like to have the center speaker for the Beolab 5000 and I also think the option of connecting a headphone is a point.
It was actualy the headphone connection which made me want one of these (original version). I find the centre speaker does make a difference but in my set-up it's fairly minimal. My Main speakers are only about 3 metres apart so maybe that has an impact.
I also assumed that by plugging in the headphones it would mute the main speakers but it doesn't, you have to reset the control dial. I don't know if this can be done with the 'new' version' though?
Sorry, no.
The mains speakers are connected directly to the Beolab 5000 and not through the StereoWidthBox, so there are no possibilities to mute the speakers.
The center speaker is connected through the StereoWidthBox but I see no reasons to mute this one (only).
Another point is my target is to make a real copy of the original box - improved with a better balanced headphone interface.
The StereoWidthBox is now ready for shipment.
I have produced a small number and all tests have been carried out and all specifications and functionalities are exactly as the original.
The sound quality of the headphone perhaps a little better though.
This is the final design of the StereoWidthBox for Beolab 5000.
....... one photo more
Very very nice. Well done!
I take it that the centre speaker can also be fed on a modified Ambio adapter, can't it?
There are plenty around.
chartz: Very very nice. Well done! I take it that the centre speaker can also be fed on a modified Ambio adapter, can't it? There are plenty around.
I am not sure - actually I don't think so.
The Beolab 5000 output is very special and you have to be very careful what you connect to the speaker output.
I know that. The speaker outputs don't have a common ground.
Is it otherwise possible to use the centre output without the adapter, with some kind of attenuator? I do not need a headphone socket.
Yes, actually the StereoWidthBox MKI worked somehow like that.
One cable to the Beolab 5000 Center speaker output and in the box some heavy resistors, I have not seen any circuit of this one nor have I actually opened one. (Could be done of course )
Thanks.
My Beolab 5000 manual mentions a Control Box type 6005.
The "Stereo Bredde Regulator" has 20 Ω 23 W resistors attenuating output more or less. The left channel + goes directly to the negative centre output and the right - output is attenuated and goes to the positive pin.
I don't really understand how the rotactor is cabled to the resistors.
Let's see what can be done...
I've found an elegant way of cabling a seven position two wafer rotary switch, so that it switches resistors and inverts speaker polarities each side of the '0' central position. A lot of head-scratching was involved, in spite of my - rusty - electrician background
I wonder whether Frede has come up with the same solution!
Hello, today I am very happy to have completed my beolab 5000 system. It now contains the following devices: Beolab 5000(soon finished with new capacitors with invaluable help by Sörens guide), Beomaster 5000, Beogram 3000, Beovox 5000(2), Beovox2500(2). The beocord will maybe be a part but is not something I prioritize at the moment, they are still not too hard to come by. I am very interested in the Stereo Width box, though. If someone is going to produce a more or less exact copy I am in to buy one.
Contact Frede (classic) for your stereo width box.
You have a great system.
Well, if you don't need the headphone output, but only the centre speaker, you could fabricate one as I did. The diagram and details are here on this forum!
But of course, Frede's box is superb and the only logical way to go if you want the real thing.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/252745838312
Seen this one on eBay ?
dan1969: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/252745838312 Seen this one on eBay ?
I asked for the auction. A bit high, and not mint.
well the guy above is selling replica ones for 330 euros so maybe not? who knows ... hard to value it really
How much should I pay for a used stereo width box that I would send to you for restoration? Do you still make replicas of the stereo width box?
Thanks,
Chris Wargny