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
It took me about 3 hours to setup and assemble (!) the Beolab 20, Transmitter, Beolab 17 and the Beosystem 4 and it does not even work. I don't even understand why each piece comes in several pieces and needs to be assembled - it felt like Ikea, only in a completely different price category. The worst part is the IR-Eye, which needs to have its cables wired.
When you connect the IR-Eye with the Beosystem 4, you see: nothing. On both devices there is not a single LED to let you know if it's on or off. I called up the dealer ("don't know"), re-wired the cables, but still nothing happens. Seems like somethings broken.
I was initially thinking of spending another 15.000€ on B&O (Beovision etc.), but if this is there quality management, then I will have to return all of this and buy into a reputable brand again.
But before I lose all hope: does somebody here use the IR-Eye with the Beosystem 4 and can explain to me the required wiring?
Thanks
B&O dealers install the products for you. Removes the frustration.
Beo Century ,Beoplay V1, Beocenter 6, Ex-Beolit 12, Beotime , A8. Beolit 15 , Form 2i , Beolab 2000, Beoplay A3.Beosound 1
Weil apparently: they don't
You started a recent post about moving house and visiting your B&O dealer etc. You've spent a lot of money but why are you installing it (or trying to) yourself?
The dealer should be setting it all up for you.
Surely you have the user and set-up guides for each piece of equipment? They come with the new equipment you have bought - assuming you've bought it all new from a dealer?
Do you mean a Beosound 4? If so, there is a standby light under the display.
I feel you are venting but it seems to me that you've brought this on yourself by not researching something before you bought it, not getting your dealer to set it up for you and not seeking advice rather than criticising a brand we all love here on Beoworld.
All of the products you list are exceptional in design, quality and the ability to integrate and use - if you set it up properly according to the set up guides which are all available online or from your dealer.
I wish you luck.
Dave.
dasun: Weil apparently: they don't
Which dealer did you buy it from? If they won't set it up - as they should, contact B&O directly and make a complaint against them. It is their role to provide technical support for their products, including installation.
Earlier post by dasun ; "So, I finally did it...while negotiating with my B&O dealer, I saw an ebay auction from a different dealer, who was offering brand new Beolab 20s (customer return) for 6.500€ - now they're mine :) I will pick them up sometime next week, so I'm pretty curious, how they are going to perform. I will add Beolab 17s as rears and a Beolab 19 in the near future."
false economy ?
But still presumably a B&O dealer who should give a full service no matter where they sell them.
False economy? Looks like it.
Dave Farr:Which dealer did you buy it from? If they won't set it up - as they should, contact B&O directly and make a complaint against them. It is their role to provide technical support for their products, including installation.
"You think we can slap some oak on this thing?"
A basic installation is included.
Well, even though I purchased the Beolab 20 off ebay, the seller is still an official B&O dealer, so I would not necessarily say, it was a wrong move. So 'only' paying about 6.500€ justifies poor service and poor quality?
But then again, I did not complain about the Beolab 20 (couldn't test them yet), my main issue is with that IR-Receiver and Beosystem 4. The IR-receiver feels like 5€ hardware and sells for 100€. Beosystem 4 sells for about 4.500€, does not even have an IR built-in, no power on/off switch, and not even a LED signal to show its power status. Yes, it does feel like a rip-off.
The provided manuals are substandard - most of the stuff needs to be researched online. The Beosystem 4 e.g. only has an online manual.
Of course I could complain about my dealer, but he represents B&O and to me these are the quality standards B&O represents. There must be an obvious reason, why so many B&O dealers close their doors.
And yes, of course I'm frustrated right now and vent - but when I spent 15.000€+ on audio equipment I expect proper service and simple to use und functioning hardware.
leosgonewild:I was under the impression that installation is included with the prices?
And so it should be for the kind of money customers spend.
This is how it should be done:
http://stores.bang-olufsen.com/great-britain/bang-olufsen-of-knightsbridge/custom-installations
Even if there is a charge, it must be worth it as for the selling dealer, it becomes an investment, especially based on the OP'ers comments regarding will not now spend another huge amount of money on a TV system.
I'd like the OP to name the dealer so we know who to avoid.
As for the wiring of the IR - when all else fails, see Google:
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=beosystem+4+IR&newwindow=1&tbm=isch&imgil=i-ZhQR6K1kkjZM%253A%253BcVzGDMFXmYLuhM%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Farchivedarchivedforum2.beoworld.org%25252Fforums%25252Ft%25252F18687.aspx&source=iu&pf=m&fir=i-ZhQR6K1kkjZM%253A%252CcVzGDMFXmYLuhM%252C_&usg=__1J1WUYjQcJkZ2vJTyZ6h_DbYOYc%3D&biw=1680&bih=935&ved=0CD8Qyjc&ei=LxdRVZPkDJK0yATJlIGwAg#imgrc=z--Vg8-LhM8QKM%253A%3BN9EY0QAD9JfalM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Farchivedforum2.beoworld.org%252Fcfs-file.ashx%252F__key%252FCommunityServer.Components.PostAttachments%252F00.00.12.83.52%252FIR-Belegung.png%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Farchivedforum2.beoworld.org%252Fforums%252Ft%252F14663.aspx%3B911%3B546
It's also on Beoworld if you search.
No dealer should charge when someone spends as much as this. It should be part of the BANG&OLUFSEN experience. Certainly, during my college years when I worked at a friend's Technics, BOSE & Bowers & Wilkins shop we'd completely install as part of our service - that was what we argued an independent does as opposed to Currys etc. the time.
I hope that you haven't been sold a BeoSound 4 as thats an old sound system that wasn't partially very impressive in either build or CD sound quality.
I do hope that you get it all sorted out Dasun as for that kind of money, I'd truly expect perfection. Heck, we ran broadcast radio station studios on less than that!
Just read your update Dasun. Why have you been sold a BeoSystem 4? Surely if you buy a TV say the BV11 or Avant, this will be built in?
Nice advice Dave Farr.
Maybe we should have a thread highlighting the VERY BEST B&O dealers out there from experience and give a big thumbs up to the ones that go out of their way to help and quite frankly, 'be awesome'.
I'll nominate B&O SHEFFIELD as they totally shine and should be thanked by BANG&OLUFSEN personally. It's the great dealers out there that truly encapsulate what B&O SHOULD be about!
Would be nice if dasun would describe how he expects to use the newly bough items
If he thinks, that connecting ('assembling' as was written) these, should 'make things work', he is either been poorly adviced or has done no or little research before buying.
Every BeoSystem4 need a monitor to initiate a setup with some connected speakers.
Is the intention to use the BSys4 with a non-B&O display/tv or with a projector???
What are the sources to be connected?
I would need a bit more information, if I should be able to give some advice.
MM
There is a tv - and there is a BV
My feeling is that there are 2 categories of people :
- those who are able to pee without hands
- those who always need a hand when they go to toilet.
he simply thought he will be able to do it himself and focused only on the bargain price, now he just accused a poor service for which he didn't want initially to pay for.
so common behaviour today.
4 beolab 5, beolab 9, beolab 10, beolab 5000, beolab 8000 mk2, beolab 6002, beolab 3500, beovision 7 55 mk2, 2 beovision 11 46 mk4, beotime, beosound ouverture, beosound essence, beoplay A8, beomaster 900 RG de luxe and the collection continues...
ok, apparently, you haven't read my posts. I bought from an official dealer. And it's not throwing out money, if you look closely at B&O price list, it is not difficult to spend +15k €. But thanks for calling me a troll.
I have purchased the Beolab 20 from an official dealer through ebay & I bought Belab 17s with floorstands, a Beosytem 4, Transmitter, Beoremote One regularly with warranty etc. Those items were ordered for me.
No idea what your point is.
I bought into B&O because I expected high quality and simplicity of use. So far none of this has been achieved.
@olvisab: thanks, thats very insightful.
@olvisab: so 6.500€ is a bargain price, and the remaining 9.000€ I spent is a bargain, too? It's pretty sad, if you think it's normal, that at this price range no service should be included.
That's a bit harsh and mean Olvisab. What i'd like to point out is that EVERY OTHER make of A/V equipment is cash and carry and self install. Everyone is used to this method. ONLY Bang&olufsen customers know that you often need to get B&O equipment installed by the agent. A first time B&O buyer WOULD NOT realise this without being told that!
Heck we set up our radio station practically by ourselves :) We must try to help this guy, not make him feel as though he's in the wrong. My advice would be to send it all back, ask for a complete refund and find a superb dealer that you get on well with and be loyal to them whilst enjoying demonstrations of the range before committing!
@Millemissen: thanks for your answer. I will be adding a beamer soon, so I went with the Beosystem 4. Until then, I have connected the Beosystem 4 to a Samsung TV via HDMI. According to my dealer, this should work.
Hi Dasun
You have an interesting situation there and I have been in a similar situation in the past when i bought the Beosound 5 encore. To me it was a simple enough device and I bought it as I would any cash and carry item hoping to take it out of the box. It came in parts and after some consideration I thought i understand why it does come in parts. This device had a number of different stand options so there wouldn't be one set model, however, the real issue was that the Power Supply came in parts and you had to wire that yourself. That is certainly something that B&O should do. A customer should be able to walk in to a shop and purchase a stereo and speakers and have the option of putting it together eg screen to the base, and wire in the speakers and that's it; or having a technician come and do it for you and depending on the complexity is where there should be a decision about an add-on cost of not.
I appreciate that the B&O model usually is designed that all items should be set up by a technician, but some times you don't need that. You just need to walk in purchase, take home and away you go.
That being said, it's also mindful to understand what items you are purchasing:
> With BeoLab 20s, did they come as one whole speaker, or did you have to attach the ALT lens? Perhaps it was separate because of transportation
> With the transmitter, was this the same as my Encore power supply?
> With the IR eye, i think this is the same as every device that uses IR, there is always a cable unfortunately, but what is the IR for? Is that to do a volume control of other devices? I would assume the BS4 can be used with the BeoRemote natively? Or do you need the IR cable to do that? It's probably because that device is designed to be not visible so an IR would allow for installation in a cupboard, etc. Then again if it's not native, that's weird in my book.
When i purchased my Avant, I paid for installation, and yes it came in parts and was the best thing I've done.
I take your points about you purchasing it from a B&O seller (albeit via an alternative channel... that seems fine) and I'll try and look for you about the wiring if it is for solely the BS4.
Which remote are you using?
Hi i have found this. This is the manual for use with the BeoRemote One... i hope it can help you
http://www.bang-olufsen.com/en/customer-service/product-support/picture/beosystem-4/with-beoremote-one
To operate non-Bang & Olufsen products with BeoRemote One or the BeoRemote App, attach a Bang & Olufsen IR-transmitter on your non-Bang & Olufsen product and then connect it to one of the sockets marked PUC on the connection panel. Attach the transmitter near the IR-receiver on the connected equipment to ensure remote control operation. Before attaching the transmitter permanently, check that you can operate the equipment menus on the television screen using BeoRemote One or BeoRemote App. When you set up the transmitter to a selected PUC socket in the SOURCE LIST menu, settings for the IR-transmitter are made automatically. However, it is possible to perform a manual setup of the socket if alternative settings are required. The BS4 to me is such a custom piece of equipment for a specialised use only. If it doesn't work, you would find more benefit I think in swapping it if you can for an Avant which has the BS4 inbuilt. This is what I would do, then there is no separate BS4, no IR, no transmitter 1. Obviously you would purchase all those for a non B&O screen. Hope this can help you.
To operate non-Bang & Olufsen products with BeoRemote One or the BeoRemote App, attach a Bang & Olufsen IR-transmitter on your non-Bang & Olufsen product and then connect it to one of the sockets marked PUC on the connection panel.
Attach the transmitter near the IR-receiver on the connected equipment to ensure remote control operation. Before attaching the transmitter permanently, check that you can operate the equipment menus on the television screen using BeoRemote One or BeoRemote App.
When you set up the transmitter to a selected PUC socket in the SOURCE LIST menu, settings for the IR-transmitter are made automatically. However, it is possible to perform a manual setup of the socket if alternative settings are required. The BS4 to me is such a custom piece of equipment for a specialised use only. If it doesn't work, you would find more benefit I think in swapping it if you can for an Avant which has the BS4 inbuilt. This is what I would do, then there is no separate BS4, no IR, no transmitter 1. Obviously you would purchase all those for a non B&O screen. Hope this can help you.
When you set up the transmitter to a selected PUC socket in the SOURCE LIST menu, settings for the IR-transmitter are made automatically. However, it is possible to perform a manual setup of the socket if alternative settings are required.
The BS4 to me is such a custom piece of equipment for a specialised use only. If it doesn't work, you would find more benefit I think in swapping it if you can for an Avant which has the BS4 inbuilt. This is what I would do, then there is no separate BS4, no IR, no transmitter 1. Obviously you would purchase all those for a non B&O screen.
Hope this can help you.
Paul W:What i'd like to point out is that EVERY OTHER make of A/V equipment is cash and carry and self install.
I disagree Stuurock when someone spends 15,000 a dealer shoulder spend a couple of hours or so installing. I call it going the extra mile. A think a dealer charging for installation on top of B&Os prices is a disgrace. So you're telling me a dealer isn't making much from a £7000 Avant sale??? I think it's a good 30% so thats a nice £2100 profit.
olvisab:My feeling is that there are 2 categories of people : - those who are able to pee without hands - those who always need a hand when they go to toilet. he simply thought he will be able to do it himself and focused only on the bargain price, now he just accused a poor service for which he didn't want initially to pay for. so common behaviour today. beolab 5, beolab 1, beolab 5000, beolab 3500, IWS 2000, beovision 7 40 mk6 3d, beotime, beosystème 4500, beogram 7000 white,
And this proves once again why people won't and are not buying into the BANG&OLUFSEN brand if installation is another huge price! Maybe explains why only the cash & carry PLAY brand is going well.
Paul W:I disagree Stuurock when someone spends 15,000 a dealer shoulder spend a couple of hours or so installing. I call it going the extra mile. A think a dealer charging for installation on top of B&Os prices is a disgrace. So you're telling me a dealer isn't making much from a £7000 Avant sale??? I think it's a good 30% so thats a nice £2100 profit.
Why is so many here arguing over the price and how he purchased his products? He bought them and should be able to get them working without a crew to install it for him. I see some strong points here and just look at how B&O´s own economy is. Count out the sold off car audio part and it is not looking good. The problem B&O has is that people nowadays want to buy things and set them up by themselves. Not because people are cheap but because we expect things to be EASY today. Buy a Mac, and set it up, its super easy. Buy a wireless speaker, set it up yourself - easy. Buy a beoplay speaker - also super easy. Advance to a B&O TV or other things in the BANG & OLUFSEN brand today = not easy at all. Some manuals not even available for the end user, some are but so complex that even installers fail to do it right the first times.Of course B&O offers installation but not all people want this. Myself for the simple reason that I love technology and want to set things up by myself. I don't want anyone to do the fun part for me. It is really that easy. Please think about that before you start arguing about Dasuns economy or whatever.
Beolab 50, Beolab 8000 x 2, Beolab 4000 x 2, BeoSound Core, BeoSound 9000, BeoSound Century, BeoLit 15, BeoPlay A1, BeoPlay P2, BeoPlay H9 3rd Gen, BeoPlay H6, EarSet 3i, BeoVision Eclipse Gen 2 55", BeoPlay V1-40, BeoCom 6000 and so much else :)
Paul W:And this proves once again why people won't and are not buying into the BANG&OLUFSEN brand if installation is another huge price! Maybe explains why only the cash & carry PLAY brand is going well.
Paul W:We must try to help this guy, not make him feel as though he's in the wrong. My advice would be to send it all back, ask for a complete refund and find a superb dealer that you get on well with and be loyal to them whilst enjoying demonstrations of the range before committing!
Paul, I agree with you, however, the OP did the right thing to start with - went to a reputable high street B&O dealer, had a demonstration, decided what to buy but then tried to save some money by buying via eBay, apparently from a foreign country which means no local support. Then, having done that complained about B&O service quality and product worth stating to the effect 'is it any wonder that B&O retailers are disappearing from the high street'.
One of the reasons the dealers and B&O are suffering is because of instances such as this, where a customer has a bad experience, uses the knowledge and availability of a local dealer to help him in his purchase (and who would more than likely have installed it properly for him) but then goes somewhere else. The reputational damage to B&O has been done in this case but through no fault of the B&O company.
On what grounds could the buyer send it back? The seller has done nothing wrong as far as eBay policy, though could have been better in their support and advice.
As a first time buyer of B&O, prepared to spend that kind of money, if it was me I'd have done a ton of research and asked many questions here first, or at least at the local dealer. You only have to take a short look on the forum to find numerous people who have trouble setting systems up - and that includes people who are long time devotees of B&O. I know I've had my share of frustrations but again, it's usually because I haven't sought out all of the information I've needed and relied on my own experience rather than the manual or other's experience/knowledge. It is frustrating having a new 'toy' and then not being able to play with it. I can sympathise.
I really hope the OP can get some expert advice and help in setting up his system and then can appreciate why B&O is a premium brand, well worth the cost and loved by us users.
dasun:I bought into B&O because I expected high quality and simplicity of use. So far none of this has been achieved.
This has opened a can of worms hasn't it!
Let's take a step back and start again, calm down and try to help.
I think you are correct in your original thinking - B&O actually is high quality if you take a good look. Quality of materials, especially use of Aluminium is unsurpassed and widely recognised. Simplicity of use and connectivity - especially B&O to B&O is also renowned.
However, that is not the issue here. The problem here is the installation which is nothinig to do with product quality or simplicity of use per-se.. Other manufacturers also have issues with new installations which take time to set-up. I still can't get Samsung Kies to work after 2 years and i'm not alone!
Where are you up to with the installation? Have you wired the IR receiver as shown on the image I posted yesterday? Do you have at the very least, the user and set-up manuals for everything you currently have - paper or online versions? Is the Beosystem 4 connected to your TV?
Where are you in the World? Maybe we have a local dealer on here who can help you locally, or advise you of an installer. This type of system is best set-up by an experienced installer who can configure it as it should be for your rooms, environment etc. so that you get the best sound and visual experience from your equipment. You've made a big investment and once it is set-up properly, I think you will then appreciate the quality of B&O.
olvisab: My feeling is that there are 2 categories of people : - those who are able to pee without hands - those who always need a hand when they go to toilet.
There are three categories!
The third:
Those, who don't even manage to get to the toilet, before......
Millemissen:There are three categories! The third: Those, who don't even manage to get to the toilet, before...... M M There is a tv - and there is a BV.