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
I havent listened to either speaker in the flesh ( shame on me ....) however we have a room that is approx 8m x 8m kitchen/living area, and I wanted to mount an active speaker on the wall and masterlink it into the rest of my B&O system. Currently I have a Beovision 8 which runs some external speakers through a separate amp. The BV 8 has a master link socket.
I also wanted my wife to have the option to attach an ipod to the speaker ( possibly locally ) so she can control the music by a remote while in the room. The type of music is mostly female vocal / rock music ( but not overly loud I might add ).
I've caught the B&O "virus" and want to grow my system bit by bit.
Firstly - what are peoples thoughts on the sound quality between the two speakers? I'd have thought that the 3500 and fill the room with sound better, but I dont know.
Secondly - can I attach an ipod to the speaker in the room locally somehow?
It seems not - just wondering how to do this or would I have to have some other device ( like a master link interface device or similar ) to attach the ipod to, and then masterlink it into the system?
Any thoughts welcome.
First
The Beolab 3500 might sound better to most listeners than the Beolab 2000. It is larger, wider or longer, and to repeat the comment mentioned here before by others, one Beolab 3500 is like having two Beloab 8000 speakers.
However considerations as to mounting, placement height, wall material composition, and ceiling composition also are important. Do you only want to use a remote control like a Beo 4 or 6 ? Then the BL 3500 is your choice. Or do you want to control the speaker manually for all functions ? That choice allows the BL 2000.
I have both in two different property settings. One is wall mounted in a dining room (BL 3500) and the others are mounted over beds in various rooms, and one aslo in a kitchen (BL 2000). Frankly all sound excellent, and the multiple BL 2000 can all be controlled manually.
One overlooked question is keeping the speakers clean. If you use a BL 3500, try and keep it in a clean and dust free environment. The all metal composition of the BL 2000 is very good for cleaning, even in a kitchen. Just wipe it with a damp cloth.
Both systems are old Masterlink cabled, one to a Beosound 3200, and the other to a Beosound 4.That allows PC, DVD, CD, Beosound 6 (MP3), N.RADIO, and N.MUSIC throughout both properties and outdoors to a Beovox.
Which brings us to the question regarding connecting your Apple devices.I'm not aware of how one would connect directly to the speaker and amplify the sound. It is easy to connect your devices through a Beosound, even a Beosound 1 for playback. Years ago I saw the first dock for an IPod to B&O at a store event, but that device must still connect through the Beosound.
You could then dock and play your Apple device NEAR the speakers of your choosing, but there would be a hidden wire or cable to the Beosound to make this happen.
I hope you find this suggestion helpful.
Thank you for your reply, it was quite useful.
I am building my system slowly. I have a BV8 linked to passive RL45 speakers but want to replace these later with Beolab 8000 active speakers. The ultimate plan is to have the house networked via Beolink for sound and lighting control.
I'd welcome thoughts on what you might consider a music center, which could form the overall "hub" of my B&O system.
I toyed with the idea of a Beosystem 3, but wonder if a Beosound 3000/3200 might do a similar job being a sound source. Plus a larger screen and more speakers is really better to run a BS3 and to do it justice.
I try and read as much as I can but I find asking owners of systems enlightening.
I blame my parents buying a Beocenter 7700 when I was a younger for starting the B&O "virus" off. Its still going well despite one of my sisters destroying one amp channel through excessive volume playing U2......
Thoughts welcome.
synth: I also wanted my wife to have the option to attach an ipod to the speaker ( possibly locally ) so she can control the music by a remote while in the room. The type of music is mostly female vocal / rock music ( but not overly loud I might add ).
There is no way you can add an iPod locally to a system with master link. So if this is important I would consider a BeoPlay A8, and forget the option to (master)link with your audiomaster. Sound wise the A8 beats the BL3500 easily..
SWISS_2: First The Beolab 3500 might sound better to most listeners than the Beolab 2000. It is larger, wider or longer, and to repeat the comment mentioned here before by others, one Beolab 3500 is like having two Beloab 8000 speakers.
Well;
on the Beoworld's page dedicated to the BL 3500 i read:
Author Notes:
Beoworld says: Think of this speakers as two BL6000s put together and you won't be far wrong. Nice display and reasonable sound though obviously stereo sound separation is limited. Very good choice where an unobtrusive speaker is required. Much better than the 2000.
So the 3500 is like having 2 BL6000s and not like having 2 BL8000s.Anyway the difference (apart for the styling) between the 6000 and the 8000s is not so big; 2 x 9 cm woofers with 3 liters net-volume for the 6000s and 2x10 cm woofers and 5,3 liters net -volume for the 8000s.
As you say, not so big.
On a wall ABOVE where you walk or sit, I do not think you would notice an audible difference.
If the speaker placement was more CLOSE to your actual ear level, I think one would notice.
I have added two more used Beolab 2000 speakers recently. One in a long hallway, and the other facing a sliding glass door to the patio just off the kitchen. I found I was taking a Beosound portable radio outside, and the added "punch" to the volume from the Beolab 2000 is much better. We can eitehr take a Beo 4 remote out with us, or dial the selection and volume in manually on the speaker.
Installation was simple: Running and pulling the M-L was not, but in the end rewarding,
In my home I have a BL2000 master linked to a BS2300 (using a 1611 converter) and then I have connected an Apple TV to the Aux input of the BS2300 (using an AUX splitter as the converter also is using this input). Phew...
Anyway, this way I can stream music from any device (Ipod, Ipad, Iphone, Macbook) to the BL2000 wirelessly. (I must use a remote to turn on the BL2000 as it does not have an AUX button - at least if someone has changed the input - if not I can just press the power button)
Now I am not familiar with the connections on the BV8 but it should be possible to connect an Apple TV to that which then can be used for streaming music wirelessly through Airplay. Add the BL2000 through Masterlink and you should be able to get the sound through that speaker. Worth a shot at least.
My B&O products: Beosound 9000, Beosound 2300, Beosound Century, Beolab 8000, Beolab 6000, Beolab 4000 x2, Beolab 3500, Beolab 2000, Beolab 10, Beolink Active x2, Beotime, Beo5 x2, Beo4, A9 keyring x2, LC2 dimmer x6 and growing....
(double)
My personal opinion is that the lab3500 sounds much better. The 2000 is quite loud but as for sound quality the 3500 beats it hands down IMO. I have had and still have both. I have a lab3500 in my kitchen mounted under a bv7-32 (instead of a 7.1) and the sound is excellent and IMO it looks better than a 7.1.
I also have a 3500 in my office wall mounted high up and it excellent. Approx 2 weeks ago I bought a 2000 of eBay for £95 I had nowhere for this but I thought it was a bargain so I'd get it anyway. So I did and I must say I was most Impressed I like the ease of use with the buttons on the front. As for the sound it's loud and fills the room but the quality isn't of as high a standard as the 3500. I still found myself thinking where I could put this one plus more haha the virus has taken over this ones going in the garage on the wall with my spare bv7-32.ha ha the wif s not happy at all haha
2012martin: Approx 2 weeks ago I bought a 2000 of eBay for £95 I had nowhere for this but I thought it was a bargain so I'd get it anyway.
Approx 2 weeks ago I bought a 2000 of eBay for £95 I had nowhere for this but I thought it was a bargain so I'd get it anyway.
Martin,
Take a look at my little BL2000 project here. I use 2 outside when we entertain and a pair of Wireless1's can be had for good money these days
Stoobie
(pictures link)
Stoobie, I am not sure if there were ever any pictures of your project - or whether the forum archive dropped them - but is there a chance you could (re-)publish some ?
TIA
BeoNut since '75
Hi,
the link was 2 posts down but I've added the link to my post
Cheers
Hey stoobie. I like what you have done. And I have got two wireless 1 in abox in the garage which I don't use. I heard such bad reviews I never used them. What sort of range and what obstructions are in the way from your transmitter tot receiver. Did you ever make a different handle?
Stoobietoo: Hi, the link was 2 posts down but I've added the link to my post Cheers Stoobie
very nice !
I might go back to my old idea of the wireless and two BL4s in a wooden carry box ... like a carpenter's tool case ...
No wait ... NOW I remember why we bought the A3