MarioA
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I’m reviving this thread because B&O Halo remote came to my mind… and I was wondering: would the Halo retain/remember the last BL50’s volume setting- if used to control the BL50 exclusively?
I’m growing frustrated from using b&o app at adjusting the volume (not smooth and inelegant) and I’m willing to add the halo if it can help me with the task mentioned.Hello,
I have the exact setup: WIIM connected to Beolab 50. Initially, I faced challenges achieving consistent results while checking high sampling rates via Qobuz. Interestingly, using an optical cable allowed me to play 192 kHz files without issues. However, when I switched to a coaxial cable, I couldn’t play the same files and I had to set WIIM to 96 kHz. But later I replaced that cable and it worked at the highest setting since then, although it took several tries initially.
I have to add that I don’t think 192 kHz sampling rates add anything useful to my ears.
I once owned a pair of self-contained (i.e. including DAC and preamp) active speakers, the AVI ADM40. They didn’t have a pre-set default for each input as such but the volume was adjusted and remembered independently for each input. At first it took me a bit by surprise and I thought it was odd, but it didn’t take me long to realise that it is actually an incredibly helpful feature, with absolutely no down-side that I found in 7+ years of ownership.
Indeed, that would work splendidly too if implemented by B&O!
Thank you very much for your enlightening reply.
To answer your questions regarding my setup: the audio processor I use is an older Marantz preamplifier (still working fine), the AV7702. Because it’s not capable of dealing with latency adjustments in my system, I resolved that problem with this device that I bought from a pro-audio store: the Sescom SES-A-V-SYNC A/V Lip-Sync Corrector. I installed it in line between the Marantz and the rear speakers’ amp. Luckily, it has settings at 50ms intervals and allowed me to set it to exactly 100ms, and the problem was solved!
Regarding volume adjustment: I don’t particularly like the first option you suggest because it would require adding another remote in the process and an extra step to be taken. Especially considering other members of the household who are not technically inclined, and frankly, I don’t want others to mess with the B&O app anyway.
Your second suggestion may be more practical for me, especially when I am using the streamer (The streamer is a decent inexpensive WiiM Pro). Yes, that can work out. I already tried it, although the volume control process on the streamer is not very fluid, but it works. I’d still rather use the volume control on the BL50 simply because both manuals, yours and the streamer’s, suggest volume control on the speakers for the best possible audio quality. Again, for my case, my wish is to be able to set a different default starting volume for each input; that would be perfect!
Meanwhile, I thank you very much again for your kind replies.
Thank you Mr10Percent,
The third-party processor is not the issue at all. The problem is that I don’t have the option to set a different default starting volume for each input to mitigate the enormous volume difference between the RCA and SPDIF inputs. Changing the VRMS value won’t help me in this case.
I’m the one who should be apologizing and so… my apologies once again for not explaining myself properly. I don’t think I articulated it correctly earlier, so let me recap, hopefully with more clarity:
My BL50 speakers are connected to a third-party audio processor for surround sound, along with other speakers, via an RCA analog input. Since I need to control the volume of all the speakers simultaneously, I must do it through the audio processor. Consequently, I need to set the default starting volume on the BL50s to a value of 90 (maximum). However, when I play audio from a different input source, a digital streamer/transporter connected via SPDIF, the default starting volume remains at 90 (maximum). I wish I had the option to customize that value, for instance, to set it to 40. This customization is crucial because when I switch from RCA to SPDIF, I must ensure that: 1) there is no audio playing from the source already; 2) I remember to lower the volume before hitting play to avoid a sudden blast of sound from the powerful speakers. Additionally, there are instances in which, when playing via SPDIF, the volume resets to its default starting value of 90. This occurs when I change the source input and, in some cases, when I switch from wide to narrow mode (it only happens the first time in a session, which appears to be a software bug).
My main point is that if I could set different default starting volumes for each input, it would significantly improve the transition between RCA and SPDIF in my system.
Thank you so much for your kind replies.
I apologize for not describing well my thoughts, and as well for the delay in my response (I thought the post did not publish when I attempted the first time).
The jump to maximum volume happens usually once, the first time I attempt in a single session, when I change the preset-mode (ex. from wide to narrow), it doesn’t happen all the times thou, it seems random and usually happens at the first attempt, in a session, when changing the mode (wide to narrow). The app’s UI visibly confirms the jump, it goes to maximum volume setting. This doesn’t happen if I change the mode again soon after. In fact the volume will stay put.
The volume jumps to Maximum also when I change the inputs. For example going from analog (RCA) to digital (SPDIF). In fact when I select digital source, I must make sure that the source is not already playing, otherwise it will certainly blast us.
Another annoying situations goes like this, as an sample: if I put on mute the audio that I’m playing via SPDIF long enough, and the speakers go in stand by, when I’ll resume the music the speakers will turn on automatically and will put the volume back to maximum.
Beside that issue, an individual maximum volume setting per input would obviate the necessity to remember to change the volume each time we change input source from analog to digital. I have household members that wont use the digital section of the speakers, because they are not comfortable and are a bit intimidated by all that “risk” taking…
Again, my speakers are in an non-b&o ecosystem and transition between analog source and digital source could be smoother.
Thank you so much for your kind reply.
Hi Yossi, It’s not a bug – the position of the acoustic lens can be either narrow or wide during the measurement.
Hi Geoff, The fact that room correction measurements can be performed with the lens in wide or narrow mode, is because the process does not involve high frequencies in the tweeter territory? Interesting to know and thank you for clarifying and for everything you do.
…Oh my goodness, I don’t want you to mess up your settings. I know what you mean, the software is still somewhat buggy, and I always think twice before getting into the system. I can see why the calibration on the 90s could be “generic”, take one and be done, but the 50s do have a movable lens to project the sound in wide or narrow mode. And so, I suspect that because of the two modes the calibration should be run individually, I just wanted to know if there is any official word about it.
Thank you so much for your kind reply.I’m resuscitating this thread with an update for whoever curious…
The dealer was kind to send me the original microphone, the ones that were originally sold along the Beolab 50, and it worked like a charm at my first try!
So, the culprit of my frustration was indeed the microphone. Thanks again for reading this.… my dealer told me as well that B&O has indeed standardized the Mic but, it doesn’t work, It’s very buggy. The speakers go to standby while calibration process still going (…when and if does).
Beside the fact that it doesn’t work, the mic/stand combo is not ideal to take measurements properly. these speakers deserve a proper microphone on a real stand as Yossi has shown.I also should’ve mentioned that the microphone that the dealership sent to me looks different from the microphone the installers were using the first day when the speakers were brought to me. In fact my new microphone is incorporated into a small tripod/stand. The dealer at first said it was 100% incorrect but then he reverted his statement saying that this is a new mic designed for Theater and can also be used with the BL50. Does anyone else used this with the 50s?
“The D/A output is the digital output, which you’re not using, so ignore that. It looks like the Marantz has both RCA (unbalanced) and XLR (balanced outputs, so the easiest way to connect it is simply to use a decent RCA-RCA lead and set the input sensitivity to 2V”
Thank you so much, that’s exactly what I wanted to understand. Very much appreciate it.
Ok, I’m sorry to bore you up with these questions, at this point I’m mostly driven by the curiosity. Obviously I’m not knowledgeable in this field and thus here asking a “crucial” some clarification. Looking at the specs of my Marantz preamp that I attached with this post … at which output voltage should I look to? Is it 1.2V (unbalanced xlr) or is it 2V (D/A output)?
I would have thought that the latter is basically the same as the former until I saw different specs. I apologize for the confusion…
Ok, will do. Thank you so much for explaining to me once more. I really appreciate it.
Have a wonderful weekend everyone.Look up the specs of your Marantz RCA output. As indicated above, hopefully the specs say something helpful / similar like for my Linn i.e its RCA is max 2V at 80 (linn) volume. If it doesn’t indicate the volume, and just says rated at 2V, then you may need to play around with a Marantz volume and find a max Marantz volume than makes sense. And yes, I think with the Marantz RCA rated at 2V, then you should set the BL50s input voltage (for RCA) at 2V too. Also check the Marantz RCA impedance, and make sure it fits with the right BL50s RCA impedance setting. Again, worth having a quick scan of the BL50s TSG – a quick Ctrl F for “impedance” and / or “voltage” will get you to the right section quickly.
indeed the Marantz does show 2V at 0 volume. Numerically the volume goes from -80 to +18 (max) l. But I did limit it to 0 to prevent accidents.
But I don’t know what TSG scan is, however the app shows, input impedance is 50 ohms. Is that what you meant?Thank you again for your kind help. I very much appreciated it.
… thank you for your replies. The speakers are connected to a Marantz preamplifier with an output at 2V. So, does that mean that the input of the speakers should ideally set also to 2V and volume set to 90?
