[Steve at Sounds Heavenly]

Hi Rene,

Yes, the cable that Olivier mentioned will become available for European delivery during September to allow a turntable to connect to the Beovision 11 AV input (I apologise that I am currently having to take time off work to care for a family member who is unwell and this severely limits the service that I can offer to customers).

Thanks for your patience, please feel free to get in touch via my sponsor link at the foot of the page in September in you need help with cables for delivery to Europe and I will be happy to help.

Kind regards, Steve.

[Steve at Sounds Heavenly]

Hi Beoldn,

Basically, everything is possible, however the key here is to decide what you want to achieve from the setup. Can you tell us the model number of your non-B&O amp please and if there are any other music sources and/or speakers that you also want to use in the same room?

This will help us to better understand what you need and help you to get the best setup.

It is worth noting that the input switches on Beolab speakers are quite fragile, so they won’t last long if you regularly move them from one setting to another. For this reason, I suggest connecting only one device directly to the speakers (eg. the Essence) and then linking other devices to this to share the speakers via the one connection.

Please feel free to reply here or to get in touch via my sponsor link at the foot of the page if you need any help connecting your B&O products.

Kind regards, Steve.

[Steve at Sounds Heavenly]

Hi MM and Pindsen,

I hope to be able to ship to Europe again in September, so not long to wait. Thanks for your patience.

Kind regards, Steve.

[Steve at Sounds Heavenly]

Hi Pindsen,

This cable links a Beogram with a pre-amp (eg. Beogram 3500) to the PlayMaker RCA inputs:-

https://soundsheavenly.com/beogram-record-players/14-2244-beogram-to-non-bo-device-phono-pre-amp-receiver-amplifier-etc-bo-ref-.html#/2-length-1m/60-grounding-internal_ground_link

For the Powerlink version of Beolab 4 with 8 pin sockets fitted, two of these cables will link the two speakers to the PlayMaker:-

https://soundsheavenly.com/bang-olufsen/31-325-rj45-to-powerlink-compatible-all-in-one-cable-convert-new-2013-ethernet-powerlink-to-traditional-8-pin-din-powerlink.html#/9-length-18m

Kind regards, Steve.

[Steve at Sounds Heavenly]

Hi,

Yes, I get asked this question a lot (ie. most days!). The simple answer is No. Don’t try it.

Why? Beolab speakers (with a few exceptions listed below) don’t have their own volume control, they rely on a connected music system to adjust the volume for them. The speaker is effectively fixed at full volume.

If you connect a fixed volume device like a turntable directly to a fixed volume speaker, the result is that you get a burst of massively loud sound which often destroys the speakers (and sometimes also damages your ears) within a few seconds. Not recommended…

The answer is to connect a music system with a volume control (eg. a Beosound, Beocenter, Sonos Port, or other amplifier) with a volume control between the turntable and the speakers to give you the ability to turn down the volume. Pretty much any combination of turntable, music system and speakers is possible, please click on my link at the foot of the page if you need help with connecting specific products.

The exceptions to the rule above? Certain high-end Beolab speakers (Beolab 5, 28, 50 and 90) have their own volume adjustment, so they can directly accept a fixed volume input. For all other Beolab speakers, it is a definite no-go without adding a volume controlled device in the middle of the chain.

Hope that helps!

Kind regards, Steve.

[Steve at Sounds Heavenly]

Hi Dan,

I will let others comment on the remote control question, I can help with the cables. Yes, you can use your Beolab speakers with the Theatre, plus any brand of powered subwoofer. Whilst it is possible to adapt existing RCA cables linking the speakers at present, this is far from the best option.

If you are looking to spend £6,000+ GBP on the Theatre, then a bit of effort to get the cabling right will give you a great improvement to the sound of your speakers. Using the correct RJ45 to Powerlink cables will give the best sound and control of the speakers:-

https://soundsheavenly.com/bang-olufsen/31-325-rj45-to-powerlink-compatible-all-in-one-cable-convert-new-2013-ethernet-powerlink-to-traditional-8-pin-din-powerlink.html#/9-length-18m

To add a non-B&O subwoofer with RCA inputs, simply connect the cable and adapter in the links below from a Powerlink output on the Theatre to the RCA input on the subwoofer:-

Cable: https://soundsheavenly.com/bang-olufsen/110-329-5-pin-din-to-twin-rca-powerlink-compatible-to-non-bo-hifi-amplifier-receiver-etc-din-to-twin-phono.html#/2-length-1m

Adapter: https://soundsheavenly.com/bang-olufsen/30-370-rj45-to-powerlink-compatible-clip-on-adapter-convert-new-2013-ethernet-powerlink-to-traditional-8-pin-din-powerlink.html#/18-colour-black

If your subwoofer has two input sockets, please connect both plugs on the cable, otherwise either plug can be used if the subwoofer only has one input socket (Please use the Line In sockets, not the LFE Sockets). Set the subwoofer volume to approx. 50-75% and then adjust it as required to match the level of your other speakers. The subwoofer volume can now be controlled automatically from the TV remote along with the other speakers.

If there is no way that you can change the existing cables, please feel free to get in touch via my link at the foot of this page and we can look at options for adapting these without too much loss of performance.

Kind regards, Steve.

[Steve at Sounds Heavenly]

Thanks Milva1,

I always enjoy reading Tim’s articles, he is a very knowledgeable B&O enthusiast and a nice guy too! Great to see that the response to the Beogram (and indeed the new Beosystem) has been very positive in the press and on other B&O fan sites (Discord, Facebook, etc) as I think most people get the concept that this is a niche “halo” product to showcase what B&O can do and to celebrate their history.

I fully understand that this isn’t for everyone, in the same way that bespoke coloured Beolab 90s will never become a mass market product. Beosystem 72-23 makes me excited to be a B&O fan again, just as the original Beogram 4002 excited me as a teenager in the 1980s.

Kind regards, Steve.

[Steve at Sounds Heavenly]

Hi Olivier,

Normally the cables are more neatly routed, but I visited very soon after the system had arrived, so they didn’t have time to get them tidy… The cable that I supply to B&O links the Beogram 4000c to the 3.5mm line input of the Core.

As well as the Core, there is a Transmitter 1 in the shelving inside the top of the cabinet for a wireless connection to the speakers. However, the guys at Houten have cabled the speakers, so they have added an RJ45 splitter and RJ45 Powerlink cables as well (these aren’t usually in the 72-23 setup). There is also a Qi wireless charger in the top panel of the cabinet for the Halo as you mentioned.

Kind regards, Steve.

[Steve at Sounds Heavenly]

Thanks MM!

[Steve at Sounds Heavenly]

Hi Adam and Chartz,

I have been led to believe that any Beolab speaker can potentially be paired with this system and colour matched accordingly if required, including Beolab 50 and 90. Beogram 4002, 4004 or 6000 can be used as the starting point of the turntable (the original 4000 is more complex and hence often considered to be less reliable than the later models).

While the 8000/8002 Beograms are undoubtedly the high point of B&O’s turntable development, in real world use they offer minimal audible gains over a well set-up 4000c, but they are far less “timeless” in their design which I suspect would make them harder to sell to new customers once refurbished.

All in all, I think this is a superb system, combining some of the best and most attractive B&O products from the past 50 years in a stylish, high quality system that can be expected to play for another half a century. I understand the negativity that some traditional B&O fans may have towards retro systems of this type, but I think high-end setups of this type are essential to keep B&O in the public eye and to restore their financial stability. If we can get 100 people buying a £55,000 B&O system, that would have the potential to bring B&O’s finances back on track and give them funds to make more “everyday” products that we can all afford and enjoy.

I can only dream of owning a system like this, but seeing and hearing it makes me happy to be a B&O owner. I’m also proud to be a very small contributor to this system, by building the cable that links the Beogram to the Core inside the cabinet.

I am pleased that B&O made a striking product to divide opinions and generate debate, instead of following the crowd and doing what everyone expected. I’m excited to see what they will do for their 100 year celebration product!

Kind regards, Steve.

[Steve at Sounds Heavenly]

Hi MM,

I agree that this product isn’t for everyone, but getting high-end, exclusive products into luxury homes will be the key to keeping B&O alive for the future, so they can keep on making things that us Beofans all want to buy for many years to come.

This Beosystem includes the highlights of B&O’s product range from the past 50 years, made into a unique and stylish system that would grace any luxury villa or royal palace.

I can’t afford this setup, but I can still dream… 😉

Kind regards, Steve.

[Steve at Sounds Heavenly]

Hi Beoworlders,

Time to tell the full story… I made a 1,500km journey to hear Bang & Olufsen’s rarest and most exclusive music system so that you can hear how it sounds! All is revealed in this video…

Kind regards, Steve.

[Steve at Sounds Heavenly]

Hi guys!

This is a combination of a rebuilt and upgraded product, paired with new items. The end result is really quite stunning… The record brush is just one tiny part of the system, included with lots of other parts 😉

Full video review (and sound test!) to follow in the next few days on my YouTube channel!

Kind regards, Steve.

[Steve at Sounds Heavenly]

Hi TWG,

The B&O factory tour and museum are an essential pilgrimage for any true Beofan, I hope you are able to get to see the museum in Struer, even if you can’t get to B&O.

As well as the usual B&O sights, I recommend taking a short drive across to Bremdal (the next village to Struer) to visit the excellent store that Morten and Viggo run there. They also have a vintage B&O store on the same street, which is an amazing place. They have run the B&O store for 3 generations and their family B&O collection is one of the best private B&O collections in the world (they have over 1,000 items, including 500 Beolit radios!)

Den Glade Pingvin (The Happy Penguin) is the best bar is Struer and recently has new owners. The food is superb! If you get the chance to see the sunset over Struer harbour, that can be a lovely sight.

Enjoy your visit!

Kind regards, Steve.

[Steve at Sounds Heavenly]

Thanks Madskp!

[Steve at Sounds Heavenly]

Morning Guy!

The info I had only showed stereo audio and composite video inputs to the TV, with no outputs or data lines. I have done some more searching and I see that B&O did mention “one way AVL” data on this socket, but I don’t have any more details about it (I seem to recall that was the SCART data protocol used by DVD1?)

Kind regards, Steve.

[Steve at Sounds Heavenly]

Hi,

The AV input of the BV11 is great to give an analogue stereo audio connection, but not so good for video. It doesn’t carry any data or trigger signals, also the video will be standard definition (which will appear very low quality on a large HD screen!)

Personally, I would suggest using the BC2 as a radio and CD player to the TV via an audio connection (I can help with this if required via my sponsor link below) and use a modern DVD/Blu-ray player via an HDMI connection to get a good quality result for movies.

If I recall correctly, the 9 pin AV connection dates back to the Sega Megadrive in around 1992, so not a great option in this setup! (Not sure why B&O chose to add it, the 3.5mm TRS audio input used on later TVs is a much better choice).

Kind regards, Steve.

[Steve at Sounds Heavenly]

Thanks,

I will certainly let him know!

Kind regards, Steve.

[Steve at Sounds Heavenly]

Update: John is having trouble logging into Beoworld at the moment, so he has asked me to post this update:-

I’m still here, it’s nice that some of you care ?. Yes….the Preston YouTube channel is closed as I have left not just Preston but Bang & Olufsen entirely. Part of me is sad to come away from B&O after 17 years but it’s time for a new start.

I will however be back on YouTube with my new job as Digital Media Manager for Peter Tyson based in Carlisle and Newcastle.

I’ll initially be training and getting settled in, learning about other high end audio gear like Linn, Naim, McIntosh, Kef, B&W, Focal etc.

Eventually I’ll be making all sorts of YouTube videos about the above brands and of course I will cover new B&O product launches too as they have a B&O franchise within Peter Tyson.

So although I’ve officially left B&O and sales I’ll still keep up to date, not only through work. I have B&O at home and my wonderful other half, Nicky, works for the B&O head office.

So watch this space, I’ll tell you all when the new channel is launching, hopefully with the help of my 2 good mates, Miki and Steve.

Thanks all….John.

[Steve at Sounds Heavenly]

Hi,

I will ask John if he can post an update here to let you know his plans when he gets a chance.

To keep up to date with all that is happening, I suggest joining the B&O Beotalk Discord server, this is a lively and friendly B&O community with over 600 active B&O fans. I know that John has already posted an update there, but it wouldn’t be fair of me to copy that onto this open forum without his permission.

You can join the Discord server free of charge via this link:-

https://discord.gg/KFDj7mUhw4

BeoWorld is (of course!) still here for those Beofans who prefer the more traditional open web forum that we have here.

Kind regards, Steve.

[Author]

Posts