Any B&O techies in here? Beolab 2 Powerlink wiring.

[SuperchargedVR6]

I want to run a Beolab 2 subwoofer from my Yahama RX-V777 amp. I've also got a second Beolab 2 alongside a pair of Beosound 8000s for the front stage, using the Beolab 2's internal crossover.

I've already taken the 12V switched output from the Yamaha and knocked it down to 4.7V to power up the B&O speakers, but when it comes to feeding the Lab 2 an audio signal, I'm not sure of the best approach.

The Yamaha has 2 sub outputs. Do I feed both of these into the Powerlink cable as L & R, or do I take one sub output and join the L & R together in the Powerlink cable?

I'm assuming the Beolab 2 takes the L & R signal and sums them together internally before splitting the signal off to the full range speakers?

Or would I be better off running the pair of Lab 2s independently of the 8000s and let the Yamaha do the cross over work?

Any help would be much appreciated!

Edited by SuperchargedVR6 on Friday 13th January 14:51

[SuperchargedVR6]

Thanks guys

Yeah it is a bit geeky But you never know, there's always a chance there's someone else on this little planet that wants the same thing!

I recently bought a splitter cable from Soundsheavenly actually, very nice quality. Thanks for the tip, I will run it by him.

Yeah that's what I had in mind for plan A gizlaroc, and would get around the fact the Yamaha (annoyingly) doesn't switch on the sub output with 2 channel music.

But with movies, I like the over bloated thumps and bangs, which you don't get out of the L/R front channels unfortunately. And with separate channels, you can attenuate them accordingly to trim the levels. I need to figure out how the Yamaha behaves with the sub outputs first and work it around that, but Plan A is looking likely at the moment!

It's the same old problem of no one manufacturer covering all the bases and proprietary connections and software!

[SuperchargedVR6]

Max5476 said:

SuperchargedVR6 said:

Thanks guys

...and would get around the fact the Yamaha (annoyingly) doesn't switch on the sub output with 2 channel music.

On my yamaha amp you can turn on the sub with 2 channel in the settings, although i don't know if that applies an eq which artificially increases the bass.

Thanks for that. After some online digging, it seems I need to use 'Extra bass', which switches on the sub for 2 channel music, as well as boosting the bass like an old school 'Loudness' button. Shame the user manual completely neglected to mention that!

[SuperchargedVR6]

gizlaroc said:

If you set the main speakers to small it should redirect everything below the crossover you set to the sub outs.

I tried that with some previous (passive) speakers and it sounded really thin. Ever since then I've always set the fronts to large, but thanks for the tip.

[SuperchargedVR6]

talkssense said:

SuperchargedVR6 said:

It's the same old problem of no one manufacturer covering all the bases and proprietary connections and software!

B&O cover all the bases. You just need a B&O TV, or a beosystem 3/4.

Not cheap, but just plug the speakers in and tell it which ones they are. Sorted

Yes, very expensive and to be honest, my eyes can't really discern a difference in image quality to compared to an averagely priced HD TV in Currys. It's more their speakers I like.

[SuperchargedVR6]

gizlaroc said:

What model amp is it?

Yamaha RXV-777. I've emailed Soundsheavenly in the meantime to see what they recommend. I haven't played with AV kit for years, so it's like learning it all over again. Dobly Pro-Logic was all the rage when I first got into it

talkssense said:

Just a small point. But don't forget the TVs also include a really good centre speaker, and an AV/surround processor way more powerful than the Yamaha you have had to buy separately. (plus lots of other stuff, like multi room music)

I don't doubt that, but £7K + options for a Beovision 14 (what I'd need to compete with my current TV) is way too spendy for me.

The Beosystem 4 looks good, but can't find any info on it, and will be around £5K expect, and doesn't support 4K? It doesn't support iTunes either, which is a HUGE downside for me since my entire media collection uses it.

[SuperchargedVR6]

gizlaroc said:

SuperchargedVR6 said:

gizlaroc said:

What model amp is it?

Yamaha RXV-777. I've emailed Soundsheavenly in the meantime to see what they recommend. I haven't played with AV kit for years, so it's like learning it all over again. Dobly Pro-Logic was all the rage when I first got into it

You need to set your speakers to small, then set the crossover the 80hz.

Then adjust the sub to blend properly, make sure the subs crossovers is set to maximum or off, then up the gain so you can hear it. Then adjust on the amp from your seating position.

When in stereo mode with the above configuration you will get your sub working.
You can see what channels are being output on the front display.
Some formats like Pure Direct 'may' just give you left and right channels, but try.

Thanks for that, much appreciated. I will give it a whirl.

The only slight caveat with that is the Beolab 2 subwoofer is not a 5.1 sub in the traditional sense. It is designed to take the bass frequencies away from a B&O full range speaker, so it has no external controls. Hopefully the output from the AV amp jacks is sufficient for enough volume. If not I can look into some kind of external line level booster or something.

[SuperchargedVR6]

gizlaroc said:

From memory the beolab subs do have a setting for gain, but I think it is -0db, -3db and -6db or something like that?

Start with it at -0db and use the levels on the Yamaha to adjust so it blends nicely.

That is probably what they refer to as "Wall", "Corner" and "Free" on the back panel.

I've got all the cables from Sounds Heavenly now, so I'll have a play around with it at the weekend and see how it goes!