Hi all,

I currently have a BeoVision 8 and a BeoSound Ouverture masterlinked together, set-up in such a way that the BeoVision is the "master" (receives signals from the Beo4) and pulls double-duty as the speakers to CD/radio music. One problem with this setup is that the front panel of the BeoSound becomes semi-useless... sound settings such as volume, balance, treble, bass etc. can only be controlled by the Beo4, even when the source is CD/radio.

My dealer says it's due to the way it's designed, and can't be helped. He says, however, that if I purchase a pair of BeoLabs, the BeoSound front panel will fully operate again. I'd like to know if this is correct before splurging on speakers!

My ideal scenario is that when I watch TV/movies, the Labs can be activated at will (eg. on speaker 2 or 3), and when I listen to music, I can control all audio functions from the BeoSound front panel without having to use the Beo4. It's a hunch but somehow I don't think it's possible (would love to be proven wrong!!!). I did an experiment with a subwoofer (connecting it to the BeoVision via a Powerlink-RCA conversion cable and setting the TV to speaker 2) but couldn't achieve my desired scenario. The BeoSound front panel still wouldn't adjust the subwoofer's volume, and I had to use the Beo4.

There must be a lot of people out there with a BeoVision/BeoSound/BeoLab home theatre combo... do the audio controls on your BeoSound work?

Thanks, Leo

Yes absolutely. I have a 2.0 channel setup. My BeoSound 4 is fully operational, masterlinked up. The beolabs are connected to the beosound, and the beosound is masterlinked to the TV enabling sound from the Video sources when required. Well worth the splurge! What beolabs are you considering? 4000's?

Thanks Dave, sounds enticing! Looking towards the future, if I replaced my current TV with a model that supports surround sound (eg. BeoVision 8-40 or 10), and get rear speakers, how would the speakers then be connected? Would the front pair still be connected to the BeoSound, and the rear pair to the BeoVision?

I'm actually fantasizing for the BeoLab 9's, but of course they would drain the bank account a little. I've heard many good things about the 4000's.

Thanks, Leo

Leo;

Yes, it works, and it will give you the control you want with your system.

We use a set of BL 4000,  M-L linked to a BV 8, and a BeoSound 3200, Beoport, etc. The Beo 4 remote controls everything this way through the BeoSound 3200.

For a small speaker, the BLL 4000 has good amount of more bass over the BV 8. We have other BL 2000 speakers M-L linked throughout the house, which creates a continual " pathway " of sound, with the lighting, all controlled by the Beo 4.

This should also work the other way from which Dave mentioned.  

I've got my Beosound 4 in the same room with the BS3/BV4.  The Beosound 4 has no speakers attached but you wouldn't know it because it functions normally through the BS3 ( The master in the ML setup) which routes CD/A.mem/etc. to the speakers appropriately.  

This is especially cool because if I'm watching TV I can simply walk by the BS4 and turn down the volume from the front panel.  It's also nice to listen to BeoSound 4 music in speaker mode 3.

Michael:

This should also work the other way from which Dave mentioned.  

I've got my Beosound 4 in the same room with the BS3/BV4.  The Beosound 4 has no speakers attached but you wouldn't know it because it functions normally through the BS3 ( The master in the ML setup) which routes CD/A.mem/etc. to the speakers appropriately.  

This is especially cool because if I'm watching TV I can simply walk by the BS4 and turn down the volume from the front panel.  It's also nice to listen to BeoSound 4 music in speaker mode 3.

Out of curiosity what option is the BS4 in and the Bv4 etc? I'm assuming that the BS3 is much more advanced than the DDS module in a BV3.

Yes Leogenghis, when connecting (5.1) beolabs to a capable TV you connect all 4 of them to the back of the TV and change the options on the TV and AUDIO SYS via the Beo4. (V. opt = 2 / A. opt = 0)

I could easily connect my beolabs to the TV and put my BS4 in option 0 but the sound quality is dramatically lower quality from the TV's pre-amp. Loss of sound stage and detail. :(

Dave:

Out of curiosity what option is the BS4 in and the Bv4 etc?

I am doing option 0 on the BS4.

Dave:

but the sound quality is dramatically lower quality from the TV's pre-amp. Loss of sound stage and detail. :(

 I didn't know about the loss of quality although I can certainly understand how it could be the case.  Is there still a disadvantage when using a more advanced processor like my BS3? 

Michael:

 

 

Dave:

but the sound quality is dramatically lower quality from the TV's pre-amp. Loss of sound stage and detail. :(

 

 I didn't know about the loss of quality although I can certainly understand how it could be the case.  Is there still a disadvantage when using a more advanced processor like my BS3? 

Well, there's only one way to find out. :) You have the equipment, give it a try. I somehow wouldn't expect any sort of degradation from the BS3, it's nice bit of kit, also, released around the same time as the BS4 was...