Hi everyone,

I thought I would share a good idea that has allowed me to increase the capability of my Beosystem 3500 and which has given me music all around the house at a fraction of the cost of a Beolink installation.  I apologise in advance if this is simple stuff that everybody already knows - you'll have to humour me, as I've only just worked this out for myself!

Basically, I've already got 2 sets of passive speakers connected to the amplified outputs on the Beomaster, driving RedLine 60's in the lounge and Eltax Millenniums in the conservatory (yes, the Eltax's are rubbish, but I have to replace them every year due to the heat and I couldn't bear to risk damaging any B&O speakers!)

My brainwave was to use the Powerlink outputs and the two Tape outputs (Aux. sockets are just as good on the newer systems) to provide four line outputs to run speakers to an additional four rooms (making six rooms in total).  Having seen the huge range of amplified speakers available for PC's, I realised that I didn't need to save up my pennies for Beolab 4's or a Beolink 3500 in each extra room where I want background music.  After a bit of research on the Beoworld Technical Pages, I found the pin layouts and output details for the Tape/Aux. sockets (these are outputs as well as inputs in the same DIN plug) and Powerlink speaker sockets.

A trip to RF Potts electrical emporium in Derby (England's best electronics shop?) got me a collection of DIN plugs, audio cable and other sundries, with a set of Argos' finest powered PC speakers (with sub-woofer) completing the day's shopping.  After about an hour's work, I now have music in the kitchen, which is independantly adjustable via the volume control on the front of the powered speakers, using one of the two tape outputs.  I am now in the process of connecting up three more rooms, using the second tape loop and the two Powerlink outputs (although the Powerlink sockets are volume-controlled by the system, so the powered speakers connected to these outputs will need to be turned up high so that the Beomaster can vary the volume from the lounge).

Obviously, I wouldn't recommend this option for rooms where you want to listen seriously to your music, but it is worth considering for background music around your house, without the expense of the full Beolink option.

Steve.

Hi,

have you considered using the MCL (MasterControlLink)-capabilities of your BM3500 ?
The Speakers2-sockets support audio-distribution and control to Link-rooms.
If you would use Xtra- Speaker Kit (MCL2A for passive speakers) or Xtra Active Speaker Kit MCL2AV (for active speakers),
you would have full Beolink-control and audiodistribution.  

These "Xtra-Kits" pop up on eBay from time to time and now cost only a fraction of what they used to.

 

Reminds of the setup I had where I lived a ferw years back. My PC was in the spare Bedroom. It was connected to a Beomaster 2000 playing through a pair of CX100,s. From the tape out connectiion ran a lead to the the Living Room. Where my it connected to the Aux on my main System.

 

Craig