Hi

What is the purpose of the speaker link input on the BeoLab Penta Mk III?

I assumed it allowed conection directly to the speakers in the Penta from an external amp e.g. a BM8000, i.e bypass the inbuilt amp, but the circuit suggest otherwise.

When people recommend Penta speakers as being a good match to a BM8000 are they referring to BeoVox Penta?

Regards

Richard

Speaker link is really for those systems before Powerlink - the 5500 springs to mind, but you can attach the Penta 3 to a BM8000 - the impedance is such that it presents a load that reduces the power output to Line level. The amplifier in the PentaLab then is used as the power amplifier. However the usual Penta mentioned is indeed the PentaVox when this is discussed.

I'm sure Peter or some other knowledgable sort will correct me if I'm wrong but I think Speakerlink outputs were fitted to BM5500, BM4500 and BC9000. The speaker drive was the normal speaker level output but the extra connections were for the displays on the Penta. Seems a bit daft to go through a power amp in the receiver to be attentuated and then re-amplified in the Pentalabs but there you go.

If you don't have an amp that can power the displays then it would seem sense to me to power through line-in (assuming the Pentas are so equipped) although having said that the line outs of the BM5500 are merely attentuated speaker outs - not B&O's finest engineering moment if you ask me!