i was wondering if anyone knew if i could use normal record player style speakers for my beosystem 5500 and just get different cables or even just use it in stereo instead of quad or something. i really have no idea

Any 'normal' speakers can be used with the Beomaster 5500, you just need the 2 pin DIN plug to plug into the speaker outlets, available from most online electronic retailers, like RS, CPC, Maplin etc.

As far as quad and stereo.... I think you must be getting mixed up with the 4 speaker outlets, these are two stereo pairs.

Cheers,

Ben

You could use any speakers (with the appropriate Cable -> BS5500 connector) but there really are some cracking B&O passive speakers out there.  I used to use a big pair of KLH speakers which were good, but were just the same as a ton of other sound systems' look.  I currently have Redlines for the front and a pair of BeoVox X25 s at the back (they're not good speakers but add a bit of rear balance

Welcome to Beoworld!

 The X25s are best avoided as they are not good speakers by B&O standards and (conversely) seem to fetch reasonably high prices on eBay. Best to do a search on eBay and see what is available, I am using  my Beosystem 5000  with my  Beovox S45-2's which are a good choice amongst the earlier B&O speakers because they sound good, do not suffer from 'foam rot' and are not too big which means they are relatively 'wife-friendly'. Threre are plenty of other good choices though (including the redlines) , most of which will be available for £50-100 at most and quite possibly much less.

It's a good idea to replace the crossover capacitors on any 20-30 year old pair of speakers, there are plenty of threads about this.

If you already have speakers you want to use suitable cables are freely available.

 

Simon

Tim is using RL140s and is very impressed with them with a 5500. The 5500 is not the greatest amplifier so it is worth choosing speakers wisely. Get one that matches and it sounds very good but not too difficult a load.

Living in a rented apartment I cannot crank up the volume much, so I only hunted shortly for an expensive pair of active speakers, although s.th. like the "Mondrians" would have complemented my Bs 5500's design better, of course. After a stint with S30's I settled with a pair of passive three-way speakers (Beovox S45-2) and am very happy with them. They deliver a warm and woody sound with "translucent" basses and don't foam-rot. mcrack

mcrack:

After a stint with S30's I settled with a pair of passive three-way speakers (Beovox S45-2) and am very happy with them. They deliver a warm and woody sound with "translucent" basses and don't foam-rot.mcrack

s45-2: best b&o passive speaker per dollar... I love them!