Trying to get some inputs as to compatibility between the BeoSound 9000 with the last generation of B&O's older Passive Speakers RL7000?  I understand the BeoSound 9000 works fine with the newer generation active speakers that have a different cable socket, but can the unit interface with the older passive speakers?

Hi and welcome to Beoworld.

The RL7000's aren't really compatible as main speakers as they will need either a Beolink Passive or MCL2P converter to power them from the BS9000 - they won't simply plug into the Beosound 9000. These converters are really intended to be used to power smaller link room speakers in a multi room set up and would probably not get the best out of the 7000's.  

Chris.

A far better performing - and contemporary - amplifier to drive the RL's would be a pair of Beolab 150/200's. But finding that pair in good condition might be a task in itself! (and IMHO they would look utterly silly together )

I know someone who has a Beosound 3000 working very nicely with a pair of RL7000 speakers, the BS3000 have powerlink cables, and between the BS3000 and the RL7000 are indeed a pair of Beolab 200's -  it does not look silly at all, because the BL200 amps are hidden away behind the sofa in his lounge, and his RL7000's are wall mounted and sound super :-)

It sounds just as good if not better than another friend of mine who has the BL8000 and BS9000 combo, which is still a popular choice !

I will see if I can organise a bake off this weekend between both the RL7000 and BL8000 speakers at my house, and try out all the following combinations :

RL7000 + BL200 + BS9000

RL7000 + BL200 + BS3000

RL7000 + BL200 + Beosound Ouverture

then this set of powerlink combinations too 

BL8000 + BS9000

BL8000 + BS3000

BL8000 + Beosound Ouverture 

NB I have a pair of RL140's, but they need repairing before being subject to listening tests like the above I feel

Peter

Actually the Beolab 200 was designed as much for the RL7000 as anything else. It can be used as a booster amp with older systems as well and is a super product. The actual electronics are not of the very best quality but they work together extremely well.

yes the 200's do seem to be the right fit, I wish a had a pair to use with my Ouverture, then I could hang my RL140's on the wall in the lounge and have the room booming with 140 watts of pure B&O sound  :-)

well interestingly we had quite a fun afternoon today at my house, we did a lot of listening to the following B&O kit, and some Wharfedale Diamonds, and we marked our scores out of 10, there were 5 of us, all between the ages of 36 and 52, I have added up the scores for all 5 of us, and these were remarkably consistent.

SCORE

72       RL7000 + BL200 + BS9000

68       RL7000 + BL200 + BS3000

69       RL7000 + BL200 + Beosound Ouverture

74       BL8000 + BS9000

71       BL8000 + BS3000

70       BL8000 + Beosound Ouverture 

and the wild card, the Wharfedale Diamond 8.2 Active monitors

86       Diamond 8.2 + BS9000

85       Diamond 8.2 + BS3000

85       Diamond 8.2 + Beosound Ouverture

maybe the BL8000's are not all that they are cracked up to be  :-(

Not surprised at all. Would have been interesting if you compared the diamonds with a pair of good box speakers - something like some S120s or even M100s would show the Diamonds what real bass was like! Having said that, I use BBC LS3/5As with AB1 sub woofers in my main system and prefer them to most B&O speakers. Column speakers are always a compromise, even the lovely 8000s - I'd be interested to know what you would have thought about Beolab 3s. Speakers are very much a matter of taste - I don't expect people to always like what I like!

and a Beoworlder reminded me of this thread versus Redline 60.2 debate

http://forum.beoworld.org/forums/p/5593/40645.aspx#40645

my friend with the Diamond 8.2's does have a Wharfedale woofer at home, so I knew it would be unfair to the BL8000's if he brought it along today

I love the Beolab 3's,  they are what I want to go with my Ouverture, the 3's look great on stands either side of any of the B&O family of products with the glass doors opening, much better than the BL2500 ( which was the normal setup back in the nineties )