Hi there, sorry if my questions are basic but B&O is entirely new to me. I have just been given a BeoSound Ouverture (Type 2637 SW1.4 ) and I am trying to set it up. Unfortunately, as the unit had been previously used in a setup in which it was connected to a TV/ DVD, I didn't get any speakers, remote, etc. In fact, all I got was the Ouverture.

I was told I just needed a couple of speakers and that the unit's control panel would suffice. However, I am now thinking it's not quite that straightforward! Can anyone simply give me a list of the minimum equipment & cabling I will need so I can use the unit? Despite being on a budget, this is such a good-looking piece of kit that I'd hate to have it just sitting there until I can afford to get the best setup! So if there are any workarounds to get it going economically, I'd appreciate your advice.

Regards

ferengi

All you should need is a pair of speakers and the powerlink cables to connect them as well as power cords for the speakers.   Any of the current speakers would work. I also believe that at one time there were speakers made specifically for your unit that attached to it. It might be possible to find a used pair.

Most BeoLab speakers are pretty expensive, so the most budget friendly way to go would be to find a Passive Kit second hand (a few hundred bucks) and connect it to the system via PowerLink cable. This will act as an amplifier for any pair of passive speakers you want to connect. You could do this for around $500 just to get sound and then you'd be able to turn the Passive Kit & speakers into a link room when you're ready to upgrade.

Alternatively have a look at the reseller specialists (e.g Lifestyle-AV at the top of this page) or ebay (if you fancy chancing your arm) for suitable speakers.

The Beolab 2500 speakers were designed specifically for the Ouverture style single CD units as an "all-in-one" solution- they go for £400 - £500 from a reseller.

Do you have a budget price?

Thanks for responding so quickly!

A quick search on ebay found cheap (at the moment) beovox X25 speakers not too far away from me. Would they do? The picture doesn't give too much detail but the cables on them appear to have the two-prong-type connectors on the end?

ferengi

ferengi:

Thanks for responding so quickly!

A quick search on ebay found cheap (at the moment) beovox X25 speakers not too far away from me. Would they do? The picture doesn't give too much detail but the cables on them appear to have the two-prong-type connectors on the end?

ferengi

The X25's are among the worst B&O ever made - avoid them (They would also require an additional amplifier).

How much are you willing to spend and where in the world are you?

Ok, steer clear of X25's; check.

Well, considering I thought I was getting a free hifi , my budget is obviously unrealistic for the time being! In the short-term, probably about£50!! Oh well, better start saving, I guess.

As for where, Glasgow, near-as-damn-it.

You either need active speakers - the Beolab 2500s mentioned are the cheapest probably though Beolab Pentas can be cheap these days. Otherwise you need an external amplifier - this is called an MCL2P. With this you can then use any speakers you want by any make. Don't get the X25s  - they really are very poor and were made to go with a cheap music centre made in Japan. The similar looking S45-2s are much much better and probably not that much more expensive.

They do have a headphone socket...

If you have an existing amplifier, you could just use an AUX to (out) CINCH cable and just use the B&O as a radio/tape/cd and add speakers later.

Just be careful when picking the cable, most are for input to connect an ipod and such. You need the other direction.

Cheers

JK

ferengi

I would suggest get the money by hook or by crook and get some beolab 2500 speakers and a beo4 remote (used).

Or just save like mad for a few months until you have the cash. You wont be dissapointed. Honest..

Good luck.

Peter, you're a star!

Mentioning that headfone socket reminded me that I have a pair of wireless speakers; their base unit has a small phono jack whihch is perfect. Their internally amplified; bingo! I've got sound.

Think I will have to save for a while though and get those BeoLab speaker and the remote.

Thanks for everyone's input.

ferengi