Does anyone here have Beolink Wireless?  Is it worth it? Is the sound just as good as wired like B&O claim?  I'm considering running a cable to one room then wireless to the next since it would look a little silly running so much cable around.

Basically, you need one Wireless piece for each section (one at the stereo system, one in each room where you want a wireless speaker) right? And then an IR eye?  And that's all?

Hi,

I have been using Beolink Wireless for more than 12 months, and I have been disappointed because I get intermittent drop-outs.

The causes of these drop-outs appear to be varied:

1. use of our microwave almost always interrupts the Beolink Wireless transmission
2. sometimes electric trains passing by our house will interrupt transmission
3. rain appears to make the interruptions more likely

Note these are based my observations/suppositions rather than proven scientific facts.

My dealer was very helpful - loaning me units until we got the 4 units (one transmitter, three receivers) that worked together (an issue of getting the Beolink Wireless software levels to match); one the less overall the technology does not work within my environment.

Apart from the microwave and trains as sources of interference I had a wireless LAN, an Apple Airport Express for additional music, and Beocom 6000 DECT transmissions - so without some or all of these factors the system may work for you.

I recommend that you get two loan units from your dealer and do some exhaustive tests.

And yes, the IR eye is needed on the Beolink Wireless receivers, but not the transmitter; note that each Beolink Wireless unit has a switch that makes it either a transmitter or a receiver.

My plan is to switch in 2010 to a wired network (probably CAT7) and Beolink Actives.

I have had my wireless running about 6 mos.  It took some experimentation to find a workable placement (I have most of my main floor master-linked, but running a cable to the upstairs would have been very difficult - so I tried the transmitter in a couple different rooms before finding the magic spot - the transmitter is almost directly below the receiver), but now, they work fine.  I cannot hear any audible difference in sound between my hardwired speakers and my wireless.  It doesn't seem to interfer with my wi-fi, although I upgraded to 5GHz when I bought the wireless to minimize the interference.  Sometimes it interfers with my BeoCom1 (US 2.4GHz) - I can hear clicking in the background.  I haven't noticed a problem with the microwave (the dealer did warn me about this so it must be common).  Before I found the magic spot, people were my main interference - standing close to the transmitter or receiver in the path often caused it to fade out.  Also, watch out for metal duct work in the walls and Beolab 8000/6000s (it did not do well when there was a BL8000 ~ 1 ft away in the path between them).

Others have complained about having issues if there are a lot of wifi networks in the vicinity.  I do not have this problem as I can only see 1 or 2 very low power networks from my home.

I agree with Elephant's advice - see if you can get a loaner (or an agreement to return the units) and do some testing.

Stan

I'm not impressed with the wireless. . 

It drops out too much.

I would recommend hard wiring. . 

I have 3 kits and 1 of them NEVER connects. . .it's about 60 feet away in a  garage. .

Never will connect with the transmitter.

MJM

Stan:

I upgraded to 5GHz when I bought the wireless to minimize the interference.

I never thought to investigate that option - than you

Stan:

people were my main interference

for me too - unfortunately the line of sight I have passes through the kitchen - but I have sensibly refrained from telling a knife-yielding wife that she is "interference" 

Stan:

watch out for metal duct work in the walls

I hand wondered about that with respect to the kitchen with its refrigerator, cooker, and range hood .....

Before given up, I might change the position of the transmitter one more time ..... and report back 

Thanks for the info on this thread.  Frankly, I'm not much of a fan of going to my local guy which is why I was asking here.  I think I'll just get an active unit and hardwire it.  There'll be a cable running down the hall but I can live with that.

dilznik:

There'll be a cable running down the hall but I can live with that.

I discovered yesterday that some overseas places sell white ML cables.

Not sure if that will make it more aesthetically pleasing, but its a thought ...

Hi,

Wireless networks can be troublesome whether beolink or not.... for all of the reasons many of you have highlighted above and inclusive of the construction of the building you are in! My network nearly drove me nuts when I move to a new apartment recently, with reinforced concrete free standing walls blocking signals etc...

Also software can play a part, around the time that I was having all the problems someone suggested it was itunes causing the issue, after moving the wireless router and upgrading itunes all was good for a long while... recently I upgraded itunes again (with no change to the physical setup) and dropping out surfaced again, so we'll see....

Laurence..

elephant:

dilznik:

There'll be a cable running down the hall but I can live with that.

I discovered yesterday that some overseas places sell white ML cables.

Not sure if that will make it more aesthetically pleasing, but its a thought ...

My long haul cable is white

OK, so I'm not the only one.

Been very disappointed in the wireless.  Have used a pair in two different 1-bedroom apartments in two different countries and they consistently sucked in both cases.  The signal would come in and out, causing my Beo4000s to click on and off repeatedly.  But then sometimes it worked fine and I loved it... how frustrating...

Oh, and the latest thing in my Germany apartment... it causes my iMac to lose connection with my wireless router.  Wow.

I had some old type Beocom 6000s conected but whereever I placed the base station or the phones, I got interference with my wifi for my home netwrok, they are now in a box in the shop and my network is a dream.

Dilznik, the hard way is the best way. Its more hassle to run cables but thinking about is worse than doing it. Wirless set ups either work or they do not and it varies from house to house. Personally I would run the cables and enjoy the link!

Ha! Necrothread! After reading the thread last year, I drilled big holes in the offending walls.  All is fine and good sound is had.

detroiter:

OK, so I'm not the only one.

Been very disappointed in the wireless.  Have used a pair in two different 1-bedroom apartments in two different countries and they consistently sucked in both cases.  The signal would come in and out, causing my Beo4000s to click on and off repeatedly.  But then sometimes it worked fine and I loved it... how frustrating...

Oh, and the latest thing in my Germany apartment... it causes my iMac to lose connection with my wireless router.  Wow.

Try to keep the wireless units as far away from your other wifi stuff as possible.  Try to minimize the length of the wireless path.  Try to avoid metal objects in the wireless path (ductwork, plumbing, etc.).  I realize this last part might be tough in Germany where many apartments are constructed of reinforced concrete (which has a metal rods running through).  Be creative in trying new and different placements (on the wall vs floor, parallel or perpendicular to each other).  Unfortunately, wireless is subject to the laws of physics which do not always work in our favor.

Stan

If it bothers your WLAN connections, try configuring the router to use a different channel.