General Forum

Re: Beolab 3500 as a centre speaker plus other bits

barryrose — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 20:27:19 GMT

Thanks for your comments

I think I will explore the possibility to use a Beolab 3500 as a centre speaker further, as I really like the look.

Also think I will peruse the option to find a second-hand Beosystem 1 either in Taiwan or USA that I can import (110v here in Taiwan)

Regarding the TV I am still considering this as maybe the only option is to buy new from B&O in Taiwan as I have yet to see a second-hand B&O TV for sale in Taiwan.

I did not really want to go to the expense of new TV for what is effectively a second system.

I thought about just using another brand but I guess that basically defeats the objective if you have all B&O and then but a non B&O TV

Barry

Re: Beolab 3000 as a centre speaker plus other bits

Dave — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 10:59:09 GMT

Jandyt:
If you do decide to use 4000s for the center, I would think one would suffice.

here here... what screen are you thinking of?

If you do have the $$$$, definitely recommended that you go for a BeoLab 7-1 or 2

Re: Beolab 3000 as a centre speaker plus other bits

Jandyt — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 10:54:19 GMT

If you do decide to use 4000s for the center, I would think one would suffice.

Re: Beolab 3000 as a centre speaker plus other bits

burantek — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 09:18:07 GMT

barryrose:
Thanks for the very quick response, as mentioned the comment about the Beolab 3500 being used as a centre speaker was from a friend of a friend so had no idea if it was true or not, so I can guess from your response it is highly unlikely.

first, welcome to beoworld!

second, yes the bl3500 CAN be used as a center with a powerlink connection. look here

the company that sells the kit is: madsystemes / 136 rue championnet / paris

Re: Beolab 3000 as a centre speaker plus other bits

TripEnglish — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 23:20:17 GMT

If the BeoSystem 1 is available in Taiwan, I would say this, combined with a Zektor box for managing up to 4 HD inputs, would serve you quite well. I'm not sure a BeoSystem 3 would really be available as a bargain yet. (If it is, though, absolutely go for it!)

Re: Beolab 3000 as a centre speaker plus other bits

barryrose — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 22:37:33 GMT

Thanks for the very quick response, as mentioned the comment about the Beolab 3500 being used as a centre speaker was from a friend of a friend so had no idea if it was true or not, so I can guess from your response it is highly unlikely.

For what I am calling my second hand system I guess I will stick with the 4000’s and will save getting the Beolab 7.1 for when I buy a new system.

Do you have any thoughts about what would be the best option for me to set up a surround system based as already mentioned very few if any second hand B&O TV’s on the market here in Taiwan and it makes no economical sense to import one.

So I am left with the thinking to pick up a second hand Beosystem 1, 2, 3 are there any other alternatives I have missed.

All the best

Barry

Re: Beolab 3000 as a centre speaker plus other bits

TripEnglish — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 22:02:49 GMT

I would be astonished if anyone got the BeoLab 3500 to operate as a speaker. The main problem is that it has onboard "intelligence" that would have to be bypassed and simply putting a wrong head on the other end of an ML cable would simply not work, let along alter the functionality. After all the times this has come up, if someone had accomplished such a task we'd probably know about it. At the very least it would take significant alteration to the internal hardware. Just leave it alone would be my advice.

As for your Bang & Olufsen alternatives, the BeoLab 4000s served as center channel speakers quite well for years before Bang & Olufsen developed a purpose built solution. If you use 8000s in the front and 6000s in the rear, you would likely be happy with this setup.

However, if the BeoLab 7-1 is an option for you, it would put on an incredible performance for you. I wouldn't agree that that you need a more able speaker to compliment it. In multichannel video up to 80% of what you hear in the front is dialog, making your center speaker arguably more important when in video mode. Most of us still seem to invest more in our front right & left out of service to our integrated audio systems. I would say a BeoLab 7-4 or BeoLab 10 (a little tighter in the low end from my experience, likely due to cabinet design) would be even better, though a bit more expensive.

Beolab 3000 as a centre speaker plus other bits

barryrose — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 21:38:44 GMT

Hi everyone I am new to Beoworld but not to B&O

About 10 years ago when I lived in the UK I was the proud owner of a B&O System Avant TV 4 x Beolab 6000 and a MX TV linked in the Bedroom and a Beolab 3500 linked in the Dining room.

Unfortunately when I moved out to Taiwan where I now live I had to leave it all behind in the UK (I am sure my ex has probably got rid of it by now as she never did really appreciate it !!.) maybe that's why we separated !!

But now the time has come to build a new system in fact I plan to build two systems one in my house in Taipei (based on new B&O equipment from B&O Taiwan) and one in a small get away I have in the South of Taiwan. (Based on second had B&O equipment)

As I spend most of my time travelling I plan to do the system in my get away first, as mentioned this will be based on second hand bits I have picked up either of old friends, ebay, or on my travels.

I currently have a Beosound 9000 Beogram 4500 and Beocord 4500

2 x Beolab 8000 2 x Beolab 6000 2 x Beolab 4000

Beolink Active, and a MLC-2P / MLC2AV

Nothing set up yet just all in boxes (Sure I will have some questions/problems when I start to put it all together)

As you can see from the equipment I have the Audio system is sorted,

My problems come when I am considering the video system

I am planning to building a surround sound system current plan is

Front 2 x Beolab 8000
Rear 2 x Beolab 6000

Middle (Maybe 2 x Beolab 4000) dependant of if my system ends up 5.1 or 7.1

Current issue I am considering is Centre Speaker after reading comments posted on the site it seems that it might be not the right decision to buy a Beolab 7-1the sound is to different and more suitable to the more up-to-date speakers Beolab 5 ect.

And as mentioned this basically is a second set up

So my thinking was to use a pair of Beolab 4000’s for the Centre Speakers

But then I heard from a friend of a friend (you know how it is ) that he knew a guy who used the Beolab 3500 as a centre speaker he had a special cable made that was Master Link at one end power link at the other end.

Is this possible? Anyone out there used a Beolab 3500 as a centre speaker, or knows can this be done

Also can anyone suggest what option I have regarding Surround Sound when I was in the UK I had the surround sound module in the Avant but I am thinking for a second hand system I may be better off picking up a second hand Beosystem

Of course I guess Beosystem 3 is the best choice but a bit extravagant for a second system.

TV is still a bit of open issue as basically this I have to pick up in Taiwan so I am limited not really any second hand choice for B&O TV

Any comments or suggestions welcome

Sorry for such long posts but have to start somewhere

Barry