Low-Budget Multiroom Setup for Ceiling Speakers

CH

Christian

Bronze

5 posts

Posted February 24, 2025 at 15:29 GMT

Dear Forum Members,

My head is spinning with all these Bang & Olufsen products, especially the older ones. There’s Master-Link, Powerlink, BeoLink, and who knows what else, with all sorts of crazy cables I’ve never seen before. I assume this all comes from the past and is some kind of legacy stuff. But for someone new to this topic, it’s just too complicated - at least for me.

Current Setup:

BeoSound 2 (1st Generation) → Already in place and connected to the network via Wi-Fi.
BeoSound Level → Already in place and connected to the network via Wi-Fi.

I can stream music to each device via AirPlay (whether from Apple TV, iPhone, or iPad). I can also play B&O Radio on one device and then, with a single click, add the other device so that the radio stream plays synchronously on both. I believe this feature is called "BeoLink." Either way, it's a multiroom feature.

Goal:

I want to install affordable ceiling speakers to play background music through my Bang & Olufsen setup. These should also support AirPlay or at least the multiroom feature.

Idea:

My understanding is that I need something like a BeoSound Core, which connects to an amplifier that powers the ceiling speakers. Bang & Olufsen offers options like the BeoAmp 2 (expensive) or BeoLink Passive. Maybe there are other alternatives?
A key requirement is that the amplifier should turn on automatically via the BeoSound Core, so it doesn’t consume power when not in use.
Additionally, volume control should work through the Bang & Olufsen app or AirPlay - I don’t want to adjust anything manually on the amplifier.

Can anyone enlighten me on how to achieve an affordable setup?

Thanks in advance!

BeoKei

Bronze

8 posts

Posted February 24, 2025 at 15:44 GMT

#714066

You simply need a Beoconnect Core. From there you can decide to stay all B&O with the current architectual speakers and Beoamp 2 or using adapter cables you can connect any brand amps and speakers.

CH

Christian

Bronze

5 posts

Posted February 24, 2025 at 15:57 GMT

#714067

Thanks for the fast response. So I understand you suggest the Beoconnect Core (new). I mentioned the BeoSound Core (legacy). Will the BeoSound Core be sufficient or is the Beoconnect Core needed? This first one is available for around 300-400 € at eBay where the later is > 1.000 €. Furthermore the BeoAmp 2 is also very expensive, more like 650 €. Therefore I tend for a 3rd party solution as it should be a budget solution. Its just for background music. You mentioned Adapter Cables to run 3rd party Amplifier and Speakers. What would I need here?

Guy

GoldModerator

4508 posts

Posted February 24, 2025 at 18:38 GMT

#714070

To keep costs under control, you may also want to consider the Beosound Essence Mk2 instead of the Core. Available second hand for £100-200 on UK eBay.
Location: Warwickshire, UK
My B&O Icons:

BeoCenter-9500.png
Beoremote-Beo4.png
Beovision-10.png
Beotime.png
Beosound.png
Beosound-Explore.png
Beosound-Essence.png
Beoplay-P2.png
Beoplay-M3.png
Beoplay-H4.png
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Millemis

Bronze

1330 posts

Posted February 24, 2025 at 21:06 GMT ? Edited February 24, 2025 at 21:09 GMT

#714073

@Guy Are you sure that that is the right cable? I was recommended - and bought - this , when I wanted to connect my Essence MK2 to a Passive driving my CX100 in the kitchen (so basicly same scenario). That works perfectly! MM

Location: Flensborg————Danmark

Guy

GoldModerator

4508 posts

Posted February 24, 2025 at 22:04 GMT ? Edited February 24, 2025 at 22:07 GMT

#714074

But let’s not over-complicate things for Christian – rest assured that he will be able to trigger a Passive from a Core, or an Essence!!!
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Location: Warwickshire, UK
My B&O Icons:

BeoCenter-9500.png
Beoremote-Beo4.png
Beovision-10.png
Beotime.png
Beosound.png
Beosound-Explore.png
Beosound-Essence.png
Beoplay-P2.png
Beoplay-M3.png
Beoplay-H4.png
Beoplay-H3.png
Beoplay-Form-2i.png
Beoplay-Earset.png
Beoplay-A2.png

Millemis

Bronze

1330 posts

Posted February 24, 2025 at 23:21 GMT

#714075

Interesting! Yes, maybe Steve can say something about the difference between our two solutions. MM

Location: Flensborg————Danmark

CH

Christian

Bronze

5 posts

Posted February 25, 2025 at 10:38 GMT

#714078

Wow, thanks a lot for the information. Very appreciated. So if I understand correct I can choose from the following components: Main Component:

Beosound Essence Mk2 (cheap)
BeoSound Core (medium)
Beoconnect Core (expensive)

Amplifier:

Beolink Passice (cheap)
BeoAmp 2 (medium)

Speakers:

Every cheap ceiling speaker will do

Correct? If this assumption is correct, two more questions:

Are there any active ceiling speakers you are aware of, so that I can skip the Amplifier? My understanding is, no, as they would also need to speak "Powerlink"
If I have multiple Speakers (say 2 as stereo pair in the kitchen, maybe 1 in the guest toilette and maybe 2 in the dining room, I would need several "main components", see above. There is no solution where I can have only one "main component" like a Beoconnect Core and drive 3 areas independently, correct?

Steve at Sounds Heavenly

Gold

2505 posts

Posted February 25, 2025 at 11:39 GMT

#714081

Hi everyone, Sorry for the late reply, I had missed this thread (thanks to Guy for prompting me!) Basically, the standard (fully wired) RJ45 to Powerlink cable will *sometimes* operate a Beolink Passive from a newer B&O product like Beosound Core or BeoConnect Core, but more often than not it will only work the first time the Passive is powered up, then after the Passive has returned to standby it will usually fail to turn on again. This is due to one of the two required 5 volt trigger pins in the Powerlink connection being disconnected in the Essence (and in all B&O master products since the Beomaster 5). I have heard of instances where B&O installers have used the regular cable, powered the Passive on and off once and then left the customer's home, only to be called back later when the Passive fails to operate for the customer later on in the day. The fail-safe option is the custom-wired version of the cable which I made for MM as he mentioned above, which provides the two correct voltage triggers to ensure that the Passive operates reliably. Hope that helps! Any questions, please ask. Kind regards, Steve.

Location: The cable workshop, England

My B&O Icons:

Cables, friendly advice and great ideas for connecting Bang & Olufsen! Ask any questions at https://soundsheavenly.com to get the best from your B&O! Please visit my B&O YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/soundsheavenlycables

Guy

GoldModerator

4508 posts

Posted February 25, 2025 at 12:02 GMT ? Edited February 25, 2025 at 12:04 GMT

#714082

Many thanks Steve - that's all useful to know and will hopefully help Christian if he decides to go down the Passive route! But back to his questions ...

Location: Warwickshire, UK
My B&O Icons:

BeoCenter-9500.png
Beoremote-Beo4.png
Beovision-10.png
Beotime.png
Beosound.png
Beosound-Explore.png
Beosound-Essence.png
Beoplay-P2.png
Beoplay-M3.png
Beoplay-H4.png
Beoplay-H3.png
Beoplay-Form-2i.png
Beoplay-Earset.png
Beoplay-A2.png

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