Help with active loudspeaker hook up

[wrightmr]

I am completely new to all of this, so go easy on me.

So, I recently got my hands on some Bang & Olufsen Beloab Penta active loudspeakers. I would post a link but I'm not allowed on my first 5 posts.

Now I just need to figure out how to hook them up! The speakers themselves appear to have 2 types of inputs, a line input and what looks like normal speaker wire inputs. I have the wires for the "line input" and tried hooking them directly into a CD changer that I have. I confirmed that the speakers worked, because when I turned them on it started playing music REALLY LOUD. The problem is that the speakers did not respond to the volume knob on the CD changer and there is no volume control on the speakers themselves.

I also have a separate Onkyo amp that I was using to power two non-amplified Cerwin Vega floorstanding speakers. The model number is TX-8511, and again, I would post a link if allowed.

Ideally, I'd like to hook the new B&O speakers to the amp so that the speakers could be used for TV/movies as well as music, but I was wary of hooking two amplified speakers into an amplifier. Also, I'm not sure how the interaction of newer and older technology would work. So, is there a way to do this or do I need some other piece of equipment? If I can hook the active speakers into the amp, how would I do so? I'd like to use the line inputs as they are easier, but I do not see where they would hook into the amp. If not, would normal speaker wire work OK? If the speakers are hooked into the amp in one of these ways, will the speakers respond to the volume knob on the amp?

Again, apologies for my level of knowledge and thanks for any help you can offer me. Let me know if you need any additional information.

 

[bandphan]

I am completely new to all of this, so go easy on me.

So, I recently got my hands on some Bang & Olufsen Beloab Penta active loudspeakers. I would post a link but I'm not allowed on my first 5 posts.

Now I just need to figure out how to hook them up! The speakers themselves appear to have 2 types of inputs, a line input and what looks like normal speaker wire inputs. I have the wires for the "line input" and tried hooking them directly into a CD changer that I have. I confirmed that the speakers worked, because when I turned them on it started playing music REALLY LOUD. The problem is that the speakers did not respond to the volume knob on the CD changer and there is no volume control on the speakers themselves.

I also have a separate Onkyo amp that I was using to power two non-amplified Cerwin Vega floorstanding speakers. The model number is TX-8511, and again, I would post a link if allowed.

Ideally, I'd like to hook the new B&O speakers to the amp so that the speakers could be used for TV/movies as well as music, but I was wary of hooking two amplified speakers into an amplifier. Also, I'm not sure how the interaction of newer and older technology would work. So, is there a way to do this or do I need some other piece of equipment? If I can hook the active speakers into the amp, how would I do so? I'd like to use the line inputs as they are easier, but I do not see where they would hook into the amp. If not, would normal speaker wire work OK? If the speakers are hooked into the amp in one of these ways, will the speakers respond to the volume knob on the amp?

Again, apologies for my level of knowledge and thanks for any help you can offer me. Let me know if you need any additional information.

IIRC, either of the inputs will work correctly as the speakers level will be converted to line level internaly

 

[wrightmr]

So, the amplied speakers can be connected to my Onkyo amplifier via speaker wires? Elsewhere I am being told that my amp is only for passive speakers and that I will need to buy a preamp with an adjustable line level output.

 

[bandphan]

Thats the way I remember but here is your manual

http://www.bang-olufsen-deboer.nl/gebruikershandleidingen/luidsprekers/beolabpenta_engels.pdf

 

[djreef]

You're going to have to use the mains preamp outputs on your Onkyo receiver - if it has some. If not then you're going to need a preamp. You have no voltage gain regulation thru your CD changer. I suspect that the volume knob is for headphones only.

DJ

 

[bandphan]

You're going to have to use the mains preamp outputs on your Onkyo receiver - if it has some. If not then you're going to need a preamp. You have no voltage gain regulation thru your CD changer. I suspect that the volume knob is for headphones only.

DJ

Are you sure the main speaker level out will not work?
but if your not sure B&O will tell you the same. You just need the correct teminations.

 

[TLS Guy]

I am completely new to all of this, so go easy on me.

So, I recently got my hands on some Bang & Olufsen Beloab Penta active loudspeakers. I would post a link but I'm not allowed on my first 5 posts.

Now I just need to figure out how to hook them up! The speakers themselves appear to have 2 types of inputs, a line input and what looks like normal speaker wire inputs. I have the wires for the "line input" and tried hooking them directly into a CD changer that I have. I confirmed that the speakers worked, because when I turned them on it started playing music REALLY LOUD. The problem is that the speakers did not respond to the volume knob on the CD changer and there is no volume control on the speakers themselves.

I also have a separate Onkyo amp that I was using to power two non-amplified Cerwin Vega floorstanding speakers. The model number is TX-8511, and again, I would post a link if allowed.

Ideally, I'd like to hook the new B&O speakers to the amp so that the speakers could be used for TV/movies as well as music, but I was wary of hooking two amplified speakers into an amplifier. Also, I'm not sure how the interaction of newer and older technology would work. So, is there a way to do this or do I need some other piece of equipment? If I can hook the active speakers into the amp, how would I do so? I'd like to use the line inputs as they are easier, but I do not see where they would hook into the amp. If not, would normal speaker wire work OK? If the speakers are hooked into the amp in one of these ways, will the speakers respond to the volume knob on the amp?

Again, apologies for my level of knowledge and thanks for any help you can offer me. Let me know if you need any additional information.

Your best solution is to obtain a preamp, or a receiver with preouts, and connect to the line inputs. That will give the cleanest signal and the best audio.

Your second best solution is to connect power amp speaker outputs to the speaker inputs on your active speakers.

The reason is that in your situation an extra power amp can only be a quality spoiler. Your speakers already contain power amps.

 

[wrightmr]

OK, so the speakers appear to be working now. I hooked the speaker wires from the amp to the speakers and didn't use the line level hookups. They did not seem to work correctly when hooked into the amp in what I think was "bridged" mode - clearly I didn't hook these up to the Cerwin Vegas but I'll explain as best as I can. The amp has inputs for 4 total speakers, 2 speakers in channel A and 2 speakers in channel B. Here's how it was hooked up, with Xs representing no wire and Os representing wires.

+R- -L+
A o x o x
B x o x o

As I said, this worked fine with my Cerwin Vega speakers, but not with the B&Os. Anyone know why? But, the B&Os worked when I hooked them up as below:

+R- -L+
A o o o o
B x x x x

If there is a better way to go about this please let me know. As it stands now, the speakers are working fine and the volume can be adjusted via the amp volume knob, though there is a bit of static/hum when the speakers are on but not playing anything.

 

[adwilk]

I would leave "B" out of the equation....

just use "A" hookup. Left + and - from the amp to the + and - of the left speaker. do the same for the right....

 

[highfigh]

I am completely new to all of this, so go easy on me.

So, I recently got my hands on some Bang & Olufsen Beloab Penta active loudspeakers. I would post a link but I'm not allowed on my first 5 posts.

Now I just need to figure out how to hook them up! The speakers themselves appear to have 2 types of inputs, a line input and what looks like normal speaker wire inputs. I have the wires for the "line input" and tried hooking them directly into a CD changer that I have. I confirmed that the speakers worked, because when I turned them on it started playing music REALLY LOUD. The problem is that the speakers did not respond to the volume knob on the CD changer and there is no volume control on the speakers themselves.

I also have a separate Onkyo amp that I was using to power two non-amplified Cerwin Vega floorstanding speakers. The model number is TX-8511, and again, I would post a link if allowed.

Ideally, I'd like to hook the new B&O speakers to the amp so that the speakers could be used for TV/movies as well as music, but I was wary of hooking two amplified speakers into an amplifier. Also, I'm not sure how the interaction of newer and older technology would work. So, is there a way to do this or do I need some other piece of equipment? If I can hook the active speakers into the amp, how would I do so? I'd like to use the line inputs as they are easier, but I do not see where they would hook into the amp. If not, would normal speaker wire work OK? If the speakers are hooked into the amp in one of these ways, will the speakers respond to the volume knob on the amp?

Again, apologies for my level of knowledge and thanks for any help you can offer me. Let me know if you need any additional information.

If the B & O speakers have a line input but it's not RCA jacks, it's probably a DIN plug, because they're European. Google B&O input jack pinout or contact B&O directly for the info. If you want to make your own, Radio Scrap may have the parts but they're really feeding out their SKUs, because a lot of them just don't move, so they'll only be available online. Otherwise, Parts Express should have them.

 

[TLS Guy]

OK, so the speakers appear to be working now. I hooked the speaker wires from the amp to the speakers and didn't use the line level hookups. They did not seem to work correctly when hooked into the amp in what I think was "bridged" mode - clearly I didn't hook these up to the Cerwin Vegas but I'll explain as best as I can. The amp has inputs for 4 total speakers, 2 speakers in channel A and 2 speakers in channel B. Here's how it was hooked up, with Xs representing no wire and Os representing wires.

+R- -L+
A o x o x
B x o x o

As I said, this worked fine with my Cerwin Vega speakers, but not with the B&Os. Anyone know why? But, the B&Os worked when I hooked them up as below:

+R- -L+
A o o o o
B x x x x

If there is a better way to go about this please let me know. As it stands now, the speakers are working fine and the volume can be adjusted via the amp volume knob, though there is a bit of static/hum when the speakers are on but not playing anything.

I don't see how your first set up could work. According to you, you only have one wire to each speaker and not a complete circuit.

Use your second set up. However as I explained getting equipment that will connect to the line ins will be an improvement.

 

[wrightmr]

The spacing got a little screwy when I tried to make those diagrams. In the first one, one speaker is hooked into the A channel only, with the positive cable in the R and the negative cable in the L. The other speaker was hooked into the B channel only, with the negative cable in the R and the positive cable in the L. My friend that hooked it up said I would get more power like this, and I sure didn't know any better.

But for my current setup I should keep it as is (all on channel A) and not put one of the speakers on channel B?

 

[adwilk]

But for my current setup I should keep it as is (all on channel A) and not put one of the speakers on channel B?

You got it...

 

[djreef]

I don't see how your first set up could work. According to you, you only have one wire to each speaker and not a complete circuit.

Use your second set up. However as I explained getting equipment that will connect to the line ins will be an improvement.

It almost sounds like he hooked them up in series. Odd.

DJ

 

[wrightmr]

new, smaller issue

I am noticing some speaker hum issues. If I leave the speakers on but turn off the amp and cd player, there is a noticeable hum coming from the speakers. When I turn the amp on, the loud hum goes away, but there is a slight hiss coming from the speakers if you listen closely. If I keep the speakers plugged in but switch them to off, all the hums disappear entirely. What is causing this? Is there a (non-expensive) way to fix this?

 

[TLS Guy]

I am noticing some speaker hum issues. If I leave the speakers on but turn off the amp and cd player, there is a noticeable hum coming from the speakers. When I turn the amp on, the loud hum goes away, but there is a slight hiss coming from the speakers if you listen closely. If I keep the speakers plugged in but switch them to off, all the hums disappear entirely. What is causing this? Is there a (non-expensive) way to fix this?

There are two issues. There seems to be a ground loop when the speakers are unloaded, fortunately switching the amp on solves the problem.

The other issue is somewhat degraded signal to noise ratio due to your hookup using amps that are not required. It is less than ideal to be to have your powered speakers attenuate and then re amplify your power amps output. With those speakers it will be well worth your while to get a preamp to drive them and dispense with the additional power amplification.

It is not clear from your post if the hum goes away entirely when you switch on your power amp. If it does not then you need to tie your speaker and amp grounds together, and lift the speaker grounds if they have them.

 

[wrightmr]

The hum does go away entirely when the power amp is switched on, though there is a light hiss coming from the speakers if you listen carefully - which is probably attributed to the less than ideal use of an unnecessary amp.

Of course, the hum goes away entirely when the speakers themselves are switched off. I'd like to leave the speakers on always and just switch on the amp when I want to use the speakers, rather than switch on each individual speaker everytime I want to use them. Of course, the hum prevents me from doing this, which is why I asked if there was a simple solution. If not, I can live with switching them on and off.

Regarding preamps, I don't even know where to begin looking or what I should be looking for exactly. Any recommendations or guidelines I should be following? Keep in mind I'm on a bit of a tight budget at the moment...

 

[TLS Guy]

The hum does go away entirely when the power amp is switched on, though there is a light hiss coming from the speakers if you listen carefully - which is probably attributed to the less than ideal use of an unnecessary amp.

Of course, the hum goes away entirely when the speakers themselves are switched off. I'd like to leave the speakers on always and just switch on the amp when I want to use the speakers, rather than switch on each individual speaker everytime I want to use them. Of course, the hum prevents me from doing this, which is why I asked if there was a simple solution. If not, I can live with switching them on and off.

Regarding preamps, I don't even know where to begin looking or what I should be looking for exactly. Any recommendations or guidelines I should be following? Keep in mind I'm on a bit of a tight budget at the moment...

I downloaded the manual for your receiver. It has a headphone jack and you can use it for a line output and bypass the amps in your receiver.

Get this and put it in your phone jack.

Disconnect the connection between your Onkyo speaker terminals and your speakers.

Connect an RCA to RCA connectors between the correct output on the headphone adapter plug to the line in of the respective speakers.

Then you will be all set.

 

[markw]

WTF??? This hookup makes NO fargin' sense at all.

The spacing got a little screwy when I tried to make those diagrams. In the first one, one speaker is hooked into the A channel only, with the positive cable in the R and the negative cable in the L. The other speaker was hooked into the B channel only, with the negative cable in the R and the positive cable in the L. My friend that hooked it up said I would get more power like this, and I sure didn't know any better.

But for my current setup I should keep it as is (all on channel A) and not put one of the speakers on channel B?

You should hook up one speaker to the + and - connections of the same speaker of either the A or B speaker pair, and the other speaker to the other channel of the same speaker pair.

IOW, one speaker to the + and - terminal on each channel of the same speaker pair.

Trust me, your friend is an idiot.

 

[wrightmr]

Thanks, TLS - that looks like an elegant and (very) cheap fix. Do you think that part would be available on the shelf at an electronics store or is it one of those obscure pieces that I will have to order off the website?

And Mark, you are more than likely correct about my friend being an idiot - he hooked it up back in college and didn't really have any specialized knowledge. I think I can post pictures now, so here's how he had it - if we number the speaker inputs 1-8 starting in the top left corner, he had one speaker hooked into 1 and 3 and one hooked into 6 and 8.

Now, you are telling me to use 1,2 and 7,8, while another person is telling me to stay in channel A and use 1,2 and 3,4. I suppose none of it matters as I will be using the adapter, but just for my own edification - what did my friend do originally? He claimed he was "bridging" the amp. Something about halving the ohms and doubling the power....I'm not sure, it was a while ago.

Also, if someone could explain the significance of the impedance selector above the speaker inputs that would be great. I have it set to the left at the moment (A or B, 8 ohms min per speaker), though abovementioned idiot had it to the right (A or B 4 ohms min per speaker/A+B 8 ohms min per speaker).