All modern Bang and Olufsen Beolab active speakers (ie. those powered from the mains supply) should be connected to your audio system or television using Powerlink cables. These are all similar in outer appearance, usually with a round 8-pin DIN plug at each end of the cable (and now the newest form using RJ45 plugs).
powerlink cable
To confuse things, there are three versions of this 8 pin DIN cable, plus the newest “RJ45 / ethernet style” Powerlink cable:
- Powerlink mark 1 is the simplest type and can be used by only a few of the earliest Beolab speakers, including Beolab 2500, Beolab 4000, Beolab 6000 and Beolab 8000. For this role, Sounds Heavenly recommend using Powerlink mark 3 cable instead of mark 1 – see below for the reason why.
- Powerlink mark 2 (also known as “fully wired”) is for speakers with built-in displays, including Beolab Penta (Penta mark 2 & 3 models only). This is also the type required for use with Beolab 5 speakers. This cable will also work with all other Beolab speakers with Powerlink connections, so it is the best version to choose if you are likely to change your speakers in future.
- Powerlink mark 3 is the latest version of 8 pin DIN cable designed for the ICE-Power Beolab speakers with class D digital amplifiers, as it contains an additional voltage reference wire intended to prevent background hum. This is for Beolabs 1, 2, 3, 4, 7-1, 7-2, 7-4, 7-6, 9, 10, 11, 4000 mk.2, 6002 and 8002. It can also be used to replace and upgrade Powerlink mark 1 cable.
- Powerlink “RJ45″ or Ethernet style. The newest type of Powerlink cable now uses an RJ45 plug at each end. However, do not be mistaken – these are NOT regular Cat5 ethernet network cables! We suggest using only the highest quality shielded cabling; regular Cat5 “patch” cable is noisy and susceptible to electrical interference when used for speaker connections.
- The exception to the rules above are the very earliest Beolab speakers (notably the Beolab Penta mark 1), which used a special connection type called Speakerlink. This used a specially made plug, which has not been manufactured since the late 1990’s. We hand build every Speakerlink cable to order and use only genuine B&O plugs. Alternatively, our 2-pin DIN speaker cable can be used with these type of speakers, although the displays will not light up.
The video below gives more information on choosing the right Powerlink cables for your speakers:
Is it possible to connect non B&O Active Speakers to a Powerlink provided System like the Beossystem 7000?
Hi,
Yes, I can help! Simply connect the cable in the link below from the Powerlink output on the B&O system to the RCA inputs on the active speaker:-
http://soundsheavenly.com/bang-olufsen/110-5-pin-din-to-twin-rca-powerlink-compatible-to-non-bo-hifi-amplifier-receiver-etc-din-to-twin-phono.html
Set the active speaker volume to approx. 50-75% and then adjust it as required to match the level of your other speakers. The active speaker volume can now be controlled automatically from the B&O remote along with the other speakers.
Kind regards, Steve.
is it possible to connect a BeoVox C40 speaker set to Beoilab3000 8pin connections?
Hi,
Yes, I can help! As your Beovox C40 speakers are passive (ie. unpowered), they will need to have either a Beolink Passive, MCL2P or an audio amplifier of around 30 watts or more connected between the B&O audio system and the speakers to boost the signal.
If you are using Beolink Passive or MCL2P, you need this cable to connect it to the B&O system:- http://soundsheavenly.com/powerlink-8-pin-din-connection/23–pl2-black-.html
If you are using an audio amplifier (non-B&O), you need this cable instead to connect it to the B&O system:- http://soundsheavenly.com/bang-olufsen/110–5pd-2rca-.html
I also stock high quality speaker cables to connect from the Beolink Passive, MCL2P or amplifier to the speakers:-
http://soundsheavenly.com/beovox-passive-unpowered-loudspeakers/25–105strd-.html
The easiest way to make your purchase is directly on our website at the links above, where you can also see our full range of over 200 products at the best prices. Simply select the items you require, choose the cable lengths from the drop-down menu on the left side of the product page and click on “Add to Cart”. You can pay securely online using any major credit or debit card, or with a PayPal account if you prefer. You can pay in any currency with no fees and all of our cable prices include FREE Worldwide shipping by Airmail!
Kind regards, Steve.
Steve, is it a problem if you mix cables, e.g. I have beolab 4000s running of a beosound 3000 in one room. The power link cables are in the walls and on checking them, looks like one is a mk.1 and the other a mk.3. They have been running like this for years, but one of my beolabs (the one on mk.1) recently died and more than likely not related but thought I would check.
Hi Andy, that is a good question! Basically, this depends on the model of speakers that you are using:-
Beolab 5, 50, 90, 3000, 4500, 5000 and Penta must use fully wired Powerlink mk.2 cables all through from the source to the speakers: https://www.soundsheavenly.com/powerlink-8-pin-din-connection/23-powerlink-mk-2-compatible-black-8-pin-din-cable-with-fully-wired-8-cores.html
Other Beolab speakers can use any combination of fully wired mk.2 cables and the thinner mk.3 cables without any issues: https://www.soundsheavenly.com/powerlink-8-pin-din-connection/20-powerlink-mk-3-compatible-8-pin-din-cable-with-4-cores-wired-low-profile-cable.html
Early mk.1 Powerlink cables are best avoided, as these are now likely to be over 20 years old and they only work with a few early Beolab speakers. We don’t offer these cables, as they can cause noise problems on many newer Beolab speakers, although they are OK for Beolab 2500, 6000, 8000 and 4000 mk.1 (up to 2007) speakers as a last resort.
Kind regards, Steve.