We have found a way to play an iPod, non-B&O TV, Airport Express or any other music source directly through a Beolab 3500 or LCS9000 speaker without needing any extra equipment (other than a B&O remote control). This could help you to find a new lease of life for these stylish speakers, as they can now be used as “sound bars” for non-B&O TVs, or as stand-alone speaker docks.
This is made possible by programming the Beolab 3500 speaker to open its MCL port (LCS9000 and 3500 mk.1) or Powerlink port (3500 mk.2), which allows any device (eg. non-B&O TV, iPod, Beosound, etc) to play through the speaker via this cable:-
This setup works with all Beolab 3500 and LCS9000 speakers, ie. Type numbers 1601, 1602, 1603, 1604, 1605, 1607 and 1608.
A B&O remote (either Beo4 or Beolink 1000) is needed to set the speaker to Powerlink mode each time it is switched on (by pressing MENU MENU 0 4 GO on a Beo4 or MENU MENU 0 4 PLAY on a Beolink 1000) and volume control is then managed from the connected device (eg. TV, iPod, etc). To turn off the speaker, press the “Power Off” button on the remote as usual.
before ordering: how do I know whether my 3500 is mk1 or mk2?
Hi, to see if you have a mk.1 or mk.2 speaker, please check the serial number (shown on a sticker at the back, near to the socket panel). If this is lower than 19343452 then you have a mk.1 speaker, so you need the mk.1 cable version. If the serial number is 19343452 or above, then you have the mk.2 speaker, so you need the mk.2 cable version.
Kind regards, Steve.
Can i also still use the beolab 3500 through the master link cable hooked up to my beosystem 3?
Hi, this cable only works when you don’t have a Masterlink input connected to the speaker. If you have a Masterlink input from the Beosystem 3, please link any extra devices to the Beosystem instead of directly to the speaker. Kind regards, Steve.
Hi, I have an Beolab 3500 mk.1 speaker where I bought a cbale with powerlink and phone plug online to get music from a Apple Airport express unit. But the Beolab 3500 gives a constant humming and ticking noise when turned on by “menu menu 0 4 GO” command. Could there be something wrong with the cable and plug config ? or may be the speaker it self ?
Hi, thanks for your enquiry. Your Beolab 3500 mk.1 speaker needs a specially wired cable that is unique for this speaker, so a standard minijack to DIN cable won’t work. Please use this cable (mk.1 option) to get the speaker working from an Apple Airport Express:-
http://soundsheavenly.com/airport-express/155-ipodtvairport-express-to-beolab-3500-mk2-cable.html?search_query=3500&results=2
A B&O remote (either Beo4 or Beolink 1000) is needed to set the speaker to MCL mode (Beolab 3500 mk.1/LCS9000) each time it is switched on. First, please set the speaker to standby mode using the “red dot” button on the remote and unplug the Masterlink cable from the speaker (if fitted).
For Beolab 3500 mk/1 or LCS9000, please press MENU 0 4 GO on a Beo4 or MENU 0 4 PLAY on a Beolink 1000 (please ensure that the “GO” or “PLAY” button is only pressed briefly). Volume control is then managed from the connected device (eg. TV, iPod, etc). To turn off the speaker, press the “Power Off” button on the remote as usual.
Kind regards, Steve.
OK thanks for the advice, I will place an order for this cable.
Is hotel version of BEO4 remote usable to drive Beolab 3500 as a TV sound bar?
Hi Attila, there are various special “Hotel” versions of the Beo4 remote – some of these don’t have a Menu button, so they can’t be used to activate a Beolab 3500 speaker via the 8 pin input socket. If the remote has a Menu button then it should operate the speaker. However, please note that on some “Hotel” Beo4 remotes, the Menu button is present but disconnected so please test this button on your remote prior to making a purchase.
Kind regards, Steve.