COMPATIBILITY
Bang & Olufsen - 100% Standard B&O Powerlink Signal
Powerlink signals from connected Bang & Olufsen sources are simply passed through. All other audio signals from devices of other manufacturers, whether digital or analog, are converted into a 100% standard B&O Powerlink signal, including the switching voltage required for B&O speakers.
Apple AirPlay
What about the music on your iPhone? Would you like to play it through your B&O speakers and have the freedom to move around the room without the hassle of a docking station and remote control?
All you need is an Apple Airport Express and our almando Multiplay Stereo.
Simply start the music on your iPhone or iPad, and you'll hear it from your B&O speakers. Your Bang & Olufsen system won't even need to be turned on for this to work.
You can also use the Airplay function if you have a Sonos Port instead of an Apple Airport Express, offering additional features (Internet radio, music services like Spotify, etc.).
Sonos Multiroom
Expand your Bang & Olufsen system with a Sonos Port and enjoy an endless selection of songs and radio stations from around the world. You can still play your CDs through the system as usual.
You can connect the Sonos Connect analogically to our Multiplay Stereo using an RCA cable. This way, you can equip your home with a high-quality, easy-to-use multiroom system without having to give up your beloved B&O system.
In each zone (room) of your Sonos multiroom system, you can either play different music or the same music in perfect synchronization in party mode.
USES FOR THE MULTIPLAY STEREO
Integrating Devices from Other Manufacturers into B&O Systems
Do you want to play the music from your Sonos Connect and the sound from your new TV from Loewe, Samsung, Sharp, Panasonic, or Sony through the speakers of your Bang & Olufsen system?
Ideally, without having to turn on your B&O system with the remote control first?
Simply connect all devices to our Multiplay Stereo - it takes care of automatically switching on the BeoLab speakers as soon as it detects an audio signal from the B&O system or another device.
The Multiplay Stereo as a Converter - Connect BeoLab Speakers by Bang & Olufsen to Devices from Other Manufacturers Without a B&O System
Our almando Multiplay Stereo features intelligent signal recognition and can convert all audio signals into a standard Powerlink signal. This allows you to enjoy the excellent sound of high-quality BeoLab speakers by Bang & Olufsen even if you don't own a B&O audio system or B&O television.
Operating B&O Devices Without Masterlink on the Same BeoLab Speakers by BANG & Olufsen
Newer devices from Bang & Olufsen no longer have a Masterlink connection. This includes devices like Beovision 11, Beovision 12, Beoplay V1, Beosound 5 Encore, Playmaker, etc.
For you, this would mean having to buy your own B&O speakers for each of these new B&O devices. This not only fills the room unnecessarily but also empties your wallet unnecessarily.
With our almando Multiplay Stereo, two B&O devices, whether old (with Masterlink) or new (without Masterlink), can share the same speakers. Thanks to intelligent priority switching, you always automatically hear the currently active source.
Lip-Syncing Video and Audio When Connecting TVs to B&O Systems That Otherwise Have Delayed Audio Playback - e.g., Beosound 5
When you connect any TV as an external source to the AUX input of your Beosound 5, you have the problem that the video and audio of your TV show are not in sync. The reason for this is that the Beosound 5 first has to convert the audio signal from analog to digital and then back again. Simply connect both devices to the Multiplay Stereo, and you can avoid the (unnecessary) conversion of the audio signal - audio and video remain in sync. Another advantage is that you don't need to turn on your B&O system separately for watching TV. Only the TV remote control is required - isn't that great?
CONNECTING B&O SPEAKERS TO THE OUTPUT OF THE MULTIPLAY STEREO
Which Speakers Can Be Connected
You can connect all active BeoLab speakers by Bang & Olufsen that have a Powerlink connection (round 8-pin DIN socket). These include:
- BeoLab 1
- BeoLab 2
- BeoLab 3
- BeoLab 4 – Note: Excluding the PC version (BeoLab 4 PC)
- BeoLab 5
- BeoLab 7-1 / 7-2 / 7-4 / 7-6
- BeoLab 8
- BeoLab 9
- BeoLab 10
- BeoLab 11
- BeoLab 2500
- BeoLab 3000 / 4500 / 5000
- BeoLab 4000
- BeoLab 6000 / 6002
- BeoLab 8000 / 8002
- BeoLab Penta
The newer BeoLab speakers have the Powerlink connection in the form of RJ45 sockets (network sockets). For these, there are special adapter cables from Powerlink to RJ45, allowing these speakers to be connected to the output of the Multiplay:
- BeoLab 12-1 / 12-2 / 12-3
- BeoLab 14
- BeoLab 15 / 16
- BeoLab 17
- BeoLab 18
- BeoLab 19
- BeoLab 20
- BeoLab 28
- BeoLab 50
- BeoLab 90
Which Speakers CANNOT Be Connected
Masterlink speakers from Bang & Olufsen cannot be connected.
These include:
- BeoLab 2000
- BeoLab 3500
- LCS 9000
The Multiplay Stereo Has Only One Output - How to Connect Multiple Speakers
A Powerlink signal always includes both stereo signals, i.e., both the left and right channels. Therefore, always connect both speakers to the output of the Multiplay Stereo and then select the left or right channel on the speaker using the option switch.
The wiring can either be daisy-chained from one speaker to the next (in sequence, like a string of lights) or alternatively, a Y-adapter can be used to route the signal centrally from the output to both speakers separately.
Instead of a Y-adapter, you can also connect an additional subwoofer like the BeoLab 2 to the output of the Multiplay Stereo. The other two speakers (for L + R) can then be directly connected to the additional Powerlink outputs of the BeoLab 2.
Connecting Passive Speakers
Passive speakers cannot be directly connected to the Multiplay Stereo - however, this can be easily achieved through an additional amplifier, such as a BeoAmp 2, Beolink Passive, or MCL 2P.
EASY INSTALLATION
Plug & Play
The installation of the Multiplay Stereo is straightforward - simply plug it in, possibly press an option switch if necessary, and the device is ready for operation in a few seconds.
Full Control
In most cases, the installation is already complete. However, the device optionally offers the ability to use the free ALMANDO CONTROL app to adjust the volumes of the connected devices to each other and make sound adjustments such as treble, bass, and loudness.
OPERATION
Automatic Source Management with Priority Control
The almando Multiplay Stereo is not just a Powerlink converter but also an automatic source manager. To operate any of the connected devices, you only need the respective remote control and can adjust the volume that way as well. The connected sources have different priorities. When multiple sources are active, INPUT 1 (Powerlink) always takes precedence over INPUT 2 (signal detection or triggered, e.g., Powerlink).
Which Sources Can Be Connected
Any playback devices can be connected to the Multiplay Stereo. The only requirement is that they must have a volume-controlled output (e.g., B&O devices, Apple Airport Express, SONOS Port / Connect, Loewe televisions, MP3 players, DVB receivers, etc.).
For some TVs from Samsung, Sharp, Panasonic, Sony, Toshiba, LG, etc., the audio output through the headphone jacks is volume-controlled or can be adjusted in the TV's menu - it is almost always volume-controlled.
Automatic Source Activation through Intelligent Signal Detection
As soon as a signal is present, it is detected by the almando Multiplay Stereo and converted into a Powerlink signal with a switching voltage. If the source no longer provides a signal (e.g., if it is muted or turned off), an intelligent circuit provides a delay of about 2 minutes - only then is the Powerlink signal turned off, and the B&O speakers go into standby mode. This is necessary, for example, for longer pauses in listening or gives you enough time to select the next songs to play from your music library.
Automatic Source Activation through External Switching Voltage
If the connected source itself has switching voltage (e.g., B&O devices or Loewe televisions with switching voltage), this has the great advantage that you do not need to wait for the usual delay to switch sources. This function is standard for INPUT 1 - for INPUT 2, this function can be activated using the ALMANDO CONTROL app. This type of source activation is preferable to the commonly used signal detection.
Automatic Source Activation on both digital inputs (COAX and Toslink SPDIF)
Only devices with volume-controlled digital output should be connected to the digital inputs - these are only AUDIO devices, such as BeoSound Core, Apple Airport Express, Bluesound Node, Sonos Port, Sonos Connect, Chromecast Audio, etc.
Connecting televisions through an optical digital cable is possible but not recommended. For all televisions, the audio output at the digital output is always at maximum volume and cannot be controlled with the TV remote control.
