COMPATIBILITY
Bang & Olufsen - 100% Standard Compliant 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-compliant B&O Powerlink signal, including the switching voltage required for B&O speakers.
Apple AirPlay
What about the music on your iPhone? Would you not like to play it through your B&O speakers and move freely around the room - without the hassle of a docking station and remote control?
All you need for this is an Apple Airport Express and our almando Powerlink-Switch.
You simply start the music on your iPhone or iPad, and you hear it from your B&O speakers. Your Bang & Olufsen system won't even notice it - you don't need to turn it on for this.
You can also use the AirPlay function if you use a Sonos Port instead of an Apple Airport Express - with additional options (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 Powerlink-Switch using an RCA cable. This way, you 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 play different music or the same music absolutely synchronously in party mode.
APPLICATIONS FOR THE POWERLINK SWITCH
Integration of 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 by Loewe, Samsung, Sharp, Panasonic, or Sony through your Bang & Olufsen speakers?
Preferably without the need to manually turn on your B&O system with a remote control?
Simply connect all your devices to our Powerlink-Switch – it takes care of automatically turning on the BeoLab speakers as soon as it detects an audio signal from the B&O system or any other device.
The Powerlink-Switch as a Converter - Connect Bang & Olufsen's BeoLab Speakers to Devices from Other Manufacturers without B&O System
Our almando Powerlink-Switch features intelligent signal detection and can convert all audio signals into a standard-compliant Powerlink signal. This allows you to enjoy the excellent sound of high-quality Bang & Olufsen BeoLab speakers even if you don't have a B&O audio system or B&O TV at all.
Operating B&O Devices without Masterlink on the Same BeoLab Speakers by Bang & Olufsen
Newer Bang & Olufsen devices no longer have a Masterlink connection. This includes, for example, Beovision 11, Beovision 12, Beoplay V1, Beosound 5 Encore, Playmaker, etc.
This means that you would have to buy separate B&O speakers for each of these new B&O devices, which not only fills the room unnecessarily but also empties your wallet unnecessarily.
With our almando Powerlink-Switch, two B&O devices, whether old (with Masterlink) or new (without Masterlink), can share the same speakers. Thanks to intelligent priority switching, you always hear the currently active source automatically.
Syncing Audio and Video When Connecting TV Devices to B&O Systems That Can Otherwise Only Play Sound with a Delay – e.g., Beosound 5
When you connect any TV as an external source to the AUX input of your Beosound 5, you may face the issue of audio and video not being lip-synced. The reason is that in the Beosound 5, the audio signal needs to be converted from analog to digital and then back. Simply connect both devices to the Powerlink-Switch, and you can avoid the (unnecessary) conversion of the audio signal – sound and video remain lip-synced. Another advantage is that you don't need to turn on your B&O system additionally for watching TV. Only the TV remote control is required – pretty convenient, isn't it?
CONNECTING B&O SPEAKERS TO THE OUTPUT OF THE POWERLINK-SWITCH
Which Speakers Can Be Connected
You can connect all active BeoLab speakers from Bang & Olufsen that have a Powerlink connection (round 8-pin DIN socket). These include:
- BeoLab 1
- BeoLab 2
- BeoLab 3
- BeoLab 4 – Note: not 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 a Powerlink connection in the form of RJ45 sockets (network sockets). Special adapter cables from Powerlink to RJ45 are available for these speakers, allowing them 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 Powerlink-Switch Has Only One Output - How to Connect Multiple Speakers Anyway
A Powerlink signal always includes both stereo signals, both the left and right channels. Therefore, you always connect both speakers to the output of the Powerlink-Switch and then select the left or right channel on the speaker with the option switch.
The wiring can be daisy-chained from one speaker to the next (in sequence, like a string of lights) or alternatively, with a Y-adapter, it can be led centrally from the output separately to both speakers.
Instead of a Y-adapter, you can also connect an additional subwoofer, such as the BeoLab 2, to the output of the Powerlink-Switch. The other two speakers (for L + R) can then be connected directly to the additional Powerlink outputs of the BeoLab 2.
Connecting Passive Speakers
Passive speakers cannot be directly connected to the Powerlink-Switch – however, this can be easily done with an additional amplifier, such as BeoAmp 2, Beolink Passive, or MCL 2P.
SIMPLE INSTALLATION
Plug & Play
Installing the Powerlink-Switch is child's play - simply plug it in, possibly press an option switch if needed, and the device is ready for operation in a few seconds.
Full Control
In most cases, the installation is already complete. Nevertheless, the device optionally offers the possibility 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 Switching
The almando Powerlink-Switch is not only a Powerlink converter but also an automatic source management system. To operate any of the connected devices, you only need the respective remote control, and you can also control the volume in this way. The connected sources have different priorities. When multiple sources are active, INPUT 1 (Powerlink) always takes precedence over INPUT 2 (optional signal detection or triggered, e.g., Powerlink).
Which Sources Can Be Connected
Any playback devices can be connected to the Powerlink-Switch. The only requirement is that they must have a volume-controlled output (e.g., B&O devices, Apple Airport Express, SONOS Port / Connect, Loewe TVs, MP3 players, DVB receivers, etc.).
For some TVs from Samsung, Sharp, Panasonic, Sony, Toshiba, LG, etc., the audio output is volume-controlled via the headphone jacks 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 Powerlink-Switch and converted into a Powerlink signal with switching voltage. If the source no longer provides a signal (e.g., when it is muted or turned off), an intelligent circuit ensures a delay of about 2 minutes - only then is the Powerlink signal switched off, and the B&O speakers go into standby. This is necessary, for example, for longer pauses in audio playback or to give you enough time to select the next songs for playback in your music library.
Automatic Source Activation through External Switching Voltage
If the connected source itself has a switching voltage (e.g., B&O devices or Loewe TVs with switching voltage), then the great advantage is that you do not have to wait for the otherwise necessary delay to switch sources. This function is standard for Input 1 - for Input 2, this function can be activated via the ALMANDO CONTROL app. This type of source activation is preferable to the usual signal detection method.
