Loop Amplifier

A loop amplifier is used in conjunction with a loop of wire running round a room or a space so that hearing aids can pick up audio signals directly. These systems are common in cinemas, banks and other public buildings but are unusual in the home. Text copyright © Beocentral. Unauthorised reproduction prohibited.

By offering a loop amplifier suitable for use in the home with their television sets, Bang & Olufsen put themselves in a unique position. Normally such equipment would have to be bought through through specialist shops and used only with carefully modified sets. This was not necessary for the Bang & Olufsen loop system, the 33XX series televisions that were current when the Loop Amplifier was introduced were all fully equipped for loop amplifier use from the factory. Text copyright © Beocentral. Unauthorised reproduction prohibited.

The Loop Amplifier itself was quite a simple unit. Mains powered, its main component was an integrated circuit amplifier of a similar design to those found in the then current televisions. This was connected directly to a loop of wire running around the room were the television was installed and indirectly (via a step-down transformer mounted internally) to a “mini loop” which could be worn around the listener’s neck. Text copyright © Beocentral. Unauthorised reproduction prohibited.

As well as being usable with television sets, the Loop Amplifier could also be connected to two extra audio sources such as a radio and a tape recorder. Pre-set gain controls were provided so that the volume levels could be equalised. Text copyright © Beocentral. Unauthorised reproduction prohibited.

Subsequent generations of Beovision TV sets, such as the 77XX, M 20, MX 2000 and L 2800/LX 2800 series all retained the loop amplifier connection. It was dropped from later models however and the system quietly disappeared from the range. Text copyright © Beocentral. Unauthorised reproduction prohibited.