B&O MCL 2B and MCL 2C – special units in the MCL2 system
The MCL 2B and MCL 2C were both part of Bang & Olufsen's MCL2 platform, but unlike MCL 2A and MCL 2AV were they specialized solutions, developed for very specific integration needs.
Both products were produced in limited quantities and are relatively rare today. They provide a good insight into how Bang & Olufsen experimented with AV integration in the mid-1980s.
MCL 2B – prototype AV link for BeoVision LX
MCL 2B (Type 2005) was an early prototype and transitional model, which in practice functioned as a precursor to the MCL 2AV. It was developed to integrate the early BeoVision LX TV in an MCL2 system.
BeoVision LX used 3-pin DIN connector to external speakers, and the MCL 2B made it possible to connect these TVs to the MCL system.
Function and signal handling
MCL 2B used a relay-based audio routing, where:
- The TV sound was routed from the TV into the MCL system
- the signal was processed in the MCL relay box
- and then routed back to the TV's internal speakers
The control interface made it possible to choose between:
- TV sound
- sound from the connected audio system in the MCL installation
A separate IR transceiver enabled remote control.
Known limitations
The MCL 2B had several technical compromises:
- TV and audio sound had independent volume levels
- switching between sources could result in significant volume changes
- if audio was muted, TV sound could return at an unpredictable level
These limitations made the solution less user-friendly in daily use.
Historical significance
The MCL 2B never became a finished mass product, but it played an important role as a technical experiment. The experience from the MCL 2B led directly to the development of:
- MCL 2AV
- and later The Audio Aux System, which solved many of the early problems
MCL 2C – integration of non-Bang & Olufsen TV
MCL 2C was a transceiver and control unit developed to integrate non-Bang & Olufsen TV sets in an MCL2 system.
Where MCL 2B was aimed at a specific B&O TV, MCL 2C had a more general goal: to make it possible to use third-party TVs in a link room and still retain B&O's operating logic.
Function and use
MCL 2C served as an interface between:
- The MCL system in the main compartment
- a third-party TV in the link room
TV, satellite and video signals were demodulated in the main room and distributed via the MCL system. The MCL 2C made it possible to control these functions via the B&O remote control.
Audio from the TV signal could be integrated into the MCL system and played via the link room speakers.
Limited distribution
The MCL 2C was not widely marketed and was only produced in limited quantities. Integration of third-party TVs was relatively complex, and Bang & Olufsen generally prioritized its own TV solutions.
The result is that MCL 2C is today primarily found in special installations.
| Characteristic | MCL 2B | MCL 2C |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | BeoVision LX integration | Integration of non-B&O TVs |
| Type | Prototype / transitional model | Specialized control unit |
| TV connection | BeoVision LX only | Third-party TV |
| Audio routing | Relay-based, TV ↔ audio | Via MCL system |
| Volume control | Independent levels | Controlled via MCL |
| Remote control | Via separate transceiver | Via IR transceiver |
| Distribution | Very limited | Very limited |
| Further development | Led to MCL 2AV | Early attempt at open integration |
Place in MCL history
The MCL 2B and MCL 2C represent Bang & Olufsen's experimental phase in the MCL2 development. Both products addressed specific integration needs, but also demonstrated the limitations of analog AV solutions at the time.
The experience from these products was directly applied in more mature solutions such as MCL 2AV and later in Masterlink.
MCL 2B and 2C today
Today, both MCL 2B and MCL 2C are primarily of historical and documentary value. They are rarely used in new installations, but are important for understanding Bang & Olufsen's system development and the transition from simple audio links to fully integrated AV systems.