Clifton Bang & Olufsen Apartment Upgrade

THE BRIEF

A considered upgrade to an established Bang & Olufsen apartment system, bringing high-definition television, streaming and dependable Wi-Fi to the home while carefully servicing the existing B&O equipment.

Completed in March 2014, this Clifton project is a useful example of how a premium AV system can evolve as distribution technology changes. The apartment’s Bang & Olufsen installation had served the client for more than five years, but the local television infrastructure limited the property to standard-definition DSTV.

The introduction of a fibre-based television service created the opportunity to modernise the wider apartment system rather than replace everything. Mirror Edge Networks coordinated the upgrade around the new service, retaining the character of the existing installation while improving picture quality, streaming access, network coverage and long-term serviceability.

This project also marked the beginning of a long-standing relationship with the client. Mirror Edge Networks would go on to complete several further properties for the same family, including the later Head Road whole-home AV installation—evidence of trust built through consistent planning, documentation and ongoing support.

Project Goals

The brief was to bring high-definition television to the apartment and ensure that every viewing area could make proper use of it. The work also needed to address the supporting systems that had become increasingly important: stable Wi-Fi for streaming, compatible amplification and cabling, and reliable operation of the existing Bang & Olufsen equipment.

Planning began in January while the fibre installation was being arranged. This gave us time to audit the apartment, identify components that could remain in service and plan the upgrades required in each room before implementation at the end of March.

High-Definition Television Upgrade

The established Bang & Olufsen television system was adapted for the new high-definition service. In the master bedroom, the previous amplifier could not accommodate the required HD connections, so a suitable replacement amplifier and disc player were installed.

Existing Panasonic displays in the master bedroom and bar were replaced with Samsung high-definition televisions. The upgrades were planned around the apartment’s existing layout and cabling routes, creating a meaningful improvement without unnecessary changes to the interior.

Streaming and Apartment Wi-Fi

Apple TV units were added at each television, expanding the apartment beyond scheduled television and allowing streamed content to be enjoyed throughout the home. Because the property did not previously have suitable wireless coverage, the streaming upgrade also required a dependable home network and Wi-Fi foundation.

Two Ubiquiti wireless access points—one serving the upper level and one the lower level—were installed to improve coverage across the apartment. Treating connectivity as part of the AV system ensured that the new sources were practical to use rather than simply connected.

Bang & Olufsen Service and Care

The project included a comprehensive service of the existing Bang & Olufsen equipment. The BeoVision 7-40 television was opened so its fans and internal boards could be carefully cleaned. The BeoSound 4 music system received attention to its laser and motorised door mechanisms.

The PowerLink connections serving the BeoLab 3 loudspeakers were checked, and the speakers themselves were cleaned and inspected. This maintenance was important to the upgrade: preserving well-designed equipment requires the same care for ventilation, connections and mechanical components as for the visible technology.

Cabling and Future Serviceability

Existing cabling throughout the apartment was reorganised and clearly labelled. We then produced wiring diagrams for the installation, giving our technicians an accurate reference for future servicing and allowing faults or later upgrades to be handled more efficiently.

This behind-the-scenes work is rarely visible in the finished photographs, but it is essential to the long-term reliability of a multi-room AV system—particularly one that has evolved over several years.

Project Scope

• Coordination with the new fibre-based DSTV service
• High-definition upgrade of the apartment television system
• New master-bedroom amplifier and source equipment
• Samsung HD televisions in the master bedroom and bar
• Apple TV streaming sources at each television
• Two-level Ubiquiti Wi-Fi coverage
• Servicing of the BeoVision 7-40 and BeoSound 4
• Inspection of BeoLab 3 speakers and PowerLink cabling
• Cable organisation, labelling and system documentation

The Result

The completed upgrade gave the client a substantial improvement in picture quality and access to streaming while preserving the design and value of the established Bang & Olufsen system. It also left the apartment with better connectivity, tidier infrastructure and clear documentation for future support.

Rather than treating older premium equipment as disposable, the project demonstrates how careful integration and maintenance can extend its useful life while allowing the surrounding technology to move forward.

Professional photography was supplied by Jon-Erik Munro Photography.

Need to modernise an existing AV system? Enquire with Mirror Edge Networks about upgrading, servicing and integrating premium television and audio systems in Cape Town.