Bringing back the shine: Replacing the top-plate on the BeoLink 7000

After restoring quite a few Beolink 7000 units over the years, I’ve noticed a recurring issue. The top plate (#9001) is almost always scratched or dented. It’s the first thing you see and touch, and unfortunately, it's the first part to show its age. 

Things were a little worse on this particular unit. A previous owner had replaced the battery but used the wrong screws, which pushed up from behind and left visible dents in the plate. Restoring the device feels incomplete without being able to replace this part, so that was when I decided it was time to create a new replacement for the top plate.

Finding a provider who could reproduce the plate in aluminium with the original thickness was surprisingly difficult. After much research, I finally found a shop that could produce it in steel instead and even brush it to match the original finish.

Steel is more scratch-resistant and gives the plate a slightly deeper, cooler tone. The visual difference is minimal, but the durability is a big upgrade. So I decided to go with steel for this first run.

The old top plate is held in place with double-sided tape, so removing it is a careful process. Starting from one corner, I slowly lifted it off, ensuring not to damage the surrounding parts.

Once the plate was off, I cleaned away all the old adhesive and applied a fresh layer of high-quality tape to ensure a strong, even bond for the new plate.

Next came the piezoelectric element, which wakes the device when you touch the plate. To ensure a perfect fit every time, I designed a custom 3D-printed bracket that holds the new piezo in the right position.

After that, I used another 3D-printed alignment jig to position the new plate precisely where the original had been.

Finally, the new piezo element wires were trimmed and soldered in place, restoring full functionality.

While at it, I also cleaned the plastic strips (#9019) and removed the old grease, instantly making it look new again.

And here is the money shot of the finished Beolink 7000 with its brand-new top plate. The difference is subtle, but the feel in the hand and the way it catches the light make it well worth the effort.

The only thing missing for now is the Bang & Olufsen logo. I haven’t yet found a provider that can laser-engrave steel to the same standard as the original. But that’s on my to-do list. 😉

Related PCB

Piezoelectric Element

Top Plate