Cheaper and faster to market is the primary reason. Bang is now a business, not run by purists as of old.

Sleepy old Bang....they should have been out with this years and years ago. Then it would have looked ok, but I truly hope it performs better than it looks, which seems a bit of a let down.

:D - only 2 years late!!! I say 5!

Looks like the emphasis on the revised quality controls are paying dividends!

I had a similar issue with a BeoSound 1. I took it back and requested a refund. It's not what you expect from a quality brand.

Oh this old chestnut... Yes, it needs a visit to the Bang DR. Mine has done the same thing after being in extended storage. Essentially the CD mechanism has died. The mechanisms needed to be used regularly as a batch of lubricant for some of the mechanisms is prone to hardening and not allowing the CD lens to move correctly.

I happen to think most of the new products are rather 'austere'.

In wall = yuk

There is a lot of truth in what you are saying here. Hence, the change of management. The biggest concern seems to be a lack of outright vision. I mean, they are now sort of waiting for technology to be in the market for about 3-4 years, then it's a 'yeah, that could be a good idea' type of mentality. Then someone finally fumbles around

That was the case. It was only a matter of time. Some of the folk in Munich can be slightly sleepy.