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ARCHIVED FORUM -- April 2007 to March 2012
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This is the first Archived Forum which was active between 17th April 2007 and 1st March February 2012

 

Latest post 11-22-2008 7:29 AM by soundchoice70. 15 replies.
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  • 11-21-2008 9:54 AM

    Interesting Observation - Loewe

    On a recent post reagarding the design direction I had made the suggestion of B&O looking back to take inspiration from their 'golden age' and one of my suggestions had been to reintroduce the timber veneer trims for 'added sense of exclusive luxury' to contrast against the slick modern details of the systems .... 

    Well now ..... whilst out shopping with one of my clients today one of the things we looked at was TVs (and yes B&O was top of list of options) and went into the Loewe showroom (I must say their new range is looking pretty slick and beautiful aesthetically, in terms of design) and so what did I spy on their latest range of slick 'Individual' TV's???..... you guessed it! ..... the option of timber veneer trims in Ebony, Oak and of course my favourite Rosewood... in fact if you look from the side profile of these they look a little like the BM6000 quad if they were to be laid flat..... 

    Hmmmm .... someone must have read my mind ...... he he he... or am I just ahead of the curve...

     

     

  • 11-21-2008 10:25 AM In reply to

    Re: Interesting Observation - Loewe

    I think it's a spot-on notion. Beautiful when executed well - was dropped because of the costs involved, compared to moulding plastic. But I have bought various wood-trimmed classic items, and they look spectacular.

  • 11-21-2008 11:19 AM In reply to

    Re: Interesting Observation - Loewe

    Hi Soundproof,

    Agreed they do look spectacular... but to put this change simply down to cost is a little sad ... especially considering B&O is a luxury lifestyle brand and the pricing point ... I think this added detail would give a sense of craftsmanship that would be appreciated by most of its well heeled clients and would help the units to complement their luxury homes (matt / polished aluminium can be the default for those who don't like it) .. If you look to any luxury brand today what they use as a USP to set themselves apart is the sense of exclusivity that usually comes with craftmanship and use of carefully chosen and executed materials, from cars , watches/jewellery, furniture  .... the most successful luxury brands invest in their history and the above elements. 

    I think Lee's interview with the new CEO is exciting and shows that he is into creating products of enduring quality with his comments on his very own Beocenter ... and throw away culture .... 

     

     

  • 11-21-2008 11:53 AM In reply to

    • Dude1
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    Re: Interesting Observation - Loewe

    I totally agree with the fact that an excuse to drive down the costs on such a Luxury brand has been introduced.  Bang owns a company that specialises in wood (AV5/Avant/ BV5/BV9 frames) and furtniture etc - so I personally think its a flakey excuse.

     

    The Loewe tellys do look good I hate to admit and the picture is getting much better, infact they are looking more elegant in ways than the BV8.

    Maybe its also time to bring some new colours out for the products, instead of the current boring silver/grey/black/red/blue Sleepportfolio.  I always loved the AV5 in orange!

  • 11-21-2008 12:13 PM In reply to

    Re: Interesting Observation - Loewe

    soundchoice70:

    Hi Soundproof,

    Agreed they do look spectacular... but to put this change simply down to cost is a little sad ... especially considering B&O is a luxury lifestyle brand and the pricing point ... I think this added detail would give a sense of craftsmanship that would be appreciated by most of its well heeled clients and would help the units to complement their luxury homes (matt / polished aluminium can be the default for those who don't like it) .. If you look to any luxury brand today what they use as a USP to set themselves apart is the sense of exclusivity that usually comes with craftmanship and use of carefully chosen and executed materials, from cars , watches/jewellery, furniture  .... the most successful luxury brands invest in their history and the above elements. 

    I think Lee's interview with the new CEO is exciting and shows that he is into creating products of enduring quality with his comments on his very own Beocenter ... and throw away culture .... 

     

    My point was that having cabinet makers on hand for AV simply disappeared, when the accountants discovered plastic moulding. B&O used to have the finest wood workers and cabinet makers in Europe, working away hard. Metalwork and glass was chosen as replacement, somewhat upscale from just using plastic.

    There's a line of Japanese AV components that are made with wood panels and veneer. Can't remember the name now - and there are shops that will do bespoke work replacing paneling with wood. The latter is ultraexpensive, but very beautiful.

  • 11-21-2008 1:20 PM In reply to

    • Dillen
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    Re: Interesting Observation - Loewe

    I couldn't agree more about the wooden panels. It can look so classy and exclusive. My attention was pointed towards these Beosystem 5000 components just a couple of days ago, not the worst DIY job in my opinion;

    Martin


  • 11-21-2008 1:53 PM In reply to

    Re: Interesting Observation - Loewe

    wow dillen!

    they look fantastic!

    and i agree: would love to see some natural materials revisited!

    we have all seen the auto industry revitalize classic design cues to great success. i would love to see b&o do some modern takes on their classics! how about a "new" bm2400 or bc9x00? or better yet, bring back an 8000!!! -a true flagship machine. IMHO, i think they would be huge hits!

    • B&o bottle opener
  • 11-21-2008 3:30 PM In reply to

    • LarsJensen
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    Re: Interesting Observation - Loewe

    Dillen:

    I couldn't agree more about the wooden panels. It can look so classy and exclusive. My attention was pointed towards these Beosystem 5000 components just a couple of days ago, not the worst DIY job in my opinion;

    Martin

    Wauw, very nice. Who did that and where did you see it?

    /Lars

  • 11-21-2008 3:44 PM In reply to

    • Dillen
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    Re: Interesting Observation - Loewe

    It was a fellow Beoworld'er, collector and good friend of mine who spotted them on Ebay.

    Martin


  • 11-21-2008 3:48 PM In reply to

    Re: Interesting Observation - Loewe

    Nice!

    If only there would be a re-working of the BM8000 at some point in the future........ 

    President, Beomaster 8000 Appreciation Society

  • 11-21-2008 3:49 PM In reply to

    • Dillen
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    Re: Interesting Observation - Loewe

    Quite nice with black fronts and smooth tops.

    White lettering could be added but they also look cool without any.

    Martin


  • 11-21-2008 4:17 PM In reply to

    Re: Interesting Observation - Loewe

    Help! Someone save us from this thread. Have you not heard about honesty in design? Putting wood onto a plastic (or metal) surface is so - dishonest. It is not true to the manufacturing concept. And that is what B&O is all about. Please B&O, keep the wood veneers for the staff canteen floor.
  • 11-21-2008 5:10 PM In reply to

    Re: Interesting Observation - Loewe

    Hardwriter:
    Help! Someone save us from this thread. Have you not heard about honesty in design? Putting wood onto a plastic (or metal) surface is so - dishonest. It is not true to the manufacturing concept. And that is what B&O is all about. Please B&O, keep the wood veneers for the staff canteen floor.

    Oh, I'd dare claim that Jacob Jensen's use of wood veneer is what made the brand, in its day ...

    Still looks good, and timeless.

     

     

     

  • 11-22-2008 1:15 AM In reply to

    Re: Interesting Observation - Loewe

    Well of course this is obviously a very subjective issue and why options such as matt / polished alu should be offered as alternatives as I have suggested. Also theres nothing wrong with just metal /glass.... I have a BS3000 at home.....love it.... What I am saying is as a consumer of a luxury brand I would like to see some choices to 'personalise'  my purchase .... just like luxury cars you can choose leather, timber col, duco col, wheels etc etc..

    As far as 'dishonest' when refering to the originally designed and specified item, I don't believe so, its about how the materials are executed and whether they add 'percieved' value to the end product that matters, which of course is a very personal thing, above and beyond average 'market sentiment'.

    My opinion is that the best modernist designs whether architectural / industrial / furniture incorporate both 'natural' materials such as stone, timber, leather with 'man made' materials such as steel, glass, and yes plastic in balanced and beautiful ways. How these finishes and elements are interfaced are what gives the finished product its true beauty.

    As you all probably know I agree totally and I would like to see some of the great iconic pieces, inclusive of those already mentioned, along side BM6000 quad, BS9000, BS2500, matched to some more dynamic 'luxury' finishes... think Rosewood, Ebony, Leather, with new colour palettes and metals as a source of inspiration for future pieces...

    Just my thoughts.... 

     

  • 11-22-2008 6:13 AM In reply to

    • Kokomo
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    Re: Interesting Observation - Loewe

    Have you heard of the saying "What does around, comes around"?

    Black is in, then it's out. Silver is in, then out. Colours are in then they're out. Wood is in, then old fashioned, then in again!

  • 11-22-2008 7:29 AM In reply to

    Re: Interesting Observation - Loewe

    Yep, also a very good point . . . Well we're all , no matter how much we say we're not, affected by the 'fashion, trend etc' of the day .... B&O has managed to  transcend that.... lets hope they continue. 

    This afternoon I just received a local electronics store catalogue.... flicking through, it occurred to me ... the classic, black glass trimmed in alumimium, with slim, slick styling used to be the preserve of B&O... but now every mass market manufacturer from Japan to China has adopted this look (to varying degrees of success and quality of course) .... so this no longer sets our beloved B&O apart..... 

    Food for thought ... 

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