General Forum

Re: How far is too far?

9 LEE — Thu, 15 May 2008 07:05:59 GMT

I think i mentioned in a thread a while back that i'm happy to pay a premium for Bang & Olufsen made in Denmark.

Saying that though, as quite rightly mentioned - to charge a premium price you need to be premium quality - this is what B&O are hopefully focusing on. I wish B&O could make their own panels - i'm sure they would be world class, but that can't happen i know.

I'm actually quite excited to see what B&O do next, along with how and when. If they pull through, it will be a business lesson to us all and i'm sure they will.

Lee

Re: How far is too far?

beoaddict — Thu, 15 May 2008 06:54:44 GMT

Dude1 wrote: " Lets get real, i cant afford much of the portfolio either. Nor can i afford a Ferrari, or even a decent Fiat so i guess i will have to start concentrating on saving a bit harder...."

I like your avatar, Dude1, the coupe Fiat always has been one of my favourites. And about the savings: comes time, comes money.... I started with a decent Opel Corsa, changed it for a Fiat barchetta (great car was that) and now drive a Jaguar XKR convertible and RR Sport SC, so be patient, it will be yours

Speaking of cars: I bought the Fiat Barchetta in 1996 for NLG 40.000, which is some eur 18.000
a comparible car now (like a BMW 1-series convertible) would cost at least EUR 35.000 (in the netherlands). So, from that perspective B&O is just keeping up pace......

Of course I would like to buy B&O at 50% of the price, but I would not like B&O to become as available to every one like an Apple, afterall its also about exclusivity.

So my message to B&O: I don't mind if you stay that expensive, but please make sure that quality, design and innovation remain the best and top of the market.

Cheers, this time from the borders of lake Como, Italy

Re: How far is too far?

TripEnglish — Thu, 15 May 2008 00:45:51 GMT

I actually do like the idea of AppleTV, I just don't like the interface on it. Just a personal preference. I prefer the BeoMedia interface and have altered mine to do nearly everything ATV does except live rentals. SP is dead right, though, that the concept of a set-top-box that aggregates all forms of content is practically unbeatable. This is really my only concern about the BeoSound 5, that an external box of that scale may not be called for. A tablet remote with the BeoMedia screen on it to navigate content in link rooms might be all that's necessary, but otherwise it seems that major media interaction now lives on the television screen.

Re: How far is too far?

Dude1 — Wed, 14 May 2008 17:53:11 GMT

Totally agree with you Soundproof!

Re: How far is too far?

Puncher — Wed, 14 May 2008 02:34:05 GMT

soundproof:

I'm willing to pay quite a bit of money for high quality foie de gras. I'd get somewhat upset if I found out it's repackaged chicken liver and grease in a fancy box.

QED!

Re: How far is too far?

soundproof — Wed, 14 May 2008 02:22:53 GMT

@Dude1

I agree with the general premise -- B&O is supposed to be expensive AND excellent.
This thread discusses the extent to which people are willing to continue paying premium prices when the excellence isn't as evident in all of their products. There's no general rule that says rich people are dumb, quite to the contrary.

I'm willing to pay quite a bit of money for high quality foie de gras. I'd get somewhat upset if I found out it's repackaged chicken liver and grease in a fancy box.

Re: How far is too far?

Alex — Wed, 14 May 2008 02:13:47 GMT

I find mine very stable? Sure it crashes once every few weeks, but it's pretty darned stable given how new the software is...

Re: How far is too far?

soundproof — Wed, 14 May 2008 01:57:51 GMT

AppleTV and the iTunes Store are a revolution, and are fast becoming the new medium for propagation of content. I don't see any limitations, just opportunities.
There's a reason why HBO signed with Apple yesterday - they're going to be offering all of their shows on ATV when they are released on DVD; and there's a reason why all the major film studios have signed to make their new releases available simultaneously with their DVD-launches.

And you don't need an AppleTV to check out what's up. Go to iTunes>iTunes Store on your computer, and start surfing the podcasts from various providers. All of BBC's programs, just about every other national broadcaster, thousands of hours of free content available; plus very inexpensive content that can be purchased through an account.
I've almost stopped watching the content from the STB. I'm even getting my evening news through podcasts these days.

And do note that ATV works with both Apple and Windows machines.

Weaknesses: I would like to be able to surf the web through the ATV, that's not possible -- which is why I also have a Mac mini connected to the TV. That's it.

I believe Apple/AppleTV/Macs/iPods/iPhones/iTunes are becoming the new medium for audio/visual content, and that manufacturers/providers simply have to accept this and work with it if they wish to remain relevant. Trying to come up with viable alternatives is proving a challenge even for those who have deep coffers - even SONY is lagging behind what Apple is offering.
(A simple thought experiment. As of just a few days ago, there were tens of thousands of independent developers of SDK solutions for the iPhone/iPod Touch, all working away at their individual proposals for how to give those gadgets increased functionality, and intending to sell their solutions through the iTunes Store when it launches SDK products in June. How on earth can anyone compete with a company that has 30.000 developers working away on solutions around the globe? Some of those solutions will stink, and a lot will be as brilliant as Remote Buddy or better.)

Re: How far is too far?

Flappo The Grate — Wed, 14 May 2008 01:35:59 GMT

concerning trip's comments re the appletv , maybe he'd like to consult alex or sound proof , who seem to love it

other users too - in this thread - http://forum.beoworld.org/forums/thread/114359.aspx

Re: How far is too far?

Dude1 — Tue, 13 May 2008 18:57:04 GMT

Another juicy thread lambasting poor Bang - i love it! So im gonna wade in and give my thoughts - everyone else has - and its morbid!

Just a couple of quick points, to juice it up a bit more.

Bang has always been

Expensive.
Exclusive.
The annoyance of those who cannot afford it.
Something to aspire to.
Differentiated from other brands.

So now we have that out of the way i cant see the point of this thread, it sounds like a lot of whinging people who are upset because its getting expensive to buy the products, but yet its never been all that cheap....

Lets get real, i cant afford much of the portfolio either. Nor can i afford a Ferrari, or even a decent Fiat so i guess i will have to start concentrating on saving a bit harder....My first Bang purchase took 2 yrs of solid saving and my friends, family and acquantiances thought i was mad - still do and yes the 3000 is outdated now but to be honest i couldnt care less. I enjoy the product it makes me smile everytime i use it.

The TV's - Bangvisions & Olufsen are the exclusive domain of privelaged who can afford them. There are many reasons why Bang are more expensive, which i have waded into before and i beleive that they do have a great life span - but it is true that other manufacturers are actching up in pic quality - but very little else. I passed a Sony shop the other day and cringed at the pic quality on a small LCD. At the end of the day they dont represent great value for everyone - but they never always have.

I am prepared to pay more for the brand as itsmade in DK. The day its all made in China will be a sad day for the consumers of the brand, lets hope its doesnt come to that.

Anyway, have a great day everyone!

Re: How far is too far?

TripEnglish — Tue, 13 May 2008 18:40:01 GMT

I remember the first time I went out there (I live back east, but you might be aware that BOA is in a Chicago suburb) and saw the Plasma windmill in the court there where the B&O shop is located.

I can't recall any specific statistics, but they do a measurable percentage of the nationwide business of many of the brands they carry. I don't know if there's another place on earth like it.

For anyone interested, if you're ever visiting the Chicago area and love electronics, Abt Electronics is worth a visit. It makes Circuit City look like a Radio Shack.

Re: How far is too far?

linder — Tue, 13 May 2008 18:33:00 GMT

TripEnglish:
Linder, might you live in the Chicago area in the US?
I also agree with some of your ideas. Especially that a software environment like Apple TV is essentially the future. I also must say in Apple's defense that the limitations of their platform are largely a byproduct of the strictures of content protections. As content originators find ways to ease into the oncoming marketplace and media can move more freely, I'm sure the AppleTV will open up a bit without loosing stability.

Ah! You picked up on that big box store in Glenview. That place is amazing. I do live in Chicago,USA.

Re: How far is too far?

TripEnglish — Tue, 13 May 2008 18:21:40 GMT

Linder, might you live in the Chicago area in the US?

I also agree with some of your ideas. Especially that a software environment like Apple TV is essentially the future. I also must say in Apple's defense that the limitations of their platform are largely a byproduct of the strictures of content protections. As content originators find ways to ease into the oncoming marketplace and media can move more freely, I'm sure the AppleTV will open up a bit without loosing stability.

Re: How far is too far?

linder — Tue, 13 May 2008 18:12:07 GMT

335f,

I should also mention that I share your view on Beovisions. I am a B&O enthusiast but there is a limit. There is a big box store near me that sells B&O TVs and almost every other brand of TV. For me its not hard to see there are better and much less expensive TVs for a fraction of the cost of a B&O TV. I can see all 200 of them on a hugh wall at once to compare.

Re: How far is too far?

linder — Tue, 13 May 2008 17:58:33 GMT

TripEnglish:
What I'm really interested in are some constructive ideas & opinions beyond what we generally toss at one another (or into the void as it sometimes seems).
My personal concerns, for example, tend more toward the expansion of wireless link both in terms of compatible products, level of integration, and capabilities. I'd also like to see the development of a software environment in which I can access my varying sorts of stored, streaming, and live content under a unified GUI. Apple TV comes close, but is far to limiting and visually a bit gimmicky for my taste.
These sorts of things are what, if at all, Struer is listening to. But I guarantee that they have long since tuned out the "it's just too expensive" criticism.

Sorry I guess we all got caught on the price issue.

I have a background in Networks and do have a few techy opinions. Wireless for music of course can be done and sounds okay to most people. However there is some loss in the implementation with the Beolink Wireless 1. It is very noticeable to me because in the linked room, I have a Beomaster 7000, Beolab 8000's and a Beolab2. I switch between both systems by moving the PL wire from one to the other. The linked system which is a Beomedia 1 and Beocenter 2 does not sound as good. I have also tried the wireless link into the Beomaster 7000 aux port to remotely listen to Beomedia 1. Of course you may asked about the variables in the setup. In a detached house there may be improvement because there is less network contention and switching. I live in a large building and there are WIFI networks everywhere. Consequently there is more noticeable channel switching which can be annoying. For a secure always on system, I like wired networks better especially with a more expensive setup.

I would like to see B&O have an option to do remote links over Ethernet including video. Where I work, we use cat 6 cable with fiber and transmit thousands of high bit video streams without problem.

Apple TV is somewhat gimmicky but there is no denying it or something like it is the future. I very much like the ability to rent HD movies when I want to and I don't want to purchase blu-ray disks or a blu-ray player. Ultimately digital downloads will pass by DVDs. Apple and other companies know this. My point is that the new Beosound or Beomedia product should include an option to use iTunes. This could be in the menu or in the startup. For iTunes alone, the total value generated by companies other than Apple is a one billion USD business. Bang and Olufsen should somehow tap into the 80 million iPod and 11 million iPhone users. I noticed in the Apple store, many customers see B&O products for the first time at the counter displaying Beosound 4 speakers and headphones. I recently purchased the Earset 3 for my iPhone. The sound and ease of operation is amazing.

The above are some of the things I have thought about. I am sure other member have more ideas.

We may as well forget about the price discussions. In the 20 years that I have been buying B&O products, the prices were always high and never went down. I paid $2000 USD in 1988 for a VX5000 VHS recorder which I still have and not used in 10 years. Not even in 1988 would anybody pay $2000 for a video recorder. I am an enthusiastic fan of B&O. Crazy huh?