General Forum

Re: Interesting Observation - Loewe

soundchoice70 — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 07:29:23 GMT

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 ...

Re: Interesting Observation - Loewe

Kokomo — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 06:13:31 GMT

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!

Re: Interesting Observation - Loewe

soundchoice70 — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 01:15:15 GMT

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....

Re: Interesting Observation - Loewe

soundproof — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 17:10:40 GMT

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.

Re: Interesting Observation - Loewe

Hardwriter — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 16:17:46 GMT

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.

Re: Interesting Observation - Loewe

Dillen — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 15:49:09 GMT

Quite nice with black fronts and smooth tops.

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

Martin

Re: Interesting Observation - Loewe

j0hnbarker — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 15:48:53 GMT

Nice!

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

Re: Interesting Observation - Loewe

Dillen — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 15:44:55 GMT

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

Martin

Re: Interesting Observation - Loewe

LarsJensen — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 15:30:14 GMT

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

Re: Interesting Observation - Loewe

burantek — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 13:53:52 GMT

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!

Re: Interesting Observation - Loewe

Dillen — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 13:20:46 GMT

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

Re: Interesting Observation - Loewe

soundproof — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 12:13:43 GMT

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.

Re: Interesting Observation - Loewe

Dude1 — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 11:53:29 GMT

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 portfolio. I always loved the AV5 in orange!

Re: Interesting Observation - Loewe

soundchoice70 — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 11:19:56 GMT

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 ....

Re: Interesting Observation - Loewe

soundproof — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 10:25:19 GMT

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.