General Forum

Re: To you all. Visit the questionnaire now on www.bang-olufsen.com

jk1002 — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 16:23:17 GMT

Why would one who spends hundreds and thousands of pounds, euros or dollars on speakers connect an Ipod to their system?

In my opinion, to run loss-less most Ipod models do not gave enough memory neither do they have the hardware to lets says drive a BL3. They could built their own D/A etc ... but memory problem remains.

I think what Apple has to sort out is, run a "dual" library. Medium quality for on the road, high quality for at home. That said, besides their rudimentary attempt with the ATV to enter the living room, they need to get that sorted first. by the time they are done, memory issue in Ipods might be gone, who knows.

I think the BS5 concept just for music is on it's way. How to move "Picture" to become all digital, that is a very difficult one. With music, in my opinion B&O got thrown a bone when Apple removed the DRM. For video that is questionable and topic is a bit different as a lot of content that is streamed is popping up now.

Re: To you all. Visit the questionnaire now on www.bang-olufsen.com

moxxey — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 15:48:37 GMT

Puncher:

I actually want a combination of those features - neither A, B or C is my ideal system.

That's *exactly* what I thought, too!

I was tempted to select top-dollar for the priviledge of system A. I'm suprised B&O ask us what we're prepared to pay. That's such an objective view - you can't really answer this properly until you've seen the system.

Re: To you all. Visit the questionnaire now on www.bang-olufsen.com

Luke — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 15:30:24 GMT

Be nice if they just asked

Do you want us to make Beosound 5 with ability to load your own CDs and access your iTunes account. (yes)

And how much would you pay for this (A lot)

Re: To you all. Visit the questionnaire now on www.bang-olufsen.com

expoman — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 08:31:08 GMT

So then is system "B" their new iPod dock? System "A" must be an upgraded Beosound 5 with Video and NAS?

Re: To you all. Visit the questionnaire now on www.bang-olufsen.com

-multimedia Robert- — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 06:25:19 GMT

I recognised Music System C to be the already available BeoSound 4. A strange survey........... but i am happy they do ask us!

MUSIC SYSTEM - "C"
- FM and DAB radio
- CD playback
- Local storage on SD card
- Connection of peripherals through AUX/line input

Re: To you all. Visit the questionnaire now on www.bang-olufsen.com

-multimedia Robert- — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 06:20:00 GMT

Puncher:

I actually want a combination of those features - neither A, B or C is my ideal system.

Also my opinion! Neither A,B or C!

I want i-Pod connectivity, CD, and internet radio.

Re: To you all. Visit the questionnaire now on www.bang-olufsen.com

soundproof — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 05:15:50 GMT

PhilLondon:
Regarding subsciption services, all the record companies are pushing for this. That was what available before iTunes store was created, and was not a success. No subscription services have really been successful. iTunes and its pricing model has shown what people want: To own their music. p.

Agreed there, though I think services such as Spotify may be successful for large parts of the market.

I want to have full control of the quality and playback of my music, and have begun buying from linnrecords.co.uk and hdtracks.com (and similar online, full resolution or high-resolution sources.)
And CD or lossless is the minimum I'll pipe through the system.
B&O would save itself a lot of bother by simply accepting that the iTunes music organizing software for Mac and Windows has become the new playback standard, and then simply integrate this with ease throughout its hardware. Ask anyone under 35 presently using iTunes integration whether they're willing to drop that ...

Which is why I feel the survey could still be considering this. (And for the record, if iTunes had come from Microsoft, and was made available in a version for Macs that does what my iTunes does today, I'd gladly be shouting its virtues from a hilltop. This is not an Apple thing. Just as I switched from vinyl to CDs, I have switched from CDs to iTunes integration and playback -- as have a few others.)

Re: To you all. Visit the questionnaire now on www.bang-olufsen.com

PhilLondon — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 04:29:24 GMT

soundproof:
That survey would have been a lot more interesting if it asked about Mac versus Windows, whether I was using iTunes (no matter which OS I'm on), etc.

I agree, but they have already asked that exact question in their previous survey a few months ago. I have since heard from B&O (in one of the CEO or the UK CEO interview) that they have now realised that Macs have a large market share amonsgst B&O users, and that most people use iTunes as their main music library, on PCs and Mac. Regarding subsciption services, all the record companies are pushing for this. That was what available before iTunes store was created, and was not a success. No subscription services have really been successful. iTunes and its pricing model has shown what people want: To own their music. p.

Re: To you all. Visit the questionnaire now on www.bang-olufsen.com

soundproof — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 04:17:27 GMT

They're asking questions relative to where they've been headed; to what they could do with BeoSound 5; and to what other providers in the market are offering.

There's been talk of connecting BS5 to Pandora-like services, with "millions of tracks of music." But I'm not interested, since these tracks are in lousy quality, and buying B&O speakers to listen to crap defeats the purpose.

That survey would have been a lot more interesting if it asked about Mac versus Windows, whether I was using iTunes (no matter which OS I'm on), etc.

The trouble B&O and others will have is in getting properly paid for a music system such as a hybrid of A+B. I said I would be willing to pay €5000 for system A, but I do have that functionality now, as well as some of the benefits of system B -- and I didn't pay €5000 for it. (As Flappo says just above, most of it was free to install on my Macs.)

But it's a positive, overall, at least they've pulled their heads out of the sand and are seriously considering they may have been going down the wrong route. (Which is hard when your head's in the sand, but you get my meaning.)

Re: To you all. Visit the questionnaire now on www.bang-olufsen.com

Flappo The Grate — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 04:11:31 GMT

i was amused at the how much would you pay bit

if only because you can get most of the stuff they mention for nothing on the net

Re: To you all. Visit the questionnaire now on www.bang-olufsen.com

joeyboygolf — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 04:08:43 GMT

Puncher:

I actually want a combination of those features - neither A, B or C is my ideal system.

Snap! Me too.

I don't see why these system should be mutually exclusive. Once the hardware is in place then the rest is just software.

Re: To you all. Visit the questionnaire now on www.bang-olufsen.com

vikinger — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 04:02:24 GMT

I agree with Puncher on this one. Not sure I'd want an internet/DAB focussed system (HiFi????) with video/pictures to the exclusion of CD with FM access etc.

Graham

Re: To you all. Visit the questionnaire now on www.bang-olufsen.com

Puncher — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 03:56:49 GMT

I actually want a combination of those features - neither A, B or C is my ideal system.

Re: To you all. Visit the questionnaire now on www.bang-olufsen.com

soundproof — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 03:54:19 GMT

Finally some light seeping through in the decision making process ... Can't really see why they need to bother with a survey, though. Fairly self-evident where the market's headed and where B&O should be.

Re: To you all. Visit the questionnaire now on www.bang-olufsen.com

moxxey — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 03:39:48 GMT

It's in the 'Company' section on the website. Not sure how useful it's going to be though.