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B&O Play & DJ Khaled "WE THE BEST" H6 Headphones

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Rob - Danish AV
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Rob - Danish AV Posted: Mon, Jun 30 2014 11:24 PM

More over Beats & Soul. We The Best are coming at ya

 

Interesting move by Beoplay, I think its in the right direction, but i have no idea who DJ Khaled is. Anyways, I have attached a URL and an image of what to expect. I don't mind the red/black

 

 

Read more.

http://www.aaapcparts.com.au/bo-to-release-its-own-celebrity-endorsed-headphones-with-dj-khaled/

 

BeoBoy68
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Beo Bling Bling ! Cool

Special market [:\'(]
jk1002
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jk1002 replied on Tue, Jul 1 2014 5:15 AM

Me too Dr Dre Beats attempt I guess ....

i never got the H6, it seems a somewhat smallish headphone fore the money, will need to go for a listening I guess

Chris Townsend
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Read the comments on the article. Not good[:\'(]

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jk1002
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jk1002 replied on Tue, Jul 1 2014 6:26 AM

May not matter. May just be an attempt to get into the african american young consumer market, the types who pick up Beats.

 

might just be a marketing thing to test waters.

 

i dont think changng colors on these thing is a huge investment neither will they drop a fortune on that guy.

 

 

markiedee
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Dj khaled is a famous dj/producer and is well respected, "we the best" is his slogan whenever you hear a track he's involved in that's what he usually says at the start or end of a track. I listen to r'n'b reggae aswell as hip-hop and if that's the direction beoplay are going than why not.

I see it as good competition for beats headphones.

Beoplay A2

Playdrv4me
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Ugh. My brother told me about this at dinner tonight. 

No thanks.

The Beonic Man
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Definitely a good move for B&O in terms of attracting more people to the brand. It often starts with a pair of headphones! Although for me it was the Beo 7000 remote! I do really like these headphones too, at least the look! Haven't heard them yet but I am quite sure they will not perform under par. The comments are great and cause much controversy around the artist vs brand particularly, but from a marketing perspective, I can see lots all those people commenting and so many more off to the shops to try a pair and see what all the fuss is about! BeoPlay is all about reaching a different audience so this guy seems to fit the bill!

B&O products are V1-32, BS2, H95, E8 and an Essence remote.
11-46 now replaced with Sony A90J 65”, Sony HT-A9, Sony UBP-X800M2 and Sony SRS-NS7.

 

Millemissen
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http://www.acclaimmag.com/lifestyle/dj-khaled-announces-best-headphones/

I must admit that I do have to wonder whats going on  - but maybe that is just because I was born into a rather different generation/culture.

After all - why not? If they like them, it's ok. At least then more of these cans are sold.

And some people might get aware that the Dre/Beats headphones aren't the only cool headphones on the market - and of the 'brand B&O'.

A bit blingy, indeed. But I do like the red/black ones....should perhaps have waited - I bought the natural leather ones just a couple of days ago. (Well, maybe they are just more 'me' after all).

MM

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Mark
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Mark replied on Tue, Jul 1 2014 1:08 PM

like to see B&O play more left field and do a Norman Foster edition.... but if it puts B&O in front of a new listening audience then that is good.

am I the only person who wants to stop a person wearing Dr Beats and ask them "Why?"

 

we tend to forget there is more to design than designing.

Paul W
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Paul W replied on Tue, Jul 1 2014 1:25 PM

Actually Mark, one or two of the BEATS headphones are exceptionally good at what they are intended for - the DJ and radio market. The Pro's being used in most recording studios. Whilst being a heavy, big sounding headphone, they can be driven easily by the iPhone without an extra amp being required unlike the B&O H6.

The problem B&O has is they don't have the credibility in the music scene. Whilst BEATS may be have people that knock them, the two owners have done a huge amount of good for the 'contemporary' music industry over the last 40 years. And this is where B&O has it's problems. It doesn't have roots. It made delicate, expensive products aimed at pretentious old men in slippers. Technics introduced the 1200 in the early 70s and that started the scratching hip hop scene which lead to today's music. Pioneer continued in the mid 90s with the CDJ and continue to dominate. 

As I said, there's a reason why B&O play has lost 25% of its market share. It's not young, it hash't worked hard in the music industry. It's like the old fat cats that come along with money and think that they can dominate an already hip market. It can't and it won't. It's pretentious without a soul! 

I've watched the latest B&O videos and there's only Geoff Martin who sounds sincere in the videos. The Creative Director talks so much marketing rubbish that it's just embarrassing to watch! 

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Whenever I open the door on the plane enroute the bog, I'm usually met by a smattering of Bose ANR and Beats wearing passengers. My wife has spotted somebody wearing some H6's in London once, she thinks.

Anyone that visits us usually gets forced to wear them for a song or two, and the standard remark is that they feel nice, but lack bass. They like bass, I like bass. We are listening to compressed music from a phone most of the time, the equivalent of fast food for music lovers. And like most fast food it needs seasoning(bass)

If you go to a restaurant and they leave out the seasoning because the 5 star chef doesn't approve, you simply go somewhere else(Bose/Beats/B&W which I have)

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Puncher
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Puncher replied on Tue, Jul 1 2014 2:09 PM

Sennheiser accommodate everyone from the boom & fizz brigade to the HD600/650/800 devotees. I'm not suggesting that B&O try to cover this breadth of market but that they should be clear who they are targeting with each product. I think that any potential H6 customer would look at these, groan and look elsewhere.

Let's hope the number of hip new customers they attract is more than the people who may be put off the H6 altogether.

If the H6 is to be "fashion" (and I consciously say fashion rather than "style") then B&O should have another go at a serious headphone in order to give it some hifi cred.

Ban boring signatures!

Millemissen
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Paul W:

...The problem B&O has is they don't have the credibility in the music scene...

Which 'music scene' do you actually mean?

There are several - quite different - 'music scenes' nowadays ---- not just that of what you call 'contemporary music industry' and that of the 'pretentious old men in slippers'.

I wonder for how long a 'hip headphone mistreated listener' can endure the sound of a H6 (no matter how fancy the colours are).

They probably will be thrown aside with the standart explanation: 'lack of bass'.

I don't know much of DJ Khaled - maybe he has a different approach to how a headphone might sound, than we usually meet in 'contemporary hip-hop (whatever that is) music industry'.

Must Bang & Olufsen (or even BeoPlay) please everybody?

MM

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Mark
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Mark replied on Tue, Jul 1 2014 3:40 PM

this carpet slipper wearing hipster uses his for mostly "spoken word".

Looking forward to wearing pajamas in the daytime soooooon. 

we tend to forget there is more to design than designing.

Millemissen
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Mark:

Looking forward to wearing pajamas in the daytime soooooon. 

Welcome to the club.

MM

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Puncher
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Puncher replied on Tue, Jul 1 2014 5:57 PM

Paul W:

Actually Mark, one or two of the BEATS headphones are exceptionally good at what they are intended for - the DJ and radio market. The Pro's being used in most recording studios.

Being used in a recording studio is not necessarily a measure of audio quality or fidelity.

Even among those people who give the Beats Pro a favourable review, I'm not aware of anyone who would claim the response was even close to neutral and so they are not headphones to make any critical mix or EQ adjustments that you'd expect to be mirrored in any real playback system, i.e. they are not suitable for mixing or mastering (many would argue that no headphones are, but if needs must then these wouldn't be ideal).

They have some construction features (like ease of listening to one can) that may suit DJ's.

The most likely use in a studio environment is sound isolation when recording live. In this application probably the most important requirement is isolation, i.e. keep the sound in the cans and away from the microphones. A major example of this application are the Beyer DT100 headphones which for years have been almost ubiquitous in recording studios around the world for monitoring applications. No one would claim them to be particularly  neutral, indeed they are light in bass, but they are closed back, do have decent isolation and are entirely serviceable, with all spare parts readily available.

As I said, being used in a recording studio is not necessarily a measure of audio quality or fidelity.

I'm also not sure why "doing a huge amount of good for the 'contemporary' music industry over the last 40 years" is a qualification in headphone engineering and acoustic design!

Ban boring signatures!

linder
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linder replied on Tue, Jul 1 2014 10:49 PM

I think we will see more of this  One can only imagine the forthcoming color varieties of the rocker or rapper editions of the H6.  Lady Gaga is probably next.

I hope everyone knows that Beats is owned by Apple Corp and Dr Dre is a new Apple employee in some unspecified job.  I wonder what the design team at Apple will do with Beats.

Millemissen
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How about a 'Richard Clayderman Special Edition' in piano black Crying

MM

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Jonathan
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Jonathan replied on Wed, Jul 2 2014 12:36 AM

Another negative response by somebody who doesn't own any B&O, and continually states he has no interest in buying B&O!

Well done Paul W! 

x:________________________

symmes
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symmes replied on Wed, Jul 2 2014 1:08 AM

Jonathan:

Another negative response by somebody who doesn't own any B&O, and continually states he has no interest in buying B&O!

Well done Paul W! 

It's comic relief. 

DJ Khaled has 2 MILLION twitter followers. I call it a coup by BeoPlay. Others can call it anything they wish as they ride off into the sunset in their A3.

Wonder if it has that tacky B&O sound system? 

Millemissen
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I am sure you are right with the two million followers and the'coup by BeoPlay', symnes.

What I don't understand is, why guys like DJ Khaley would want a headphone like the H6.

Did it get a special 'tuning' with an extra bass boost for this edition?

Or is it just another flashy accessory in their bling collection?

MM

There is a tv - and there is a BV

Rob - Danish AV
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B&O play would have paid this DJ a sum of money to promote these. It's not like this guy decided the H6 are the best.

 

Its interesting to see that people are negative and positive about this. 

 

I guess finding a more well known celebrity would have cost too much.. Let's see in a few months, maybe Pink or beyonce might have thier colors too.

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Flappo replied on Wed, Jul 2 2014 11:48 AM

Amazed the rappers and their ilk aren't lining up outside the bno stores for some delightfully subtle gold coloured tv's and speakers , who on earth would make something as crass and tasteless  as that though ??

The Beonic Man
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Puncher:
A major example of this application are the Beyer DT100 headphones which for years have been almost ubiquitous in recording studios around the world for monitoring applications.

Correct. Used throughout the media industry including TV and film. I would say the main reason is for their durability, relative comfortability and minimum expense of replacing parts (foams/pads and wiring mostly) as you mentioned. They are good enough in the sound department and have been around for years. I have a pair of DT990 PRO (250 Ohm) at home which produce an excellent sound stage and are perfect for use with Macs, PCs and iPhones etc. I rate them far higher than the Seinheiser models, particularly the HD 650 at almost twice the cost which I owned previously. Music is so personal. There are many good headphones out there at different price levels.

B&O products are V1-32, BS2, H95, E8 and an Essence remote.
11-46 now replaced with Sony A90J 65”, Sony HT-A9, Sony UBP-X800M2 and Sony SRS-NS7.

 

Millemissen
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Rob.B:

B&O play would have paid this DJ a sum of money to promote these. It's not like this guy decided the H6 are the best.

Its interesting to see that people are negative and positive about this. 

I know how these things are handled!

But if you - in a business world - pay someone money, you expect that it will pay off in some way or another.

I'm just questioning the choice of the artist - NOT the strategy (which I did state already in my first post in the thread).

I guess DJ. Khaled was not the only 'artist' on the radar - why on earth he then?

There is a tv - and there is a BV

Wouter
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Wouter replied on Wed, Jul 2 2014 12:45 PM

I don't like them. IMHO they are ugly as hell. The B&o marketing department isn't doing a good job here. What is the idea behind the cooperation? I just read the "Who are Bang & Olufsen customers?" page and wonder to which "customer category" these headphones are related?! The people that might buy a H6 because of DJ Khaled are not likely to buy a pair of speakers with a four figure price tag in the long run, are they?

Wouter

Millemissen
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@Wouter - I agree with you, but that page is quite old.

Much has changed since then!

MM

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Wouter
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Wouter replied on Wed, Jul 2 2014 1:00 PM

Millemissen:

@Wouter - I agree with you, but that page is quite old.

Much has changed since then!

MM

On the one hand, Indeed, much has changed. On the other hand, no. The main structure still remains. Even though the AV world is changing more rapidly than in 1999 B&o is still a company which needs to cherish long term customer relations. Lock in people when they are young, and if done correctly they will never buy another brand again. B&O are selling their belief in being different for some chance on some fast money. Instead they should sell the "normal" H6 without making profit, just to lock in the "real", currently young, long term b&o customers.

Wouter

Mark
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Mark replied on Wed, Jul 2 2014 1:03 PM

This is his press statement via Instagram

"Today I am proud to announce that I have partnered with Heads Audio & Bang Olufsen to create the best audio in the market place, We The Best Sound. We The Best Sound represents the very best in audio entertainment. Alongside the prestigious Bang Olufsen brand, We The Best Sound and Heads Audio will provide the listener with the highest quality sound in electronic audio entertainment and will continue to carry on the tradition in excellence set by Bang Olufsen. It will also provide the listener a chance to hear audio the way I hear it when creating my music. I take pride in crafting a sound based on time, care and most importantly the best quality sound on the planet. Embark on this journey in sound with me...you won't be disappointed. We The Best Sound, the brand you can trust. H6 with Dj Khaled by B&O @wethebestmusic @wethebestsound @headsaudio @beoplay #GODISTHEGREATEST!"

we tend to forget there is more to design than designing.

The Beonic Man
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Wouter:

Millemissen:

@Wouter - I agree with you, but that page is quite old.

Much has changed since then!

MM

On the one hand, Indeed, much has changed. On the other hand, no. The main structure still remains. Even though the AV world is changing more rapidly than in 1999 B&o is still a company which needs to cherish long term customer relations. Lock in people when they are young, and if done correctly they will never buy another brand again.

I couldn't agree with you more on this point and this is why I felt franchising was a complete disaster. Any relationship I had built up by that point vanished overnight and its been an uphill struggle ever since because my mindset is as you say, but new franchisees have a completely different outlook, which isn't on par with my own.

B&O products are V1-32, BS2, H95, E8 and an Essence remote.
11-46 now replaced with Sony A90J 65”, Sony HT-A9, Sony UBP-X800M2 and Sony SRS-NS7.

 

Millemissen
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Wouter:

On the one hand, Indeed, much has changed. On the other hand, no. The main structure still remains. 

i would not say so.

B&O Play is a subbrand, which has a different target group than the traditional Bang & Olufsen brand has - you should not forget that.

MM

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Wouter
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Wouter replied on Wed, Jul 2 2014 2:37 PM

Millemissen:

i would not say so.

B&O Play is a subbrand, which has a different target group than the traditional Bang & Olufsen brand has - you should not forget that.

MM

Maybe you are right, but I do not think that beoplay can be seen completely separated from b&o. I do not have the numbers to support this, but I think that a large share of beoplay's customers are current b&o customers. Maybe they have another target group but it isn't clear what this target group is. It all does not seem to be consistent to me. Compare the beoplay launch video with this headphone release. Cobbler stick to thy last...

Wouter

AdamS
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AdamS replied on Wed, Jul 2 2014 3:44 PM

I must admit Ilike the black and red ones.

Less impressed by the mangled grammar of the sales tagline but you can't have everything I suppose!

Mark
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Mark replied on Wed, Jul 2 2014 4:20 PM

grass is always greener with B&O ....

we tend to forget there is more to design than designing.

Puncher
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Puncher replied on Wed, Jul 2 2014 4:27 PM

AdamS:
Less impressed by the mangled grammar of the sales tagline .................... 

and the fact that it is scrawled on the headband!

Ban boring signatures!

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Flappo replied on Wed, Jul 2 2014 4:35 PM

I actually find this quite depressing

Following apple is one thing , aping them to this level is painful

RIP David Lewis

symmes
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symmes replied on Wed, Jul 2 2014 6:03 PM

Wouter:

Millemissen:

i would not say so.

B&O Play is a subbrand, which has a different target group than the traditional Bang & Olufsen brand has - you should not forget that.

MM

Maybe you are right, but I do not think that beoplay can be seen completely separated from b&o. I do not have the numbers to support this, but I think that a large share of beoplay's customers are current b&o customers. Maybe they have another target group but it isn't clear what this target group is. It all does not seem to be consistent to me. Compare the beoplay launch video with this headphone release. Cobbler stick to thy last...

It should be VERY clear who the target group is; a lot of people who will spend relatively big coin to get great sound and a different look and feel. While almost never right, the former Todd Paul Winn did hit the nail on the head years ago when he talked incessantly and mind numbingly about the hip and cool people who needed to be attracted to the brand. 

But there are far more people listening to music around the world who are just normal people, and some of them have greater means and will differentiate with the BeoPlay brand if it is out there. Not having ever heard of DJ Khaled until this week, I asked around to a number of young people (including both my daughters) and every one of them knew of him. If you check his network out, you will find it is the entire East US popular music scene, including all the big names in rap/hip-hop/urban/dance, including former West Coaster Dr Dre. And if you don't think Europeans like this stuff, local hip hop legend Pusha T just finished his annual tour on your side of the water (including UK and Denmark) so somebody over there must. 

How did they get DJ Khaled? Don't like it?  Who knows or cares, if it sells stuff? 

The first video teaser with the B&O appeared on screen (29 April) before the Beats sale to Apple (29 May). Only rumors about Apple and Beats  before then. Nothing happens overnight, so I think it's fair to say that these were independent events; related but not causal. 

 

Jeff
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Jeff replied on Wed, Jul 2 2014 6:26 PM

symmes:

How did they get DJ Khaled? Don't like it?  Who knows or cares, if it sells stuff? 

I have to say I don't like the colors, kind of garish, but I think they will appeal to a certain market segment. The colors and branding are only a bother to me if they stop making the traditional colors I like, otherwise if it can drag a few more people, and people of a different market segment, into the brand all the better. B&O is making a lot of changes, they have to change if they are to survive, and expanding the market is desperately needed. To date, most Play customers I think have been B&O devotees, I don't think they pulled in as many new ears as they'd have expected or liked.

Face it, branding with "cool" hiphop/DJ type artists is the rage today, and it obviously must work. We will see how B&O does with it, but without a lot of stuff like this, we will not be seeing new products and things we want. It's a tough market, you have to take business where you can get it.

Jeff

I'm afraid I'm recovering from the BeoVirus. Sad

markiedee
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Jeff you hit the nail on the head there. 

Beoplay A2

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