ARCHIVED FORUM -- March 2012 to February 2022READ ONLY FORUM
This is the second Archived Forum which was active between 1st March 2012 and 23rd February 2022
Mark:I rather like it and also will have to dispose of my Bose Soundlink Mini.. But I feel I might not be the right demographic as I do not own a large beard, tattoo's and always wear socks with shoes ...... WANTED good home for my Bose Soundlink and not so understanding wife, all offers considered ...... we tend to forget there is more to design than designing.
Looks great, and a 24 hr battery!
Subject to price in Australia and sound, I'll be buying a green one :)
x:________________________
Ordered mine this morning via the B&O Beoplay site as they offer free shipping and 3-5 day delivery. Gone for the traditonal black as I don't want it to stand out too much if I'm carrying it around.
Pricewise, if you compare what you get from this rather than just the piece of plastic the Playmaker is, I think it should be great value. Hopefully when someone actually gets one, they may post their thoughts here.
Dave.
I like it and I will buy one. Called my dealer yesterday but he doesn't have it yet. Not decided on the colour yet. Maybe I have to see it in real first, Sold my Sonos today. Incredible how popular Sonos is, Sold within 5 minutes after placing it on Marktplaats (Dutch Ebay) Will be picked up within 30 minutes.
BeoVision 11-55, BeoLab 8000, BeoRemote One BT, AppleTV 4, 2x BeoPlay A2, BeoPlay A1
Dave Farr:Ordered mine this morning via the B&O Beoplay site as they offer free shipping and 3-5 day delivery. Gone for the traditonal black as I don't want it to stand out too much if I'm carrying it around. Pricewise, if you compare what you get from this rather than just the piece of plastic the Playmaker is, I think it should be great value. Hopefully when someone actually gets one, they may post their thoughts here. Dave.
we tend to forget there is more to design than designing.
Millemissen: It says B&O (the logo), which is official for the Play products from Bang & Olufsen. Not enough for you?
It says B&O (the logo), which is official for the Play products from Bang & Olufsen.
Not enough for you?
No! It's not..
It needs to say "BANG & OLUFSEN" - not the B&O logo. Either that - or the Bang & Olufsen wording logo and some kind of "Play" logo near it.
I'm no fan of just the B&O logo... People who don't know the brand have no idea what it means.
How many Ferrari's don't say Ferrari on them? How many Bentleys, Lamborghini's or Rolls Royces have minimal or no badging? B&O is a company that does not feature in the slightest in the thinking of the general public like it used to.. The name needs to be on these beautiful products, clear to read for all to see....
I'm right. I know I'm right - and nothing will change my mind!
Lee
Luke: There is a move away from over branding. Large branding is considered quite chavvy.
There is a move away from over branding. Large branding is considered quite chavvy.
It doesn't need to be large - just clear and legible.
9 LEE: Luke: There is a move away from over branding. Large branding is considered quite chavvy. It doesn't need to be large - just clear and legible. Lee
I agree with Lee. Look at some of even the large pieces like the BV5 or other TV's, at least they actually say Bang & Olufsen on them albeit in tiny writing at the bottom. All it needs is the same along one of the smooth sections adjacent to the holes of the frets. B&O is meaningless to those that don't know the brand - mind you when we have French visitors, they don't know the Bang & Olufsen brand either!
Plus, in the Asian market, names are everything - and that's a market which B&O are desperate to get into.
How many Chinese, Japanese, Korean etc buyers of Chanel, Gucci, Louis Vuitton buy the pieces with no brand name on versus how many buy the pieces with the brand name prominently displayed?
On the green A2, the "BANG & OLUFSEN' logo in white or off white, in the middle of the smooth section just below the carry handle. Perfect. Then when people see it, they know who made it - and remember the name.
Get inside the public's heads. After that, sales will follow..
I actually disagree with you Lee. I like the B&O logo and name. You're forgetting the B&O Play brand is aimed at a totally different market, age and style of person than the traditional BANG&OLUFSEN customer. It's just like MINI and BMW. Maybe a few MINI customers will eventually buy a BMW but the majority do not want to be associated with the image of BMW when they buy, won and drive their MINI's.
B&O is good for this new market who maybe feel that BANG&OLUFSEN have a very old and stuffy image - a bit like Jaguar or Rover.
You mention LV, Ferrari, Bentley. These a totally crass vulgar brands in 2014 and really should be the image that BANG&OLUFSEN should shrug off. Whilst these shallow brands are still popular on a shallow forum like this, todays generation show very little interest in this direction with more interest in travel and education.
Also Lee, the Asian market is the most shallow, fickle market and they move on to the next brand before you can say Gucci and then the next and the next... Don't expect brand loyalty in that market!
Paul W: Also Lee, the Asian market is the most shallow, fickle market and they move on to the next brand before you can say Gucci and then the next and the next... Don't expect brand loyalty in that market!
You get brand loyalty by being good at what you design and make. People in Asia will always buy LV, Gucci etc because it's quality. If you want the very best there aren't exactly unlimited choices. It always narrows down to the major players who make the best products - so you'll always pick up sales, even if you're not flavour of the month...
Quality sells - but some markets need that extra incentive, which is a displayed brand name.
9 LEE: I'm right. I know I'm right - and nothing will change my mind! Lee
It is OK - but I don't agree!
By the way - above I read:
'LifeStyle AV - Pre-owned B&O you can trust'
And why not Bang & Olufsen there
MM
There is a tv - and there is a BV
Paul W: I actually disagree with you Lee. I like the B&O logo and name. You're forgetting the B&O Play brand is aimed at a totally different market, age and style of person than the traditional BANG&OLUFSEN customer. It's just like MINI and BMW. Maybe a few MINI customers will eventually buy a BMW but the majority do not want to be associated with the image of BMW when they buy, won and drive their MINI's. B&O is good for this new market who maybe feel that BANG&OLUFSEN have a very old and stuffy image - a bit like Jaguar or Rover. You mention LV, Ferrari, Bentley. These a totally crass vulgar brands in 2014 and really should be the image that BANG&OLUFSEN should shrug off. Whilst these shallow brands are still popular on a shallow forum like this, todays generation show very little interest in this direction with more interest in travel and education.
We all have an opinion, and I respect yours.. but disagree.
The Play brand is aimed at which market? Teens and early 20's? Mid 20's? All of which probably don't even know B&O exist !!! Mini customers... Well, I think you'll find Mini have absolutely ripped the @rse out of the publicity machine - and Mini's are seen as cool now. You look at a Mini showroom and it's a branding funfair. The cars are peppered with the word "Mini" and are as discrete as a slap int he face with a cold herring. To say Mini customers are shy, quiet and retiring people who don't like to make a fuss is surely wrong?
As for B&O having a stuffy image.. Well, they don't really have an image any more! It's a clean slate as nobody under 35 years old has heard of them!!
I do agree that marketing has changed - you're right there.. but the first thing, in my opinion, is to get the name out there - then get all aloof about yourself and use a logo instead when the brand is where it should be.....
Millemissen: By the way - above I read: 'LifeStyle AV - Pre-owned B&O you can trust' And why not Bang & Olufsen there MM
Because it would make the text run over into the photograph of the BeoLab 3..
There is a reason for everything then.
Beosound Stage, Beovision 8-40, Beolit 20, Beosound Explore.
What is missing on the Beoplay A2: skip forward or backward.
I can even do this with my car stereo when my phone is connected by bluetooth.
"You think we can slap some oak on this thing?"
Leosgonewild: What is missing on the Beoplay A2: skip forward or backward. I can even do this with my car stereo when my phone is connected by bluetooth.
In your car you may have that function on your steering wheel or direct on your radio, but for every day use, the Beoplay 2 will have the phone/bluetooth device nearby which you'd use so there isn't much point in having the function on the Beoplay. It would only increase the complexity and cost.
While I may appreciate a brand's philosophy, styling and values I do not want it's name pasting ad hoc over the product like some sad badge to impress others - it's important in the home, where I don't want large visible logos on everything I own and even more so when out and about, I definitely don't want large logos or labels telling folk how "cool" I'm desperately trying to be.
I've said many times that quality and style are timeless and fashion is for victims, when a brand or label become the most important thing then I'm afraid that falls into fashion in my book - would you still pay £100 for a plain white T-shirt if it didn't have the "designer's" name embroidered on the front??? If that changes your purchase decision then (in my book) you need to have a serious sit down and rethink your life!
What happens in China is only relevant to the Chinese, if you are chasing their market then I would suggest you need to sell differently branded products there than here.
My hope would be that B&O would pursue customers interested in tasteful design and performance first and foremost, and merely stick labels on them for the markets where people think that is important.
Ban boring signatures!
Puncher: While I may appreciate a brand's philosophy, styling and values I do not want it's name pasting ad hoc over the product like some sad badge to impress others - it's important in the home, where I don't want large visible logos on everything I own and even more so when out and about, I definitely don't want large logos or labels telling folk how "cool" I'm desperately trying to be. I've said many times that quality and style are timeless and fashion is for victims, when a brand or label become the most important thing then I'm afraid that falls into fashion in my book - would you still pay £100 for a plain white T-shirt if it didn't have the "designer's" name embroidered on the front??? If that changes your purchase decision then (in my book) you need to have a serious sit down and rethink your life! What happens in China is only relevant to the Chinese, if you are chasing their market then I would suggest you need to sell differently branded products there than here. My hope would be that B&O would pursue customers interested in tasteful design and performance first and foremost, and merely stick labels on them for the markets where people think that is important.
Well said!
The presence of large gaudy branding just kills a product for me. Why do I need to see it, I know what I bought. Some of the worst for this are mass market electronics, they know that the average joe walking around the displays will never read the brochures or such, so they feel the need to slap every buzz word about their allegedly superior technology. So you get a crappy black receiver, that might just be barely acceptable aesthetically if it's low key, with things like "Brand X Dolby Digital SRS ATS High Accuracy DAC iPad Compatible Streaming Support Via AirPlay And Wipes Your Nose Too!" on the front panel. Gag.
And I never have understood why you take a wallet, say, slap YSL on it, and it's suddenly worth a ton of money. I don't think much of people who need to show off designer labels to show off their status. I've even debadged a lot of my cars because it made them look cleaner.
Jeff
I'm afraid I'm recovering from the BeoVirus.
Jeff:I've even debadged a lot of my cars because it made them look cleaner.
Good on you - it's still the same car but I know many on here would have palpitations knowing that everyone else might not know what car they're driving!
I would love to have the A2 in my bedroom, start playing music in the morning, then bring it to the bathroom, and be able to skip songs from the unit. It would only be two more buttons.
BeoNut since '75
I think that the A2 could compete against the Sonos Play1. But withouth forward and backwards buttons, it loses :(
Puncher: Jeff:I've even debadged a lot of my cars because it made them look cleaner. Good on you - it's still the same car but I know many on here would have palpitations knowing that everyone else might not know what car they're driving!
More often than not, a debadged car is still recognisable as being a BMW, Audi, VW or whatever as the brand is internationally known. I think the point that Lee is making is that the Bang & Olufsen brand is not as recognisable any more, partly because of its anonymity with its products. B&O is on the tiny leather strap button on the Beoplay A2. As Lee and I have said, in very small script - even at about 3mm height with the full name 'Bang & Olufsen would be enough on a discrete flat part of the trim. It's hardly obtrusive but it's the only way some people will actually get to see or get to know who Bang & Olufsen are and what products they make.
An actual product in the hand is the best advertisement for any product. Hardly worthwhile if nobody knows who makes it. It's not about snobbery but more like wanting B&O to be proud of what they produce - as I am as a buyer and letting the World know who they are as a producer. I don't care if people know I buy a B&O product or not, I'm not vain enough for that.
Leosgonewild: I think that the A2 could compete against the Sonos Play1. But withouth forward and backwards buttons, it loses :(
I see your point, but, where do you stop? Let's make it waterproof so I can take it in the shower (there are plenty of Bluetooth devices you can do that with). Why not instal a camera so that when you're not right next to the device your streaming from you can still take a selfie and not have to scramble for your smart phone.
I don't know but can the Sonos Play 1 charge your phone as the A2 can? It also has no AUX inputs for other sources, unlike the A2.
The A2 has a lot going for it and has had positive reviews so let's give it a chance.
Unfortunately Lee, it's a broken record. Do most people buy Beats because they're good?
Marketing and branding are important to the success of a company. In clothing, the tshirts that have the brand blazoned accross the front sell first and those that only have a label inside end up going on sale at the end of the season.
I once sold a Beolab 7.2 to a wealthy young Asian guy, and he was very disappointed it didn't say Bang & Olufsen on the grill.
Jonathan: Unfortunately Lee, it's a broken record. Do most people buy Beats because they're good? Marketing and branding are important to the success of a company. In clothing, the tshirts that have the brand blazoned accross the front sell first and those that only have a label inside end up going on sale at the end of the season. I once sold a Beolab 7.2 to a wealthy young Asian guy, and he was very disappointed it didn't say Bang & Olufsen on the grill.
Yes, and that's all related to owner vanity and wanting to show off to friends. That's not the case for Lee's argument - that's about getting the brand known in order to become more successful. If people want to be vain about owning something and showing it off (like your buyer of the BL7.2) they can always print off some labels/branding on some water transfer paper and stick it on somewhere!
A bit off-side the main discussion, but...
...how can you compare a Sonos Play1 to the A2?
The Sonos thingy is designed to be part of the Sonos network, and is supposed to work in-house - and perhaps in your garden ;-)
The A2 is a portable device (that is the reason for choosing bluetooth connection as the way to stream) - a device for 'on-the-go'.
Of cource you can use it at home, but it is not the main purpose of it.
For 'in-house-use' I would still prefer a BeoLit12 or the A8.
They are better devices (if you are not completely into the limited audio quality of bluetooth streaming) - and can still be portable in your home.
With the A2 you will have to have your 'smart-device' in reach - due to the relatively pour range of bluetooth.
There is no need for those buttons on the A2 - if you want to keep the device as 'simple' as possible.
@MM, I think you're more onside with this than you give yourself credit for. You're right in highlighting the differing purposes of the A2 and Sonos Play 1. This was also what I picked up on looking at the Sonos specs.
Looking forward to getting it next week.
9 LEE: Millemissen: By the way - above I read: 'LifeStyle AV - Pre-owned B&O you can trust' And why not Bang & Olufsen there MM Because it would make the text run over into the photograph of the BeoLab 3.. Lee
One may disagree - but here is how this - officially - has to be handled.
This (excerpt) also explains, why the B&O logo is used on a PLAY product - and not the fully spelled-out Bang & Olufsen logo.
Ok, maybe comparing those two was wrong.
But I still would like those two buttons on the device.
When I am in my car, I use the head unit to skip songs and adjust volume, even though my iDevice is in reach.
Being in a park and listening to the A2, I would start playing from my iDevice, then put it in my pocket or bag. If I would want to skip a song, a simple push on the A2 would be perfect. It is pretty inconvinient to have to pull out the iDevice to skips songs. The bluetooth-standard supports remote actions.
For me that is dumbing it down.
But taste is like ass, it is divided ;)
Dave Farr:I agree with Lee. Look at some of even the large pieces like the BV5 or other TV's, at least they actually say Bang & Olufsen on them albeit in tiny writing at the bottom. All it needs is the same along one of the smooth sections adjacent to the holes of the frets. B&O is meaningless to those that don't know the brand - mind you when we have French visitors, they don't know the Bang & Olufsen brand either! Dave.
4 beolab 5, beolab 9, beolab 10, beolab 5000, beolab 8000 mk2, beolab 6002, beolab 3500, beovision 7 55 mk2, 2 beovision 11 46 mk4, beotime, beosound ouverture, beosound essence, beoplay A8, beomaster 900 RG de luxe and the collection continues...
9 LEE:It doesn't need to be large - just clear and legible. Lee
olvisab:Dear Dave, Your French visitors are like any other people from other european countries. Few people know the brand.
Your French visitors are like any other people from other european countries. Few people know the brand.
Yes, and that's the precise problem B&O have - nobody has heard of them! Those that have are normally misinformed about cost or quality etc or just antagonistic (normally Bose owners).
olvisab: Dave Farr: I agree with Lee. Look at some of even the large pieces like the BV5 or other TV's, at least they actually say Bang & Olufsen on them albeit in tiny writing at the bottom. All it needs is the same along one of the smooth sections adjacent to the holes of the frets. B&O is meaningless to those that don't know the brand - mind you when we have French visitors, they don't know the Bang & Olufsen brand either! Dave. Dear Dave, Your French visitors are like any other people from other european countries. Few people know the brand.
Dave Farr: I agree with Lee. Look at some of even the large pieces like the BV5 or other TV's, at least they actually say Bang & Olufsen on them albeit in tiny writing at the bottom. All it needs is the same along one of the smooth sections adjacent to the holes of the frets. B&O is meaningless to those that don't know the brand - mind you when we have French visitors, they don't know the Bang & Olufsen brand either! Dave.
Dear Dave,
I maintain that the way forward has to be something other thab large logos on the product! - in an effort to attract trendy types you could well alienate what customers you already have.
At the very least they need to be very sure that there are more new customers than old!!