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
Hey! I’m a student at the and I’m working on a paper on Bang and Olufsen for my Master’s in Strategic Design. The brand isn’t doing that great at the moment and I’m trying to figure out how they can improve. I’d love to get some input from you, Bang and Olufsen fans, about what a B&O product means to you! What makes you guys choose a Bang & Olufsen device?
Hey!
I’m a student at the and I’m working on a paper on Bang and Olufsen for my Master’s in Strategic Design. The brand isn’t doing that great at the moment and I’m trying to figure out how they can improve.
I’d love to get some input from you, Bang and Olufsen fans, about what a B&O product means to you!
What makes you guys choose a Bang & Olufsen device?
Welcome to BeoWorld!
For me it is pretty simple -
For me all of these things add up to a feeling that makes me actually want the product.
Can you define strategic design for us?
Beo4 'til I die!
Hi,
For me it's first the design and then the sound quality versus size ratio. B&O manages to have a very good sound from a nice looking and small device. I don't believe anymore that they are much more durable than other quality brands (like Bowers&Wilkins for example) as I had several issues in the past with my stuff.
There are two main reasons I love B&O. In the first place, no other audio/video manufacturer has as much devotion to modern, artistic design as B&O. The world is filled with boring, ugly boxes, both for electronics and speakers, and I got tired of trying to hide them in order to have the design I wanted in my home. No other firm has as many items in MoMA as B&O. The quality of the materials and finishes are first rate. The quality of the electronics, well, sometimes hit and miss depending on the product. And recently, unfortunately, I think their styling has gone downhill, I can't think of any of the new speakers that I like the looks of better than the ones they replace except the Beolab 18 which is a wash compared with the BL8000. I don't like the look of the Avant as much as the BV11, the Moment is ugly in my opinion, etc.
The second reason is that there are very few manufacturers of loudspeakers who have as good an understanding of acoustics, and lately DSP, as B&O. Far back in the 70s they were doing things relating to phase response and power response that most manufacturers didn't begin to address for decades. There have also been few manufacturers who have embraced active speakers over the years, and no one to the extent of B&O, with all the advantages that active loudspeakers provide.
Jeff
I'm afraid I'm recovering from the BeoVirus.
Evan has already mentioned a lot.
i could add: Consistency.
If you know how to control a 30 years old B&O device, you practically know how to control a modern B&O device.
Same principles working across all devices - proof: the B&O remotes.
Consistency in the design of the physical devices as well as the interface. And in build quality - generally you can always recognize a B&O product.
And a sophisticated integration of audio and video devices - (I know of no other manufacturer, that can claim this).
MM
There is a tv - and there is a BV
ThijsSchippers:Hey! I’m a student at the and I’m working on a paper on Bang and Olufsen for my Master’s in Strategic Design. The brand isn’t doing that great at the moment and I’m trying to figure out how they can improve. I’d love to get some input from you, Bang and Olufsen fans, about what a B&O product means to you! What makes you guys choose a Bang & Olufsen device?
Beosound Stage, Beovision 8-40, Beolit 20, Beosound Explore.
Jeff: The second reason is that there are very few manufacturers of loudspeakers who have as good an understanding of acoustics, and lately DSP, as B&O. Far back in the 70s they were doing things relating to phase response and power response that most manufacturers didn't begin to address for decades. There have also been few manufacturers who have embraced active speakers over the years, and no one to the extent of B&O, with all the advantages that active loudspeakers provide.
+1
Above I forgot to mention the integration of old and new products in one working setup.
Chris Townsend: Why do you say the brand isn't doing well at the moment?
Why do you say the brand isn't doing well at the moment?
I had that question as well - why?
For me it's a double edged sword and I'll explain why...
The design and thought into design of a select group for me. When I see the BV10 or 11 I fall in love, the Ouverture made the brand younger for me as a child back in 1991, the BeoSystem 5000 in 1984 was to me just amazing, the CX50 so cute, the Beolab 6000 and 8000 iconic.
BUT, to me, their longevity and parts are absolutely appalling. The PLAY which can't be repaired in the long run, my Century that has always had electric door problems, a tape deck that died after 3 years and now a dead CD player, a DVD1 that skips more discs than an excited child skipping in a playground and the rather unexciting sound of my A8 iPhone dock and lifeless A8 earphones. Reading through brochures of their before my first purchase showed how well the electric door had been made and how durable their designs are. I realised they were nothing but dishonest salesmen! Panasonic/Technics for me lasted 10+ years of heavy heavy heavy use and I really expected B&O products to do just as well. For me, I'm terrified to ever buy into the brand because I know that its longevity is probably limited and this is often proven when I read this forum. Just look at the people who waste their precious short life trying to get that Moment to function properly! I guess it's an Emperors New Clothes kind of company. I just feel that their products are not very well sourced but at the end of the day, everyone is free to spend their money as they please. For me, I have to have something that causes no stress in my life.
Of course.
It's combining design thinking with business logic. A firm wants growth/ a profit and a (product) designer wants something nice for people to use. Strategic design is about connecting the two. Here's a good book introducing it http://www.barnesandnoble.com/p/change-by-design-tim-brown/1016388563/2689155290665?st=PLA&sid=BNB_DRS_Marketplace+Shopping+Paperbackshopus_00000000&2sid=Google_&sourceId=PLGoP23031&k_clickid=3x23031
As for why I'd argue they're not doing as well as they could, take a look at these:
B&Ohttp://finance.yahoo.com/echarts?s=BO.CO+Interactive#{%22customRangeStart%22:1041397200,%22customRangeEnd%22:1448168400,%22range%22:%22max%22,%22allowChartStacking%22:true}
Harman Kardonhttp://finance.yahoo.com/echarts?s=HAR+Interactive#{%22customRangeStart%22:1041397200,%22customRangeEnd%22:1448168400,%22range%22:%22custom%22,%22allowChartStacking%22:true}
Design,at first place(but only David Lewis design,to my taste).And integrity, audio/video at second place.You have much better,and cheaper audio/video componets on the market,but B&O design and integrity is unbeatable!
Beogram 6500 MMC2,Beosound Ouverture,2xBeolab 8000,2xBelolab 4000,Beolab 2,Beolab 7.2,Beo4 navi, 2xBeocom2,Serene,Beosystem 3 mk3,H6 2nd gen,Earphones E8,A8,A9 keyring,Beoplay A1,Bottle opener,Beoplay A2 active(thanks Botty)Wine Set(thanks Botty),4Ktv Samsung 55'',Beolab 7.1 with 42''Panasonic plasma,,Oppo udp-203, LinTronic.
ThijsSchippers: As for why I'd argue they're not doing as well as they could, take a look at these: B&Ohttp://finance.yahoo.com/echarts?s=BO.CO+Interactive#{%22customRangeStart%22:1041397200,%22customRangeEnd%22:1448168400,%22range%22:%22max%22,%22allowChartStacking%22:true} Harman Kardonhttp://finance.yahoo.com/echarts?s=HAR+Interactive#{%22customRangeStart%22:1041397200,%22customRangeEnd%22:1448168400,%22range%22:%22custom%22,%22allowChartStacking%22:true}
I became a fan of B & O products 5 years ago.i have ...8 of them
And..i know the units from inside and outside.I must say that in recent years are not at the peak of his creativity.
Design of David has been top of line!B & O is simply its eternal philosophy and design.1. design2. quality3. eternity products4. The sound and picture5. The owner of the B & O are as owners of Saab vehicles. (In the majority of doctors, lawyers, intellectuals, .....)New items only few who can afford, a used unit's buy intuziast and has a number of years.You never have only one B & O product. Always want more and more...!I must say that I personally like very much that B&O is not like other commercial brands. In every home :)..!!You just have to be B & O person.
Jeff:It's interesting that you're being questioned as to why you think they're not doing well when the topic, including their earnings, stock price issues, selling off profitable divisions, and sales issues, in other words they aren't doing well, have been discussed here in great depth Jeff Beovirus victim, it's gotten to be too much to list!
To the original post........
You need to recognise that the majority of B&O owners probably never visit Beoworld. Here you will find that we are a disfunctional lot.
Members with an interest in keeping old equipment going, members only interested in the very latest models, members who endlessly criticise because they had a bad experience 20 years ago, members who have come here as a last resort because their dealer isn't as knowledgeable as he should be.
You really need to search the threads (and the archive, top right tab) to get a feel for what owners really think about B&O. You will also see trends and cycles, like 'Buy....Praise.....Condemn....... Buy again.....' Also look at what members have posted about in the past, whether the member is still here on the forum or whether the postings died off because of a problem solved/ not solved.
Do your research with a thorough investigation of what is already here as well as asking members for their thoughts.
Graham
Agree with vikinger.
It will be a tough job due to the complexity of the B&O products (old and new) and due to the complexity of how the users use their B&O gear.
Good luck to you, ThjisSchippers, with your Master.
I chose Bang & Olufsen for their good design without compromising on sound quality.
Love my BL5s because they doesn't look like "regular" speaker. (Wooden boxes). Love that when buying Beo that the technology is so far ahead. So you can have a speaker that is at least in 20 years without either design or sound quality goes out of style.
Beo in white is my thing
Currently own: BeoVision Avant 55", BeoLab 5, BeoLab 18, BeoRemoteOne, BeoPlay V1-32", BeoRemote4, BeoSound 3200, BeoGram 6500 (MMC-1), BeoLit 15, BeoPlay A1, LC2, BeoVision MX7000 and BeoLab 3
Chris Townsend: Jeff: It's interesting that you're being questioned as to why you think they're not doing well when the topic, including their earnings, stock price issues, selling off profitable divisions, and sales issues, in other words they aren't doing well, have been discussed here in great depth Jeff Beovirus victim, it's gotten to be too much to list! Because I was interested to know what somebody who isn't a regular visitor to these rooms thinks.
Jeff: It's interesting that you're being questioned as to why you think they're not doing well when the topic, including their earnings, stock price issues, selling off profitable divisions, and sales issues, in other words they aren't doing well, have been discussed here in great depth Jeff Beovirus victim, it's gotten to be too much to list!
It's interesting that you're being questioned as to why you think they're not doing well when the topic, including their earnings, stock price issues, selling off profitable divisions, and sales issues, in other words they aren't doing well, have been discussed here in great depth
Beovirus victim, it's gotten to be too much to list!
Because I was interested to know what somebody who isn't a regular visitor to these rooms thinks.
OK, that makes sense, but B&Os troubles have been pretty widely covered in various news articles related to business.
BeoNut since '75
Design, materials, simplicity, sound and picture quality, one remote, integration - I know of no other company that makes so much effort to support and integrate older products into new systems and networks. The joy of having music playing all over the house on equipment that is nearly 30 years old when everyone else is messing around with sonos and everything else.
Design aside, it's all about integration. I can connect a 30 year-old record player (Beogram 8000) to a 20 year-old stereo-system (Beosystem 7000) and integrate it with a semi-modern TV (Avant) + speakers and control it all from one remote. There are arguably better stereos, speakers, record decks, TVs, etc. out there, but how do you make them all work together so that the total value is greater than the sum of the individual components?
ThijsSchippers: Hey! I’m a student at the and I’m working on a paper on Bang and Olufsen for my Master’s in Strategic Design. The brand isn’t doing that great at the moment and I’m trying to figure out how they can improve. I’d love to get some input from you, Bang and Olufsen fans, about what a B&O product means to you! What makes you guys choose a Bang & Olufsen device?
I would say it choose me. That seems a bit more accurate since I got into it back in 2003 on a serious level that got more deeper and deeper as the years goes by.
But it happend and one day things changed. 3 weeks later and I had my first complete Beosystem 2000 '80s with B&O attyca stand. It was a nice waste of space and it looked great while the sound was good.
Then deeper into the virus and by 2015 we get by.
When things feel right they do and the world of HIFI does not even matter anymore. You got B&O and HIFI you can make a choice and B&O did it for me.
It was not just black boring boxes just like any other products. Once serviced right it does not seem to go out of fashion in the sound. You can take your pick of any products and it will surprice you how great it really is and everything that went into producing it.
In a world that has thanks to the internet brought out a lot of cynical and fake vibes + words such as scam etc. B&O is the real deal since they started out way back in western part of Denmark. No it was made for the love of it which many people outside B&O ownership never seem to understand.
You are into the love of it or outside in the world called HIFI wondering about that snob brand that has high cost for any product they sell.