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
Puncher: ........and that's my point exactly. But not everyone wants to control their hifi from their phone, - me for instance, I prefer my phone to be charged for phoning. I want a media controller that controls my media and media devices
........and that's my point exactly. But not everyone wants to control their hifi from their phone, - me for instance, I prefer my phone to be charged for phoning. I want a media controller that controls my media and media devices
Use an iPod Touch and keep it solely for controlling media? That's what I do.
moxxey: Puncher: ........and that's my point exactly. But not everyone wants to control their hifi from their phone, - me for instance, I prefer my phone to be charged for phoning. I want a media controller that controls my media and media devices Use an iPod Touch and keep it solely for controlling media? That's what I do.
I can see I am the whole minority here but where's the joy or the touchy-feeliness in an iPod touch, it's souless?
Ban boring signatures!
Beosound Stage, Beovision 8-40, Beolit 20, Beosound Explore.
Chris Townsend:And it has naked ladies to boot....
Definitely not into that!!
You shouldn't hurt ladies, it's cruel!
Puncher: I can see I am the whole minority here but where's the joy or the touchy-feeliness in an iPod touch, it's souless?
Shrug, I have more things to worry about over getting emotionally attached to any electronic equipment, whatever the brand. The day I regard manufactured products as "having soul" is the day I'll feel I've lost it :)
I get stuff to do a job. If something does a good job, then I'm happy. It's 10x easier to pick a track via iTunes on my MBP and choose an AirPlay device, than walk over, choose a CD, open the CD player, choose a track and then play. If that lacks soul, fair enough!
moxxey: Shrug, I have more things to worry about over getting emotionally attached to any electronic equipment, whatever the brand. The day I regard manufactured products as "having soul" is the day I'll feel I've lost it :) I get stuff to do a job. If something does a good job, then I'm happy. It's 10x easier to pick a track via iTunes on my MBP and choose an AirPlay device, than walk over, choose a CD, open the CD player, choose a track and then play. If that lacks soul, fair enough!
Fair enough, but we've gone from a stacking system, or a 9500 or BS9000 which were very tactile and the focus/centre piece of a room to a faceless white plastic box (which will undoubtedly be hidden) controlled by someone else's software running on another manufacturers phone!
I sincerely hope they've got a better plan than this in the lineup!
Puncher:I can see I am the whole minority here but where's the joy or the touchy-feeliness in an iPod touch, it's souless?
You're not the only one, Puncher
Steffen: Puncher:I can see I am the whole minority here but where's the joy or the touchy-feeliness in an iPod touch, it's souless? You're not the only one, Puncher
The world would be a boring place if people weren't passionate about something. Call it feelings, emotions or whatever. Design is about feelings -the thing that makes (some) people buy a product instead of another. Others don't care, and just go for the specs -and thats fine too. The reason we have a company as B&O is because it's different and people want to pay more for good design and materials.(tha same goes for Apple -I'm just not passionate about that) And regarding Beoworld -there wouldn't be a site like this, if it wasn't for the fact that some people are a bit passionate about it.It would be quite boring if it was only a forum to talk about specs, or how to connect to any media-devices -or about which apps to use.
Anyway -some are passionate about cars, others about a football team... Anything wrong with that..? A bit harsh to suggest they've 'lost it'...
Steffen: Anyway -some are passionate about cars, others about a football team... Anything wrong with that..? A bit harsh to suggest they've 'lost it'...
Did I say that? I said the day I think like that, I'd consider myself having "lost it". Read carefully, before you respond out of context.
And good design is objective, which is what we've been discussing in this very thread.
moxxey: Did I say that? I said the day I think like that, I'd consider myself having "lost it". Read carefully, before you respond out of context.
Ok -you say that if YOU ever felt that way you'd consider yourself having 'lost it' ...- isn't that the same as suggesting that others have 'lost it' if they feel that way..?
Pushkin:I have just seen the playmaker in the flesh (dealer has not set it up yet so not able to interact with it or more importantly hear the sound quality) but first impressions: - not great visually - larger than it appears and no obvious design linkage to any other b&o product - no ability to wall mount which is a shame - has potential in terms of future direction and does fill a gap but needs a version 2 and imo needs a b&o app to control (dealer believes is this in development) - raises questions on the future of b&o product integration which I hope becomes clearer over time
- not great visually - larger than it appears and no obvious design linkage to any other b&o product
- no ability to wall mount which is a shame
- has potential in terms of future direction and does fill a gap but needs a version 2 and imo needs a b&o app to control (dealer believes is this in development)
- raises questions on the future of b&o product integration which I hope becomes clearer over time
Steffan, a version 2 would be a good thing -- and they moved quickly in the BeoPlayer 8 didn't they !
But on the other hand ... I am still waiting to see the successor to my "BeoLink Wireless 1" ..... except I think this is it
BeoNut since '75
Steffen:- isn't that the same as suggesting that others have 'lost it' if they feel that way..?
Exactly the same. I'd even take it personally. Oh, you did...
moxxey: Steffen:- isn't that the same as suggesting that others have 'lost it' if they feel that way..? Exactly the same. I'd even take it personally. Oh, you did...
If it makes you happy to make insults to other people...'Go ahead -make my day..!'
It's BAN&OLUFSEN's fault! They've churned out such a terrible piece of non-funky plastic that everybody's fighting!
I spent the whole night vomiting because just the thought of it made me so ill! Oh my gosh, I feel ill again!!! I must log off!
personaltrainerpaul:It's BAN&OLUFSEN's fault! They've churned out such a terrible piece of non-funky plastic that everybody's fighting! I spent the whole night vomiting because just the thought of it made me so ill! Oh my gosh, I feel ill again!!! I must log off!
It looks like the passing of David Lewis is going to have a seismic effect on this once grea company. If the best they can come up with is the V1 , that radio that looks like a breeze block and this monstrosity I fear for the future of Bang & Explosion.
Paul W: It's BAN&OLUFSEN's fault! They've churned out such a terrible piece of non-funky plastic that everybody's fighting! I spent the whole night vomiting because just the thought of it made me so ill! Oh my gosh, I feel ill again!!! I must log off!
The dealers will need to include a bottle of Pepto Bismol with each purchase!
I get the impression being a B&O dealer is one stressful life when the company tries to launch products like that with a hefty price tag!
What I can't understand is that the world is FULL of young, super talented, idea driven designers! I spend 2 years at Art School and it was the most amazing experience ever. I much preferred it to my time at the University of Manchester even! Just inspiring... (AND LOTS OF MACBOOK PROs ;) ;) ;)
A young man in our local Apple store was informing me about the contracting out of B&O design, and that was about 14 months ago. I dismissed it as ill informed niff naff.
Pushkin:but needs a version 2
There in is EXACTLY the B&o problem for the last decade or so...
A brand new product has not even made it from the loading dock to the store's shelves and we are already thinking it needs a revision!!!
I said it on the old site... those of us among the pipe & slipper brigade do recall a time when entering the home with a fresh B&o box in your arms was like Christmas morning. I have news for you: Santa died in a quiet Struer chimney, sole victim of the Y2K bug.
It's not even white for gods sake. It's that nasty off white cream beige that computers used to cone in. It's really an awful design . Shocking.
Also I did notice one glaring design fault. Finger prints , ie grease from fingers will need wiping off all the time. I just hope that doesn't blow some people's speakers and ears out as that stupid thing is wiped clean. Really utterly moronic design.
Wow - it seems to me the reaction here - to a secondary product that is little more than a switch/IR/wirless component - is becoming over the top, excessive and bordering on hysterical at times.
Seems to me it is following a design theme of other 'secondary' products like the PSTN /extra speaker kits/Wireless1/Beolink active/Beolink convertor/PC Office/dect extender etc etc - products that may be seen, but in many cases will be out of sight or in very discrete locations.
Even when visible, they are hardly going to be a centrepiece or focal point - like a speaker, audio system or TV often is. As an installer of link systems for 20+ yrs, I would expect to put maybe 80% of these in hard to see/hidden locations if i was still doing that job.
In my experience most users like to see as little as possible other than the main items, unlike most people here who are enthusiasts and hobbyists ,
.
folkdeejay: Wow - it seems to me the reaction here - to a secondary product that is little more than a switch/IR/wirless component - is becoming over the top, excessive and bordering on hysterical at times.
Possibly, but this product has a tactile interface and needs to be in sight for the IR control. A similar product, which is the Beolink Active has an ugly box you can hide, but the IR Reciever which is visible has a nice design.
With this device, B&O targets a new type of customers. Customers that do not own B&O, that are quite young, as their music is entirely on digital devices a la iPad or NAS. It is simply a missed opportunity I think.
Beoworld app with direct photo upload and emoticons.
PhilLondon: folkdeejay: Wow - it seems to me the reaction here - to a secondary product that is little more than a switch/IR/wirless component - is becoming over the top, excessive and bordering on hysterical at times. Possibly, but this product has a tactile interface and needs to be in sight for the IR control. A similar product, which is the Beolink Active has an ugly box you can hide, but the IR Reciever which is visible has a nice design. With this device, B&O targets a new type of customers. Customers that do not own B&O, that are quite young, as their music is entirely on digital devices a la iPad or NAS. It is simply a missed opportunity I think.
My issue is that this, with a pair of speakers, could be your whole entire audio system but your only B&O "user experience" could be operating some billy-nobody written software on a Chinese brand Android phone or tablet !!
ComPlety disagree playamaker has this moSt ugly table stand ,it is 15 by 15 cm large it has wheel interface on it. its meant to placed at sideboards ,or shelves at eye sight. This is no switch or wireless component.Playamaker == Epic Fail
Interestingly we bitched for yours that bo is not open, limiting us with their single aux and sinle hdmi approach.
This to me is a good start, they just need to bring out their own app.
In regards it beeing ugly, most would just stash it away, its only relevant to be shown if you have no Bo soundsystem.
Only thing annoying is the missing masterlink.
ɓʋɾɑɳɫɘɮ: Pushkin:but needs a version 2 There in is EXACTLY the B&o problem for the last decade or so... A brand new product has not even made it from the loading dock to the store's shelves and we are already thinking it needs a revision!!! I said it on the old site... those of us among the pipe & slipper brigade do recall a time when entering the home with a fresh B&o box in your arms was like Christmas morning. I have news for you: Santa died in a quiet Struer chimney, sole victim of the Y2K bug.
Couldn't agree more!
A bit like Apple is regarded by many now, B&O products used to be bought for their unique appearance as well as performance.
All B&O products need to be upgradeable either via software or through module addition/ exchange.
As far as these new beoplay and lower cost products are concerned, they don't really appeal to me: somehow they don't have a look of quality about them. Only time will tell. Are they unique with high performance? Are they high quality in construction, or will paint and plastic let them down?
Graham
PhilLondon: Customers that do not own B&O, that are quite young, as their music is entirely on digital devices a la iPad or NAS. It is simply a missed opportunity I think.
Customers that do not own B&O, that are quite young, as their music is entirely on digital devices a la iPad or NAS. It is simply a missed opportunity I think.
But given the option of a £79 Airport Express or £329 Playmaker, I think young people will buy the AE in every scenario. I don't think many young people are seeking to go in to a B&O store to pro-actively buy a pair of £3K BL3s to match up with their Playmaker. Most young people regard their laptop as their most expensive tech purchase!
My younger brother is 26. He wouldn't dream of buying B&O. Nor more than £1000 on a TV. And he has a decent job, drives a BMW and a well-educated background. I asked him the other day if he knew any person his age who would consider B&O and he said absolutely no-one. It's not even a brand that vaguely enters his consideration. They have some respect for the brand, but it's regarded as the equivalent of walking in to an Aston Martin garage.
90% of young people today, say under 30 have no clue of what B&O is. Not true among my friends as I have educated them.
Some might know the name, but nothing else. Most think they are cheaper than they actually are. I have BL 5000 and BL 8000 at my restaurant, it's a very busy place and gets visited thousands of times a week. In the two years I've had the speakers visible, maybe 2-3 people have commented. (Excluding Freerk) :) :) :)
Too long to list....
I agree with Moxxey , nobody I know would even consider buying B&O and a lot of them are the perfect audience , plenty of money and like stylish stuff. ( they do seem to have a good grasp of value for money though , maybe that doesn't help ) :D
They all seem to buy Samsung / Sony etc Tv's and add an Apple Tv . Mac Mini and iPad etc
Maybe B&O need to do some more mainstream advertising like they did in the old days ( Radio Times etc ) ??
Flappo: They all seem to buy Samsung / Sony etc Tv's and add an Apple Tv . Mac Mini and iPad etc
Most young people I know are now (moving across to) renting their movies via Virgin, Netflix and Lovefilm. You don't even need another box for this as you can rent via your (Virgin/Sky) set top box, PS3, XBox or whatever. No need for Apple TV or Mac mini. Even they are becoming superfluous!
Yes ,, apple better hurry up with their new tv ! Or they'll end up like bno
Flappo: Yes ,, apple better hurry up with their new tv ! Or they'll end up like bno
Interesting: http://www.techradar.com/news/television/prices-revealed-for-skys-now-tv-launches-tomorrow-1089039
Now people will be able to watch the latest Sky Box Office movies, on demand, with no subscription, via their XBOX or other devices. ie. gadgets people already own. No need to buy an external Apple TV simply to rent movies.
With the move to "smart" TVs, it's making external boxes even more superfluous. You'll be able to stream movies via your TV, through Netflix and other sources.
ɓʋɾɑɳɫɘɮ: A brand new product has not even made it from the loading dock to the store's shelves and we are already thinking it needs a revision!!!
Absolutely, so let's get serious and back on the topic :
Well, I picked a Playmaker "from my stores shelf" this noon.
Compared to the AE/DAC config I've been using till today, I can report the Playmaker offers some - at least for me - important advantages over the AE/DAC.
Excellent sound - if compared to the AE analogue output - but I don't consider this a big advantage over my previously used AE/DAC combo.
- A lot less cables.
If I can't access the iDevice comfortably (e.g.during charging in the dock):
- Volume/Mute control manually and via Beo4/6 - Change of track via B&O remote
After playback finishes - at least with the DAC I've been using:
- No digital hiss - the speakers automatically mute/turn off via PowerLink
And finally, not mentioned in the user guide and found just by accident :
- Sound adjustments similar to BeoLink Active via "A.Setup" of your remote.
Hi Vienna,
Thanks for this first feedback. Sounds to do just what it has to do.
Have you verified that it's not wifi N, and not 5GHz?
diisign.com
@Raeuber : it streams Apple Lossless, simply because Airplay format IS apple lossless (even if you play a compressed song, it's converted in Apple Lossless, it's the only filetype of the Airplay protocol)