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After this Covid madness is all over, I'd like to visit a B&O dealer and -- perhaps -- purchase some modern B&O gear. Unfortunately, I don't have a local dealer to visit.
Does anyone have any experiences or guidance to share regarding U.S. dealers? I'm in NorCal; my closest company dealers are in SoCal. Any experiences or recommendations regarding these:
La Jolla? Beverly Hills? Costa Mesa? (I also see that a new showroom is opening in Pasadena in August!)
I could probably make a day trip to any one of these three. Other states would be overnight-ers, though that might be possible too.
Thanks for your thoughts.
It's a little sad how unknown the brand is in the US though from chatting to people that's more a cultural thing than a "B&O is bad" thing. I'm from Scotland, living in the US now, and there's a real love for cost and utility over aesthetics in products. It's rather depressing. Given the choice people in the US seem to want to pay less for a tacky but newer spec'd product than a nicer one that lasts longer. You see it in cars where people want lots of shiny fake chrome switches and gizmos, rather than solid handling or proper trim.
It's strange because in so many other respects (food and drink for instance) the US really values quality but when it comes to technology, there's a real love for cheap rubbish over even moderately priced excellence.
Calvin: I'm from Scotland, living in the US now, and there's a real love for cost and utility over aesthetics in products.
I'm from Scotland, living in the US now, and there's a real love for cost and utility over aesthetics in products.
That's certainly true. My business partner moved to the US a few years ago and even he's become more cost-focussed and will look for bargains in, say, Target and other retail stores.
I think philosophy has creeped in to the UK, too. I've bought a couple of B&O items in the last few weeks and both were offered hugely discounted, without barely even needing to ask. Dealers are seriously struggling to shift product, far more than we think on here (I think there's quite a few who like to bury their heads on this board).
It's going to be worse going forward, too, once people come out of furlough or, even worse, go back in to lockdown (such as the way Texas is heading) and stores and businesses close for a second time). This is unsustainable, and another reason why I say people bury their heads. In the UK, I have friends on 100% wage who have sat at home furloughed since March. They have become so institutionalised at home they are resisting going back to work citing virus anxiety! Why would they want to go back when you're paid to stay at home?
Problem is, these same people don't realise that this cannot just continue. And the longer they take to go back, the tougher it will be for their company to continue with their long-term employment.
There's a lot of head-burying going on. People are in for a shock soon.
Calvin: It's a little sad how unknown the brand is in the US though from chatting to people that's more a cultural thing than a "B&O is bad" thing. I'm from Scotland, living in the US now, and there's a real love for cost and utility over aesthetics in products. It's rather depressing. Given the choice people in the US seem to want to pay less for a tacky but newer spec'd product than a nicer one that lasts longer. You see it in cars where people want lots of shiny fake chrome switches and gizmos, rather than solid handling or proper trim. It's strange because in so many other respects (food and drink for instance) the US really values quality but when it comes to technology, there's a real love for cheap rubbish over even moderately priced excellence.
Perhaps The Emperor's New Clothes is required reading in US primary school, or there is a cultural bias for Form following Function and people buying for THEIR reasons and not yours? How else could you possibly explain B&O not selling well?
In the US the recent performance of the stock market has made many believe that the economy will bounce back stronger than ever and very quickly. Also, the recent retail and employment numbers in May helped push the market higher . Also, a lot of retail business has been driven online and from what I can tell many companies (at least in the US) are doing OK with online and delivery. It will be interesting to see the shift in B&O's business. In my opinion their current portfolio is better designed for online sales. Just anecdotal, but at least two people I know have recently bought B&O products in the US from their store on Amazon - a BS 2 and a Stage. I myself ended up buying a BS 1 during the recent lock down.
I am lucky in that I can work from home since we have a distributed team and do most of our work online....
B&O in my life 😊:
poodleboy: Perhaps The Emperor's New Clothes is required reading in US primary school, or there is a cultural bias for Form following Function and people buying for THEIR reasons and not yours? How else could you possibly explain B&O not selling well?
Shocking isn't it, the damned plebeians don't like the same thing self appointed patricians do. Seriously, in addition to the above it's awfully hard to make inroads into a market, like the US, when you have a decades long litany of unforced marketing and sales errors. B&O USA has for a long time before the current downturn been remarkably ham handed, and has treated its dealers very poorly.
Add to that the fact that for one reason or another the kind of modern, minimalist style that B&O works so well with is not as pronounced in the US as elsewhere. There's obviously a market for expensive AV gear, McIntosh still does well here for example, it's easy to find a Mac dealer in most US cities, and they certainly are high priced.
I don't think B&O has understood the US market since at least the 70s, maybe never.
Jeff
I'm afraid I'm recovering from the BeoVirus.
We seem to have shifted away from the OP's question. I'm east of the Mississippi, so cannot give direct advice either. But indirect advice: if you actually wish to listen to the products, visit the dealer with the largest square footage store.
I really like the fellows at BeoBoston, but they are wedged into a narrow storefront, which makes it tough to get any impression of (in their case) BeoLab 50 or BeoLab 18. And the Miami (Gulfstream Park) store was a nightmare, with large glass walls on one side of the listening area, and disconnected BeoLab 18s. Also the shop manager could not shift the audio back and forth between different speaker models without tens of seconds of silence fiddling about. In both these stores, at least the BeoLab 90s are in a treated room, but still much smaller than you would build for yourself. If you're a jet-setter, visit one of the large European stores once you are allowed back in-country. For example, despite knowing full-well that he could not sell me anything, the shopkeeper at the Oslo store was happy to act as a "brand ambassador." It helps if nobody else is in the store of course...
Obviously attitude and competence matter most, so if nobody else opines, I urge you to visit all three! But if it's your first visit, pick the Biiig Wonnne. (Uuuge, even!-) Good luck, and I hope someone here with direct experience steps up and replies to your post!
trackbeo: If you're a jet-setter, visit one of the large European stores once you are allowed back in-country.
If you're a jet-setter, visit one of the large European stores once you are allowed back in-country.
The Berlin store is absolutely amazing. Has to be experienced. It's almost like a showcase of B&O. They have at least 2 variations of every product (for example, Edge on wall and floor or Stage wall-mounted or table-mounted etc etc). And they are happy to spend an hour with you. Very passionate store owners. They spent ages showing me the A9 versus Edge versus BeoSound 2.
I agree with Boston. Lovely store for viewing B&O headphones, but not adequate for a demonstration.
Wouldn't the flagship NYC store be close to what you'd find in Europe?
https://stores.bang-olufsen.com/en/united-states/ny/new-york/121-spring-st
If you're planning to go somewhere near-ish, you might also want to consider B&O in Portland - sales tax is cheaper too!
I live in NorCal now, too (relocated from UK), and it's a shame, if you ask me... I've mentioned it before, but there was a time the SF Bay Area had 5 dealers.
Earle: If you're planning to go somewhere near-ish, you might also want to consider B&O in Portland - sales tax is cheaper too! I live in NorCal now, too (relocated from UK), and it's a shame, if you ask me... I've mentioned it before, but there was a time the SF Bay Area had 5 dealers.
Between the virus and the shrieking, violent, Antifa freak show that is Portland, I don't think now is the time to go to shop for B&O there.
Earle: I live in NorCal now, too (relocated from UK), and it's a shame, if you ask me... I've mentioned it before, but there was a time the SF Bay Area had 5 dealers.
Jeff: Between the virus and the shrieking, violent, Antifa freak show that is Portland, I don't think now is the time to go to shop for B&O there.
trackbeo: But indirect advice: if you actually wish to listen to the products, visit the dealer with the largest square footage store.
But indirect advice: if you actually wish to listen to the products, visit the dealer with the largest square footage store.
I don't know which of the SoCal stores is the largest, but I suppose I could call them and ask. Hopefully someone on Beoworld has direct knowledge.
moxxey: trackbeo: If you're a jet-setter, visit one of the large European stores once you are allowed back in-country. The Berlin store is absolutely amazing. Has to be experienced. It's almost like a showcase of B&O. They have at least 2 variations of every product (for example, Edge on wall and floor or Stage wall-mounted or table-mounted etc etc). And they are happy to spend an hour with you. Very passionate store owners. They spent ages showing me the A9 versus Edge versus BeoSound 2. I agree with Boston. Lovely store for viewing B&O headphones, but not adequate for a demonstration. Wouldn't the flagship NYC store be close to what you'd find in Europe? https://stores.bang-olufsen.com/en/united-states/ny/new-york/121-spring-st
Would love to go to Berlin! But not in the cards at this time. Was scheduled to go to U.K. late in this year, but that's 'scuppered.' (Did I get that right? ) New York could be possible, thanks for the thought.
BeoFrederic: Was scheduled to go to U.K. late in this year, but that's 'scuppered.' (Did I get that right? ) New York could be possible, thanks for the thought.
Was scheduled to go to U.K. late in this year, but that's 'scuppered.' (Did I get that right? ) New York could be possible, thanks for the thought.
I was supposed to be living in Austin, Texas at the moment. I can't see myself getting there this year. I had an apartment organised, the lot.
Scuppered is the correct saying, but I think you'll be ok if it's after September. I wouldn't cancel yet. And if you get here, remember Berlin is a very short plane journey! Less than 2 hours.
moxxey: I was supposed to be living in Austin, Texas at the moment. I can't see myself getting there this year. I had an apartment organised, the lot.
Moxxey, when you get to Austin you may find the climate to be...different from what you're likely used to. Summer heat can cause spontaneous combustion. No lie. But as I'm sure you know, it's a fantastic city for live music of all stripes. When it happens, you're sure to enjoy the move.
Also, Austin is not much like the Great State Of Texas in general, other than the climate. It's more hipster central rather than cowboys. You need to get away from it and other large cities to find the real Texas. Same for Florida, get away from the beaten path, from the Tourist Meccas, and find what Florida is or at least used to be.
BeoFrederic:surely there is someone on Beoworld who has California, or at least, U.S. dealer experience in the last year.
Beolab 28s Beolab 9s Beolab 12-3s Beolab 1s Beolab 6000s 2 pairs Beolab 4000s Beovision 7-55 Beovision 10-40 Beoplay V1 32 inch Beovision Avant 32 inch Beosound 1 (CD player) Beosound 3000 Beosound 5 Core Essence MKII Beoplay M5
Jeff: Also, Austin is not much like the Great State Of Texas in general, other than the climate. It's more hipster central rather than cowboys. You need to get away from it and other large cities to find the real Texas. Same for Florida, get away from the beaten path, from the Tourist Meccas, and find what Florida is or at least used to be.
Re: Austin. Exactly right, except Austin's BBQ is the equal of other parts of the state. Sublime.
Re: Florida. I grew up in Florida decades ago; I know exactly what you mean.
Razlaw: I have made some purchases from the store in Pennsylvania and have been very happy with the service, most recently a month or two ago.
I have made some purchases from the store in Pennsylvania and have been very happy with the service, most recently a month or two ago.
Hi,
I purchased an Eclipse from the Beverly Hills store 2 years ago and I am happy with the service including installation I got. Gaby runs it and she is quite knowledgeable.
Koert
BeoFrederic:Thank you! for the suggestion, Razlaw. IIRC from previous threads, you are the proud owner of the a pair of BL50's. If I may ask -- did you get them from the Pennsylvania store? If so, after-sale support? That would be high praise indeed.
BeoFrederic: Moxxey, when you get to Austin you may find the climate to be...different from what you're likely used to. Summer heat can cause spontaneous combustion. No lie. But as I'm sure you know, it's a fantastic city for live music of all stripes. When it happens, you're sure to enjoy the move.
Yep! I know! I was there through Summer 2017 and it was ridiculously hot. We were filming outdoors, too. Felt like someone was shining a laser on my back. I was in Dallas in January 2018 and it was -12c. What a contrast.
I prefer Dallas. It's more functional. Austin reminds me of a big 30-something Google campus. Whenever I'm there, there's something about the city where people can't seem to decide whether they should be working or having fun. Why Austin? My business partner lives there and has since March 2017.
The sad thing the Austin B&O store closed not long after I left in 2017. Was tiny and open strange hours (I think it opened midday).
koert2: I purchased an Eclipse from the Beverly Hills store 2 years ago and I am happy with the service including installation I got. Gaby runs it and she is quite knowledgeable. Koert
Thanks everyone for the input. Great group of folks.
Come to Boston. We have a great dealership / showroom... I am not employed or have any connection to it... just think those guys are great!
https://stores.bang-olufsen.com/en/united-states/ma/boston/141b-newbury-street
No affiliation, just a happy customer, but I recommend Scott Gensler at B&O Mainline outside Philadelphia.
I had a great experience at the Boston store and Oliver was very, very nice. But when I asked to buy a replacement speaker stand, he would only sell me a pair of stands. I only needed one.
Scott at the Philly store sold me a single stand no problem, the first time I asked. He said he ordered it as a replacement part from Struer.
Im sure both stores are great but I’d probably go to Philly first based on the above, though when my Chicago store closed, they were pointing everyone to Boston based on a great reputation.
Hope that helps!
Currently: BeoLab 17, BeoLab 18, BeoSound Core, Beosound Level, Beosound A1 2nd Gen, BeoPlay S8 Connection Hub, Halo, Essence Remote
Previously: BeoSound 1 non-GVA
(And we notice that you have *not* enthused about the (sole, remaining) Florida store, which would be closest to your posted member location...)
Only because I have no experience with them and live on the opposite coast, as such, I have not visited. :)