completely agree with you
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BOTF BeoVision Contour First Look
22 replies
My fault.! sorry.
thanks
I am pleasantly surprised and happy for B&O at how many people seem to like the design of this tv but for me, it’s just more of the same. I am referring specifically to the design as the technical differences are obvious and welcome, but to those who have had BV10, BV11, BV14 and a few former models to some extent, where is the design difference? We are still looking at a screen with a speaker underneath it and a slight variation in frame trying to distinguish it, which just doesn’t cut it anymore.
Where is the evolution in design? In tech yes, for sure and maybe this is good enough for many people. For me, I want the subtle design differences that make it stand out and worth paying a premium for. Some examples that make a standard tv look a little different for me include:
BV7 - floating speaker, motorised DVD tray, the latter being design genius in my opinion
Avant - the motorised table stand, brilliant but why only on this model?
BV5/BV9 - the former being a great concept with 2 equal parts, the latter still ok and interesting
BV8 - the speaker design was different enough and I liked the manual tilt design for the stand
BeoPlay V1 - a 3D shape to it with great mounting options making it look and feel different
Then of course we have electronic curtains, B&O menu systems and B&O badge ownership. I said it in another thread, I can’t pay a B&O asking price to see an LG badge on the tv as that will be a constant reminder that I have paid a premium price for a non-premium product. It’s psychological and will always bug me.
It’s certainly not easy to come up with a new design concept these days and there’s probably only so much you can do with a tv, but I suppose that’s why I have always been drawn to the brand because they seem to make the impossible possible! Come on B&O, let’s have some of that old magic again!
Have you seen the Eclipse and Harmony???
The Harmony is really something else design wise and a lot of B&O magic.
Where is the evolution in design?
Simon, simply expecting too much based on the current climate. Old customers looking back at the glory days isn't where B&O sees it's future and you either need to adapt or accept defeat.
On one hand we have people here saying the Horizon was too expensive, and then others claiming they want a 'unique design' and 'support for curtains, powerlink and so on'. You can't have both. If you did, this simple entry-level Contour would be even more expensive. And that's what this is, B&O's entry-level TV.
We're in a worldwide pandemic. Most showrooms aren't open. On top B&O has ditched it's visual department, meaning custom work has long gone (think curtains, picture processing and so on). Unless you adapt, you'll always be disappointed.
The old "magic" was in the glory days. Are you living in a different planet than I'm living in right now? Have you seen what's happening out there? Or understanding?
On one hand we have people here saying the Horizon was too expensive, and then others claiming they want a 'unique design' and 'support for curtains, powerlink and so on'. You can't have both. If you did, this simple entry-level Contour would be even more expensive. And that's what this is, B&O's entry-level TV.
The problem is that this TV may have "Entry Level" specifications, but it doesn't have "Entry Level" pricing.
The panel sells for $1,500 USD all over the place. The speaker/soundbar sells for $1,750. That means I can get this exact A/V performance for $3,250. And this pricing already includes $1,000 of B&O premium: comparable soundbars from other companies sell for $800 rather than $1,800, so the "Non-B&O price" for this setup should be in the range of $2,300 USD.
I could see B&O "reasonably" charging as much as $4,000 for this "Entry Level" setup - that's basically $2,300 for the base components and another $1,700 to put it in a fancy case with the B&O logo. But the reported price is much higher, and I think they are dooming themselves to once again sell so few units as to not justify development costs.
I will mention that the Designer on the Contour's web page is listed as "Bang and Olufsen" which probably means they limited development costs by not hiring Torsten Valeur to make it look cool. Unfortunately, I don't think it has quite the elegance of the Horizon, which make it more difficult to justify the premium over comparable systems from other suppliers.
My B&O Icons:
I think the issue is less whether it is entry level but more that its a stand alone product.
(entry level for different brands imply very different prices, so what does that really mean)
The pricing issue with the Contour (as opposed to the Horizon) is that, as of now (which is the bets way to assess value), there are very good standalone alternatives.
At a simple level, the 48 inch CX with a Stage and BR One is so much cheaper.
Looking elsewhere, a 55 inch GX can be paired with a Stage and BR One - still quite a bit cheaper and while you lose the framed single unit, you gain an amazing looking panel when wall mounted, as its intended.
As such, if one is prepared to have a standalone TV, especially if its a second screen, why pay around 5.5k, when 3k gets you the same. Is the framed design really worth 2.5k of difference? Especially when thats all you get on top.
If the Contour had power link and PUC, and the option of a motorised wall mount (i.e some of the added flexibility a BV should have) then its pricing would make more sense.
On one hand we have people here saying the Horizon was too expensive, and then others claiming they want a 'unique design' and 'support for curtains, powerlink and so on'. You can't have both. If you did, this simple entry-level Contour would be even more expensive. And that's what this is, B&O's entry-level TV.The problem is that this TV may have "Entry Level" specifications, but it doesn't have "Entry Level" pricing.
The panel sells for $1,500 USD all over the place. The speaker/soundbar sells for $1,750. That means I can get this exact A/V performance for $3,250. And this pricing already includes $1,000 of B&O premium: comparable soundbars from other companies sell for $800 rather than $1,800, so the "Non-B&O price" for this setup should be in the range of $2,300 USD.
I could see B&O "reasonably" charging as much as $4,000 for this "Entry Level" setup - that's basically $2,300 for the base components and another $1,700 to put it in a fancy case with the B&O logo. But the reported price is much higher, and I think they are dooming themselves to once again sell so few units as to not justify development costs.
I will mention that the Designer on the Contour's web page is listed as "Bang and Olufsen" which probably means they limited development costs by not hiring Torsten Valeur to make it look cool. Unfortunately, I don't think it has quite the elegance of the Horizon, which make it more difficult to justify the premium over comparable systems from other suppliers.
Where is the evolution in design?
Simon, simply expecting too much based on the current climate. Old customers looking back at the glory days isn't where B&O sees it's future and you either need to adapt or accept defeat.
On one hand we have people here saying the Horizon was too expensive, and then others claiming they want a 'unique design' and 'support for curtains, powerlink and so on'. You can't have both. If you did, this simple entry-level Contour would be even more expensive. And that's what this is, B&O's entry-level TV.
We're in a worldwide pandemic. Most showrooms aren't open. On top B&O has ditched it's visual department, meaning custom work has long gone (think curtains, picture processing and so on). Unless you adapt, you'll always be disappointed.
The old "magic" was in the glory days. Are you living in a different planet than I'm living in right now? Have you seen what's happening out there? Or understanding?
The launch price comparison:
BeoVision Horizon 48” with BeoRemote One BT - € 4395
Beovision Contour 48” - € 5700
Both “entry level” TVs however one has half the feature set of the other. Yes the OLED/ screen technology is better and inflation changes costs (not that there has been much time since the Horizon launch) but the prices here are not justified with something which is simply a glorified stage and stand. I want to like it and in my option it looks great but as I’ve said on the other thread it’s just lazy.
Alex and Sandy have completely summed up much of what I would have said in my response but I'll add a few more thoughts.
For me, the Contour price is certainly not entry level as has historically been the case with B&O; the BV8 and V1 being 2 examples that immediately spring to mind. These televisions were circa £3,000 from what I remember. I suppose I could accept this more if the Contour wasn't seen or marketed as an entry level tv but more mid-range instead; you might say like the BV7, which wasn't much more money for a far better package in my opinion.
This is a difficult topic and I knew my post would be controversial but it makes for an interesting discussion I think on what some of us would like to see in the future.
Since I wrote the post and having read Moxxey's response particularly, I have been asking myself what more B&O could do to satisfy me and I suppose I am thinking about a Harmony hybrid that is priced between the Harmony and the Horizon. The BV7 was that kind of tv as it sat between the more expensive BV9 (£15,999 as I recall) and the entry level sets at that time. For me, this represented a good buy with still a lot of value for money with everything it offered.
Fair enough, CDs and DVDs may no longer be the norm in a streaming world but what about designing an interesting motorised tray/compartment that revealed the tv remote for example? This would also serve as a practical way of hiding the remote when not in use.
How about a modular part of the tv (the glass, frame, surround, speaker or somewhere else) that could be removed magnetically to be used as a tablet control or updated master control panel? How about a brick pattern for a speaker or its fret now that they have done wood, metal and fabric? What about the use of concrete, stone or other materials?
If I can come up with these few ideas off the top of my head, what on earth are an entire design team being paid for if the best they can come up with is the Contour after months of deliberation? Where is the inspiration? What is its unique selling point? Who on earth designed that floor stand and have they been sacked yet? Come on. It's about time the motorised floor stand was reinvented too. Why not have a stand that moves rather than the tv? For example a vertical piece of metal holding the tv that then spans outwards? Or an envelope/pocket styled panel that moves from the back of the stand to front on startup? I just think there's so many ideas to be explored. It's like they have given up. Moxxey suggests I accept defeat; absolutely not, and neither should B&O. They are not trying hard enough and need a reminder of their past achievements and what got them their.
Emil points out the Harmony and he is right, this indeed a great television and more of what I would expect from B&O and I do love it. However, there are of course a range of different buyers and we all have our own view of value for money and what we would pay for something. I would never personally spend more than £8,000 on a tv these days (or £10,000 tops for speakers) because I just don't feel the longevity is there and to some extent that's what I want from a premium priced product. The Harmony is therefore a television I would only buy second-hand when the price is affordable to me as I did with the BV9. I would then be expecting to keep it for a number of years to enjoy it.
Maybe this is the trick B&O miss as I feel they are catering now for a more narrow market, which is those for whom money is no object so they can charge what they want, and do. Certainly this market segment exists but I think its a risky road to be honest and the biggest point of all is that you lose your uniqueness of what made you great to begin with, and you now end up being seen as just another silly company charging silly money because you can. If that's what the brand was built on and how B&O want to celebrate their 95th anniversary then who am I to argue?
Simon.
So many goods comments, but I must disagree.
But first let me say that the Contour is not for me either, right now at least.
You all talk much about pricing, this is a ALU case, with back cover to hide all cables, The Horizon and V1 was not ALU and which will result in a higher price.
My self a gave 1000€ just to get the ALU speaker cover for my Eclipse, and I can see most members have don exactly that, and with the Contour most will properly choose the wood, even as it comes at a steep price.
And saying that the soundbar Stage is price 2x the price compared to competitors is just mad, it is a Review winning product with high praise and they a selling a lot of them, also to not former B&O clients.
And mentioning the GX? I don’t get it, this is a small 48” screen for people who wants a good looking tv with 360 degree design, that is only 48” You don get that with the GX it is just a Black square that is able to sit Flush to the wall. New Televisions don’t have a design. Beovisions still do, and you pay for that.
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