If I look around only one km ore mile I would say: There is a very good dealer just around the corner -> 60 % of the reason I own a TV, loudspeakers, headphones, telephones, music systems, an answering machine from B%O. Looking further I remember seeing B & O stuff here and there (esp. in Danmark of the 60ies) -> 10 % of my motivation and the quality of the products added another 50%. That makes 120 %, but you have to subtract 20 % for the price tags on many products of B&O. In my eyes the local dealers give a good deal of motivation, then the design (not decor!) which saved me from investments I would regret now. E. g. I preferred essence to moment, BeoLab 9 to any modified organ pipes (18 included), BV 8 to plasmas which I couldn't afford, the A1 to the A2 etc.

It would be nice if B&O lost a little bit of it's reputation of a brand for the rich people, not only with B&O Play.

Part of the problem for me is that I cant get what I want from the newer stuff - I don't watch terrestrial TV so my BV8-32 with an Apple TV is fine, same with the BV6-26 and ATV - both don't get used enough to warrant a new TV and all the new ones are massive whereas the 8 and 6 don't dominate a room. 

I listen more and play music - so my BM6500 hooked up to link speakers and BL8000 and BL2 is fine - I can play internet radio, stream airplay, play records and plug my revox into it - none of the new stuff would give me that amount of inputs - ok the Moment has 1 extra input and can play internet radio and stream, however, I tried a Playmaker but the sound whilst good is nowhere near as clear an AE with a separate DAC - also the extra input is not as clear as a direct connection. So, using that as an analogy, rightly or wrongly I would rather stick with what I have that is upgradeable in parts rather than risk changing.

The Play range though is exciting and I bought the A1 which I am really happy about - it's well made, affordable and sounds great. 

Like others, I would have thought the future for B&O is in speakers and the Play range 

My local dealer in Edina MN has changed to a different type of store. I liked to go there and plan my next B&O purchases because I could see and hear the merchandise. I have to admit this has lowered my enthusiasm about the brand, fair or not.

I've been a little disappointed recently. By being an "early adopter" of a few of the BeoPlay products, I have missed out on features that were changed/added in later versions. Specifically, the BeoLit 12 and A9 (Bluetooth). AirPlay - I hate it.

Anyway. Love what I own now, but not too enthused to get more.

I was quite excited when the beoplay A1 was thrown on the market, the sound compared to the size and a wonderful design. I love the green colour, because it's not the "applesilver mishmash".

I am quite excited with my "Moment". I enjoy it every day (and much more important my better half too).

I am quite excited to see the "BV Horizon". Especially since i have heard that the motorized stand solution should come to this tv. I am just afraid, that the "old B&O mistake" is coming too: "We don't put enough sockets into the "cheap television", the sockets have the old standard, the digital cutrain is not in the cheap tv, this function is just in the premium tv's". I hope that the technical standard is "up to date" (futureproof is an ambitious word today), otherwise there will be no NEW customers and B&O needs new ones too.

In my eyes, the only chance, that B&O can survive on the tv-market is to bring out payable tv's, with the general standard of the big companies AND the B&O feeling like their wonderful stands, the integration with the sound systems, and gadgets like the electronic curtain. Because even 3000€ for a 40" tv or 4000€ for a 48" is awful expensive and you need a good reason that especially new customers are going to buy it.

Brigantinus, I would not worry about sockets for the new TV. The V1 was very well equipped socket wise and it did indeed have the electric curtain so it's fair to say that the new Horizon four years later should be well thought out for you.

In just one week we will know ;-)

MM

Paul W wrote:

Porter ladies magazine Moxxey not the fabulous online shop! I hate the A9 it reminds me of the old white Amstrad satellite Astra dishes and a dart board. Love the A1 design though.

The design isn't amazing, but the sound is, so that trumps the design for me.

As I've said in a previous thread, I work across various tech websites and magazine publishers, but we rarely hear from B&Os PR team. I don't think they need us, in their opinion!

My recent experience with a MK2 Essence and BeoLink converter has somewhat restored some faith/interest/passion in the brand.  They have worked pretty flawlessly all spring/summer even with some wireless in the mix.  It was the BeoLink wireless that almost drove me from the brand.  They worked well for a while, but had a habit of failure during parties, or other times when they were expressly required.  Without a way to bring my substantial investment in masterlink into the present / future, I was ready to seriously investigate options like Sonos (maybe keep the Beolab, but ditch the Beosounds and Beovision.  Even this is not without its faults - I'm looking at you Android BeoMusic app.

I think my recent learning is to avoid early adoption of newer software heavy products (or maybe all products given the differences between the MK1 and MK2 Essence). 

I have an A1 inbound.  I was very impressed with this at the store.  Speaking of, I guess I am lucky to have a store near here in the US.  It does help because I don't like to buy products sight unseen.

I think they are between a rock and a hard place, and definitely can see a Saab-like ending,  but am hoping for a Volvo,  I have a new XC90, and it is awesome (but also came equipped with a few software gremlins).  I also have a 2010 Saab that is starting to show its age.

Puncher wrote:

The question was,  "how do I feel about B&O now"? The sad answer is I don't feel anything anymore, I think they have lost their "soul"  and products, particularly the play range, are disparate and are released adhoc without any joined up thinking.

It went wrong when they changed their target customer from "mr comfortable middle class" to "mr bling russian/ chinese oligarch" and they haven't ever really recovered. Of course this has been compounded by the digital music explosion and everyone elses flat screen tv being reasonably stylish with network connectivity etc. Masterlink, once their great strength, can pretty much be matched if not bettered by others.

So what now is their USP? The flagship audio product is a shoe box with a chinese tablet for a lid - how much, really???

As an engineer I love the latest speaker technology but even though I understand it it doesnt make me want to drop £7K+ on a pair.

Maybe its not b&o, maybe its me but I do wonder how many more me's have lost the spark and are unlikely to be new product buyers ever again!

Could not have put this better myself. I actually feel other products look a lot better than B&O now- im selling all my gear

355f wrote:

Could not have put this better myself. I actually feel other products look a lot better than B&O now- im selling all my gear