Corect me if I am wrong, but isn't Bentley, Audi related?
Both owned by VW, or is that Rolls Rorce?

Andy T.

Yes Andy, Lee is completely wrong. 😂 Bentley, Lamborghini and Audi are all part of the VW group. It just seems very suiting of Bentley to want and have B&O as an option in their cars.

Rolls Royce is owned by BMW.

I share sentiments with Bieele and DR.

B&O's reputation is not just "quality" but "world-leading quality".  This quality is what has allowed B&O's premium price and fame.  The problem I see at the moment is that B&O's margin of superiority is eroding at a not insignificant pace.  In my opinion, B&O products are only slightly better, both in individual technical aspects, and as overall packages, than other products, not vastly better.  Yet their products are 4-5 times the cost.  I could perhaps swallow a 100-200% markup for the B&O name.  But 400 percent!

Not only that but in some aspects "competitors'" (I use the word loosely) products are clearly technologically superior, with highly pleasing designs to match (witness, for example, some of Apple's latest mp3 players).  As I see it the only area where B&O is still far ahead is in loudspeaker technology.

Furthermore AV integration is clearly heading towards PC/Media based solutions which feature wireless streaming and other technologies.  This is one of B&O's weak areas as can be attested many on the BeoMedia 1 forum on B&O's own website.  So here's my question:

"In the face of these clear changes in the market, where B&O's traditional strengths (technology and design) are no longer so overwhelming that there are no comparable products, how is B&O going to adapt its strategy in order to remain a truly worldwide brand?  Can its policy of not passing on cost savings as technology gets cheaper remain viable as market penetration of new technologies takes hold?  How can B&O assure that it remains a real force in AV and not relegated to some esoteric realm where only the richest of the rich own B&O while many other discerning customers choose other brands?"

 Along with this is a secondary question relating to product integration.

"In the current market, it would appear that B&O is in need of a robust, integrated digital platform for its products.  There are two ways to approach this: adapt an established solution (for example iTunes) and work with its developer as a partner, or develop an independent digital solution (exclusively tied, of course, to B&O.)  What is B&O's thinking along these lines, and, if it decides to develop its integration in-house, how will it overcome the fact that B&O is not strong in digital technology? (as evidenced by some glaring deficiencies of BeoPlayer/BeoPort e.g drag and drop, can't add new radio stations.)

These are fairly sharp and pointy questions, but I feel important as they address the future of B&O.

L.

I've not been able to follow the discussion, so if this is repetitive, please disregard. I have only one request from a loyal American Beophile: When if ever can we expect a small TV (BV 6/8  26" or 32") on this side of the world.

Just one little American question?

Thanks Lee and good luck. I'm envious. 😕
 

Lee,

Do you have any idea what the question will be when you are in Berlin?