Sometimes I feel I'm just not sensitive enough to own B&O gear. 🙂

I'm not on board with Ed here. The site is addictive (I know, I've been trying to kick the habit, and it's apparently impossible.)

I did express some concern when the prize draws were first announced that these could prove a drain on resources, but that's not my call to make. I didn't sign up for Gold to win prizes, but to have access to all the manuals, etc. If scaling back on the prizes would make it possible to establish a nice working gallery for members (which I have read many would like to have) then that's worth considering ...

BeoLab 2 with Lamborghini Mother of Pearl White sounds exceptionally nice (depending upon the setting - but I have seen an Avant made up for Lee's daughter, and my daughter went all ga-ga for that one. This is the joy of owning second-hand equipment - we can either go for a full restoration, or for bespoke adaptation. I've seen BeoLab 8000s hanging upside down from a ceiling, I can live with Lamborghini coloured subs!)

ADDING: And if B&O feel OK about having artists decorate the BL5 for the magazine, then I guess we can rest easy here.

And I don't really see that the site is kow-towing or shilling for B&O. There's a lot of engaged and informed strong criticism here, that I'm certain is not always popular over in Struer - but that's how enthusiasts keep their brands on their toes. Porsche has similar relationships - with expressions of love and dismay - with many of their enthusiasts, and that's working.

Shouldn't the growing site stat's be a point of pride? It means the site is working, and pulling in new followers. And I really do think it has helped make the transition into the quirkiness of B&O a lot smoother for thousands. I often surf particular sites looking for a solution to a problem I've come across. I don't sign up as a member, but I do avail myself of the information listed - I'm certain that BW is delivering that service to a lot of people. Post a question over at the official site, and you're lucky to get an answer at all. Post it here, and you have an informed answer within minutes.

Sometimes the fun wears off, one goes elsewhere for a while just to take a breather. (And I am trying to cure myself of my BW addiction! Believe it or not ...)

My thoughts (as requested) 

I must admit to being rather bemused by this whole turn of events. If Ed feels he needs to give up his Moderating role then thats obviously up to him - he needs to dispose of his free time as he sees fit.

Regarding the listed points, I can't say that I find BeoWorld to be obsessively numbers or statistics based (unless this crops up regularly at Moderators meetings) - the number of times I have read this type of info in the General forum can probably be counted on one hand, indeed the old site probably had more on screen stats than this one (although to be fair that may be a function of the host program).

As for pandering to B&O's feelings, I think they will be smarting slightly if they've been following recent threads regarding their TV range (among others). I have never found an overall bias toward the company although I would expect any criticism to be reasonably debated rather than a pointless rant without foundation (and I would expect such unfounded posts to be removed to maintain the high quality of the posted matter currently on-site).

Prizedrawbot IMO can live in whatever (cartoon) house he wishes and can paint his speakers skyblue pink with black polka dots if that floats his boat - personally I think they would look silly but then I won't need to look at them in my own living room. I see no problem with modifiying the colour of your own devices, B&O themselves offer stuff in a range of colours, a white BL2 isn't so outlandish after all they did make white Conas (perhaps if it was painted Skoda white instead it wouldn't sound so "bling bling"). In fairness I can see a slight difference in the current site compared to the old in that the old site probably had a higher percentage of posters who I would class as the "retro enthusiast" and conversation on the general forum may have been more "nuts and bolts" than it is now. I think this site has a higher percentage of early adopters than previously which can sometimes give a "look what I've just got" feel to the general forum however thats OK too, it tends to happen when new product are released and its good to hear reviews/tips/advise from other users, especially if your having problems. In terms of site content overall I think there is a very healthy mix of retro stuff, techy stuff and lifestyle stuff as well as the to-be-expected current product stuff. This is all held together in a slick, easy to navigate site - it is definitely not "all show and no content".

As for the prize draw - if it was necessary to drop the draw in order for the site to be successful then that would be OK by me, I certainly didn't join because of the raffle! For those than want access to all on site data without joining the draw, there are less expensive memberships available. One of the major features of this site is that it isn't plagued with adverts and pop-ups, that alone is worth the annual subscription to me.

In any case I think that it is rather obvious that the presence of the prize draw hasn't affected the quality, content or stability of the site.

Hi Lee,

let me start by stating i am very happy with the new Beoworld and and don't think about what it costs to be a member but the value i get for my £30. If the 1st prize every month was a pen i would still renew my membership. 

Since we are in debate mode though i would be grateful if you could clarify one point for me regards the prize draw. My understanding is that subscriptions for membership pay for the prizes. A number of the prizes are supplied by Lifestyle AV. I would be grateful if could confirm if they are supplied on a net cost basis or if Lifestyle AV "sell "them to beoworld at a retail price.

Kind regards

Sean

Hi Sean

Prizes 'donated' by LifeStyle AV are given to BeoWorld for free, and prizes 'supplied' to BeoWorld are sold at exactly the same price as LifeStyle AV pays for them. 

This is done in order to help BeoWorld survive, and i am in a very fortunate position to be able to do this by obviously having access to plenty of pre-owned B&O products - both modern and vintage. Being 'in the thick of it' means i get the real rarities too from closed-down dealers etc, and i get great pleasure in sharing these with prize winners.

Lee

🙂 

I joined Beoworld as a gold member mainly to access the manuals.  I enjoy reading the various postings and occasionally post a comment.  I usually look at Beoworld at least once a day.

As for Bling, we could discuss that forever.  I have always considered B&O design as modernist in style.  However on the B&O site, products are featured sometimes in what I would consider bling decor.  This is probably their way of appealing to a wider audience. 

I would like to have my Beolab 2 sprayed in Porsche black but I can't find anyone in the US who I would trust to do it.  It would match my black Beolab 8000s.

I suppose that Lee's interview with Torben might be construed as caring about what B&O might think but look what happened to Torben. People at B&O might be afraid to talk to Lee again.  One thing I don't like about B&O is the lack of information about forthcoming products like the Beosound 5.  Since I am making decisions about a computer purchase, I would like to know the specifications of Beosound 5.  Teasing with a brief picture is not enough.  I am delaying the purchase of the new remote because I don't like the idea of going to the dealer when I need to make a change.  They of course charge for that service.

Maybe the larger problem is that we all know B&O is changing and none of us have any idea what the company will be like at the end of 2008 or sooner.  There is no denying that B&O is appealing to the wealthy on a global scale.  This is not really new. However it is only the Beovision panels that are really priced too high considering the other offerings in the market place. 

Thanks Eduard for your time and efforts as a moderator!

Bill 

   Have to say I am very suprised on two counts. Firstly Ed stepping down as a Moderator so to speak. Secondly some of the comments made. This is the way I see it.

* BeoWorld only cares about numbers and statistics

    Well I think it is wonderful to see how the site grows from strength to strength. Look at what has been achieved in less than 12 Months, I for one enjoy reading the latest stats. After all the way I see it we all make up those stats and should be proud of the folowing this community has.

* We only care about what Bang & Olufsen think, and are not acting as an independent site

     Does this mean Beoworld, it's Members or both? Now I though it was fantastic the B&O wanted to have closer ties with the site. When Lee met Mr T, I think it was fantastic thing for Beoworld. Just something else which hows well the new site is going. From a members point of view I think if we don't like a product then we say so.

 * PrizeDrawBot has a villa in Monaco, and spraying a BeoLab 2 Lamborghini White is too "bling bling" - this is BeoWorld now..

     What is the problem with PrizeDrwBot? Really cannot understand why that should be an issue. As for sparying a Beolab White, why not. Again cannot understand why that is an issue too. It has to look better then the Beolab 5's in the last catalogue.

* The Prize Draw is draining funds too much, and is not working. This could finish the site.

     Well I am 100% confident that Lee knows what he is doing here. So I have no worries about this myself. Others may disagree.

      Well IMO I think we all have a website/community that we can all be proud to say we are a part of.

Craig🙂

I have to say Lee, I don`t agree at all with Eduard.

I love the beoworld site and it is my home on the internet. When I am away i use my mobile and still reads this site, several times a day. If I am not happy with something or want some change I simply use my membership to write into this forum, and I am honestly mean that I am being heard.

Keep up the Good Work, I need it every day 

One thing... am I right in thinking that PDB is just simply "make believe" like the boogie man and *whispers quietly* Father Christmas?? and that PDB is all just a bit of FUN???

I always thought Bling was diamonds, gold, huge "cribs" and "waving rollies from side to side" and all that malarky.. not spraying a subwoofer "lamborghini" white.........................

I think Skoda also use the same paint and parts etc..... maybe we tone down and replace Lambo with Skoda??

Just a thought?