Hi everyone,

As a bronze member, a "leecher" so to say, I feel now like being part of the problem.
Nevertheless, here are my thoughts, in random order and unrelated one with the others:

I'm not a new member anymore but I'm not an old either: it has been a lot Beoworld history before me. But I still can feel the difference between before and now. The other day, a member used the word "moribund" about a topic and it struck me because it is what I feel about the whole forum. Lots of valuable members have left to others places and they have taken with them a little bit of the "soul" of Beoworld. They are now a lot of questions that remain unanswered when it's obvious that is that or that other member were still there they would have helped. This, and some other little things make that Beoworld may have lost a part of it's shine: you used to go on BW because it was THE place, now you just google your problem and sometimes you end on BW, sometimes not…

When I came here, at first I didn't subscribe as Gold or Silver because I didn't knew what I was buying. Things to be said, they are a lot of manuals available all around the internet, the most commons, then why would I pay for this not even knowing what was available? With the time I've learned that the database is far beyond what available elsewhere with a huge amount of document. But then, life made that I just cannot afford the little luxury of the membership fee. So I try to contribute as I can, helping members when I can, posting content if it can be useful and moderating to help Keith as little as it can help.

To me increasing the membership fee or closing some features to free members will just kill Beoworld. If we were in the times where all the knowledge was here, perhaps it could have work, but today, I don't think that people will pay. And I'm afraid that Beoworld could become an old private club with old members always telling the same old stories until they die. And people will seek help elsewhere.

On the same note I also like to add that for new members, it is not very clear who's who: the tag line "founder member" is confusing and I personally still not understand who has made BW, who's running it, who's funding it and who's just a partner. Maybe have a little history about that could make the new-coming members realize why BW is so special.

I've indeed always wondered how the prize draw could exist, even more when you look at some prizes (A9, BL8000, etc…). What's magical about it is that you always know someone close that win and it make it a real value. But in rough times and given what Lee told us (he barely buy the prize which is own money), I would just suspend it until weather is better.

There is something nobody's talk about and maybe because it's a dirty word but I will say it : advertisement. Yes one of the privilege of Beoworld is not having ads. But I rather a Beoworld with ads than no Beoworld at all. I don't know if B&O make affiliation or I dont know how it's called technically, But if each time a member buy a Theatre, a Stage, or any speaker, Beoworld could have receive little part just because of a banner or a little ad on that desperately empty gray zone, I wouldn't mind.

Well there is so much to say still but I realize my post is already long so that's it for now.

Thank you Keith, Lee, Steve, all the members that help and keep the forum alive and active.
Lets hope BW will last long.

 

 

Lee and Keith - big thanks for what you’ve done to keep this forum going.  And Steve, thanks for your sponsorship; you’ve been fantastic to work with over the years.  I learned about you when I joined the forum.  As the closest dealer to my home is a 6 hour drive, Beoworld has become my go-to resource not only for technical advice, but to learn more about the capabilities of the equipment that I have.

I don’t participate in social media platforms with three exceptions; Beoworld and two other automotive forums. Both of the automotive forums ask for donations or membership fees to remain viable.  When I joined BeoWorld, I selected Gold for access to the brain-trust and to support the forum.  I didn’t pay attention to the prize draw until I won.

I’d consider adding a premium level that is closer to $100 USD annually, and perhaps make this new level eligible for more premium benefits - wiring schematics, access to B&O experts, and perhaps the drawing if you decide to keep it.  Perhaps a membership fee funded drawing each Christmas is enough.  More frequent drawings could be funded by a raffle entry fee that is in addition to the membership fee.

Whatever the decision regarding the drawing, to me keeping the forum financially healthy is more important than the drawings.

Thanks again for all that you do for us.

 

Thank you Lee, Keith!

I became a gold member immediately after I found this site 12? years ago, first for the prices but because I never won any of the prices I almost stopped believing the draw was real (I know it is of course but lost my interest). But now I renew my membership because I think this resource should stay online. I revisit the archived forum often as I am an old MCL fan, but when I upgrade to newer stuf I also want to be able to access Beoworld.

So I will keep my membership, to sponsor the site. Not for the prices. I would vote for an annual Christmas draw with just three good prices. Perhaps the dealer network can help sponsor this?

Hi Lee, Keith and all Beoworlders,

First of all, a million thank-you to Lee and Keith who struggle to keep Beoworld running. Please accept the testimony of all my gratitude for the invaluable work you have been doing for so many years.

When I joined in 2007, I was really happy to find a website dedicated to one of my passions.

Even more, I found here an inexhaustible source of knowledge and very pleasant dialogues shared worldwide.

Finally, while the level of so many forums approach that of the sewer, I have always found interesting and "civilized" people here. Voices sometimes rise, but always with respect for others and without personal offenses.

Perhaps a side-effect of our common passion.

So gold membership  was an evidence... and prize draw the icing on the cake!!

Time has passed and things are getting tougher for most of us. I perfectly understand why change is bound to come.

So, I will also keep my membership as a contribution to the community.

One or 2 prize draws per year would be ok for me.

If Beoworld can find some sponsors, why not as long as the site keeps it's freedom.

Long life to Beoworld!

And thanks again to Lee and Keith.

Yann.

Hello Lee and Keith,

Thank you for everything you have done.

Bang & Olufsen wanted an elitist policy on its products, without being the best in terms of sound but the most expensive, aiming for the big fortunes and forgetting its often much less well-off brand followers, thus losing its sales heart, Beoworld undergoes this policy; unfortunately, I think that the survival of Beoworld requires an increase in contributions and if possible donations from the richest (they are not the most generous).

Wishing you all the best for the three of you (Lee, Keith and Beoworld)

Hi Lee and others,

Agreeing to all that has been said,

YES to bi annual price draw

YES to increase of fee for membership.

my personal reason for not being so active is the unfortunate forum change, i browsed the forum often during my commute much more previously (also pre covid when there was a commute)

keep up the good work, it is appreciated.

I joined this forum as a gold member because I had acquired a Beocenter 8000 in need of restoration.  The site proved to be essential in that work, providing schematics as well as help from other forum members.  (The 8000 is now fully restored, I use it every day.)

I was recently a drawing winner (to my pleasant surprise), a Beoplay bluetoooth speaker.

Allthough the drawing is a "perk" to membership, the value of membership is in the information the site provides.

My intention is to stay a gold member, with or without the drawing.  I am also open to increases in membership cost (as long as they are not exorbitant).

The site is well worth it.

GHW

Firstly, thanks to Lee and Keith not just for keeping the site going but for their help in resolving problems.  I took out a Gold membership because I was using the site a lot and felt I should contribute,  a prize would be nice but have not had one so won't actually miss. Though the prize draw is always worth looking forward to. I would be happy to pay a higher membership fee and have a bi-annual or annual draw if that keeps the site valid. For comparison my other hobby is just about keeping  a 1985 Renault 5 Gordini Turbo on the road and a replacement battery has just cost me £60 including delivery so £30 for helping keep this site running is good value. Paul

Hello Lee. I have been a Gold member at least since 2009 acording to my mail history, but probably longer since I switched Email provider at one point. But have been looking arround Beoworld since the early days. Don’t remember why I started being a gold member, but for one thing I think the price draw was a tipping point at that time, and I also won two times some years back.

Now however the prize draw is not the main point for me. I just want to support the site, and all the work that’s being done to keep it running. Thanks Keith.

A bonus is of course acces to the user and service manuals which is gold worth for people who are reparing and/or tinkering with B&O gear, and as a mean to get some og the threads running.

I can however see how people who come with a specific question for example regarding cabling to get their equipment runnning, and then dont need more information, because their setup just works, dont see the benefit for the gold membership.

Reduction of prize draws is fine with me. The number of prizes per draw could also be limited to maybe one. The chances of winning is still high. At the very end you should not pay for it yourself.

Other than that i think as other also has suggested that more visibility about the benefits of gold member ship on the front page, and a more visible donation button, and maybe some kind of add’s even though its wonderfull with a part of the internet without it. But if that can keep the boat floating im fine with it.

Keith, Lee, Dillen, Guy, Matador, Steve (and all others rowing the Beoworld boat), thanks a lot for doing so. The forum is addictive to me! Already for years. And though I am not fixing BeoGrams or finetuning Theatres, I really enjoy checking in with almost all threads every day. I was sad when it was down for some time, ha. My Masterlink system would not be working so nicely without information and help provided through Beoworld. And where I could, I hope to have helped some others with some tips, which can be satisfying, especially when it helps. My Gold membership is here to stay for now, irrespective of the number of prize draws. And also if the price needs to go up a bit from the VERY friendly 30 pounds. I know there is no other comparison but for me, in hours of entertainment per pound, Beoworld beats Netflix easily. All the best, Johan.