Are there more people who were / are opposed to it because of the low quality / overpriced junk product issue?
The enormous number of people who like the current design of Beats precisely because they emphasize what they want (heavy bottom) clearly disagree. And changing the design for a broader spectrum isn't exactly rocket science.
For perspective, remember that the single biggest thing that Barry Gordy did at Motown (other than have a ridiculous stable of talent) was doing the final mix on car speakers. Tuning the product to the target user is as old as time.
And now having subscribed to Beats service, I still don't think the deal was about the tiny market of 'can' headphones.
Now that it is official, maybe soon the point of this will come out.
The point is that Apple now controls the majority of the headphone market. I'm not sure how that's not a significant enough "point" by itself. 9/10 people I see with headphones are wearing Beats. Apple can now improve the product as they see fit, but they already have the marketshare and brandshare.
So you admit that the style and brand name makes the Apple headphones command a price premium?
The same thing can be said about Beats.
Beats is the male version of Louis Vutton bags. Sure you can buy bags that are half the price with the same quality. But where you are wearing Headphones everyday you want to look GOOD!
Beats can't even be mentioned in the same breath as Louis Vuitton, so don't waste your time with an inane comparison like that. Beats might have been the male version of Coach bags. Maybe.
Apple could have designed their own headphones if that is what they were after. They weren't. They were after Jimmy and his relationships with the industry + Beats music, which is pretty decent as a standalone service. Hardly worth the 3 bln price tag in my opinion. But it's a drop in the bucket when you have as much money as Apple, and my shares haven't suffered. So I'm ok :-D
Are there more people who were / are opposed to it because of the low quality / overpriced junk product issue?
I expect there will be changes but regardless, Apple would never produce an audiophile level reference quality pair of cans. Too expensive and too niche and much better left to specialist companies. You may not like the Beats headphones but from where I'm sitting they are not a bad Apple mainstream fit (though probably too expensive).
Quote:
Originally Posted by sog35
There a bunch of people who hate this deal for a simple fact that it caters to the urban/hip hop community.
I think the future of Beats Music / Apple is way broader than hip hop. In fact, head over to beatsmusic.com and you'll see. Personally I am excited to see where this goes.
It'll be interesting to see if Apple brands their future base in-ear headphones as Beats (with a design change) to further add value to the hardware being sold or if they keep Beats as a separate accessory. My guess will to keep them separate.
I like the acquisition. I have a hard time believing that combining the design and technical capabilities of Apple with a well known accessory maker will not add up to a lot of future high margin sales. My bet is two years from now it will be clear that Apple made the right move from a hardware standpoint. The part I still have a hard time with is them paying $500M (if true) for the subscription music piece. I tried it out for a month then went back to Spotify as it was severly lacking in features.
I am looking forward to this but its not available where I am. I am expecting family plans will be available to all and sundry in time, but I am curious about the Beats Music experience.
It'll be interesting to see if Apple brands their future base in-ear headphones as Beats (with a design change) to further add value to the hardware being sold or if they keep Beats as a separate accessory. My guess will to keep them separate.
I am curious about this, too. I wouldn't be surprised if Apple moves all its music services and products (not professional tools) over to the Beats brand in the future.
Shame that a company that actually makes high-quality, premium products felt the need to buy a company that makes garbage and is temporarily successful. They are nothing more than a fashion accessory.
Shame that a company that actually makes high-quality, premium products felt the need to buy a company that makes garbage and is temporarily successful. They are nothing more than a fashion accessory.
But they're also high quality products. Can you say that about Beats?
This doesn't mean Apple can make it high quality. The name is already out there and is known by millions. The hard part is already done. Building a brand people known and love is REALLY REALLY hard to do. This is already done. Now, if Apple can engineer some decent sounding speakers to go inside this brand people know how can you not succeed?
On another note, I doubt this was simply for its headphones business, but rather its music business. The CEO of Beats has some very nice connections and knows the music industry inside and out. Being able to get deals no one else can get and things like this will more than pay off the $3 Billion it acquired Beats for.
Yes it can. In the hip hoop culture its every bit as big as LV.
LV is old money.
Beats is new money.
Both are respected big time in the hip hop culture.
AGain you need to STFU about stuff you know nothing about (hip hop culture)
Apple bought Beats for all the above - head phone line, blutooth speaker line, Jimmy, Beats music, ect.
Again just the STFU and let the professionals do their thing.
Isn't it great when the so called "experts" here know how to run Apple better than Apple? Nobody even knows the specifics yet the "experts" can have criticisms. I'm waiting for the if Steve were alive crap to start from someone.
This doesn't mean Apple can make it high quality. The name is already out there and is known by millions. The hard part is already done. Building a brand people known and love is REALLY REALLY hard to do. This is already done. Now, if Apple can engineer some decent sounding speakers to go inside this brand people know how can you not succeed?
On another note, I doubt this was simply for its headphones business, but rather its music business. The CEO of Beats has some very nice connections and knows the music industry inside and out. Being able to get deals no one else can get and things like this will more than pay off the $3 Billion it acquired Beats for.
But Apple's not really known for great headphones. I think Apple could improve the quality of the design. But that's a tricky situation as Beats stuff has been designed by Robert Brunner's design firm and he's the guy who hired Jony Ive at Apple and was his boss there for 4 years until he left and a Ive replaced him. It will be interesting to see what Apple does. Do they use the Beats brand to expand further into the accessories market? Or are they hands off and just milk the current stuff?
Comments
but you have to admit there are better performing headphones for $30?
Of course. But when you're talking in-ear it's pretty negligible. Over-ear, no brainer- but that's apples-oranges
Are there more people who were / are opposed to it because of the low quality / overpriced junk product issue?
The enormous number of people who like the current design of Beats precisely because they emphasize what they want (heavy bottom) clearly disagree. And changing the design for a broader spectrum isn't exactly rocket science.
For perspective, remember that the single biggest thing that Barry Gordy did at Motown (other than have a ridiculous stable of talent) was doing the final mix on car speakers. Tuning the product to the target user is as old as time.
And now having subscribed to Beats service, I still don't think the deal was about the tiny market of 'can' headphones.
but you have to admit there are better performing headphones for $30?
Hell yes.
Nuforce NE-600X are $14/pair at Amazon. The version with the inline microphone are $30/pair.
I use the RHA MA450i earphones (includes inline mic and remote), those are $50/pair. RHA also has two lower models at $40 and $13.
So you admit that the style and brand name makes the Apple headphones command a price premium?
So you admit that Apple could have bought Shure and made it more stylish and the brand name Apple and command a price premium?
It isn't about the headphones!
If it was- its a ridiculously dumb acquisition.
Now that it is official, maybe soon the point of this will come out.
The point is that Apple now controls the majority of the headphone market. I'm not sure how that's not a significant enough "point" by itself. 9/10 people I see with headphones are wearing Beats. Apple can now improve the product as they see fit, but they already have the marketshare and brandshare.
So you admit that the style and brand name makes the Apple headphones command a price premium?
The same thing can be said about Beats.
Beats is the male version of Louis Vutton bags. Sure you can buy bags that are half the price with the same quality. But where you are wearing Headphones everyday you want to look GOOD!
Beats can't even be mentioned in the same breath as Louis Vuitton, so don't waste your time with an inane comparison like that. Beats might have been the male version of Coach bags. Maybe.
Apple could have designed their own headphones if that is what they were after. They weren't. They were after Jimmy and his relationships with the industry + Beats music, which is pretty decent as a standalone service. Hardly worth the 3 bln price tag in my opinion. But it's a drop in the bucket when you have as much money as Apple, and my shares haven't suffered. So I'm ok :-D
I understand that a multi-year contract exists, so that would still be in effect for HP. And remember: HP used to sell iPods.
Glad the initial 'saga' is over. Caint wait for the complainers to eat crow.
Are there more people who were / are opposed to it because of the low quality / overpriced junk product issue?
I expect there will be changes but regardless, Apple would never produce an audiophile level reference quality pair of cans. Too expensive and too niche and much better left to specialist companies. You may not like the Beats headphones but from where I'm sitting they are not a bad Apple mainstream fit (though probably too expensive).
There a bunch of people who hate this deal for a simple fact that it caters to the urban/hip hop community.
I think the future of Beats Music / Apple is way broader than hip hop. In fact, head over to beatsmusic.com and you'll see. Personally I am excited to see where this goes.
I like the acquisition. I have a hard time believing that combining the design and technical capabilities of Apple with a well known accessory maker will not add up to a lot of future high margin sales. My bet is two years from now it will be clear that Apple made the right move from a hardware standpoint. The part I still have a hard time with is them paying $500M (if true) for the subscription music piece. I tried it out for a month then went back to Spotify as it was severly lacking in features.
And now having subscribed to Beats service....
And??
I am looking forward to this but its not available where I am. I am expecting family plans will be available to all and sundry in time, but I am curious about the Beats Music experience.
It'll be interesting to see if Apple brands their future base in-ear headphones as Beats (with a design change) to further add value to the hardware being sold or if they keep Beats as a separate accessory. My guess will to keep them separate.
I am curious about this, too. I wouldn't be surprised if Apple moves all its music services and products (not professional tools) over to the Beats brand in the future.
Like it or not, it's a done deal.
It's already worth more than three billion at this point.
Deal with it.
Shame that a company that actually makes high-quality, premium products felt the need to buy a company that makes garbage and is temporarily successful. They are nothing more than a fashion accessory.
Shame that a company that actually makes high-quality, premium products felt the need to buy a company that makes garbage and is temporarily successful. They are nothing more than a fashion accessory.
And Apple products are not fashion accessories?
They are tasteful. That's a significant part of their longevity.
But they're also high quality products. Can you say that about Beats?
This doesn't mean Apple can make it high quality. The name is already out there and is known by millions. The hard part is already done. Building a brand people known and love is REALLY REALLY hard to do. This is already done. Now, if Apple can engineer some decent sounding speakers to go inside this brand people know how can you not succeed?
On another note, I doubt this was simply for its headphones business, but rather its music business. The CEO of Beats has some very nice connections and knows the music industry inside and out. Being able to get deals no one else can get and things like this will more than pay off the $3 Billion it acquired Beats for.
Yes it can. In the hip hoop culture its every bit as big as LV.
LV is old money.
Beats is new money.
Both are respected big time in the hip hop culture.
AGain you need to STFU about stuff you know nothing about (hip hop culture)
Apple bought Beats for all the above - head phone line, blutooth speaker line, Jimmy, Beats music, ect.
Again just the STFU and let the professionals do their thing.
Isn't it great when the so called "experts" here know how to run Apple better than Apple? Nobody even knows the specifics yet the "experts" can have criticisms. I'm waiting for the if Steve were alive crap to start from someone.