4 ms·

Does anyone else feel that this deal tarnishes their perception of the Apple brand? I struggle to think of a brand of consumer electronics for which I have more

by bede 12y ago

Does anyone else feel that this deal tarnishes their perception of the Apple brand? I struggle to think of a brand of consumer electronics for which I have more contempt than Beats Electronics (and Monster Cable, who once manufactured all Beats products, between tricking the naive masses into buying hundred dollar HDMI cables…). The cultural values of these two companies couldn't be much more different. While both are extremely image-conscious and fashionable, Apple has nevertheless built its reputation by delivering innovation and quality to its customers. Beats on the other hand has a built a reputation by selling very expensive headphones of highly questionable quality whose value, I would argue, is primarily superficial.

w4 12y ago
I hate to be that guy, but have you ever actually listened to a pair of Beats? It seems like most people are agressively derisive of them without having actually tried on a pair. Hell, even I used to be that guy. I use a pair of Sennheisers as my go to headphones because I prefer the accuracy, but Beats are kind of great to listen to. They're inaccurate and hyped as all hell, but in a really pleasing way (so much bass) if you mostly listen to modern pop or dance music. EDIT: And with respect to having a reputation of selling overpriced, inferior products on the basis of fashionability: isn't that what Android fans say about Apple and the iPhone? Seems to me the two companies have a lot in common. Both sell well designed products at high markups on the basis of fashion, and not necessarily on feature superiority. Plus, I wouldn't expect Apple to integrate the Beats brand into their own, as that'd destroy a lot of the value associated with the acquisition.
- bede 12y ago
  Yes – I had a good listen to a friend's Studio headphones in 2010. They were not bad and I understand why the sound appeals to some – I just thought they represented terrible value for money. IIRC they cost >£200 in 2010. This particular pair was stored in a hard case yet snapped due to fatigue in the plastic headband after a few months, although I expect their construction has improved a fair bit since then. In response to your edit, the difference between the two companies is that Apple generally backs up the superficial appeal of its products with very good, if not market leading user experience, engineering and manufacturing. The iPhone is relatively expensive (part of the reason I own a Nexus device), but its quality is undeniable.
  - w4 12y ago
    Fair enough -- and I don't disagree in the slightest about value for the money (my Sennheisers are a tank, sound great, and they were only about $100).
clavalle 12y ago
I couldn't agree more. Is this the new Apple? Style and sales numbers over substance? Seems like the first signs of rot.
Nullabillity 12y ago
> Beats on the other hand has a built a reputation by selling very expensive headphones of highly questionable quality whose value, I would argue, is primarily superficial. Sounds like a match made in heaven.

by bede 12y ago

w4 12y ago

I hate to be that guy, but have you ever actually listened to a pair of Beats? It seems like most people are agressively derisive of them without having actually tried on a pair. Hell, even I used to be that guy. I use a pair of Sennheisers as my go to headphones because I prefer the accuracy, but Beats are kind of great to listen to. They're inaccurate and hyped as all hell, but in a really pleasing way (so much bass) if you mostly listen to modern pop or dance music. EDIT: And with respect to having a reputation of selling overpriced, inferior products on the basis of fashionability: isn't that what Android fans say about Apple and the iPhone? Seems to me the two companies have a lot in common. Both sell well designed products at high markups on the basis of fashion, and not necessarily on feature superiority. Plus, I wouldn't expect Apple to integrate the Beats brand into their own, as that'd destroy a lot of the value associated with the acquisition.

bede 12y ago
Yes – I had a good listen to a friend's Studio headphones in 2010. They were not bad and I understand why the sound appeals to some – I just thought they represented terrible value for money. IIRC they cost >£200 in 2010. This particular pair was stored in a hard case yet snapped due to fatigue in the plastic headband after a few months, although I expect their construction has improved a fair bit since then. In response to your edit, the difference between the two companies is that Apple generally backs up the superficial appeal of its products with very good, if not market leading user experience, engineering and manufacturing. The iPhone is relatively expensive (part of the reason I own a Nexus device), but its quality is undeniable.
- w4 12y ago
  Fair enough -- and I don't disagree in the slightest about value for the money (my Sennheisers are a tank, sound great, and they were only about $100).

clavalle 12y ago

I couldn't agree more. Is this the new Apple? Style and sales numbers over substance? Seems like the first signs of rot.

Nullabillity 12y ago

> Beats on the other hand has a built a reputation by selling very expensive headphones of highly questionable quality whose value, I would argue, is primarily superficial. Sounds like a match made in heaven.