Beats headphones good for the headphone market?
jflail2
Posts: 2,868
Interesting article:
http://www.cnn.com/2014/01/13/tech/beats-headphones-audio-market/index.html?hpt=hp_bn5
This in particular surprised me:
Indeed, according to the NPD Group, a marketing research company, Beats controls 27% of the $1.8 billion headphone market -- and 57% of the market for "premium" headphones, ones that cost $99 or more. On- or over-the-ear Beats retail from about $200 to $400, so you can easily spend as much on the headphones as you can on your MP3 player or contracted phone.
While I'd agree with the sentiment that Beats are boomy, gimmicky, crap headphones, I can kind of hear the argument that it's good for audiophiles that the "accepted price" for cans has increased.
Thoughts?
http://www.cnn.com/2014/01/13/tech/beats-headphones-audio-market/index.html?hpt=hp_bn5
This in particular surprised me:
Indeed, according to the NPD Group, a marketing research company, Beats controls 27% of the $1.8 billion headphone market -- and 57% of the market for "premium" headphones, ones that cost $99 or more. On- or over-the-ear Beats retail from about $200 to $400, so you can easily spend as much on the headphones as you can on your MP3 player or contracted phone.
While I'd agree with the sentiment that Beats are boomy, gimmicky, crap headphones, I can kind of hear the argument that it's good for audiophiles that the "accepted price" for cans has increased.
Thoughts?
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Post edited by jflail2 on
Comments
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With the boom in music capable devices comes a boom in headphones.
And that's why there's twice as many players in the headphone market now.
Beats are bass heavy crap. But like McDonalds. mass market tastes are
rather bland. Better quality cans have caught fire. And will continue to grow"The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg." --Thomas Jefferson -
While I have no idea what BEATS are today....the original design was the brainchild of Dr. Dre and Jimmy Lovine. They stated that that all the high priced Studio Quality cans that they used over the years were great for Audiophiles but they did not produce Hip Hop music the way it sounds during playback in the studio. Also, they stated thet the buds that came with iPods were a complete joke to listen to Hip Hop tracks. The cans were not "HOT" enough nor was the BASS heavy enough....and also important, they had no "Style" to them or were ugly.While I'd agree with the sentiment that Beats are boomy, gimmicky, crap headphones, I can kind of hear the argument that it's good for audiophiles that the "accepted price" for cans has increased.Thoughts?
Have you ever heard a HIP HOP track played back before mastering? I have, and the tracks were "HOT" and "BASS HEAVY" When the BEATS studio first came out I listen to about 30 seconds of a Hip Hop track through them and "HOT" and "BASS HEAVY" are the first thoughts that came to mind.....also, I thought they were the most modern and stylish headphones I had ever seen.
Even though they are not what I (And other audiophile types) would spend $300 on, the original Studio BEATS are not crappy headphones, THEY HIT THE MARK!!! They are headphones for those that want that HOT BASS HEAVY studio sound in an attractive package at a price that sets them apart from the average. ...They never said they were the best phones for listening to the Classics. LOL!
Even though one may not like it...you have to respect the BEATS by Dr. Dre revolution of the Headphone industry. Should make it a little easier for the audiophile headphone makers to sell their $300-$3000+ products. I know for a fact I have seen several Celebs, Sports figures, etc. wearing what look to be higher priced Grado, AKG, Sennheiser, Beyerdynamics, etc.......for them....BEATS at this stage of the game are common or "been there done that"....or what the average 16 years old kids wants for XMAS!
The headphone industry is BOOMING! $1.8B!2.2 Office Setup | LG 29UB55 21:9 UltraWide | HP Probook 630 G8 | Dell Latitude | Cabasse Stream Amp 100 | Boston Acoustics VS 240 | AUDIORAX Desk Stands | Mirage Omni S8 sub1 | Mirage Omni S8 Sub2 -
Agreed. Beats as a product are HORRIBLE to my ears, but they have given some good press to the headphone market. As a result
1. Big headphones are IN, both as function pieces and fashion accessories.
2. Cost folks are willing to spend has gone up
3. Demand has increased competition lowering prices"....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
