Apple Welcomes Beats to the Family as Beats Electronics Closes Its Online Store

[Piggie]

Basic question really.

Do you think Apple will improve the physical construction of Beats headphones?

Do you think Apple will improve the Audio Quality of Beats Headphones?

Given that beats, seem to be a laughing stock of anyone who actually knows how music should sounds, or rather the ability to accurately reproduce the sound the recording studio wanted it to sound like.
Which one could say was the primary function of such a device.

A bit like a chef who has trained for years, spending 4 hours, with fine seasonings, and much skill producing a superbly balanced and interesting meal, and your "slob" coming along and pouring "Beats BBQ Sauce" all over it, as Boy does he love his sauce.

 

[TrentS]

Everyone has an opinion. But, if you are not a shareholder of Apple stock, why should you care about what Apple does with its shareholder's money? I mean, really, why does this, or any other acquisition that Apple makes gets you all riled up?

There are two or three possible outcomes with this acquisition:
1. It's a huge success and adds (in a big way) to Apple's bottom line.
2. It's a huge flop and impacts Apple's bottom negatively.
3. Or something in between.

So, please, someone, anyone who is not a shareholder of Apple stock clearly articulate without ranting why this acquisiton causes you such discontent?



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A RIF at Beats.
http://www.mxdwn.com/2014/08/01/news/apple-announces-layoff-of-over-200-beats-employees/

Uh, thanks there, Captain Obvious.

 

[artuuur]

In the past, I never tried Beats and I always thought they were overpriced but I've heard from other people how they offer great sound quality. After Apple's acquisition, I thought I'd them a try and see what the fuss is about; returned them back to the store in less than 24 hours.

...

I'm actually astonished that some shops allow people to return headphones. It's just not right!

 

[DELLsFan]

Worst. acquisition. ever.

 

[Four oF NINE]

Meanwhile, Beats' web designer decided that Times New Roman was the best way to welcome Apple on their website.

They need to switch up to Helvetica Neue or Seravek

 

[69Mustang]

It feels wrong because it is wrong. Why is it wrong? It is wrong because ... {snipped obtuse diatribe}

You are in need of a massive dose of reality. What you wrote reads like the manifesto of a raving delusional maniac. I hope that's really not the case.

This is the real beginning of the real end of Apple - no matter how long it lasts or what it turns into.

This quote reads like a political hack wrote it. So basically what you're saying is even if this acquisition turns out to be hugely successful and profitable for a number of years to come, when the end does come, even if it's completely unrelated to Beats, you'll be able to point back to this and say, "I told you so."? <-apologies to all for the awkward, comma filled sentence

Just because we (forum members) have no idea why Apple acquired Beats doesn't mean it wasn't a good move for Apple. With Beats, a lot of this forum became what they deride most; analyst. And like the analyst they deride, the forum members pulled guesses out of their asses with no basis for the analysis they spewed. Anyone who claims they know the reasons for this deal being good or bad is only guessing. Time will be the judge of the Beats deal.

 

[Mums]

Has anyone told you that it's rude to be arrogant and condescending? I'd like some clarification on your rant, and your response is to insinuate that I'm not smart enough to understand it? Guess humility isn't your thing.

My humility is what allows me to see the truth. Your arrogance is that which prevents you from doing the same.

 

[Renzatic]

You seem to believe what they want you to believe.

And who are "they"?

 

[bennibeef]

Everyone who thinks this acquisition makes apple doomed should take a 101 course on business. Easy as that.

 

[GeneralChang]

Basic question really.

Do you think Apple will improve the physical construction of Beats headphones?

Do you think Apple will improve the Audio Quality of Beats Headphones?

Given that beats, seem to be a laughing stock of anyone who actually knows how music should sounds, or rather the ability to accurately reproduce the sound the recording studio wanted it to sound like.
Which one could say was the primary function of such a device.

A bit like a chef who has trained for years, spending 4 hours, with fine seasonings, and much skill producing a superbly balanced and interesting meal, and your "slob" coming along and pouring "Beats BBQ Sauce" all over it, as Boy does he love his sauce.

I like the comparison to sauces. Have you ever gone to a steak house, had a really good steak, and then watched as the person at the next table dumps A1 all over theirs? I imagine that’s how it feels for audiophiles to watch people use Beats.

But if you stand up in a steak house and tell that person they are ruining their steak (which by rights they are), you are the rudest human on Earth right then. So why do we think it’s okay to hate on people for the headphones they use? Their choice. It doesn’t matter how right you are, common decency kinda demands you just let them do what they want.

As for your questions, I will never rely on Apple for my audio equipment. They’ve made some good stuff, and they’ve made some bad stuff. I don’t think the Beat’s purchase will change that. Considering the rampant success of Beat’s headphones, I doubt Apple will change those quickly either. Just let them sell for a while. I am looking forward to seeing how iTunes changes over the next year. I think that’s where the big changes will be, and considering where iTunes is now, it will likely be an improvement.

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Well the truth is that your translations are completely irrelevant considering that I am under 20 years old. Here are some true facts... Beats is indeed intelligent when it comes to marketing, as they abuse celebrities to build desire within mindless teenagers who'll do or pay anything to feel accepted or "cool". Yet their products are truly overpriced, the build quality is god-awful and the music is exaggeratedly amplified (and not accurate) by the speakers to give the illusion that they sound superior by bumping up the bass and other algorithms, which imho destroys the music.

The business element is also not too complex either. The heads at Apple are aware that people rather rent music online in a Netflix fashion rather than purchasing individual songs and storing them on their devices. The current iTunes model is dying and the future is headed in Spotify's direction. Beats newly offered this and it was Apple's chance to not only to purchase a huge brand which is admired among teenagers, a demographic Apple strives for because iPhones and iPods sell like hotcakes because of them too, but to also acquire that Spotify type of service. And besides the heads at Beats practically begged Apple for years for this type of collaboration.

Excellent post. So you agree that this aquisition was a sound business decision.

 

[Trapezoid]

I like the comparison to sauces. Have you ever gone to a steak house, had a really good steak, and then watched as the person at the next table dumps A1 all over theirs? I imagine that’s how it feels for audiophiles to watch people use Beats.

This makes audiophiles sound like pretentious losers. Who cares what other people use or what they put on their steak? People like that need a hobby.

But if you stand up in a steak house and tell that person they are ruining their steak (which by rights they are), you are the rudest human on Earth right then. So why do we think it’s okay to hate on people for the headphones they use? Their choice. It doesn’t matter how right you are, common decency kinda demands you just let them do what they want.

Yep. If someone stood up and told me how to eat my food, I'd laugh at them as I pour more a1 on. Btw, I don't use steak sauce, but telling me how to eat would definitely get you laughed at

 

[Renzatic]

Yep. If someone stood up and told me how to eat my food, I'd laugh at them as I pour more a1 on. Btw, I don't use steak sauce, but telling me how to eat would definitely get you laughed at

I'll occasionally dash some Worchestershire sauce on a stake. It works as a good flavor enhancer, and makes everything it touches taste so British.

My only problem with A1 is that whatever you put it on ends up tasting like A1. It's too strong.

 

[Four oF NINE]

Dear god, that's ghastly

........ it's more likely to phase out all Beats products and make a new product that is more Apple-like - something that you wouldn't associate with Beats, and would associate with Apple instead. It's quite obvious Apple needed something different adding to their team that developed the EarPods, etc

One can only hope..

 

[Trapezoid]

I'll occasionally dash some Worchestershire sauce on a stake. It works as a good flavor enhancer, and makes everything it touches taste so British.

My only problem with A1 is that whatever you put it on ends up tasting like A1. It's too strong.

I've tried both before and they're not half bad i just like my steak without any sauce. Mmmm steak...now I'm hungry

 

[69Mustang]

Basic question really.

Do you think Apple will improve the physical construction of Beats headphones?

Do you think Apple will improve the Audio Quality of Beats Headphones?

Given that beats, seem to be a laughing stock of anyone who actually knows how music should sounds, or rather the ability to accurately reproduce the sound the recording studio wanted it to sound like.
Which one could say was the primary function of such a device.

A bit like a chef who has trained for years, spending 4 hours, with fine seasonings, and much skill producing a superbly balanced and interesting meal, and your "slob" coming along and pouring "Beats BBQ Sauce" all over it, as Boy does he love his sauce.

1. Yes. But Apple won't do anything to reduce the margins that Beat's enjoys. If they can get aluminum enclosures and maintain margins, that's probably the only changes will see. Because aluminum equals quality.

2. Beats were specifically designed to appeal to a bass heavy demographic. They weren't designed to sound like Senn's, Grado's, or AT's. Beats caters to a mass market that likes that sound. They are not for audiophiles. There are a number of niche headphones makers that cater to that audience, three of which I noted above. Beats has already introduced headphones with a more balanced sound as well.

Your chef could spend 4 hours preparing oysters to find only a few appreciate the taste of what he did. The vast majority may just want a splash of Tabasco on their oysters. Give the people what they want. That's what Beats did.

 

[bpeeps]

Well the truth is that your translations are completely irrelevant considering that I am under 20 years old.

And you think that's a positive aspect of your argument? Let me know when Apple starts taking business advice from teenagers.

Not everyone who disagrees with something is a hater.

Agreed. Bust most of the fanboys in this post are expressing themselves as haters.

It maybe your deep buried lost and forgotten inner racism jk jk

While there are a lot of forum members who have been racist in past Beats post, the user you replied to was not one of them. Or should I say haha jk jk to half negate the stupidity in my comment.


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These posts are forever entertaining. Keep them coming MR.

 

[Rogifan]

Image

Dear god, that's ghastly

I would love Apple to redesign this stuff but it's a bit of an awkward situation. The firm that designed Beats hardware is run by Robert Brunner, the guy who hired Jony Ive at Apple and who Ive worked for until 1996 when he left Apple and Ive took his place.

 

[Renzatic]

I've tried both before and they're not half bad i just like my steak without any sauce. Mmmm steak...now I'm hungry

Yeah, I want a steak and a baked potato now. THANKS, PEOPLE!

My opinion is that a well prepared steak doesn't need a sauce. The marinade and seasonings are more than enough. But if a steak's a little too dry? Like it usually is when I eat with the extended family, because they all believe if there's even a little bit of pink, you're gonna die of food poisoning, then yeah, I dump it on just to have some moisture.

...though ultimately, it all comes down to taste. Some people like their sauces, and I'm not going to disparage them over their opinion.

 

[Trapezoid]

Yeah, I want a steak and a baked potato now. THANKS, PEOPLE!

My opinion is that a well prepared steak doesn't need a sauce. The marinade and seasonings are more than enough. But if a steak's a little too dry? Like it usually is when I eat with the extended family, because they all believe if there's even a little bit of pink, you're gonna die of food poisoning, then yeah, I dump it on just to have some moisture.

...though ultimately, it all comes down to taste. Some people like their sauces, and I'm not going to disparage them over their opinion.

Me either. I'll eat my food my way, I don't give a crap how you eat yours.

 

[dino12]

So I guess whoever writes the copy for Apple's website thinks this is "beautiful"? I hope to god this is one of the first things Apple ditches. And maybe considering how expensive this gear is they can move away from crappy plastic? When I was at the Apple store looking for a wireless speaker I couldn't believe how cheap looking and feeling the Pill was. Nothing like the Bose soundlink mini I ended up getting. That thing has some real heft to it, wrapped in a beautiful aluminum shell.

Image

I bought the Sound Link Mini and that thing sounds great for as small as it is.

 

[Rogifan]

2. Beats were specifically designed to appeal to a base heavy demographic. They weren't designed to sound like Senn's, Grado's, or AT's. Beats caters to a mass market that likes that sound. They are not for audiophiles. There are a number of niche headphones makers that cater to that audience, three of which I noted above. Beats has already introduced headphones with a more balanced sound as well.

Except Beats isn't out there saying they make headphones with a specific sound to cater to a specific demographic. They think their audio quality is superior. During that re/code interview with Iovine and Cue, Iovine insulted Apple by saying Apple makes headphones just so they know the headphone jack works on their products. That's a bit rich coming from someone who knowingly sells overpriced crap.

 

[rei101]

Beats is not Apple.

I like Apple products for what they are and I feel represented by them but I have nothing to do with Beats.

Is like my mom dressing me.

Besides, Beats is a ugly device with good marketing but there is nothing revolutionary about a pair of headphones.

I am with the general feeling about this... it is just wrong. It is a ghetto device by the way, is not like Apple acquire VW or some classy brand.

 

[Rogifan]

I bought the Sound Link Mini and that thing sounds great for as small as it is.

I love my Soundlink mini. A lot of powerful sound for something so small, even when using Bluetooth.

 

[OC40]

I've tried both before and they're not half bad i just like my steak without any sauce. Mmmm steak...now I'm hungry

Agree. If you have to put sauce (or anything other than salt, pepper and a little butter/oil) on a steak, it is not a good steak.

 

[Dilster3k]

And you think that's a positive aspect of your argument? Let me know when Apple starts taking business advice from teenagers.

Trust me mate, the people over at Apple surely do not search among the MacRumors forum to hunt down business advice anyway.