Paul R Posted July 19, 2016 Share Posted July 19, 2016 Great teardown article here. Amazing what people will pay for, ain't it? We Took Apart Some Beats Headphones and Here's What We Found Anyone who considers protocol unimportant has never dealt with a cat DAC. Robert A. Heinlein Link to comment
mrvco Posted July 19, 2016 Share Posted July 19, 2016 I've never listened to Beats headphones, so I can't comment on how they sound. The material component cost estimates don't really surprise me. I would be interested to see how other comparably priced headphones that are also sold worldwide through retail channels compare. -- My Audio System Link to comment
hornytoad Posted July 19, 2016 Share Posted July 19, 2016 I've never listened to Beats headphones, so I can't comment on how they sound. The material component cost estimates don't really surprise me. I would be interested to see how other comparably priced headphones that are also sold worldwide through retail channels compare. Last time I listened to a pair several years ago , they were very poor audio quality . I see a lot of them in the gym though . . Link to comment
sphinxsix Posted July 19, 2016 Share Posted July 19, 2016 Look good (to some). Sound errr..not so good.. Link to comment
mrvco Posted July 19, 2016 Share Posted July 19, 2016 Look good (to some). Sound errr..not so good.. Do Beats guys become Bose guys with age? I just stick to my IEMs. -- My Audio System Link to comment
sphinxsix Posted July 19, 2016 Share Posted July 19, 2016 Do Beats guys become Bose guys with age? I just stick to my IEMs. Anyway they remain bass hungry guys for the rest of their lives. Got no choice - the ears have to evolve to adopt to the bass-heavy sound. Good customers for cheap subwoofers' manufacturers. Link to comment
sphinxsix Posted July 19, 2016 Share Posted July 19, 2016 Ps. A really stupid way to become a Sophomore Member - discussing Beats phones..(100th comment) I'm embarrassed Link to comment
esldude Posted July 19, 2016 Share Posted July 19, 2016 Well the materials cost vs retail isn't all that much out of whack. Generally such things are expected to be a 10:1 ratio in many retail items. 20:1 if not a competitive field (Beats for instance may have made themselves a special part of the market where its Beats or nothing). Rarely more than 5:1 is the case. DISCLAIMER:I am going by other people's information mostly not an expert on such myself. I have however been involved in engineering projects that seem to bear this out. One I remember was a change to a part that was to cost $3.50 and being told that would pump another $30 into the sales price and the market was too competitive to bump price $30 even if it increased efficiency a very worthwhile amount (which it did). So the change was never made in the $900 retail product. And always keep in mind: Cognitive biases, like seeing optical illusions are a sign of a normally functioning brain. We all have them, it’s nothing to be ashamed about, but it is something that affects our objective evaluation of reality. Link to comment
vmartell22 Posted July 19, 2016 Share Posted July 19, 2016 There is no doubt they are more expensive than they are worth - however, following the links and references, someone commented that the tear down was done on knock offs... hope someone repeats the exercise with real ones... Link to comment
Paul R Posted July 19, 2016 Author Share Posted July 19, 2016 Do Beats guys become Bose guys with age? I just stick to my IEMs. That sir, is one truly *frightening* thought.... (!) Anyone who considers protocol unimportant has never dealt with a cat DAC. Robert A. Heinlein Link to comment
Paul R Posted July 19, 2016 Author Share Posted July 19, 2016 There is no doubt they are more expensive than they are worth - however, following the links and references, someone commented that the tear down was done on knock offs... hope someone repeats the exercise with real ones... I sure didn't see anything like that, even in the original article. They very much look like actual Beats headphones. Can you post the exact link you are talking about please? -Paul Anyone who considers protocol unimportant has never dealt with a cat DAC. Robert A. Heinlein Link to comment
vmartell22 Posted July 19, 2016 Share Posted July 19, 2016 I sure didn't see anything like that, even in the original article. They very much look like actual Beats headphones. Can you post the exact link you are talking about please? -Paul https://blog.bolt.io/how-it-s-made-series-beats-by-dre-154aae384b36 go to "Show All Responses" there is some discussion about being a knock off tear down... which will lead to this link Uh-Oh: Beats Teardown Apparently Used Beats Knockoffs - Core77[-BREAKING-NEWS-]-Uh-Oh-Beats-Teardown-Apparently-Used-Beats-Knockoffs v Link to comment
Paul R Posted July 19, 2016 Author Share Posted July 19, 2016 https://blog.bolt.io/how-it-s-made-series-beats-by-dre-154aae384b36 go to "Show All Responses" there is some discussion about being a knock off tear down... which will lead to this link Uh-Oh: Beats Teardown Apparently Used Beats Knockoffs - Core77[-BREAKING-NEWS-]-Uh-Oh-Beats-Teardown-Apparently-Used-Beats-Knockoffs v Thanks - that is very interesting. I didn't know the Beats were being pirated that closely, which is an interesting story all in itself! -Paul Anyone who considers protocol unimportant has never dealt with a cat DAC. Robert A. Heinlein Link to comment
duxservit Posted July 20, 2016 Share Posted July 20, 2016 Great teardown article here. Amazing what people will pay for, ain't it? We Took Apart Some Beats Headphones and Here's What We Found Well, if they had added some diamond pieces, they could have sold a pair for $5K to $10K. A true bling :-) Let every eye ear negotiate for itself and trust no agent. (Shakespeare) The things that we love tell us what we are. (Aquinas) Link to comment
Middy Posted July 20, 2016 Share Posted July 20, 2016 People believe what they are told in general tiz the power of advertising. You can't blame people not in the know. .. I only find out an audiophile wasn't a musical pervert 2 years ago... Sent from my SM-G900F using Computer Audiophile mobile app Link to comment
bluesman Posted July 20, 2016 Share Posted July 20, 2016 I only find out an audiophile wasn't a musical pervert 2 years ago Not all share that belief, Middy. Take my wife....... Link to comment
Middy Posted July 20, 2016 Share Posted July 20, 2016 [emoji16] Ahaha.. perfect ..The best reply I've had on CA... My best friend ran off with the wife.. All they left me was my audio gear.. I can never thank him enough... My friend suggested wife swapping.. I got a new stereo...great deal. ... W.C Fields jokes... My wife drove me too Audio...wonderful Women... I only became a misogynist when I realised all women hate me.. Sent from my SM-G900F using Computer Audiophile mobile app Link to comment
Middy Posted July 20, 2016 Share Posted July 20, 2016 Beats remind me of the flavour flave giant clock necklace it still told the time but was there for image... It does serve a purpose as it makes people question what they have. I have always thought the HD800 is an awful looking lump of plastic. But that serves it's purpose also. I bet it doesn't cost €1000 to make either .. ..Say 10 times the beats basic material price.... Still a very nice profit margin but is the sound worth it?... Sent from my SM-G900F using Computer Audiophile mobile app Link to comment
mrvco Posted July 20, 2016 Share Posted July 20, 2016 Thanks - that is very interesting. I didn't know the Beats were being pirated that closely, which is an interesting story all in itself! -Paul The knock-offs are probably externals rejected for some arbitrary reason using junk internals and sold out the back door of the out-source manufacturing facility. A great racket if you can get away with it. -- My Audio System Link to comment
Middy Posted July 20, 2016 Share Posted July 20, 2016 You can get copies hitting the streets before the product is even launched. Sunday markets can get Beats knock offs for £10. An apprentice at work had some real ones for Xmas I let him compare my FLARE IEMS. The little tinkers face dropped....But he likes the look....Maybe it's an age thing fashion over function.... We can never guess the real profit margin of Beats or Sennheiser. Most of Beats must be advertising but if there R+D was half that... Sent from my SM-G900F using Computer Audiophile mobile app Link to comment
Solstice380 Posted July 20, 2016 Share Posted July 20, 2016 Thanks - that is very interesting. I didn't know the Beats were being pirated that closely, which is an interesting story all in itself! -Paul Just visit China some time. There is a whole building in Shanghai with 5 floors of knockoffs. Want Rolex, Gucci, Beats by the gazillions, etc. I was at a silk shop looking around. As I was walking out, the store lady tugged my sleeve and said "you want watch?". There were no watches in that shop. https://audiophilestyle.com/profile/21384-solstice380/?tab=field_core_pfield_3 Link to comment
hornytoad Posted July 20, 2016 Share Posted July 20, 2016 That sir, is one truly *frightening* thought.... (!) Beats to Bose is a logical progression for those who don't know any better . Link to comment
Middy Posted July 21, 2016 Share Posted July 21, 2016 Arg it's like Swarovski Crystals Buying Sennheiser... Sent from my SM-G900F using Computer Audiophile mobile app Link to comment
bluesman Posted July 21, 2016 Share Posted July 21, 2016 As I was walking out, the store lady tugged my sleeve and said "you want watch?". There were no watches in that shop. She may not have been trying to sell you a timepiece..... Link to comment
Middy Posted July 21, 2016 Share Posted July 21, 2016 Ahaha She did have time on her hand's Then..? Sent from my SM-G900F using Computer Audiophile mobile app Link to comment
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