topofroc
Well-known member
So I spent the bulk of today at an industrial design conference in Boston. While I was there, I saw a compelling presentation from Rob Brunner, founder of the Ammunition Design, the firm that's behind the Beats by Dre headphones. As a self proclaimed "audio nerd", I was very interested in hearing what he had to say about sound and the sound quality of Beats products. A quick survey of most audiophile and hifi websites will reveal that the Beats headphones are soundly looked down upon, almost to Bose-like levels. They are referred to as bass-hyped, distorted, and overpriced.
So what did one of the masterminds behind Beats by Dr Dre have to say under all of this withering criticism?
Well, the first part of his response was predictable. He said "We don't care what audiophiles think.".
The second part of his response was very telling, and should be of interest to all those on this site, and the audiophile community in general.
"We produce headphones that replicate how (young) people experience music. The slam of bass in the clubs..."
I found that statement very revealing and insightful. Most teenagers/20/30 somethings experience music in a danceclub or party setting. A DJ is playing the music (not a live band) through a huge sound system. That's when they are most engaged with the music they love. That's where their emotional ties to the music are formed and that's what they remember. The time the spend listening to iPhones/iPods and Spotify is their attempt to recall their "live" experience. Like looking at a photo to remember a great time with friends.
The measure of good sound quality for many audiophiles is to replicate a live performance. Live performance being defined for us as a live band playing on stage. This is because that's how WE became engaged with the music we love. At a concert or a show. We design our systems to recreate that "live" feeling.
Most young people don't emotionally engage with music that way anymore. They experience it through two "turntables" in a club/party setting. By that measure (GULP), I would assert that Beats by Dr Dre headphones are/should be the best measure of sound quality. They best replicate the initial experience that made these listeners fall in love with the music.
If this is the case, what does or should this mean for the future of audiophile gear?
Should the design direction of the products we love (like Martin Logan) change to accommodate this generation's definition of "sound quality"?
Why shouldn't it?
And what does all this mean for old/not-so-old farts like us?
As a community of likeminded audio nerds whose opinions I value, I'm eager to hear your responses...
So what did one of the masterminds behind Beats by Dr Dre have to say under all of this withering criticism?
Well, the first part of his response was predictable. He said "We don't care what audiophiles think.".
The second part of his response was very telling, and should be of interest to all those on this site, and the audiophile community in general.
"We produce headphones that replicate how (young) people experience music. The slam of bass in the clubs..."
I found that statement very revealing and insightful. Most teenagers/20/30 somethings experience music in a danceclub or party setting. A DJ is playing the music (not a live band) through a huge sound system. That's when they are most engaged with the music they love. That's where their emotional ties to the music are formed and that's what they remember. The time the spend listening to iPhones/iPods and Spotify is their attempt to recall their "live" experience. Like looking at a photo to remember a great time with friends.
The measure of good sound quality for many audiophiles is to replicate a live performance. Live performance being defined for us as a live band playing on stage. This is because that's how WE became engaged with the music we love. At a concert or a show. We design our systems to recreate that "live" feeling.
Most young people don't emotionally engage with music that way anymore. They experience it through two "turntables" in a club/party setting. By that measure (GULP), I would assert that Beats by Dr Dre headphones are/should be the best measure of sound quality. They best replicate the initial experience that made these listeners fall in love with the music.
If this is the case, what does or should this mean for the future of audiophile gear?
Should the design direction of the products we love (like Martin Logan) change to accommodate this generation's definition of "sound quality"?
Why shouldn't it?
And what does all this mean for old/not-so-old farts like us?
As a community of likeminded audio nerds whose opinions I value, I'm eager to hear your responses...
