Headroom has skullcandy headphones... and is singing their praises? - Page 4 - Head-Fi: Covering Headphones, Earphones and Portable Audio

El_Doug · #46 (**permalink**) 10-26-2009, 07:25 PM

How about starting up "Headroom Holdings," and set up a separate shell storefront for SK's, low and mid-tier cans, and portable amps. Then make headroom proper a high-end joint, with mid- through high-tier cans, and the whole assortment of amps?

Would also allow you to brand yourselves better for each target. This new site, which stinks of pop culture, probably sells the cheaper stuff quite well. Bring back the classy, less cluttered site for the rest of us. Frankly, I'm much more comfortable buying $1000+ headphones from a less cluttered site - something just doesn't feel kosher otherwise.

Gluegun · #47 (**permalink**) 10-29-2009, 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by El_Doug

How about starting up "Headroom Holdings," and set up a separate shell storefront for SK's, low and mid-tier cans, and portable amps. Then make headroom proper a high-end joint, with mid- through high-tier cans, and the whole assortment of amps?

Would also allow you to brand yourselves better for each target. This new site, which stinks of pop culture, probably sells the cheaper stuff quite well. Bring back the classy, less cluttered site for the rest of us. Frankly, I'm much more comfortable buying $1000+ headphones from a less cluttered site - something just doesn't feel kosher otherwise.

Humm. Having a "popular culture" site and an "audiophile" site might work, but the idea does seem to be one that it would be easy to mess up!

Tyll Hertsens · #48 (**permalink**) 10-29-2009, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gluegun

Humm. Having a "popular culture" site and an "audiophile" site might work, but the idea does seem to be one that it would be easy to mess up!

This was discussed, and is a possibility in the future, but does have it's problems:

Twice the writing.
Where do you draw the line?
Possible dilution of indexing power.

Andrew H · #49 (**permalink**) 10-29-2009, 11:36 PM

No, much better for HR to show itself as a destination for audio enthusiasts at all levels.

For beginners to be exposed to the entire spectrum can only be a good thing, no matter that they're not ready for it (yet).

But for people coming from the high end to be offended by being exposed to the entry level, they probably need to get over themselves and consider that they may not know everything there is to know about the opposite end from their spectrum either.

Andrew H · #50 (**permalink**) 10-29-2009, 11:55 PM

Other (semi-on topic) suggestion would be to make sure to stay on top of the ratings system, avoiding the pitfall of some sites (like ones that begin with "C", and end with "NET"), where products that did quite well 2-3 years ago (due to their competition at the time) are still making the latest Top 5 list.

Canman · #51 (**permalink**) 11-02-2009, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tyll Hertsens

This was discussed, and is a possibility in the future, but does have it's problems:

Twice the writing.
Where do you draw the line?
Possible dilution of indexing power.

Audiocubes does this with their Audiocubes II site. I never fully understood the differentiation and I think it just makes their site more confusing.

KikassAssassin · #52 (**permalink**) 11-08-2009, 12:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tyll Hertsens

One thing everyone (including me) is going to have to come to terms with here, is the it's NOT all about sound quality for everybody. And that's what we're trying to figure out: how to portray the value of headphones to the wide variety of people out there --- it's not easy.

How about separating the ratings into multiple categories? You could do something like...

Sound Quality: 4.5/5
Comfort: 4/5
Durability: 4/5
Portability: 2/5
Styling: 3/5

That way your customers could determine for themselves which categories are important to them and make their own value judgments. You could even set up the headphone listings to allow customers to sort the order the headphones are listed in by the rating category of their choice.

aimlink · #53 (**permalink**) 11-08-2009, 01:05 AM

I don't see where that would help because each of those ratings would be made in the context of use as well what and listener type the headphone is intended for.

3602 · #54 (**permalink**) 11-08-2009, 02:25 AM

Skullcandy does not make bad headphones. The SK Pro and Holua sound really good. TI has nice bass too. Only "bad" one is the Skullcrusher with a huge mid-bass hump.

PianistOne111 · #55 (**permalink**) 11-08-2009, 06:35 AM

I heard the Hesh a few days ago. They were bad headphones if I've ever heard any. I know plenty cheaper headphones I'd rather listen to. All Headroom has to say about the Hesh is about the graphics and Metallica.

baka1969 · #56 (**permalink**) 11-14-2009, 03:56 PM

Hi,

Headroom has officially isolated the community it so coveted and courted. I'm not alone in believing that the inclusion of the Skullcandy Titan into their best headphone list is a slap in the face. And, as I predicted, Headroom has put the Titan in their ad of the December issue of Stereophile.

The Skullcandy Titan isn't even the best in it's price category, let alone a list of ten best headphones. I have put my money where my mouth is and tested this mere average IEM.

As I've previously stated, I believe in capitalism. I believe headroom should even sell the Skullcandy line. They're profitable. My issue lies with elevating a lifestyle product with average sound quality (at best) to be included on a list that other candidates truly deserve.

This insults the very group of people that helped establish the company as an audiophile retailer in the first place. If Headroom wants to expand it's customer base, do they have to become a sellout to do it? And if they believe that it should, maybe it's time to reevaluate them as a company?

I've been a customer of Headroom on several occasions. Purchasing more than the price of a pair of Skullcandy. And future purchases would also be even more than a pair of Skullcandy. I will vote with my wallet and shop elsewhere that won't use those type of business practices.

I've had my rant.

Peace,

Ross

Scott_Tarlow · #57 (**permalink**) 11-14-2009, 05:01 PM

HOLY COW HEADROOM IS RECOMMENDING SKULL CANDY NOW THEY BETRAY US!!! Get over yourselves guys, much worse things to complain about in this world.

indydieselnut · #58 (**permalink**) 11-14-2009, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott_Tarlow

HOLY COW HEADROOM IS RECOMMENDING SKULL CANDY NOW THEY BETRAY US!!! Get over yourselves guys, much worse things to complain about in this world.

x2. I've shopped at Headroom for over a decade now and have had nothing but positive experiences. I would much rather have a site where SC and a HD800 both grace the homepage...so that the customer that came there for SC knows there's a whole world out there of which they weren't aware.

A healthy Headroom is good for headphone listening. Not a healthy Headroom at any cost, but a company that is evolving with the market. When they picked up SC they didn't drop the PS1000 and HD800. When they picked up SC they didn't stop making the BUDA. When they picked up SC they didn't stop advocating good value.

One thing to point out that I think is pretty cool is the way they also picked up JMoney earpads. Yes, they picked up SC but they also gave a guy that's making a unique, niche product a chance to market those products through an established retailer. Just my two cents...

Cheers

Bubu1 · #59 (**permalink**) 11-14-2009, 05:55 PM

I agree with indydieselnut. Is there any logical reason why Headroom should not promote headphone listening to individuals at all levels? I personally believe that the overall goal should be to guide people to enjoy music at whatever level they choose. Some head-fiers can spend thousands of dollars on equipment to build the ultimate headphone rig. Not everyone who likes to listen to music can do this. Kudos to Headroom for looking at the entire spectrum of listeners and providing great service to everyone!
Cheers,
Tom

baka1969 · #60 (**permalink**) 11-14-2009, 06:02 PM

I suppose I didn't make my point clear. So I'll do so now.....

I have no issue with Headroom needing to fulfill a market segment and expand their business. I have no issue with Headroom wanting to make more money in an economy where every sale counts. Please don't misconstrue that. I am pro-capitalism in every sense of the word.

My issue... No... My problem is that Headroom decided to include the Skullcandy Titan, an average product at best even within it's own price category, on their ten best headphone list. When there are other more deserving candidates. I see this as purely a marketing move and not one worthy of the status they tried hard to achieve. And, in not just my eyes, hurts their reputation as a audiophile provider. It insults my intelligence and puts the rest of their products and recommendations as suspect.

I think Headroom could have approached marketing the Skullcandy line in a different way without alienating it's core consumer base.

Nowhere in any of my posts did I suggest Headroom not sell a product that could add to it's own bottom line. Just don't try to sell me that sow's ear as a silk tie. It's insulting.

Ross