flight cases?

[obobskivich]

alright, whats the deal with high end Japanese headphones and flight cases?

Almost every "premium" Japanese hp I've seen comes with a flightcase, while similarly priced 'phones from the US, and Europe exclude such a box, sometimes you get a leather or velour pouch/bag, but it isn't quite the same, and sometimes the packaging is just very very plain (Grado)

comments? thoughts?

 

[krmathis]

Yeah, that has struck me as well.
Some European and US made headphones have come with wooden boxes in the past (AKG K1000, Sennheiser HE90, Grado RS1, ...), but I have seen none with such durable flight cases as ex. Stax provide(d) with their top-end models (SR-007 (BL, A, MK2), 4070)

I am sure there are a reason behind, but I clearly don't know why. Besides $$ saving and consumer demand/interest.

 

[obobskivich]

hadn't really thought of wooden boxes, but I can sort of understand that, it makes a nice "display" (although those hp's should be on your head, not on a shelf

)

 

[marvin]

The Japanese consumers’ mindset focuses quite a bit more on the superficial aesthetic aspects of products than most other cultures do. As a result, packaging which most Westerners would consider to be overly ornate is a necessity when selling premium items to a Japanese audience.

Amusingly enough, this extends to JSDF purchasing. They're known to be fanatical about the external appearance of deliverables and will return systems and parts for superficial imperfections that would not be commented on by other militaries. And this is for things that will never see the light of day or would quickly be marred by the usual military handling procedures.

 

[obobskivich]

Quote:

Originally Posted by marvin /img/forum/go_quote.gif The Japanese consumers’ mindset focuses quite a bit more on the superficial aesthetic aspects of products than most other cultures do. As a result, packaging which most Westerners would consider to be overly ornate is a necessity when selling premium items to a Japanese audience. Amusingly enough, this extend to JSDF purchasing. They're known to be fanatical about the external appearance of deliverables and will return systems and parts for superficial imperfections that would not be commented on by other militaries. And this is for things that will never see the light of day or would quickly be marred by the usual military handling procedures.

wow; and I thought americans were bad

 

[Drag0n]

I want my headphones in a diamond and birthstone(aquamarine/bloodstone/amethyst...depending on which source you look at.....March month)
Solid silver box with gold hinges, with mink lining, and an air unit in there to keep the temp and humidity just perfect, and i want it mcro-ID chipped for identification un case of theft, and a tracking device.

Oh, and being i cant afford it, i want someone to gift it to me.

 

[SleepyOne]

Those things (plastic case & wooden box) are cheap in Asia and I think packaging presentation is important in Japan (please correct me if I am incorrect, thanks).

DragOn - are you aiming for Russian billionaire clients? While you at it, you might as well customise PS1000 & HD800 with precious metal (i.e. platinum etc) and diamonds...

 

[Drag0n]

Well i am 25% Russian

 

[jonathanjong]

And yet D2000s come pouchless. <pouts>

 

[tintin47]

I think that it is just a difference in societal norms. Japanese culture is very enamored with appearance and craftsmanship. Just take a look at traditional japanese architecture. A lot of time is used on very small details, and I would expect that the presentation of the headphones is another way in which this inclination for detail shows itself.

 

[Ishcabible]

Quote:

Originally Posted by SleepyOne /img/forum/go_quote.gif While you at it, you might as well customise PS1000 & HD800 with precious metal (i.e. platinum etc) and diamonds...

Kryptonite?

I kind of like the flight cases. If nothing else, it can server double duty for holding other stuff.

 

[mbd2884]

Yeah AD900 comes with squat. No box, no pouch.

You know what I think ALL hifi headphones should come with? Headphone stand. Sony and AKG got it right with the K701 and SA5000. Such a good idea.

 

[jonathanjong]

^ Indeed. One Japanese and one Austrian company. We have enough counter-examples of this "Japanese consumers care about appearances, therefore Japanese headphones come with cool free stuff" hypothesis to motivate a more rigourous empirical study... Should we go through all they, say, top 3 top-of-the-line headphones for all the major manufacturers and see if they come with bags and cases and stands and such?

 

[tjohnusa]

Quote:

Originally Posted by tintin47 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I think that it is just a difference in societal norms. Japanese culture is very enamored with appearance and craftsmanship. Just take a look at traditional japanese architecture. A lot of time is used on very small details, and I would expect that the presentation of the headphones is another way in which this inclination for detail shows itself.

That used to be the norm here in the states. Using architeture as a reference just look at any art deco building from the 30's or 40's both inside and out...amazing sense of detail and ornament. I have a nice aluminum flight case I recieved with a cigar order. It is `9x10x2 1/4 inches. It would make a great case for amp dac and iems. It would need foam cut to size for the components. If anyone is interested pm me and I can send pix. Looking for a trade of something worth`$30.