Head-fi impacting theTarget Market for the new HD700?

[Nomad]

I was wondering if Sennheiser was targeting the same price bracket of the 650 in the beginning for their HD700 (whatever it will be called). Well, a bit more expensive as usual when a new product is presented, but nothing dramatic.

I was wondering if the activity of this forum made Senn realize that it might be market for a $1000-$1200 headphone and if this could have made to change the strategy of Sennheiser.

Perhaps this is totally wrong and they will still play on the HD650 area, but I was wondering if this could happen.

 

[Duggeh]

The HD650 still competes well in the market at its price point and sennheiser are unlikely to produce another statement product given the HE90 expectations that would engender. I think that they know that the money is in noise cancelling and cheaper earbuds and smaller headphones. There may be a market for a $2000 headphone, but its so small compared to the market for $40 headphones that its not as profitable to go there.

The HD700 has been "just over the next hill" for years. As to if it will be the HD700 or the HD7000. I dont think that anyone can truely say. Although I believe that Tyll posted some very vague info a while back. They will be designing something new, all the companies will always be workign on the next model.

 

[The_Duke_Of_Eli]

The so-called HD700s is just a full wallet's wet dream. The HD650 is still an incredible headphone at an incredible price with no glaring faults. I don't imagine sennheisser will make a modification to its hi-fi lineup anytime soon.

 

[jjcha]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nomad I was wondering if the activity of this forum made Senn realize that it might be market for a $1000-$1200 headphone and if this could have made to change the strategy of Sennheiser.

Hi Javier...

This reminds me of my "why are the best cans discontinued" thread.

I remember something one of the speakers at last year's National Meet thread said - that the iPod was great for headphones in that it raised consumer acceptance of $300 headphones. In other words, if a consumer was willing to pay $300 for an iPod, some of them would be willing to consider $300 for a corresponding headphone.

That's where we're seeing the market right know, especially in IEM. People who are willing to pay say more than $100 but really less than $300. A few willing to go for more.

As for full-sized cans - who knows. To some degree, maybe the rise of home theater systems is doing the same. I got started in this hobby because I bought a HD600 as a night-time accessory \for my $2,000 home theater system. Given the cost of that system, a $300 headphone was about the right price.

But as for a new statement product - sigh, you and I and many others here are too few and far in-between.

There's been some interesting top end product development (surprisingly) from Grado. I think the PS-1 and GS-1000 can certainly be considered John's efforts at making a top of the line product.

But is anyone else doing this? Nope. My hopes are on an Omega 3 and maybe a new audio-technica woody. But even those will be probably refinements of commercially successful products, rather than something that's the love-child of a crazy headphone designer/designers, as the K 1000 must have been.

The Qualia 010 is the most interesting. Honestly, isn't that the last product we've seen where a company went ball-out-nuts trying to truly push something new and innovative and forward? I mean something where a company did something as bold as HE90 or Omega 1 or K 1000? How sad that that experiment was ended.

Best,

-Jason

 

[Nomad]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjcha But is anyone else doing this? Nope. My hopes are on an Omega 3 and maybe a new audio-technica woody. But even those will be probably refinements of commercially successful products, rather than something that's the love-child of a crazy headphone designer/designers, as the K 1000 must have been. The Qualia 010 is the most interesting. Honestly, isn't that the last product we've seen where a company went ball-out-nuts trying to truly push something new and innovative and forward? I mean something where a company did something as bold as HE90 or Omega 1 or K 1000? How sad that that experiment was ended.

Agree. I don't know why I was fool enough to think that our small comunity would raise a bit the bar on the standars for new developments, the way it probably did with Grado.

It really was unfortunate the Qualia case. Actually, they were selling quite well considering the sales the previous R10 was having at the end. I think that to have the name "Qualia" didn't help at all as for Sony top executives that headphone was on the same bag than that expensive 2 MPixel digital camera and some other extravagant products. Only the headphones and the projector were really state of the art.

I think you are right and we can only wait for the Omega3 (without rival, Omega is not in a hurry) or new ATs (who discovered that to play on the level of W1000 and W5000 is more profitable than the L3000 league. They didn't think it would take so long to sell those 500 Units).