Strategy in TECH...
While Sonos (Nasdaq: SONO) claims to have most of its app problems behind it, multiple reports are emerging that suggest it may have an even bigger problem – the introduction of its Ace premium headphone has flopped. If these reports are true, then Sonos may indeed be staring into the jaws of the one monster that can truly terrify it – growing consumer resistance to its new products.
Bowers & Wilkins (B&W), a premium U.K.-based maker of high-performance loudspeakers, earbuds, headphones, and more, announced today a significant update of its premium earbuds line with the launch of the all-new Pi6 and Pi8 models. The company notes that these new models were crafted by the same design and engineering teams who were responsible for creating the well-received Px7 S2e and Px8 headphone models.
Cambridge Audio, the U.K.-based audio specialty maker and merchant of affordable premium-grade audio gear, introduced today its first-ever over-ear headphones in its award-winning Melomania wireless headphone series. The new Melomania P100 balances elegant design with spectacular sound quality…blending in mind-blowing battery life and a healthy dose of best-in-class technology.
Sonos, Inc. (Nasdaq: SONO) announced today the long-awaited launch of its secretive new product targeted for a “multi-billion dollar category,” as Sonos CEO Patrick Spence is wont to remind us of frequently. One of the worst-kept, leakiest of launch secrets (probably intentionally so) in the industry, the company announced a new over-the-ear wireless headphone model featuring Dolby Atmos immersive sound and active noise cancellation called Sonos Ace.
But did the company Ace the test for turning around its deteriorating financial performance?
This week we learned that the Sonos, Inc. (Nasdaq: SONO) plans to launch a new product into a new “multibillion-dollar” product category – strongly rumored to be headphones – has hit a snag, despite its best efforts. Company management has been enthusiastically talking up this diversification into an entirely new category for months – suggesting it will add at least $100 million to revenues this year. But now…those plans have had a monkey wrench thrown into them…
This week, one of the industry’s premier audio expositions, JD Events’ Audio Expo North America (AXPONA), kicks off again in full force – and many in audio are buzzing in excitement for a full frontal, fully immersive audio experience. Starting Friday (with a pre-event party Thursday night for exhibitors and industry folks), the Expo is being held at the Renaissance Schaumberg Hotel & Convention Center in Schaumberg, IL.
Bowers and Wilkins (B&W) announced this week the availability of upgraded Series 2 versions of two of their popular true wireless in-ear headphones – the Pi7 S2 and the Pi5 S2. In true B&W form, these new models are NOT an example of just the same old wine in a brand-new bottle. Rather, the company has made serious upgrades to the technology, performance, and capabilities compared to the original versions of these headphones making them a great choice for new buyers…and also an attractive upgrade option for owners of the original versions.
Can headphone design really be inspired by a rad-looking “supercar”? Apparently, as high-end, high-performance speaker maker Bowers & Wilkins (B&W), a division of Sound United, announced today a special McLaren Edition of their flagship Px8 reference-grade, over-ear, wireless, noise-canceling headphones.
The company said it created the special model to celebrate its 5-year relationship with luxury, high-performance car manufacturer McLaren Automotive.
Today Bowers & Wilkins (B&W) launched the all-new Px7 S2 wireless noise-canceling headphones, designed to replace the previous PX7 that the company says was an “award-winning” product. A premium grade set of headphones, B&W says the new Px7 S2 will “deliver the most detailed, natural and immersive sound available – the True Sound of the artist’s intent.”
Atlantic Technology, known for years for its high quality/high value loudspeakers designs, announced this week the launch of its first ever headphone, the FS-HAL1. True to their positioning in the market, the FS-HAL1 is a high-performance model targeted at music lovers and Hi-Fi enthusiasts who value better sound quality in an affordably-priced, convenient in-ear monitor design.
