[dave a]

On 11/19/2011 4:29 PM, wrote:
This is the new reality. This is the new normal in being an audiophile.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/20/bu...s-expand-dr-d=
res-business-world.html?_r=3D1&ref=3Dtechnology



from the article:

"Beats by Dr. Dre =93set off a free-for-all among companies entering the=20
category, many of which relied on celebrity endorsements or style, as=20
opposed to focusing on audio quality per se,=94 said Ross Rubin, the=20
executive director of industry analysis at NPD.

=93What Beats did,=94 Mr. Rubin added, =93was dramatically expand the mar=
ket=20
and make the price premium acceptable, as much as for the design and the=20
brand as for the audio quality.=94
"

Hasn't that been the status quo in the high end market for decades?=20
Style and high price over quality and value? Hats off to Dr. Dre for=20
recognizing the trend and making the most of it.