Technology, perhaps more than anything else, has changed the way we listen to music. From speaker systems to music players, every decade has seen a new development – each with a significant impact on the music experience.
This is not to mention that there are tons of companies producing cutting-edge electronics – in this case, audio equipment, and audiovisual products. One of such mega producers is Bang & Olufsen, which some like to call B&O, and it appears to have dominated the industry for several years now as of 2022.
So, why is the Denmark-based producer so popular around the globe, including in Wales? Is it their superior products, innovativeness, or their marketing strategy?
Who are Bang and Olufsen?
Bang & Olufsen, a Danish audio equipment firm, is one of the leading producers of audiovisual products. With its bang in the industry since the 1920s, Bang and Olufsen as a brand have been able to amass a huge fan base all over the world. Be it a producer of music speakers or other audiovisual products — they set the bar so high, it’s almost impossible to beat them.
Based in Struer, Denmark, the company was founded in 1925 by Peter Bang and Svend Olufsen. These two engineers wanted to provide high-quality speakers with high-end technology. With their early work, Bang & Olufsen became a leading brand in the industry.
Over the years, the company has tried to constantly improve on its products, enabling it to compete with its competitors in the audio field. Since then, B&O has created some of the best-selling consumer electronic devices in the world.
Bang & Olufsen Products
From headphones to woofers, and complete sound systems, B&O produces a wide range of home and commercial products. The company has a great reputation for its audio equipment and loudspeakers.
While the original products remained the same for the most part, B&O has evolved and pushed the boundaries of its products. The company makes three major brands of speakers — BeoLab, BeoSound, and BeoPlay.
- BeoLab – A speaker system that was specifically designed for live performances. BeoLab 10, the latest model, was a major hit in Europe in 2017. The sleek design of the speaker is durable and sleek with some subtle curved lines. It has a unique way of carrying sound – it comes with just one woofer, but the speaker can produce sound from two, three, and four drivers.
- Beosound – One of the notable products that B&O has launched is the Beosound Shape, a direct-sound-bar speaker system that also serves as a fully wireless speaker system with support for Bluetooth.
Another popular product from this line is the Olufsen Beosound Edge, which comes with a unique sound system — the Beosound Speakers and Beosound Edge — that allows the user to use the speakers as part of a home surround-sound system. It also has a built-in digital amplifier and three woofers.
- BeoPlay – B&O’s portable speaker products were created to bring excellent sound to travelers. The most notable product is the BeoPlay A1, which comes with a built-in Chromecast feature. A universal remote and smart voice assistant are also included in this speaker.
A History of Innovation
Bang & Olufsen has always been into innovation and cutting-edge technology. Some of the early trends and breakthroughs that helped the company become a global brand include the BeoSound One – the first all-in-one music system made by the company.
It is a single speaker and woofer unit combined with a separate wireless microphone. It was a precursor to other products that followed its footsteps, such as the BeoSound One Cube and the Olufsen PLAY 7, which has since become one of the best-selling speakers in the industry.
Among the most interesting aspects about Bang and Olufsen is that it has given us technologies that have been adopted by the whole world. The company invented the satellite radio in 1990, and in 2010 incorporated Bluetooth technology that was discovered by engineer Jaap Haartsen into the world of speakers. It is now used by millions around the world.
Design Concept
B&O products are recognized worldwide for their stunning design and acoustic expertise. They’re famed for their high-end audio systems and the ability to reproduce the sound quality without requiring external amplification. It’s always fun to watch a live show or listen to a playlist of songs and the speakers’ quality alongside their spectacular design only elevates the experience further.
Marketing Strategy
Most of the brands are present on various e-commerce sites and marketplaces. While the company was already known for making high-end audio systems, a mix of conventional and digital marketing strategies helped Bang & Olufsen further establish its brand awareness in the marketplace – this included TV commercials.
TV commercials:
Now that music lovers around the globe are aware of the brand, Bang & Olufsen were sure to come up with a more innovative advertising strategy. The company has started airing several TV ads across media channels such as Netflix, YouTube, Hulu, and television networks.
The ads are focused on capturing the attention of the consumer and driving them towards the company’s website, where they can further explore the huge range of Bang & Olufsen audio products.
It’s clear that the brand’s unique technological and musical offerings, coupled with its great branding and cool-looking products, have become its most effective marketing strategy. This has been successful because music enthusiasts are always looking for better sound systems so they can enjoy their favorite songs and artists in an improved way.