Beats by Dr. Dre - why?

[mefordis]

These headphones are almost $200 and didn't even get good reviews. Why are so many people buying them?

I'm just curious.

 

[LilyWDW]

These headphones are almost $200 and didn't even get good reviews. Why are so many people buying them?

I'm just curious.

Because they are "in" right now due to the celebrity name. Honestly, those buying them are not looking for the best in sound quality or anything like that. They are looking for something that looks cool.

 

[mefordis]

Because they are "in" right now due to the celebrity name. Honestly, those buying them are not looking for the best in sound quality or anything like that. They are looking for something that looks cool.

I've been known to waste money but OMG even I wouldn't pay that for headphones! I guess everyone has their own indulgences.

 

[gracie1]

They were a hot item last year as well. I bought them last year and love them. I've read a lot of reviews that they break easily but mine have been excellent. And the sound is awesome! Some people prefer the Bose over the beats though. Just depends on the person and how much you want to pay. But I highly recommend them.

 

[wekhogan]

Where do you get the info they're not any good? They get great reviews and every audiophile I know acknowledges them to be very good. A far better question would be - we moved away from large, over the ear headphones at least 10 years ago. And yet these ugly things are hot, hot, hot right now. Go figure.

 

[ancestry]

They are a status thing -- just like UGG boots and Dooney and Bourke bags and many other items. My kids have them and they actually really love the sound in them. Very bass heavy but that works with the type of music they listen to.

 

[eyeheartgoofy]

I don't own these ... but my DD tried the $249 pair in Target the other day, so I had to try them as well.

Wow! It felt like I was in Target all by myself. I don't know if I need $250 Beats, but I am seriously considering some fancy or noise cancelling headphones ... hard to explain, but it was solitude in the midst of masses.

 

[mefordis]

Unbalanced bass is what I read.

 

[gracie1]

I don't own these ... but my DD tried the $249 pair in Target the other day, so I had to try them as well. Wow! It felt like I was in Target all by myself. I don't know if I need $250 Beats, but I am seriously considering some fancy or noise cancelling headphones ... hard to explain, but it was solitude in the midst of masses.

That's exactly what I love!! You hear nothing around you!!

 

[Robinrs]

Status.

I'm so glad my kid doesn't care. My niece bought a pair for her daughter even though she works two jobs just to support her lifestyle and her college. Why? So she could tell everyone they were "dre"... so what?

I bought a nice pair from Target by Sony to wear at work. They are perfect for what I need them for and they cost a ridiculous $35. They're now on Amazon for $15! A co worker asked me if they were the Beats brand and I told her they weren't. She looked at them and said, "they're better, they're by Sony"

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-MDR-ZX100-Series-Headphones-White/dp/B004RKQM8I/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

I guess some names have earned their credentials!

 

[LilyWDW]

I've been known to waste money but OMG even I wouldn't pay that for headphones! I guess everyone has their own indulgences.

I feel the same way about many of the "cool" things that are out there. I won't pay the increased price due to a name or logo like these, Ugg boots, Starbucks, or Apple.

 

[nyrebecca]

I have owned a few headphones in my life and the beats that I have are the first ones that actually do cancel out the noise of the rest of the world. I can mow and snowblower and hear nothing but the joy of my music.

 

[chrystalc77]

My oldest son (12) wanted a pair of Beats, but I found a pair of Soul by Ludacris on Amazon for $29.99 and they were originally $179. The reviews that I read say that these are better than Dre. He knows who Ludacris is to, so I think he'll be just as happy with these as Beats.

 

[mefordis]

Yes, they do look to be better. Every review I've seen for Ludacris is more favorable than Beats.

My oldest son (12) wanted a pair of Beats, but I found a pair of Soul by Ludacris on Amazon for $29.99 and they were originally $179. The reviews that I read say that these are better than Dre. He knows who Ludacris is to, so I think he'll be just as happy with these as Beats.

 

[jenimay]

My oldest son (12) wanted a pair of Beats, but I found a pair of Soul by Ludacris on Amazon for $29.99 and they were originally $179. The reviews that I read say that these are better than Dre. He knows who Ludacris is to, so I think he'll be just as happy with these as Beats.

I did the same thing. Spent $35 on some Soul ones on sale at Newegg and bought him a Tom Brady jersey with the money I saved by not getting Beats.

 

[3boymthr]

Because DS is 13 and at 13 image is everything. It's why they wear the hollister and abercrombie and... If you want to be cool or at least not seen as being "different" and therefore unacceptable in the cruel world of middle school you ask for the it headphones (even if you know they aren't as good as they are purported to be because you've been told this by your musically savvy older brother) and hope and pray that you get them, because you want to be seen as being cool and not a nerd . Oldest DS OTH is 17 almost 18 and has moved way past the image to please everyone else thing and wears and uses what he likes not what everyone else likes and is asking for skullcandy Hesh 2's for Christmas ($30 on sale at Radio Shack on BF).

 

[Colleen27]

I don't get it either. I do love that the big headphones have come back - I absolutely HATE earbuds and much prefer the fit and function of a good noise cancelling headphone except when I'm out running and need to hear the world around me. But I don't really get the appeal of Beats specifically - there are better-reviewed brands at the same and slightly lower price points.

I think part of it is just that when a name gets to a certain level of popularity it becomes semi-synonymous with the product itself. My son mentioned Beats as a birthday/Christmas idea but when we were at Best Buy said "It doesn't have to be Beats brand, just that type of headphones". So he's getting a pair of Soul by Ludacris for his birthday that cost me less than half of what I expected to pay for Beats.

 

[Robinrs]

Because DS is 13 and at 13 image is everything. It's why they wear the hollister and abercrombie and... If you want to be cool or at least not seen as being "different" and therefore unacceptable in the cruel world of middle school you ask for the it headphones (even if you know they aren't as good as they are purported to be because you've been told this by your musically savvy older brother) and hope and pray that you get them, because you want to be seen as being cool and not a nerd . Oldest DS OTH is 17 almost 18 and has moved way past the image to please everyone else thing and wears and uses what he likes not what everyone else likes and is asking for skullcandy Hesh 2's for Christmas ($30 on sale at Radio Shack on BF).

Not every 13yo falls in this category.. thank goodness.If his brother put this in his head you should tell him to BUY them for him then

 

[luvmy3]

Not every 13yo falls in this category.. thank goodness.If his brother put this in his head you should tell him to BUY them for him then

I think the older brother actually told him not to get the beats

My 13 year old doesn't fall in to that category either but in general kids want to have what is cool and "in". It is no different than my generation, and it will be no different than the next. And we will all look back and say "what were we thinking"

 

[JanaDee]

Why does anyone spend any money on anything beyond the most basic food, shelter and clothing?

Because they can and want to. The same "why?" question can be asked for anything you buy that isn't necessary to keep you alive, a Disney vacation being pretty close to the top of the list.

My son has had a pair of beats for over a year, he loves them and they still look brand new. The music he listens to is bass heavy, so they work perfect for the type of music he likes and they are great noise-canceling headphones.

DD12 is getting her first pair for Christmas, since DB got tired of her stealing his to listen to her music.