Bang & Olufsen BeoPLAY E8 Sport Fernando Alonso Limited Edition und Bang & Olufsen Fernando Alonso BeoSound Edge Limited Edition

Headphones are often perceived as a fashion accessory, so the image of a product is crucial. Bang & Olufsen is also committed to creating the right image by connecting with celebrities, and now presents a special version of the Bang & Olufsen BeoPLAY E8 Sport True Wireless In-ear headphones, the new Bang & Olufsen BeoPLAY E8 Sport Fernando Alonso Limited Edition. Also available is a special version of the Bang & Olufsen BeoSound Edge, the Bang & Olufsen Fernando Alonso BeoSound Edge Limited Edition.

It is by no means unusual for headphone manufacturers to rely on well-known personalities to promote their products in the best possible way in the target group they are aiming for. Many a manufacturer has proven that the right image is sometimes more important than the actual quality of a solution. When the “right” celebrities, whether DJs, actors, musicians or athletes, wherever and whenever, are photographed with headphones from a manufacturer around their neck or in their ears, this clearly has an impact on sales figures.

A number of manufacturers are already pursuing this marketing concept, and the Danish company Bang & Olufsen is now also obviously keen to push this, especially with the latest Bang & Olufsen BeoPLAY brand headphones, the Bang & Olufsen BeoPLAY E8 Sport.

The new Bang & Olufsen BeoPLAY E8 Sport is the first version of Bang & Olufsen’s B & O BeoPLAY brand of in-ear headphones designed specifically for sports, with the manufacturer promising that it delivers the typical Bang & Olufsen signature sound, is extremely robust yet lightweight, and has a long playing life.

After Bang & Olufsen recently announced a special version of the Bang & Olufsen BeoPLAY E8 Sport in cooperation with the Swiss sports brand On AG, the Bang & Olufsen BeoPLAY E8 Sport On Edition, the new Bang & Olufsen BeoPLAY E8 Sport Fernando Alonso Limited Edition follows in cooperation with Spanish racing driver Fernando Alonso.

Fortunately, in this case, the Danish company has refrained from using the hollow phrases that are often used in such collaborations to refer to an alleged close collaboration, but has instead spoken plainly and stated that the design of the Bang & Olufsen BeoPLAY E8 Sport has been adapted for the Bang & Olufsen BeoPLAY E8 Sport Fernando Alonso Limited Edition. The design is said to be based on Alonso’s No. 66 Arrow McLaren SP racing car, but in fact the inear headphones are actually designed to bear the signature of the Spanish racing driver. The transport box, which in this case also serves as a mobile charging station, also bears the signature of Fernando Alonso.

While the cooperation with Fernando Alonso in the marketing of an in-ear headphone, which is primarily designed for sports, is clearly understandable, the question arises as to the connection between the second product from Bang & Olufsen, which from now on will also be offered with the racing driver’s signature…

Bang & Olufsen will soon be offering a special version of the Bang & Olufsen BeoSound Edge, the Bang & Olufsen Fernando Alonso BeoSound Edge Limited Edition.

The speaker, designed by Michael Anastassiades, is a very powerful one, and the manufacturer speaks of a very powerful wireless speaker. The Bang & Olufsen BeoSound Edge is part of Bang & Olufsen’s multiroom audio streaming concept, so it can be used with a number of other ‘wireless’ products from the Danish company. In addition to Bluetooth for direct integration with mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets, this solution can also be integrated into a wireless network, with WiFi support for Apple AirPlay 2 and Google Chromecast.

A 10-inch dual-coil woofer in conjunction with two 4-inch mid-range tweeters and one 3/4-inch tweeter, which are controlled by two Class D amplifier modules, ensure rich sound. Thus, two 200 watts are available for the woofer plus four times 100 watts for the other drivers. A so-called Active Bass Port is used to ensure a particularly superior bass, and Beam Direction Control on the sides guarantees a wide dispersion into the room.

As already described, this solution is not really small, as it measures a stately 50.2 cm in diameter and has a depth of 13 cm. With its aluminium frame and MDF body it weighs 13 kg. In addition to being placed freely in the room or on a suitable piece of furniture, it can also be wall-mounted.

Even in the standard version, the Bang & Olufsen BeoSound Edge has a recommended retail price of a whopping €3,250, with a choice of Silver, Bronze or Brass. There is also an Anthracite Limited Edition available, for which € 3,600 is the recommended retail price. This is also the price of the Bang & Olufsen Fernando Alonso BeoSound Edge Limited Edition, with the racer’s name on the front and top. Only 22 of these will be available from October 2020.

The inear headphones signed by Fernando Alonso will also be available in limited quantities. Whether this justifies the extra price that Bang & Olufsen is charging for the new Bang & Olufsen BeoPLAY E8 Sport Fernando Alonso Limited Edition compared to the regular models is a matter for everyone to decide for themselves. For example, the Bang & Olufsen BeoPLAY E8 Sport Fernando Alonso Limited Edition will be available at a price of € 400, while the standard version will cost only € 350. At least you can be sure that you will have a truly limited edition model to call your own, as the Bang & Olufsen BeoPLAY E8 Sport Fernando Alonso Limited Edition will be available in only 66 pieces and can be ordered directly from the manufacturer’s website.

Getting to the point

It is only natural that Bang & Olufsen has chosen to work with Fernando Alonso for optimal marketing of the first True Wireless In-ear headphones in the Bang & Olufsen BeoPlay series designed for sports. Especially since a strictly limited edition of the Bang & Olufsen BeoPLAY E8 Sport Fernando Alonso Limited Edition is likely to attract the interest of the Spanish designer’s most dedicated fans. But whether they will also be enthusiastic about a wireless speaker in the very upper price range such as the Bang & Olufsen Fernando Alonso BeoSound Edge Limited Edition, just because it bears the signature of their idol…