How do connoisseurs view Bang & Olufsen, the leading Scandinavian audio brand? Vol.1 Takahiro Goko

Comfortable to wear. Fully remodeled with a higher level of perfection.

What did you think of the other new product, the Beoplay HX headphones?

This time, I left Dazaifu and took the Shinkansen from Hakata to Tokyo, and I had it on throughout the entire ride until we arrived at Shinagawa. On the way there, we had to stop for a little while because of a small animal that was trespassing on the tracks, and we were on the train for about 5 hours in total, but when I looked at the remaining battery power, it was 85%, which is surprisingly long-lasting.

Personally, I am not a fan of masks or earphones, and in the first place, I resisted wearing headphones in my ears for a long time, but they made me forget that I was wearing them and even that I was on a bullet train. The noise cancellation (*1) also made me feel as if my brain was locked in a good way, and I also experienced that the sound stops when I remove the headphones from the train. Anyway, it didn't hurt my ears, which was great.

The latest version of the long-selling H9 model, theBeoplay HX." An immersive and detailed sound experience, providing ultimate comfort and a sophisticated user interface that meets your habits, values, and needs. (*1) Noise cancellation: A system that uses a microphone built into the earphones to pick up and analyze surrounding sounds and eliminate noise, creating a comfortable listening experience.

Thank you for your valuable testimonial. The noise cancellation feature of these headphones is very nice , isn't it?

. it was about 20 years ago when I first learned about the technology of noise cancellation. I heard that it was originally developed by the U.S. military for use in communications. For example, the Eames "leg splints" behind me were developed for the Navy, and then the interior was made of plywood and formed into a bentwood shape. . There are many technologies that originated in the military, aren't there? I have experienced noise cancellation in showrooms, but the performance has improved a lot. They block out ambient sound and allow you to enter your own world, which is good not only for enjoying sound, but also for reading.

When did you first encounter Bang & Olufsen?

I worked at "United Arrows" around the year 2000, and at that time, chairs by "Herman Miller" and wall speakers and earphones by "Bang & Olufsen" were used in the main store in Harajuku.

What was your impression?

. it's complicated. . from the wiring, because in those days there were no jacks or anything like that, it was a special plug. First-timers couldn't connect them, and they had to be assembled in incompatible sets. I think there are certain genres of composers and audio equipment, but I got the impression that Bang & Olufsen's products were all outside the box. . I was also shocked by its appearance. . It was an audio system that gave me a sense of the future, in a different way from "2001: A Space Odyssey.

Gohko's personal Western book, which explains the history of the brand since its establishment in 1925, complete with photographs.

At that time, the first floor of the main store annex of UNITED ARROWS (now UA CAFE) was called "W-Shock," a corner for "G-Shock" and "W&LT," the second floor was for ladies' wear, and the third floor was "Style for Living" directed by Momoyo Ando. The third floor was "STYLE for LIVING," directed by Momoyo Ando. The third floor was "STYLE for LIVING," directed by Momoyo Ando, where Herman Miller desks and Bang & Olufsen products were sold, creating a fusion of American and Scandinavian styles. This must have been the world view of the founder, Osamu Shigematsu.

One smaller, even better smart feature: full support for Alexa Voice Control Wakeload, so you don't have to shout to activate it, even when music is playing at normal listening volume. One unit will transform your home or office into a sophisticated smart home.

Compared to the "Bang & Olufsen" of that time, the current design is more minimalist and sophisticated.

It's simple and seamless. It's an exquisite design, nothing more, nothing less. Denmark is said to be a country with an imperial system, equal welfare and education, and no inequality. Among furniture lovers, Finn Juhl and Jacobsen are well known, and those are the ones that have received the royal warrant. To begin with, the quality of design is simply excellent. Unlike in Japan, education in design must also be high. Denmark may have a solid design philosophy that has been widely and long transmitted.

. It is very typical of you, Goko-san, who has a keen eye for old tools from various countries, cultures, and eras, to imagine something so profound from a single object.

When I look around at thrift stores and flea markets, there is usually something that catches my attention. It is as if what I have seen and what I know about the item passes through various filters in my mind and leads me to the item I am interested in. When I find such an item, I pick it up and look at the processing. From that, my imagination is filled with various ideas.

Three microphones are positioned above the speaker for optimal call intelligibility, and integration with Miccrosoft Swift Pair allows seamless connection to a computer, making the A1 ideal for home work.

Danish design is beautiful and cutting edge in Scandinavia, isn't it?

Even within the same Scandinavian country, there are many differences. In Finland, there are natural motifs in crafts such as Iittala's glasses. Swedish pottery has color. Norway has beautiful enamelware, even if it is not so plain. Denmark's design is outstanding compared to other countries. Even among Scandinavian countries, there are so many differences.

Bang & Olufsen is confident in the anodizing (electrodeposition coating) of its aluminum, and we call it "longevity. We call it "Longevity," which means that it will last a lifetime. We call it "aging," not "deterioration over time," and it is a permanent concept that we hope people will enjoy as they get used to it.

. even as an aluminum product, the finish is wonderfully beautiful. Aluminum must be machined to get the right color. I am of the radio-controlled generation , so I am familiar with the anodizing process. I think it will definitely have a nice taste if you use it. Today's audio equipment is all silver, but " Bang & Olufsen" has a unique color variation, which is nice.

-How would you like to work with Bang & Olufsen products in the future?

The Beosound A1 2ND GEN speakers can be converted to LR if there are two of them, so I thought the sound would be expanded by arrangement, such as how to place them. Fixed home audio can only be listened to with pinpoint seating, but this should be able to do many things. And as for the "Beoplay HX" headphones, thanks to this, I think I will be able to enjoy my bullet train trips from now on.