Bowers & Wilkins P3 - where to buy?

[Hackler]

Very interested in purchasing the new B&W P3 for commuting after grappling the overpriced and really uncomfortable Beats by Dre in-ear studio cans... first expensive headphones I've actually come to loathe...

http://www.bowers-wilkins.com/Headphones/Headphones/P3/explore.html

But where to purchase once they're released in June? I'd like to avoid the Apple store as no doubt they'll charge double the US RRP of $200 - and doesn't look like Headphonic stock B&W.

Any ideas? Can I get them online anywhere? Must have as I'm about to rip my Beats out in frustration and throw them under a tram!!

[dingostolemyipod]

their website has a store finder tool - it works to

i want to hear them before buying them too, they definitely seem like style over substance to me.
B&W are a massive name in hifi speakers, but that expertise isn't relevant to headphones.

[Benno1988]

The P5 have a nice sound. Beautiful design and feel too.

[dingostolemyipod]

The P5 have a nice sound. Beautiful design and feel too.

but at their price, they've got to compete with ESW9, HD25, T50p & DT1350. Uh oh!

[Hackler]

I'm all about the sound - but why do great headphones all have to look like shit??

Normally I buy etymotic but wanted something with a bit more bass clarity and presence without it become the muddy boom-masters that are the Beats by Dre (true style over substance!)

Meanwhile compared the P5s on Apple US store and AU store - $150 more expensive when the exchange rate has been 1 to 1 or better for the past two years. What a joke.

[dingostolemyipod]

I'm all about the sound - but why do great headphones all have to look like shit??

most good headphones are made by pro-audio companies, the uninspiring looks are an unpublished feature.

[Hackler]

I understand that - but as Steve Jobs was made technology good and beautiful, so can audio companies...

One of these guys needs to hire an amazing industrial designer and make headphones that look AND sound good... it's not impossible.

It irks me so much that people happily fork over $300 for Beats by Dre that look OK to the layman, are of poor build quality and sound average.

Hoping the P3s will fit the mould based on these types of reviews:

http://www.whathifi.com/review/bw-p3
http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/review ... eadphones/

[Benno1988]

I think the portable beyers look nice. No comment there? The portable Audio Technicas are beautiful too.

[Marcus]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
I think the ESW9, T50p/DT1350 etc look great
I also think the Beats range look horrible.

Wearing an audio product as a fashion accessory is dubious at best, if you're wearing beats the only people you'll impress are the average schmuck who has seen the millions of dollars of advertising spent to promote the product but doesn't care about anything other than "being seen" with them. The fun part is that anyone who actually knows the brand is going to laugh because either a) they are fakes or b) someone spent WAY too much for a fashion accessory.

[dion]

I'm not a fan of the B&W style.

Screams pretentious to me. Sort of has a retro look but not in a good grungy cool way a la Grado, more a dorky old man with wads of cash kind of retro.

Anyway, just an opinion, but I am young and not rich to give some context.

[Hackler]

Actually Marcus those Beyer DT1350s look pretty good - do they travel well? Adding those to my list!

I agree that sound is paramount - but having a pair of headphones that looks good and sounds good is not, and should not, be a crime to audiophiles!

[Benno1988]

I'm not a fan of the B&W style.

Screams pretentious to me. Sort of has a retro look but not in a good grungy cool way a la Grado, more a dorky old man with wads of cash kind of retro.

Anyway, just an opinion, but I am young and not rich to give some context.

Agree B&W not quite good. I appreciate Bose for its headphones.

I'd take B&W over Bose with any type of product!

[ledge]

The P5 have a nice sound. Beautiful design and feel too.

from the short session i had with them, they had ZERO bass ... or very little ..

apparently the P3 have totally new drivers, so maybe they will add a little bass this time around ....

[Benno1988]

from the short session i had with them, they had ZERO bass ... or very little ..

apparently the P3 have totally new drivers, so maybe they will add a little bass this time around ....

They seemed ok when I had a listen, didn't pay particular attention though.

[Marcus]

The DT1350 can be great for portable use, but a little extra power will go a long way with them so a good source and/or a little amp will help.