EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW SENNHEISER HERALDS IMMERSIVE AUDIO IFA’s Official Audio Partner showcases iconic headphones and soundbars Peter Ogley COO Consumer Division, Sennheiser Sennheiser has been a key member of the IFA community for years. For 2019, the company is further strengthening this relationship by becoming IFA’s Official Audio Partner. Peter Ogley, COO Consumer Division, tells us about this partnership and also outlines the company’s product line up at IFA Berlin. What does the partnership entail and why did it make sense? IFA is one of the most important touchpoints for us to engage with our industry family and customers. As Official Audio Partner, we are partnering with IFA across different touchpoints in Berlin and internationally, as we will be participating in the IFA Retail University and the German Pavilion at CE China later this month. Here in Berlin, we are inviting visitors to hear the difference at the Sennheiser booth, where we are showcasing the latest additions to our headphone portfolio and our AMBEO Soundbar which offers immersive 5.1.4 sound from a single device. Complementing our main booth in Hall 1.2, we are demonstrating our AMBEO applications for VR and AR at IFA Next. We are currently seeing a rapid evolution of virtual and augmented reality applications and believe 3D audio will play a vital role in completing the immersive quality of these experiences. The role of audio in the world of mixed reality is also the topic of a Sennheiser presentation at IFA+ Summit. Additionally, we are bringing our expertise in audio to IFA as well: We are supplying several IFA stages with our equipment and offering a helpdesk for journalists at the media centre. What new products are you launching at this year’s show? This year, we are unveiling our new MOMENTUM Wireless here in Berlin. They mark the third generation of our iconic headphone range that offers a unique blend of superior sound, contemporary design, cuttingedge technology, and a touch of handcrafted indulgence. Supremely intuitive and packed with smart features, the new MOMENTUM Wireless lets our customers experience their audio on their terms – bringing an iconic headphone to the connected age. We are also introducing the successor to our premium travel headphones with the PXC 550-II Wireless. The headphones offer one-touch access to Amazon Alexa. How do you see the consumer market for headphones evolving? We believe that developments in technology such as 5G, smart assistants or AR/VR will dramatically change the way customers interact with their headphones and what their audio device means to them. To achieve this, more computing power will be brought to headphones, replacing actions we currently perform on our smartphones. The development of the new MOMENTUM Wireless was led by our ambition to create a 24/7 audio companion to navigate this new world: it gives consumers effortless and intuitive control, whether they want to be entertained or make calls, escape it all or stay connected, while offering outstanding sonic performance that makes them hear the difference. How important is the Chinese market for you, and what are the key trends? The Chinese market is a very important one for Sennheiser. Fast-growing and vibrant, there is significant potential for us to reach a young, on-the-go, ever-connected target group that greatly appreciates the quality Sennheiser stands for. We are very excited to participate in CE China which provides an excellent opportunity to get closer to our customers in this marketplace TECHNOLOGY WILL CHANGE THE WAY CUSTOMERS INTERACT WITH THEIR HEADPHONES 30
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW IT’S IMPORTANT TO BE TRUE TO THE PHILIPS AUDIO STORY AND POSITIONING Martijn Smelt CMO, Philips TV & Audio Europe TP VISION TAKES PHILIPS AUDIO TO THE NEXT LEVEL High end products with cutting edge design star at IFA Berlin Amsterdam-based TP Vision oversees the Philips Audio brand globally. It is planning to take the brand and its products to the next level, as it has done with the Philips TV Brand in recent years. In this exclusive interview, Martijn Smelt, CMO Philips TV & Audio Europe, provides insights into the company’s goals. What new audio products is Philips launching at IFA Berlin? We are very excited about the new Philips Audio products we are launching at IFA this year. For example, we are introducing the new PH805 headphone – which brings high performance and features plus build quality to the mid-priced sector of the over-ear, Bluetooth, wireless Active Noise Cancellation market. We are also offering a series of mid-range Philips Sound bars that will perfectly pair with our Performance Series TVs. And we are presenting the Philips & Georg Jensen collection. Following the success of our collaboration in 2018, we are delighted to extend this partnership and launch a stunning collection of luxury audio products and accessories to complement the lifestyle of stylish travelers. How do you see the home audio market progressing? The Audio market is extremely dynamic with lots of propositions launched at all times. It’s important to follow trends - but also be true to the Philips Audio story and positioning to avoid to get lost in all the noise. As we’ve done with Philips TV, we want to deliver high end quality products without neglecting the mid-range products. There is an appetite for Hi Resolution Headphones and the PH 805, which provide the best audio quality for outdoors and the on-the-go life. People appreciate more and more the quality of what they are listening to. That’s why we are working on high end products to be launched in early 2020. In the meantime, we offer great audio quality with products such as True wireless headphones (Philips SHB 2515) and noise cancellation (PH 805). We also see a desire for ‘good looking’ products such as Bluetooth speakers. Consumers want speakers that look as good as they sound. Our European Design promise responds to that - and so does our Philips & Georg Jensen collection. But this just the beginning. We will continue to monitor audio trends, working with our R&D and Design teams to create beautiful, high performing products. What has been the reaction to your partnership with Bowers and Wilkins? The partnership between Philips TV and Bowers & Wilkins has been a huge success. Our OLED+ 903 TVs featuring sound by Bowers & Wilkins have received over 50 Awards in Europe alone. At IFA this year the two brands have pushed the boundaries with two new OLED+ models that will redefine the definition of Premium TV - the Philips OLED+934 and OLED+984. For now, our partnership concerns High End products but we are looking to expand this collaboration. Can you tell us more about Georg Jensen design audio products? The Philips & Georg Jensen collection features the JT600 True Wireless Headphones, the JS20 compact Bluetooth audio speaker, JS50 home Bluetooth audio speaker and the JP10 Power Bank. Inspired by Georg Jensen’s famous ‘slate blue’ high-polished steel design, the items within this stunning collection have been crafted using real materials, such as metal, premium Kvadrat cloth and Muirhead brown leather, ensuring a robust and stylish finish www.ifa-international.org IFA International • Monday 9 September 2019 31
