Sure, Denon’s a pretty premium brand when it comes to entertainment, but how do they justify charging $60 for a firmware update for the N7 multimedia system that activates Apple’s Airplay streaming? If you don’t want to pay the fee, the company is running a promotion at the moment where new N7 purchases get the update for free.
Anyone who buys the N7 system between March 28 and June 30 this year from an authorised dealer can get the update for free, rather than forking over an extra $60.
Given that the system costs $999 to begin with, the $60 upgrade fee is pretty offensive. It would probably sway me from buying the product, regardless of the promotion. But you’re not me, and if you’ve been eyeing off this piece of kit, this might be enough to loosen your wallet.
Big Windows
Monday, April 11, 2011 at 12:31 PMWould seem to be lazy in a number of ways.
In a publicity sense it is lazy to think giving away something for free when it really should be free anyway will win new customers or impress current customers. (Correct me if I am wrong here but the PS3 has consistently added functionality thru updates freely … forever… and I hate giving Sony a free leg-up).
Making a system that has hardware functionality on board and not enabling, when the purchaser has already paid for it would seem to be counter-intuitive/lazy.
Charging $999.00 and not having the price point move when the Australian dollar is consistently going up and the rrp in the US is $599.00.
I love Denon stuff… I have an older received (10 years old now) and it is bullet proof (taking into account a couple of kids under 4) but won’t go near their new stuff because of the price difference in comparison to the US… that wasn’t as pronounced 10 years ago when our dollar was piss poor.
Simon Reidy
Monday, April 11, 2011 at 5:28 PM“I love Denon stuff… I have an older received (10 years old now) and it is bullet proof (taking into account a couple of kids under 4) but won’t go near their new stuff because of the price difference in comparison to the US… that wasn’t as pronounced 10 years ago when our dollar was piss poor.”
I agree. The Aussie distributor for Denon products “Audio Products” http://www.audioproducts.com.au/ is known for their ridiculous mark-ups. I used to hate dealing with them when I worked in an indie Hi-Fi shop. Getting good prices was impossible unless you bought in serious bulk.
I used to own a lot of Denon products too (My AVR-3300 is still going strong as a bedroom amp) but these days I’ve moved onto Onkyo. The sound quality of their top end receivers is sublime, and they are leading the way with innovation and cool features at a reasonable price point.
Big Windows
Monday, April 11, 2011 at 12:32 PMBy the way. Denon isn’t even close to being considered a premium brand among AV importers or in the US.
attila
Monday, April 11, 2011 at 1:00 PMI like how their wesbsite calls it a “nominal charge” of $60. Memo to APG – a nominal charge is $1, tops. Not sixty of them.
Normandy
Monday, April 11, 2011 at 1:03 PMN7 = MASS EFFECT?
pdx
Monday, April 11, 2011 at 4:20 PMHow about free upgrades for us 3311 or better users who spent twice that amount or more
Alexander Cardosa
Monday, April 11, 2011 at 5:57 PMI guess the issue with me is why two companies have the same price point for the upgrade? What is up with that?
Makes no sense why they are doing something that just would hurt PR and why did not one of them make it free and win some nice PR with customers. Dumb.