Bose, Monster, Johnny Walker...

[Rio Rebel]

The one thing that all three of these have in common is that all three are seen by the average person as one of the top (if not THE top) brand in their category. They are not crap - they just aren't nearly as good as they are perceived.

Any other names out there like these? I'm not asking for just any overrated brand. For example, BMW has a ridiculously inflated perception by some people. But it truly IS the best in some areas. And Sony has a great perception by the masses, but most people don't think it's the BEST. I'm looking for brands that are considered the very best by the masses, but clearly aren't.

 

[sdifox]

B&O

 

[bobdole369]

Microsoft.

Denon is usually quite highly regarded, and deserves that rep.

 

[Rio Rebel]

When I think of the three brands I mentioned, I immediately think "vastly overpriced."

I don't think most people believe Denon to be the very highest quality in the market. Most of the people who are aware of Denon are also aware that there is better, if you're willing to pay for it.

But I've talked to many people who believe that a Bose system with Monster cables is the absolute highest quality sound system you can own. It's sad, really. They probably listen while sipping Johnny Walker blue label, because you just can't get a better Scotch than that.

 

[spidey07]

Grey Goose, Belvedere, Ketel One. When all their development and research goes into the label you know something is up.

 

[MrChad]

Sony's certainly had an overrated reputation from the 80s. That has faded in the last 10 years.

Apple is a bit of an overrated brand, although I think that their products are generally high-quality.

Oreck vacuums?

 

[buck]

Originally posted by: spidey07
Grey Goose, Belvedere, Ketel One. When all their development and research goes into the label you know something is up.

I can tell the difference between grey goose and a plastic bottle of vodka.

 

[kalrith]

I think John Deere falls under this category, but only for the product line that big-box stores carry. Their more-expensive lines that you can't find at Lowe's and Home Depot are still very good quality, but the low-end models are no better than the other riding mowers at big-box stores, and they're usually overpriced comparatively. However, if you tell the common person that you have a John Deere, they think you have the best.

Edit: North Face might fall under this category as well. They're not poor quality, but there are often better options at the same price. However, the common person seems to perceive North Face as the best.

 

[DisgruntledVirus]

Originally posted by: MrChad
Sony's certainly had an overrated reputation from the 80s. That has faded in the last 10 years.

Apple is a bit of an overrated brand, although I think that their products are generally high-quality.

Dyson vacuums?

More accurate, but depends on who you ask.

 

[BassBomb]

There is a difference between overpriced and overrated IMO

 

[AstroManLuca]

Only people into amateur astronomy will get this, but Questar falls in this category. I think they spend more money on advertising copy than anything else. They're one of those companies that likes to throw around terms like "ultra-premium" and "exquisite."

As long as we're talking about vacuums, wouldn't Kirby fall under this? Though Kirby is most known for its unscrupulous salespeople. Dyson probably fits in terms of "we're so much better than everyone else."

 

[unfalliblekrutch]

herff jones?

 

[bobdole369]

Sunfire, Linn, Krell, Mcintosh, Monitor Audio, Middle Atlantic, Velodyne, Inca, Chief, Elan, Sonance, JL Audio.

Whats AT AVHT say about the above. Its pretty much our top end lineup for AV stuff.

Sunfire I think is a bit overrated, but thats personal pref, I really like tube amp stuff and they are far from that.

 

[ivan2]

Originally posted by: BassBomb
There is a difference between overpriced and overrated IMO

kinda like top of the line sony (Qualia) = overpriced

middle of the pack sony = overrated.

 

[krotchy]

For Snowboards: Burton

Not that Burton doesn't make good stuff so I wouldn't put then in the land of Bose, but most people who walk into a snowboard shop with no clue and a wad of cash come out with an entire Burton setup.

 

[ChaoZ]

Creative

 

[Noubourne]

It seems like some of these companies share common qualities.

One is being overpriced. Monster and Apple are great examples of this. They simply market to convince people that their stuff is better than everyone elses - Monster through specs, and Apple through "cool". I don't like them because to me - at the end of the day - they are still overpriced.

The second is a company that actually builds a reputation for producing decent products, but then squanders their brand on sub-par offerings. Bose is the worst offender of this, with their overengineered and underperforming cube systems.

And then we have the companies that make a couple good products, and then squander their good name by producing far more low-quality products than they make of the ones that gave them their good name in the first place.

Obviously the companies that qualify for more than one of these categories tend to build up the most bad-will from informed consumers.

 

[cmdrdredd]

For flashlights and illumination products, Surefire. More expensive than everything else in the market.

Some people say they're worth it though.

 

[AstroManLuca]

Originally posted by: Noubourne
And then we have the companies that make a couple good products, and then squander their good name by producing far more low-quality products than they make of the ones that gave them their good name in the first place.

This is where companies like Sony and Creative come to mind. I can't seem to recall the last quality Creative product I saw... apparently they do make them, but they make so many shitty 2.1 and 5.1 computer speakers to fill every $5 price gap in the $10-$100 range that it's hard to even know if they make good products as well.

I'm not a fan of Apple but sometimes I see why they like to keep the number of possible configurations to a minimum. They probably under-do it, but if you overdo it you confuse the customer.

 

[JackBurton]

You think Monster is bad? Check out Nordost. They make Monster look like a steal. Seriously, no joke. Monster cables are DIRT cheap compared to Nordost stuff. You want to be shocked and amazed? Check out the prices on Nordost Odin power cables. But Nordost is not a name "the masses" have ever heard of. Waaaaaaaay overpriced nonetheless.

 

[JackBurton]

Originally posted by: sdifox
B&O

B&O makes some GREAT stuff. Style comes at a price though. I definitely wouldn't put them anywhere close to Bose.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: bobdole369
Sunfire, Linn, Krell, Mcintosh, Monitor Audio, Middle Atlantic, Velodyne, Inca, Chief, Elan, Sonance, JL Audio.

Whats AT AVHT say about the above. Its pretty much our top end lineup for AV stuff.

Sunfire I think is a bit overrated, but thats personal pref, I really like tube amp stuff and they are far from that.

Nobody has addressed your post so I will. Those are all quality brands and you really can't go wrong with them. I admit I'm a krell whore, I just love the way they sound and perform.

There's the difference - the brands you listed perform very well and nothing from them wouldn't do the job at hand. Sure there is a small price premium but you generally get what you pay for with those brands, with a small premium added.

Monster? Great quality cables, just way overpriced by a factor of 4-5. Same with bose.

 

[DisgruntledVirus]

Originally posted by: cmdrdredd
For flashlights and illumination products, Surefire. More expensive than everything else in the market.

Some people say they're worth it though.

Surefire isn't overrated.

If you want to say they are overpriced, then maybe. I wouldn't say so though, because they have the warranty and quality behind them. I will say you can get cheaper flashlights that put out as much in terms of lumens. The difference though, is in quality. I'd put my Surefire's up against a Fenix (or any other brand for that matter) any day.

Have you ever owned a Surefire?

 

[acheron]

Dyson vacuums are fantastic.

Apple stuff is perhaps overpriced, but worth it for some people. I think it comes down more to preference than anything else.

I'm with you on Bose and Monster.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

The list would not be complete without Nike and Oakley.