Devialet partner with Sky!

[Gerronwithit]

Sky = Bentley ?

Yes, not quite the same thing regarding brand image it has to be said.  Although, in fairness to Gerronwithit's post, I think he was trying to highlight the similarities with respect to the European design / Chinese manufacturing approach, and partnering with other brands as a general point.

Although brand snobbery aside, Bentley have annual sales of about 11,000 units, Sky in the multi-millions, so if I was making the business descisions I know which way I would go!  Maybe there is a plan to roll out the Naim in-car stuff to the rest of the VAG group range?  This would be a very different story in terms of numbers and potential revenue, but no sign of this at the moment.

Blimey! I did not think my post was so obscure. Naim initially moved from its hardcore HiFi UK production by designing the product and getting the Chinese to manufacture the Bentley HiFi. As far as I know this was a one off as Bentley is marketed as a British product, so unlikely to see Naim in a Golf or an Audi. They then moved to produce the Muso which is considerably downmarket from The Phantom, but also considerably cheaper and again produced in China. Lastly, they produced the smaller and cheaper Qb. None of these is directly comparable to the Sky soundbar, except that all are manufactured in China, but reflects the move by Devialet into a more mass market, particularly when Sky are selling it at just under £300. In non Sky pricing it is comparable to the Muso. As I said earlier, we will have to wait for reviews to see how they compare sonically unless of course someone has bought and got one.