Earlier this week, the pair of AirB and AirB Pro headphones from BKAV reached customers in the domestic market. Among these customers were technology reviewers in Vietnam.
Not long after receiving the headphones, several technology YouTube channels posted videos reviewing this product. Most of these reviewers concluded that the AirB was not outstanding compared to other headphones available on the market, especially regarding sound quality. Some complained about difficulties with Bluetooth connectivity, poor build quality, and ineffective active noise cancellation features.
Recently, in response to these negative reviews, BKAV CEO Nguyễn Tử Quảng posted a message on social media, stating that the reviewers “lack expertise,” evaluate products “based on what manufacturers provide them,” and “are often inclined to speak positively when they receive money.”
“Lack of expertise!”
This is my comment as a technology producer regarding most of the so-called “technology reviewers” today.
These individuals depend on technology manufacturers like BKAV, Apple, Samsung, and products from China. Directly or indirectly, they receive money to talk about the technology products of these manufacturers.
Receiving money, in some respects, can be acceptable as compensation for their work. However, as mentioned, most of these people lack expertise because they do not work directly with manufacturers to understand the technologies in research and product manufacturing, from mechanics, electronics, software, to industrial production processes.
Due to their lack of expertise, when evaluating products, they will mostly say according to what manufacturers provide them. Thus, they cannot maintain the objectivity and independence of a true reviewer. Receiving substantial payments often leads to a tendency to speak well of the corresponding manufacturer. Without payment, there is no commentary.”
Mr. Quảng then “pointed out mistakes” of numerous reviewers and highlighted their errors during the product evaluation process.
“One guy enthusiastically discussing the sound quality of the headphones with graphs and curves that seem highly specialized criticized the AirB harshly. But in reality, he lacks even the most basic knowledge of electronic signals and sound.
For instance, he said the AirB doesn’t have a frequency range from 5Hz, so the bass is poor, and then he and another “reviewer” joked to the point of absurdity. Oh, basic knowledge shows that the audible frequency range for humans is from 20Hz to 20KHz. All speakers or headphones on the market are like that, except for some models priced in the billions of VND that support a minimum of 16Hz for people with special hearing.
Google “Magico M9,” and you will find a speaker priced at 17 billion VND, emphasized to support an EXTREMELY WIDE frequency range from 18Hz. The aforementioned “reviewer” claimed that the AirB doesn’t support a frequency range from 5Hz, making the bass poor, which is truly unbelievable.
The guy mentioned above is even called a professor by the “reviewer” community, probably because he presents seemingly specialized information that dazzles other “reviewers.” So, you see, HOW CAN YOU BELIEVE these “reviewers”?
Another “reviewer” reportedly has some golden or silver buttons, and at the start of the clip, he calls himself an IDIOT, yet he casually critiques and complains about the sound quality of the product. Oh, he must be so used to saying what the manufacturers provide that he fails to recognize the absurdity of this—being an idiot and still evaluating sound quality?
A channel with top views gave the sound quality a score of 5, with the comment: “I haven’t REALLY FELT the sound clearly, accurately, but overall rating 5/10.” Oh, if you HAVEN’T FELT it, how can you give a score?
Some others cover their lack of expertise by mainly evaluating the packaging and seal. Even in this “expertise,” they lack knowledge. We intentionally placed a larger seal than the housing size so that users can EASILY REMOVE IT WHEN USING, yet it was criticized as ugly and that it should be tight. Oh, this is a one-time seal, to be removed immediately when unboxing, not meant to be used indefinitely.
This is also the reason why BKAV decided to stop collaborating with reviewers starting this year. Additionally, Mr. Quảng affirmed that BKAV does not need to pay these reviewers since the company’s products have a much larger following, several times that of products from other manufacturers.
“Indeed, all the truths and hidden aspects of the ‘reviewer’ community have been revealed more clearly than ever. You can easily see this through the recent launch event of BKAV’s True Wireless AirB headphones.
Recognizing the nature of the aforementioned “reviewer” group, with methods that do not benefit consumers or the market, we decided that starting this year, we will no longer work with them.”
“By now, you understand why we cannot accept allowing these ‘reviewers’ to evaluate the products and the dedication of hundreds of our highly skilled engineers.
That said, I know they will still ride the coattails of BKAV’s products, and they will still make clips because it’s much more appealing than other products. Their views will always be several times that of other products. Oh, so why should I pay them? They promote AirB effectively, just as they have recently done.”
Finally, CEO Nguyễn Tử Quảng stated that there are not many people with the knowledge and understanding of his product’s research and manufacturing process, so he will personally share information.
“As a pioneer, one must face the reality that there will not be many people with the knowledge and understanding of their research and production process. That’s also why, as the CEO of the group, I directly share the work of BKAV’s engineering team. It’s also an opportunity to disseminate technological knowledge to society, especially to young people passionate about this field.”