The number four

Yes something to do with the Far East and it being unlucky. I'm sure the more enlightened amongst us will fill you in.

Regards
Clive

Something to with a supposed sport called golf?

Unlucky number 4.In Cantonese when spoken sounds like the word "death".
13 because if you add 1=3 = 4 as above. 24 104 are also considered unlucky. Google result

Howard

Sounds awfully like bollox to me!

G

If there is any truth in the fact that it could be an oriental problem are you going to risk upsetting a billion potential punters?

Howard

Bollox indeed! There has to be something more to it than that.

You're telling me that Naim, which doesn't exactly cater itself to the far east anyway - or at least in China, has rejected the logical progression of their model number series (i.e. Jumping from Nait3 to Nait5) because of the bogeyman?

Piss on it. If there's a billion "potential punters" out there who are going to be so silly, I'll impugn an entire continent.

Yes, I'm impugning a continent.

If and when the time comes for a Nait69, I surely have no problems.

They'll all be out buying Sansui sh*te anyway.

G

In Chinese

Number 4 sounds like death and is to be avoided.

Number 4 when written depicts the sun hidden by cloud and is considered unlucky.

Mike

I await America's response to the upcoming CD 666.

NAC 42
NAP 140 ?

DS

Adam,

I got no problem with it. But there's a difference, unless of course you had a Cd 665.

It's pretty obvious and I think you see it, a string of numbers as opposed to one number.

I guess 444 would be: death, death, death?

Either way, David raises a perfectly valid point.

But Adam, is it the far east's aversion to the number 4 which so scares Naim?

You know, because if you're worried about the common Chinese man buying Naim equipment, I think you need not worry.

Unless you plan on opening one hell of a new factory. Hey, maybe you could open it in China then.

It looks like some intellectual snobbery going on..........................

The number four is treated the same way in Japan - the "Death" number. A Japanese friend of mine also treats the number 16 with the same suspicion - 4x4.

IIRC Arcam missed out the number 4 on their "Black Box" DACs for the same reason - the Far East market.

Kev.

Okay so we can add the Japanese to the list. So when the Far East has to do math, do they just skip over four?

2+2=5? Is that it? No really, this question is no more absurd than trying to figure out why a logical progression of numbers can't be used?

You say 666 has evil connotations. But if it's the number on the cd player (maybe a Sony es) and it's the best and I can afford it, I'll buy it. To hell with any voodoo superstition.

I thought we lived in a modern world. Obviously not.

One thing is for sure, if I was selling something that I had made, felt like the model number was informative and logical (which a Nait4 would have been), and some group of feeble minded individuals didn't like it; then they don't have to buy it.

It's that simple. Grow a pair of testicles.

Sometimes intellectual snobbery has to be used to elucidate reason.

quote:

Originally posted by Aric:
Adam,

I got no problem with it.

Fine - what's the big deal?

quote:

Originally posted by Adam Meredith:

quote:

Originally posted by Aric:
Adam,

I got no problem with it.

Fine - what's the big deal?

You got me. That's what I'm trying to figue out.

I just find it a tad silly to refrain from using a number for a new model because of a superstition.

But if that's the reason, that's the reason. Nothing I can do about it, so I won't raise any more fuss.

Merely curious what others thought.

OK - just thought you were saying that Naim were a bunch of jerks for taking into consideration the (ultimately irrational) sensitivities of a large proportion of the world and were trying to get people worked up about our "political correctness".
Glad you weren't.

Well I'm certainly not PC. I'm a realist. I realize that no matter what I do or say, someone is offended in this great world of ours.

The only thing I worry myself with is whether it's logical. If this steps on some toes, I guess some feet are crushed.

And I'm not implying making everyone happy, or even picking and choosing. Merely, what is right.

That's for each to choose and everyone to judge, as goes the natural law.

But I wasn't implying Naim were jerks, merely silly.

Personally I don't think Naim's decision support system tools can successfully resolve this one. Therefore I propose Adam commissions a re-badged CDS 3 to be labled as a "CDS 666". He will then gift it to me unannounced resulting in an offence (I'm American)and I'll respond accordingly. Safetys are in place since the actual gift will more than compensate for my pain and suffering (matter of public record now with this post)and Naim will gather valuable insight with my reactions as a customer.

I trust confidentiality forms will be in the mail...

Dave

It's marketing pure and simple. Alfa had a lot of trouble shifting 164s and BMW will probably never sell a 4 Series - the 3 being the only model that won't have an even numbered two door counterpart. I don't know why, but in marketing circles 4 is considered to be the kiss of death in some markets. Strange but true, so why go there in the first place?

Cheers

Harry

Harry,

Because of the "why?"

Reflecting disdainful disinterest is the halmark of old age, to me.

Aric

Have you heard the famous story of the scientist who visited the house of the great Nobel Prize-winning physicist, Neils Bohr, and was amazed to find a horseshoe on his front door.

The scientist asked: "Surely you don't believe that superstitious nonsense about horseshoes bringing you good luck, do you, Professor Bohr?"

Bohr chuckled. "Of course I don't believe in such nonsense. However, I understand that it brings you luck whether you believe in it or not."



This "4" business may explain why I haven't yet sold any Nonsuch 4 speakers in the Far East. I think I'd better have an urgent talk with my marketing department.

Thanks for the tip - I never knew about this.

Regards
Steve

4 is unlucky in Far Eastern markets, but the whole 13 thing is for different reasons.

You won't find a row 13 in an American aeroplane or a 13th floor in an American building. Why? Because Judas was the thirteenth disciple. Man alive.

Without Judas of course we wouldn't have the Christianity that has created this bizarre nonsense.

Jesus was crucified on a Friday, which despite being "good" in name, has given rise to Friday 13th being the most unlucky day.
And you shouldn't walk under a ladder, apparently, because by doing so, in someone's rather off-the-wall estimation, you'd be "breaking the trinity" created by the triangle that is the wall, floor, ladder threesome.

People who believe this kind of nonsense voted for George Bush. Enough said.

quote:

Originally posted by rodwsmith:
People who believe this kind of nonsense voted for George Bush. Enough said.

While those that used this type of logic voted for Kerry?

Or that Einstein believed in God ?

My first decent amp, bought for my 21st in the mid seventies, was the Trio KA 4004, made in Japan. Sony has at least one product with 4s in its model number.