"Did you look at the side-by-sides? The originals top out at 1981, so not really "new wave" necessarily.          Secondly, a "logo" or whatever you please can be made, in all seriousness and validity, from the first letter of a company's name. Sometimes it's not obvious that it's happening (i.e. the GOODWILL logo), sometimes it is. Does it fit the client's wants and needs and push their brand properly? The Beats one, even if a rip, accomplishes a lot for exactly the reason you mention - it's a headphone, it's the letter, it's become a status icon. Mission successful!"