Encouraging people to consider a traditional 2 channel stereo system.


IEMs, headphones, streaming by phone...if someone even listens at all.

How can we as enthusiasts in this hobby get people interested in a more traditional 2 channel stereo setup using speakers and associated gear? 

Even cheaper ChiFi sounds pretty good compared to what some of us had when we first started but it doesn't take a fortune to build nice sounding systems that work well and can be enjoyed for many years. 

What can we do to support this hobby, its gear manufacturers and promote physical media too although many may prefer streaming?  

Essentially, promoting a gateway into the hobby as well as a pathway for growth and upgrading over the long term?

 

agwca

I will generalize at the chance of rebuttal for generalizing.  

As a member of the Baby Boomer generation and in my teens during the Year of Love, no matter how shallow or deep your hippie social- democratic philosophies were at the time, everyone strived to own the best stereo they could afford, because music was part of the movement.  As boomers aged, they kept their passion for music as a means of social expression, and as they became more affluent, they developed a focus on materialism, which together facilitated growth of the hi-end market.  The generations after X, seem to focus on the experience rather than materialism, with certain exceptions such as cars, bling, and cloths including sneakers.  These exceptions become part of an experience.  So if you wish to impress the value we audiophiles see in hi-end equipment to younger generations, make it an experience in some way.  I will never forget going to the high school music teacher’s home in queens for a barbecue and him demonstrating his Mac floor to ceiling line array speakers, 4 mono amps, preamp, Thorens TT, and Tanberg real to real playing Led Zeppelin ll, and Copland Fanfare.  It was an experience I will not forget.  

I have shared my passion and hobby with others but find most people are not that into the equipment.  The good news is that most people I know love music so however they enjoy it is fine with me.  I have my endgame setup and a portable Bluetooth speaker and a lot of equipment in between.  The one constant is my music on Qobuz.  I’m listening wherever I am and loving it.  

Never in the history of music reproduction has music being more consumed and readily available to the masses.  Portability is the driving force

What's wrong with headphones? I've got a great 2-channel system. I've also got a great headphone system. Having one does not automatically exclude the other. Headphones do not automatically equate to earbuds on an iPhone. 

I would believe that that the vast majority of us here are either Baby Boomers or Gen X.

Think back to your 20’s, if someone 30+ years older than you tried to get you involved in their hobby that most likely started when they were in their 20’s.

Now, try to put yourself in that mindset in 2025, then imagine some old guy trying to get you into a traditional 2 channel audio system.