How large (or small) is the audiophile market?

@invalid 
you do realize that the only reason most young people have a large playlist is because they don't have to pay for it, they actually expect it to be free

The reason they have large playlists is because they're all using Spotify which for a relatively small monthly fee gives them access to almost any song they care to listen to.

The audiophile market for traditional audio is shrinking at an alarming rate. I have been in audio sales for 30 plus years & I work for a major retailer. I have noticed a steady decline in the receiver/ traditional speaker market for the last 20 years. In the last, 2 years the business has been on life support with 0 interest in traditional audio with a flight to soundbars and Bluetooth. My store has decided to close the speaker and receiver area & to sell off all the floor stock because the inventory is dead weight. The reason that Bose & Samsung own the market now is that the audio companies cannot survive on their own without financial backing from a larger corporate sponsor. The 2ch high end market may be different but I think it will be on life support soon when time catches up to the 60 something’s that support the industry.

I have a breakfast meeting with a high-end cable manufacturer this week.  This was on my "wishlist" of topics.  We’ll see what he has to say about the "audiophile market".

Lots of good posts here on the OPs topic.  We all have our own ideas on the state of the "audiophile market", how we got here, and how to improve it.

A couple of thoughts:

-- The cost of delivering good sound into a space is directly proportional to the size of the space -- cubic feet, or even cubic centimeters -- and, yes, cubic millimeters when we’re talking about the ear canal.  Consumers looking for a quality listening experience need not spend $$$ if the listening "room" is confined to the space between their ears.

-- Consumers want to leverage their investments to maximize ROI.  So, IF it can play music AND play movie soundtracks AND provide a definite upgrade from the horrible sound of built in computer speakers then the math works.  A dedicated 2-channel music system is not a remote possibility for many for a number of (valid) reasons.

-- People will spend money on what their attention is on.  Those who are in a relationship, or have kids, understand this completely. Whatever the attention is on at the time, is where the money gets spent.  Grabbing the attention of would-be audiophiles during an F5 tornado of noise and distraction is not easy.  And, seasoned audiophiles may find that "other" things getting their attention will certainly divert their attention (and dollars spent) to other things.  Publications (hard copy) are helpful as well as face-to-face, highly personal interactions with quality people connected personally or professionally with the hobby.  And, yes, forums like this.

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While the current audiophile market feels small, my thought/theory is that it may grow significantly at some point in the not-so-distant future.   

One of the hurdles I hear frequently cited as a reason that the younger demographic does not participate is they can't afford to buy a home to put the equipment in and can't really afford the equipment. That dynamic is about to change, in a rather big way.  

Over the next 20 years, we are heading toward the greatest wealth transfer in history.  Estimates are that boomers/silent generation will leave over $84 trillion dollars to their heirs by 2045.

That amount of newly found wealth will eliminate many/most of the financial hurdles that currently limit the participation in this hobby.  And the younger generations don't seem to have the hesitancy about spending money in general that preceding generations seem to have hung onto for many decades.  

So, there it is.  The future could be bright for this hobby. Afterall, that $84 trillion dollars will largely be spent, and much of it on homes/hobbies/experiences.  Having a kick ass home theater could well become much more common.   

@michaelspiellman I am not leaving a dime for my kids. When I die they will or will be well on their way to being very well established in life.

I am spending their inheritance on them know when they need it. Helping them buy their first homes, paid for their college, bought their first mid level audio system and when they need help or things come up I offer to help. 

Whatever is left will be given to my Church, Samaritans Purse and the local Humane Society.