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Is this the end of HEA?

http://www.cepro.com/article/is_this_the_end_of_high_performance_audio_at_ces

This last year has made my ears perk up. Honestly I didn't even know the article above had been written until now. What I did know was listeners have been in touch with me about the future of HEA and their future as advanced listeners. It's been nice to see folks getting in touch with me and even nicer that they are doing so because they wish to settle into their final system sound. To say things in their words "it's been an expensive ride" and most of these folks aren't sure they've gotten a fair shake always from the hobby. Many feel they have bank rolled a part of a hobby that hasn't always delivered the goods. Basically instead of telling listeners that this is a variable hobby the "experts" pushed a very expensive game of component Plug & Play onto the discrete audio generation. I remember those days of guilt buying where a dollar amount was used as a representative for quality, when it meant no such thing. I knew first hand this was not the case as designers scrambled to make up-sell products that sounded less musical than the original products that put their name in audio fame. I also could see the HEA decline happening but still was giving the benefit of the doubt to those saying HEA was just fine and growing. Mom and pop stores for the most part have vanished in the US with the exception of a few creative thinkers. New expensive products are being adored but I don't see many actually buying them. Now I've got my eye on T.H.E. Show (Richard's show) and wondering if it's happening or not. Richard and I have talked many times about what will happen to HEA in the US if T.H.E. Show and CES cease doing their thing in Vegas. I wonder what Richard RIP is thinking now sitting in the clouds.

I am very excited to see the next few years come about even though I know some are still buying into the old paradigm that the HEA is the cutting edge with only a volume control to adjust and a fork lift included with every purchase. Going to the CES web, I have my answer for Vegas. Going to T.H.E. Show website I'm still in question. If these two are no more, in terms of HEA, who's next?

Michael Green

128x128michaelgreenaudio

Showing 1 response by nonoise

nonoise's avatar
nonoise
10,581 posts
 
Getting back to the OP's question, I see the coming end, if not thinning, of HEA shows but not the end of HEA sales. People have adapted to the internet way of business so the only nut to crack is how to get this generation interested. 

From what I've read, Europe is still going strong with lots of innovation coming from Poland, the Czech Republic, Russia, Greece and the like with built in audiences who still like to listen the way we do.

When we lament the loss of participation here, stateside, I think it has a lot to do with culture and trends, which can be very fickle and short lived. The way we listen will ebb and wane but never go away. It's been around for a long time which is a sign that it's doing something right.

Innovation has to settle in with HEA seriously in mind since it's already baked in. The only problem is cost: people don't have the disposable income they used to. Better minds will step in where the old guard falters or fails so the look of things will change but the end result should be satisfying. It'll just take some getting used to.

In the meantime, there are still some brick & mortar venues out there so everyone should do their due diligence and keep in touch. For me, it's Acoustic Image and Elliot Midwood, who's been so gracious with his time and expertise. I try to visit a couple times a year even though I'm content with what I have but it's nice to visit, chat and listen. A couple of times I've done that when Todd Garfunkle (MA Recordings) has been there and it's nice to get a peek inside the curtain. 😄

Which reminds me, I'm long overdue for a visit.

All the best,
Nonoise
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