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Rant against the industry with hopes for discussion on positive change

As a 20 year hobbyist who has worked around the industry and made tons of contacts I really worry about the future of this hobby. 
 

For the last 30 years the industry has catered to an aging  clientele which I can tell you as a used gear guy a large percentage of my inventory comes from audiophiles who have passed away and at 38 i rarely meet people my age or near who are hobbyists. 
 

The industry is about the shadiest mainstream industry that has fought standards tooth and nail which is why amp and speaker ratings are all over the place confusing and discouraging the casual consumer. 
 

Millenials and Gen Z have spoken loudly that they won’t support shady business practices however market trends show that like audiophiles they bought a cheap Bluetooth speaker, than eventually a better and eventually a nice one. They want a option that is currently really only available from Devialet and a couple other manufactures. 
 

Also sales people use the technique that “you don’t know how to listen to music, you need to sit motionless in one spot” music reproduction needs to adapt to modern life where people are living smaller spaces with far more media options than ever before. 
 

As a guy on the border of Gen X and millennial I’ve built 4 rigs for friends over the years because I always get the response of “I can’t give up a whole wall, that’s insane” 

 

I would really like to see a company make a 12” and 15” Tannoy gold tv stand with volume control, bass, treble and loudness knobs as well as USB charging with an outlet strip on the back and a shelf for a PS5 or Xbox… that way they get big clean sound for example

 

What are y’all’s thoughts on ways the industry can still thrive and meet the new demands of consumers while getting good music to more people? Without a new influx I don’t see how the majority of brands and brick and mortars and stay on business due to a decline in clientele

128x128systembuilder
mrskeptic
262 posts
 

Yet companies like Schiit and Emotiva are flourishing. Hmmm

russ69's avatar
russ69
3,501 posts
 

High end audio---or even hi-fi on any level---has ALWAYS been a niche market.

/endthread

2chfreak
41 posts
 

A few years ago, I told a 30 something that I spent a grand on a cd payer and 2 grand on my int. amp. When I mentioned that my speakers set me back $1600,  his TikTok abused mind practically exploded, so befuddled was he. I didn't try to explain that my gear was entry level, foot in the door, next level stuff; he would not have understood that concept. This individual reacted like 99% of the population would have acted - he looked at me like I was nuts! We are a species that the masses are not familiar with, and for the most part have no intention of ever becoming familiar with. Had I mentioned to him what I spent on cables, it might have had to call an ambulance. Sound quality, like proper manners, proper grammar and being discerning about things in general is passe' these days. I caught the HIFi bug at 10 years old and my fascination has never wavered all these years. I bask in the beauty of the music that my system faithfully renders, sometimes so convincing that it transports me like a time machine to, often times, a place far more blissful then where I'm at in any particular moment. Those of you who can relate to how I feel comprise a very small niche group. The modern world, with all the devices, distractions and propaganda media enticements are just too powerful for most people to resist - hence the junk culture that surrounds us and destroys the notion that people can be individualist who chart their own path. Let's hope that this industry can find a way to resonate with the younger demographic, and admit that much of the negative perception toward the hi end audio industry has been self inflicted. For decades!

laoman's avatar
laoman
437 posts
 

"I would really like to see a company make a 12” and 15” Tannoy gold tv stand with volume control, bass, treble and loudness knobs as well as USB charging with an outlet strip on the back and a shelf for a PS5 or Xbox… that way they get big clean sound for example."

Are you serious? This would be really poor quality crap. You might as well stream MP3.

systembuilder's avatar
systembuilder OP
111 posts
 

Well your not gonna get the next generation to use tidal and ditch Spotify very easily. 
 

however a quality speaker capable of big sound is pleasing to the ear and the OVERWHELMING amount of music played is MP3 through cheap Bluetooth speakers

usually a better and bigger speaker is more pleasing to the ear, what do I know. I’ve just been in the industry 20 years…

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