What do the statistics say about the age of Audiophiles and the replacement rate?
I'm unable to verify this so I'd like some guidance. I have a family member who is an authorized dealer of some really nice product lines (ARC, Magnepan, Sonus, Bryston).
He won't confirm or deny my hunch, but at his shop I see mostly older white, affluent men. I see very few middle age men and no men in their 20s. I don't keep all shop hours, but I do spend about 15 hrs./wk. there. My relative won't show me his sales demographic but I can see with my own eyes.
So my question is this: Is there an equivalent replacement stream of new blood entering the Audiophile world or not? Do you have statistical proof?
If the universe of Audiophiles (supposedly 20,000 in the lower 48) is indeed shrinking where does that leave the manufacturers and dealers?
Kind of weird to see this question asked on the same forum that sh@t all over the JBL lifestyle commercial targeted at a younger, female audience a few months ago. These kids will find their own way if the interest is there. Less gatekeeping from those who’ve been in it for a while is a good place to start. |
@yesiam_a_pirate , i do believe these manufacturers want to expand their audience to a wider and more diverse audience. My point is that when manufacturers (like JBL) make an attempt to court them, the first people to crap on their attempt, or the gear they’re marketing, are the “expert audiophiles” because it’s not the gear they would choose for themselves. No statistical proof, but from what I’m seeing in the personal audio forums is that, headphones, IEMs, desktop and portable gear (DACs/amps), all appear to be thriving with support of a younger audience. Perhaps it’s the lower overall cost of entry, but they’re no less vested in hobby than the traditional 2-channel people. |
