What do the statistics say about the age of Audiophiles and the replacement rate?

These threads are depressing

But I don't want to sell anything.

Do you have statistical proof? 
 

Theres small glimpses here and there, but overall statistics of the hobby are hard to find since everything is compartmentalized. Last year I had mentioned that it seems like a meta-analysis of some kind would be useful. A few years ago the average age of members on this forum was 61. A poll on reddit's r/audiophile showed that 354 members were under 40, while 254 were over 50. Another poll from the same subreddit reveled that out of 516 participants, a strong majority were also members of ASR, while few belonged to Audiogon or other forums. 

As previous members mentioned, there seems to be younger crowds in forums such as Head-Fi, ASR, and Reddit. The variables that could potentially be impacting this hobby and its future have already been mentioned; there’s likely a multitude of reasons. My suspicion with limited confidence:

- Too many competing distractions and financial obligations

- Cost of living, student loans, and housing

- Portability of music services that also offer personalization (double-edged sword)

I also feel that if there wasn’t an issue or concern about the future, we wouldn’t be questioning or discussing - not only on this forum, but other forums as well.

I think this hobby is going to look rather different in the next 25 to 50 years. I often question what Audiogon Forums will look like and whether enthusiasts will refer back to tap forgotten knowledge and experiences that have dissolved into the ether. 

@kennymacc Spot on. Completely agree. I'll use Triumph as an example. Their music had a positive anthem type quality to almost all of their songs. Like "Fight the Good Fight", "Magic Power", "Never Surrender", their songs were uplifting, and if you listen to the lyrics the messages were positive and powerful. Never mind the fact that they defined an entire generation and the music was great. You just don't see bands putting out those types of messages anymore...sadly...

So I am 74 and just 5 years ago just learned by accident what tubes sounds like compared to Solid-state to my ears..I feel blessed and was blown away what oldie songs can produce in detail that I never heard before..But I started with 6k Tube Amp and 8k Speakers..And was very happy for 5 years.. And if people come in to hear that system they would say it sounded Clear..What most would say Clear..Only a few could hear the real detail of the music..I only use my system during very late Fall and Winter..And maybe 2 hours a week at that...I play at 75bd with tinnitus and my wife hates to hear my music...I hate country but her and her son will go to Country Music Concert couple times a year and listen at 100db but my music at 75 is to high..But this year decided to trade old tube amp for one 3 times cost of old one... Now most who know me thought I was F'''' Nuts with what I had before and money spent....So talking to wife and if something happens to me and what to do with equipment...Funny how you think when older..But had a cousin come in with his wife and turned tube amp on and of course they were both blown away of the sound... And yes of course if something happens to me now they want it.. LOL....But these are people who would not pay few hundred for just the cables I have let alone thousands..Most young people are to connected to even sit down with out ear buds and listen to fine tunes from a set of speakers..And to take the time to setup to get best sound from system...And very few young people do not know how to assembly from directions today... Lets face it we have enjoyed a hobby that is slowly going away ...And if my cousin gets my system it will never sound so good for he has NO Clue as to why it sounds so good ...Enjoy what we have for the time we have with it..