What's going on with the audio market?

My mind set these days is I would feel sinful complaining in any way about getting squeezed on luxury items like expensive hifi gear.  I am among the small fortunate % who can weather the storm pretty well.  Most people are not and the forces at play currently are only making it tougher for most.

Old thread but always a relevant topic.

Times of increased costs (inflation plus now massive taxes/tariffs) like year 2025 impact mainly the lower classes.  Wealthy people have the money to pay and are less affected.  Fewer items get sold and more go to wealthy people able to pay the premium cost being charged.

Tack on less fortunate people receiving low pay and fewer benefits and you get the "squeeze" that is basically driving everything in this country at present,  Luxury items like high end hifi gear are merely part of the overall situation.

It’s not so hard. These days that guy shoud be selling some decent Bluetooth speakers for customers like that with a cell phone looking for better sound out of a single box. Its a good first step. Does not help for the dealer to be stuck in the past requiring a separate amp and speakers and wires. Stick some tubes in the dern thing even if one must.

My local B&M stores still in business get that and do.

There will always be plenty of good sounding gear to buy.  More so than ever.   Because technology and things in general move forward.   Its not as hard these days to get top notch sound as it was years ago.   Only a few still scrape and claw at every last possibility at any price.  Most people are just listening to their music and loving it.    Including old timers like me that live and learn.   I've bought into some hype and maybe even a tad of BS in years past but am better these days. 

So the days of living with old ways of the past for the industry may well be very limited but the ones that continue to truly innovate and adapt will continue to fill the market with good products that can keep most everyone happy one way or another. 

Consumers will be fine, including those seeking the best possible sound.