Where are the young audiophiles?

In a way high-end audio to seniors is what shortwave radio was to our parents. For the technical minded and interesting it was a passion. So to some extent I would expect the high-end audio becomes a much smaller segment of people. Kids grew up in the last couple of decades will probably pursue something a little bit different. But eventually as some people get money they’re more likely to start enjoying high end audio. But it is unlikely to re-game  the Pinnacle it has been.

It is true the pandemic has catapulted the business. My audio guy has been in business for over twenty years and has never seen this level of demand. So, this will probably have created a bunch of new enthusiasts. And music never goes out of fashion... so it will not go away.

@jundaku. “The biggest issue is that it’s a rich mans hobby and not to many of us young people can afford it.....”

I can assure you that when I was young in college and the years afterwards... it was a rich man’s hobby. I saw old guys go in and buy a top of the line Audio Research component costing what I made in six months. I scraped and saved and bought used equipment... lower end stuff. I read endlessly, trying to piece together my together for a next to nothing. My first non-school loan was for an amplifier. 

So, while I can’t say getting older is fun. I truly enjoy being able to listen to a $22K component and pretty casually say, “sounds great, I’ll take one... could I hear the new preamp also.” Of course, this is in my home because my audio guy brings stuff to my house for me to audition. I can’t begin to tell you after fifty years of passionate pursuit, how great it feels to be one of those old rich guys. Work hard, dream, and one day you’ll be lucky enough to say the same.

@athrillofhope

You are very correct. No question.. but take a deep breath... relax... enjoy the moment. Put on some Kitaro.

@kren0006.  “... but for the older gents here, at the Hi-Fi height, let’s say 1970’s, what percentage of middle class households had what we would consider a hi-end system?

10%? 20%? More?...”

Excellent  question. In the 1970’s. Much less than  1%

This has never been a popular pursuit. You would also need to take into account the population increase of at least 50% so as a percentage the people doing this may not have decreased as much as it would have. 

@syndication.
If you have $20K invested in used equipment at age 35 you have spent more than I had at your age ($ adjusted). High end audio has always been the pursuit of a few people of the best possible musical reproduction and experience. If you are one of those... then along the way you will discover the overall sound is strongly influenced by all the components, and that interconnects and cables are a part of the system. If not, you will enjoy what you have, which is likely better than 99% of the folks out there. Hope you are enjoying it.

It has always been a very esoteric pursuit. It takes unique interests in music, a technical bent, with an appreciation of achieving the pinnacle of what is possible. Typically someone that likes to spend time alone.
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In the 60’s and 70’s many college students were exposed to stereos systems and pot together. Everyone liked listening to the best systems their friends had (none remotely high-end)... and an extremely small minority went on to put together a true high end system... I don’t know anyone that did, other than me. of the thousands of people I have known in business and outside of work I ran into one or two. I met many people claiming to be an audiophile only to proudly state they owned Bose... the marketing scheme worked for decades convincing people they were buying a high end system, to the horror of those of us that actually knew what good equipment could do. We have always been a very small minority... but dedicated over our lifetimes.

The assessment of the popularity has always been in aggregate. Number of attendees to shows, subscriptions, and sales of companies... and bankruptcies.

@lckluiano “This new generation care more about how loud their system sounds, than how clean and natural it may sound. ”

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Funny you say that. That was the primary interest initially when I got into high end audio in the 70’s. I forgot.  But it morphed over time to be more articulate, better tonal balance, better imagining, more realistic rendering of the venue, better midrange, and finally much better rhythm and pace. Ok, this really made me realize that each upgrade would add something I would not expect as well as what I did expect. I think this is an important part of the reward cycle for those who pursue it over a lifetime. The continuous surprise and rewards from initially simplistic expectation. Adding music discovery it is a constant discovery pursuit.

@sns ...”This is a golden age of audio for me, far more choices of equipment , music, and accessibility to that music; what a time to be a young, budding audiophile! ”


Yes. The level of performance per dollar has never been higher, and the cost of music (streaming) is virtually free. I used to have to shell out $20 / album. Now streaming can be done at greater than Red book CD SQ. It is a golden age.

I think most shops want their systems to pop... have the sound stick out. Certain jazz does that.. I mean can you really blame them for wanting high end systems to sound the best they can? Everyone interested, then turns to the music they like. Besides catering to the group most likely to have the money to buy something doesn’t hurt. A place that caters to instilling desire in a customer that can’t buy for 20 years is a bankrupt business.

There are good dealers and bad dealers, like in any market. I have found and remained close to those that have an actual passion for high end audio. Typically I will interview the first person that I meet in a new store, access his knowledge and biases. If he is a trainee, I’ll figure out who the person with knowledge is. If it is a snobby place that just pushes expensive boxes, then I’ll listen to their systems, learn what I can, and not come back.
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When I find an real audio shop and I will usually hit it off with the person. We recognize each other for people that have deep knowledge (now, when I was younger... I was serious in learning, not so much knowledge) Typically, it will be the store owner. We exchange ideas and observations. If he is good, I can describe my tastes an interests and he can proactively put together stuff I should like. I have had multiple relationships lasting 20 years or more.

My current audio guy usually takes the afternoon off when he comes over to deliver something. The system we put together for me is also one he likes but can’t always put together in his showroom, so he’ll bring it over something new to my house and we’ll listen to it. He’ll leave it for a week or two if I like.

Elitist: “a person having, thought to have, or professing superior intellect or talent, power, wealth, or membership in the upper echelons of society.”

Generally, audiophilia is a solitary pursuit, we tend to be loners. Certainly I can’t imagine anyone posting a photo of their system on Facebook and most don’t have an Instagram account. I liken us more to the short wave enthusiasts of the 1940’s - 60’s.
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Interesting stereotype though, I’m flattered. My father called me stupid, I got C’s in high school... took seven years to get through college. But went back and got a Masters Degree and worked my way up to Director of Information Technology of large global companies... wow, I’m finally perceived to be  a member of an elite group, cool.

@sokogear 

+1 👍