Being a 30 year retail A/V veteran, there has been a trend away from 2 ch audio for the most part across the board for at least 15 years, 99% of my customers purchase sound bars. Why? Smart tv's can be the source of all entertainment: only 2 wires are required: power and hdmi arc & the tv remote can control the system. If they want a little more advancement, they will move up to Sonos: Still a soundbar but now they have a wireless multi-room option. Only a few dedicated enthusiasts purchase 5.1 or greater systems & 2 ch music only systems are almost non existent. The average customer perceives 2 ch stereo as waste of resources that can be spent elsewhere. The average 2 ch music customer or owner is older from an age when hanging out and listening to tunes on an affordable system was a primary form of entertainment & there was a stereo only store on every city block. So that leaves the current 2 ch crowd in 60 & above age group with the means to afford this very expensive hobby.
Where are the young audiophiles?
I find it alarming that 95% of all audiophiles are seniors.According to a consultant at my local HI-FI store,young people don't seem interested in high-end equipment.They listen to music on their phone.Sooner or later, all the great neighborhood HI-FI stores will not be able to remain open. Kind of sad,don't you think?