2. amps-preamps
  3. 1403071350

High End Audio-Gaining Higher Ground?

This is a spin off from a meeting held by audio designers where the primary discussion was about high-end audio and how to get the younger generation interested & involved in high-end audio. One of the speakers mentioned that his son was not the least bit interested in his rig and if something was to happen to him, his son stated it all would be put up for sale on Ebay.

I thought it would be interesting to put this discussion forth to this audio community and to get opinions on the above subject. Are audiophiles a dying breed and what could rekindle this hobby for all new generations.
phd
response34's avatar
response34
169 posts
 
I don't think its a lack of interest in high end audio but more a lack of appreciation of music by the younger generation.
If you listen to todays music, it becomes obvious that no matter how good the system, it will still sound like crap.
High end audio is not fading but rather quality music.
Today's fast pace life styles are far too happy with downloaded music on their iPhone played through a pair of overpriced Beats headphones.
Before we can bring high end audio back, we need to bring quality music back.
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,637 posts
 
If you look at what is happening in the independent music scene, the trend has been towards the LP for a long time (about 20 years).

The issue has to do with how relevant high end audio is, and the conditions that exist here in the US; after being at the Munich show, I can tell you that things are very different in Europe!!

Here in the US, there is a big push for digital and has been for a long time. It is that that is killing music, not because high end digital sucks, but because low end (mp3) sucks. In essence, people don't want to listen to it as much and an iPhone with ear buds is sufficient.

But kids do recognize that there is something more which is why the LP does so well in the underground, from which most music innovation arises. It would be a mistake BTW to assume that all of it is poorly recorded.

We are active in the local music scene and I think any audio manufacturer should be to cultivate the next generation.
mapman's avatar
mapman
21,891 posts
 
how about making it easier and more affordable? That might help.

Problem is, kids get much better music and sound quality VALUE!!! out of the various portable devices and services available today than they likely could with a traditional hifi. And that is assuming that they they would know how to get the sound they want out of it.

Injecting the sound directly in one's ears is a much more practical and efficient process than listening in a room on speakers. Unless of course one really values room acoustics, soundstage, imaging, etc., which most do not.
More to discover