Where are the young audiophiles?

The neighborhood hifi stores aren't going to close....they already have. You have a Best Buy Magnolia in a good demographic region and maybe some home theater focused stores. The Best Buy stuff is expensive and since it is corporate, there are no deals there.

As an example, in the 80's and early 90's there were probably 20 mid to high end audio stores in and immediately around Philadelphia. Now there are 2 in Philly and 3 or 4 outside. That's a 75% reduction. At those stores, it was possible to speak with someone who knew what they were talking about usually and get a system for what seemed like peanuts today, but if you account for inflation, aside from the ultra high end, the prices are about the same or less, and if you know what you are doing, can actually get a very nice used system for much less with the internet's help. 

Back then, the better stores sold audiophile records which supplemented their sales and kept people coming in the door. Now they're Apple stores.

I'm 51 and didn't really start with this stuff until my early 30s. I remember very clearly thinking to myself now that you have some extra cash what is it you really like to do? The answer was listening to music, so I found a dearly nearby and grabbed a nice little starter system. About a year later I found Audiogon the rest is history.


I do think the "next generation" is out there as said above there aren't a lot of them but there aren't a lot of us either.

As a relatively young (mid 30s) audiophile, I can tell you guys the snobbery (“my first $50K system...”) doesn’t help to encourage young folk to enter the hobby.

I have about $20K worth of gear in my current chain (and about $10K of other gear in a closet that I can swap out when the urge strikes) that was assembled over years of trial and error and extensive in-home auditions. The funny thing is, my system comes within a stone’s throw of some six-figure systems I’ve experienced (and bettering them in some areas). The reality is that many of you old guards are not getting the performance you think you’re buying. I’ve seen a lot of expensive gear crammed up against walls in untreated rooms. Many buying “high-end” five and six-figure components would benefit from trading some of their money for greater knowledge/experience.

+1 helomech. Smart beats expensive every time.

That's for sure. Also a lot of the people in stores are extremely elitist snobs who assiduously cultivate an air of superiority. Yet when you talk to one- if indeed you can get one to deign to talk to you, a lowly serf not even with an appointment to spend one hundred large in the next ten minutes - you will quickly come to realize they know zip about audio. Products, yes. Sales, definitely. But audio? As if! 

The truth is one of the best most impressive systems I ever heard was one I built for $1200 for my father in law. The bookshelf speakers intended for his entertainment center were put on makeshift stands a foot or so out from the side wall in my listening room to burn in. Went 2 whole weeks never even turning my system on, this little one was so much fun!  

Another time, a friend had me over for dinner. When he heard I was into audio he was proud to show off his great Sansui system. Had me sit down, played me some music. Good music, always enjoy that no matter what. Truly enjoyable experience. You know it is fun to visit, but it is also a bit of effort all the paying attention, coming up with witty rejoinders, being careful not to faux the pas. Was so nice to sit and truly relax with some tunes. 

Later when he comes over, goes to see mine, eyes wide as saucers just walking in the room. WTF? Tubes?!? Looks behind- WTF those cables? Not lamp cord?! On and on. Month later this guy is at the same dealer buying all the same stuff I have only separates not integrated, everything has to be a step up.  

So I think the snob angle is less to do with being an audiophile and more to just your natural personality. He was like that with his Porsche too. 

Not all of us are, I hasten to add.