What's going on with the audio market?


Recent retail sales reports are very bad and I am hearing that sales for audio equipment have been nonexistent over the past few months.  I also see more dealers putting items up for sale here and on other outlets.  Even items that have traditionally sold quickly here are expiring without being sold. 

To what would you attribute the slowdown?  Have you changed your buying habits for audio equipment and, if so, why? 
theothergreg

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.

Mapman, right on. *G* (Just showing my age... ;)...)

"Serious Audio"...I think I'm 'doing' a variant of that...I'm serious about what I'm about, and I'll posit that the guys with the megabuck systems are, too.  The guy jogging by with the buds in his ears, the musicians posting on Soundcloud, the galaxy of streamcasters, the entire continuum of musical endeavour spanning the globe, all that.  And although I sometimes think the heated discussions that occur over cables get a tad over the top, I'll support the right to do so and applaud AG and any site that gives us the forum and freedom to do so.  So rave on...

I know that I sometimes edge into trollishness in apparent attitude... I feel that there's more important issues of our life and times that should be concerning us, But...  

I'll agree that the 'market' is changing, responding to tech, 'mass market desires', the global production community, economic forces, and whatever the ad agencies can blow up our butts and make one want to drain their wallets/purses/credit accounts.  One picks and chooses their level of co-operation with all that. *L*  'Ell, I'd like a faster 'puter to run my junk on, so I'm not immune, either...

Support your B&M favorites.  Support that local guy.  Hey, I'm a micro-biz type, too.  I like it when the phone rings, or the email beeps.  Answer that ad, call that number, enjoy.  Get behind whatever floats your boat as best you might and may.

Everything changes.  That which remains in stasis is either dying or will get marked down shortly. *G*  Just try to keep the fun factor in it and in mind. ;)
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Mapman really got at one big driver of Aphile behavior of late. Even the remaining aging Aphile consumers are getting plain old fed up with.....

"Not many buying the hype anymore these days"

Gear is so darn full of hype and at crazy, I mean crazy, high prices.  It is out of hand and many of us are jumping off the crazy train. I blame industry manufacturers and retailers for their lack of creatively and tired ways. Yes, some are doing it right and will survive, but many "high end" companies will be gone over the next 5-10 years.