Advances in a variety of the sciences will lead to great strides in audio by 2050.
Tubes will remain popular with a small group of audio enthusiasts. In spite of the availablity of superior electronics, they will claim that "tubes sound more alive." NOS Chinese and Sovtek 6922s from the early '00s will be in great demand.
Advances in micrometallurgy will lead to a better understanding of the effect crystalline structures, as well as certain subatomic particles, have on signal and power transmission. An opposition front lead by scientists pooh-poohing these findings will be formed. They will claim that since they "cannot hear the difference it doesn't exist." This will lead to much debate on the subject.
Distribution of music will be done almost exclusively online. Numerous file formats will be offered with the leaders being a Sony consortium and another industry group disinterested in paying Sony royalties, even for a better format. An upstart cottage industry based on distribution of hardcopy materials will arise. This move will be squelched by the RIAA with a series of lawsuits based on their "losing billions of dollars annually to this blatant piracy."
Panel-style speakers will be all the rage due to newly available materials. They will still have to be as big as a wall and still won't produce low bass. Bose, still in business, will still appeal to the masses. Their products will also still suck.
Any other prognostications?
