Where are the young audiophiles?

We do exist. I’m 24 and I am just starting to build my first stereo system (I have done the Audeze thing for 3 years before this). I do have to say though I don’t think I would be at this stage this early in my life if it wasn’t for the fact that my dad is and has always been a huge audiophile. 
Of people my age, I only know one other person who is into audio. I think accessibility is the largest issue for younger people. Most people my age would never have been exposed to this world and if they have it’s typically the kind of exposure that make audiophile products seem like snake oil. Add on to that the fact that this isn’t a cheap hobby or a particularly space efficient one either and it mostly comes across as inconvenient to the uninitiated. 
That, I think, goes back to my audiophile upbringing because, as much as there are distinct differences between listening to music on a generic tv soundbar versus a pair of decent floorstanding speakers and amplification, source, etc, being able to appreciate and articulate those differences (consciously and subconsciously) is a learned skill. This is a skill that I was fortunate to start and continue to develop without realizing for as long as I can remember since my father always had music playing through how various systems over the years. 
People my age (in most cases) simply have not had the time or experience yet needed to appreciate this funny hobby.

Interesting topic, I am 50 and just spent the weekend over at a buddies house listening to his vinyl setup with 2 reviewers and well respected audio designer/builder.  I enjoyed the gear and the people but the music was some of the worst I have heard.  Just think if you are a young person interested in the hobby and all you hear at audio shows and read in online reviews is how something sounds with old classical, old jazz, new jazz, new classical, old jazz, new jazz, old classical, blah blah blah it’s no wonder younger people aren’t into it.  I love the hobby and I am open to some of the older jazz and blues music but my listening this weekend was typical of audiophiles and what they tend to gravitate to. I almost feel not only do reviewers lead a lot of audiophiles down the wrong path on gear selection but also on what a lot of us are listening to as well by what they are referencing to what they used in the review...the recommended LPs in the magazines is the perfect example.  My point is we need some younger reviewers, reviewing gear that’s more obtainable and most importantly talking about how the gear performs with music they are more familiar with.

"It will never be a big slice, and it never was."

This sums it up nicely.

There's a whole new wave of us coming to the hobby. I'm 52 and just got around to my first 50k system. Don't worry young people get older and acquire the means to join the hobby.