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Rant against the industry with hopes for discussion on positive change

As a 20 year hobbyist who has worked around the industry and made tons of contacts I really worry about the future of this hobby. 
 

For the last 30 years the industry has catered to an aging  clientele which I can tell you as a used gear guy a large percentage of my inventory comes from audiophiles who have passed away and at 38 i rarely meet people my age or near who are hobbyists. 
 

The industry is about the shadiest mainstream industry that has fought standards tooth and nail which is why amp and speaker ratings are all over the place confusing and discouraging the casual consumer. 
 

Millenials and Gen Z have spoken loudly that they won’t support shady business practices however market trends show that like audiophiles they bought a cheap Bluetooth speaker, than eventually a better and eventually a nice one. They want a option that is currently really only available from Devialet and a couple other manufactures. 
 

Also sales people use the technique that “you don’t know how to listen to music, you need to sit motionless in one spot” music reproduction needs to adapt to modern life where people are living smaller spaces with far more media options than ever before. 
 

As a guy on the border of Gen X and millennial I’ve built 4 rigs for friends over the years because I always get the response of “I can’t give up a whole wall, that’s insane” 

 

I would really like to see a company make a 12” and 15” Tannoy gold tv stand with volume control, bass, treble and loudness knobs as well as USB charging with an outlet strip on the back and a shelf for a PS5 or Xbox… that way they get big clean sound for example

 

What are y’all’s thoughts on ways the industry can still thrive and meet the new demands of consumers while getting good music to more people? Without a new influx I don’t see how the majority of brands and brick and mortars and stay on business due to a decline in clientele

128x128systembuilder
nonoise's avatar
nonoise
10,842 posts
 

They're already doing what you ask for. Active streaming speakers have future fi built in and the young'uns are going for that. Everything you'll need is built into the speakers from streaming to TV along with all the apps they can eat.

Industry is not catering anymore to the audiophile of old, rather, they have their sights set on the present and next generation of listeners. And, they can still sound great since it's a blending or melding of old tech and new.

 

All the best,
Nonoise

fuzztone's avatar
fuzztone
5,598 posts
 

@systembuilder

There were no hifi ads in Beaver.

tuberist
951 posts
 

Our hobby reminds me of the Harley Davidson crowd. We are all aging out.

czarivey
5,946 posts
 

What triggered me to acquire the gear is my education on electronic engineering and general musical education of getting familiar with structure of music and the instruments. All of it was given to me at the elementary school level. 

Today those 'triggers' don't exist. Today education is FOCUSED on Binary vs. Non-Binary where there's nothing scientific at all -- only political.

mapman's avatar
mapman
22,198 posts
 

Veteran 50+ year music lover and hifi enthusiast speaking here.

There are more very good sounding products out there to choose from than ever. From headphones on a smart phone on up. Also more good quality music to listen to for less than ever thanks to streaming. I don’t see a problem. I'm a happier camper in these woods than ever.  The times they are forever changing. Smart people will reap the benefits. Dinosaurs do not stand much of a chance. Ironically I would still love to have a nice Victrola to display as an artifact of the past and maybe even play some 78s on though still.

 

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