Is the idea of audiophile listening a dying concept as boomers die off?


I’m a boomer myself and was wondering if any other listeners have knowledge or data on how much of a declining industry high end audio is in general? Or am I mistaken and it’s not dying off at all?

tubelvr11

Fascinating excellent comments.

Might I add that if you want to know what other people are thinking, then don’t use yourself or your friends as core samples. If those who participate here are largely older males helping one another out basically to sort out equipment, then we’re not the best to self report. Aslo this forum is mostly team USA folks.

Ironically can’t use Reccord sales to help get a snapshot of the state of the audiophile/high end gear world’s survival indicators as ones and zeros have taken over. I’d like to see the price bell curve of the average streamer price. 

If sales are robust that’s the only metric that matters to me. And if we’re a bunch on the backside of life what’s driving this could be the realisation of our fleeting time left?

@wsrrsw 

Might I add that if you want to know what other people are thinking, then don’t use yourself or your friends as core samples.

Point taken. Be warned: 90% of this site runs on (freely, cavierly, recklessly) with anecdotes with a sample of one. ;-) 

The other alternative would be for people to withhold their opinion. LOL.

Also often, like it or not, many of us tend to be like our parents. My Dad was an audiophile. One of my sons is.  Is this proof of anything given my admonition of close orbits when collecting data, Nah? Yah?

@nitrobob

Agree with your comment. I am 57 and have kids in college or just out. None of them have a decent stereo and they have very little interest in one. I have tried to get them interested and even have equipment I could give them. I guess it's just not cool anymore. Headphones and bluetooth speakers seem to be the norm. When I was in college about every dorm room had some kind of stereo and we went from room to room listening. Times have changed for sure.

I upgraded all my equipment once the kids got older and started driving etc. I think that is pretty normal for our generation but not sure if the younger gen will do this when they are our age.  Various streaming devices with wireless speakers seem to be the more likely path for younger generations. The one thing I do see is a fair amount of younger people buying vinyl. There is interest there but hard to tell how much. 

I don't think its dying at all, it is certainly changing.

The thing I find the most disturbing is that I've been asked "Yeah it sounds amazing but where is the video?"  I just shake my head and reply "If you can't see it then this is not for you."

Regards,

barts