YouTube Indicates What the Future is For Audiophiles - Interesting Demographics.

@jon_5912 

Hi.. I doubt more than a handful of people under 50 know what a KSA80 is. If you look at the OP there are two videos referenced, the second targeting a younger audience. I did it that way because they represent the two extremes of age groups that the channel draws on. But the stats for both are roughly the same. That was the point of picking out those two videos. I’ve also done vids on REL Carbon Special subs, Dr. Feickert turntables etc, and the stats are the same. As soon as you get relatively high-end, the demographics become fairly predictable.

I said in another post that cheapaudioman’s stats would probably look a lot different. He doesn’t hit the higher end crowd, his stuff is more affordable so reaches a broader audience that includes younger people.

I wasn’t claiming anything definitive about the stats I showed. Though I do think it’s probably a fair reflection of where the high end is at.

There have been some interesting comments in this thread. Thanks again to folks who have chimed in with a variety of comments and opinion.

I believe the dearth of welcoming high-end audio brick and mortar audio stores only adds to the nonengagement of younger persons.  How many of us curiously found our way into one and was knocked out by what we heard?That's how I started at fourteen.  More than five decades later still going.

@barts exactly my experience.  I found my way into a very high end audio store at 15 in 1973, and was blown away by the sound that I heard.  I think that the system might have been Quad ESL's stacked, powered by Mark Levinson separates, and some turntable that I don't recall.  What I do recall is that it sounded as if the band was in the room in front of me.  Incredible.  I have been chasing that sound my whole life, and now, in 2024, I am most of the way there!  The other thing that others have also pointed out is that the '70's was an era filled with incredible rock music, with new and amazing albums being released by amazing groups like Led Zep, ELP, Yes, Tull, etc. and a whole wave of ECM jazz.  Listening to that new album when it was released, like Physical Graffiti or Led Zep IV, or Brain Salad Surgery, to name a few, was a religious experience.  I still listen to that music.  Kids growing up today don't have that kind of music any more, and I think that music fueled the creation of audiophiles.  In addition, we sat around and listened to music as a social activity while smoking pot.  There were no video games, 100 TV channels and movie channels, etc. to choose from.  So we appreciated it more, I think.  I am sad that we are really a dying breed.  My step-son likes to listen to my old dinosaur rock on my system, but has no interest in having his own.  That is the way it is.  I will enjoy my hobby until I croak, and get huge amounts of pleasure in doing so.  What happens after I croak, not my concern, I suppose, other than in a theoretical way.

Wonderful post. Makes me feel like a dinosaur though

I totally don’t agree with the OP conclusions about the data. We older audiophiles can afford the gear, 17 year olds can’t. And I don’t care whether women are into the hobby or not, it’s totally up to them, but historically it’s not something women have ever been interested in. Big deal. Nothing has changed, relax.

Muscle Cars and Street Rods.  Very similar demographics.