@yesiam_a_pirate , i do believe these manufacturers want to expand their audience to a wider and more diverse audience. My point is that when manufacturers (like JBL) make an attempt to court them, the first people to crap on their attempt, or the gear they’re marketing, are the “expert audiophiles” because it’s not the gear they would choose for themselves.
No statistical proof, but from what I’m seeing in the personal audio forums is that, headphones, IEMs, desktop and portable gear (DACs/amps), all appear to be thriving with support of a younger audience. Perhaps it’s the lower overall cost of entry, but they’re no less vested in hobby than the traditional 2-channel people.
+1