??? Are Manufacturers Killing Our Hobby ???


 I had struck me recently that there is a GLUTTONY of equipment manufacturers these days & that,if not careful,the unchecked saturation of every corner of our hobby could bring about the demise of the entire industry..
 There are only so many consumers of audio reproduction equipment to go around.The younger generations,as a whole,seem uninterested in the pursuit of music reproduction in the home..Live music events are less & less about the music & more & more about the "show"being put on..
 Vendors at the last hi fi show I attended recently commented on how small the crowds were compared to previous years.
 Too much of anything is never a good thing in the long run...Is it possible that the unbridled ability of manufacturers to saturate the market with too many choices could be a DEATH knell to our hobby in the not to distant future?

freediver

The problem is not an interest by young people. It's the cost of health insurance, Dental costs, tuition costs, that keep them home with mom and dad. Costs of apartments, rental, or buying, food costs doubled, all  have gone way high with few wage increases. No money for an expensive hobby. If cost of living lowers, buying increases.

I also think there's never been a better time for hardware.  Yes there is plenty of overpriced stuff out there that few can afford but overall there are some really good choices out there.  

 

??? Are Manufacturers Killing Our Hobby ???

Not really.  Simply more choices and more competition.  We still care about price/performance which few can get a market advantage unless superior parts and engineering leading to superior sonics. 

The prices on some of this audio equipment is insane. YES there's alot more choices but the prices .With the cost of everything to day forget about it.I have some many people tell me, you but albums  really.Why when you can stream. THEN I have to explain and explain and explain why ....lol.