Is Audiophilia a Dying Hobby or Just in Need of a Tune-Up?

[Kingrex]

No one is complaining home movie theater are not as hot as they were in the 90a and early 2000. Same for car audio. Accept the store that sells it.

I collect local art. Could care less if others do. I enjoy it.

My friends who make beer don't care what others do. Same for rhe distillers

I personally wish less people would fish.

 

[Tangram]

No one is complaining home movie theater are not as hot as they were in the 90a and early 2000. Same for car audio. Accept the store that sells it.

I collect local art. Could care less if others do. I enjoy it.

My friends who make beer don't care what others do. Same for rhe distillers

I personally wish less people would fish.

I personally wish people wouldn’t crap on others’ threads. Clearly the OP cares, as do some others who’ve chimed in.

 

[Tiltedfault]

I don’t think this is a concern. I think this will always be a hobby mainly for relatively affluent obsessive compulsive types, and the market has responded fairly well to it. It’s the expense which necessarily limits this to (primarily) affluent men. It is primarily a male hobby.

Not saying that you can’t get good sound relatively inexpensively, but the example given by exupgh12 still averages out to around 9 or 10k. That’s a lot of dough for most people and many of those people would consider a $1,000 soundbar something of a luxury which perfectly fits their home theater and music needs. Ear buds are also perfectly adequate for many people. Many people listen to music through very modest systems and are content.

Aside from the obvious economic issues, I think there is also the role music plays in people’s lives. Many if not most people don’t listen to a lot of music, and the times they do it might be some pop music which is joyfully consumed while driving a car or in the background on a Bluetooth speaker while doing a chore or having a party. The emphasis on music’s reproduction is far from most people’s consciousness because the modest means they use to listen to it is good enough, and sitting by oneself to listen to music will strike the social music listener as a bit odd.

The idea that “better and greater interest in music” can lead to more audiophiles is a very interesting one. Im inclined to think it can, but likely only a modest amount. The finest reproduction of music will always be attractive to a certain number of people, but most, whether because of economy or listening habits, will settle for the modesty and simplicity of good enough.

On the other hand, the poor reproduction of music can certainly turn people off. I remember reading how the Port Authority in New York tried using classical music played through screechy loudspeakers to scare away vagrants, and it worked. Is there a lesson here?

 

[Phillyb]

Our hobby is a boomer hobby as we gain in age (lose interest), or pass on this hobby will do so also.

Pricing and gear are now market for the very well-off, the middle class does not have this type of disposable income, they have better things to do with their money like raising kids, paying for schooling, and running a house. My family and extended family are around 125, and not one as a system as much as my power cord costs, they stream free music and listen to XM in their car and radios at home. They are happy campers. They make perfect money, but they won't spend it on audio gear that is even middle of the road in price, TVs (cheaper ones on sale) maybe a receiver at Best Buy, and speakers and they are done. Most use gear from 30-40 years ago. Used local audio stores do good business selling vintage gear that is affordable $200.00-$500.00 range, he does well meeting the needs of middle-class buyers. Speakers over $1,000 take a long time to sell there and his store is in a nice suburb. I am very happy with my gear now and at age 73 no longer feel the need to go out and drop money on the newest thing. The worst thing for an audiophile happened to me I am satisfied. Smile!

 

[Kingrex]

All that really matters is that people keep making music. Its far more important we have artist and institutions that provide venues for music to be performed. How people replay it on their own time is irrelevant. When people stop making music or being engaged in art, larger social issues are at play.

As a society, would it be better to have 10 people lisening to music on $100,000 stereo, or 100,000 people listening on $10 stereo. Which society might be offering a better selection of music to enjoy. I would say the second. The access to good music is what matters. Not how it's played back.

If you want to call that crapping on a thread, go ahead.

 

[Alrainbow]

Wow a very realistic thread.
I grew up very poor but did not know it then. Today its far more obvious in fact it's cruel how far apart we have grown.
this is not a hobby anymore but it was
At one point.
I think it's supposed to be about the music. Most headphone or dare I say ear bud folk. are about the music.
Here I'm not so sure in most.
There are many here who are artist , producers and all that it takes to make music. But this group does not need a million dollar setup to take part in this shell of what was a hobby.
A question how much is the buy in
to become a member of the club.
Who allows anyone to become a member.
as a child music was every where
It still is but it's a personal experience
More now.
Mostly ear buds and they are can be expensive too.
Yet little love here.
The quality of the sound for the youth is inconsequential and this i think scares most here.
The room filled with hobby folk is getting smaller, but there will probably
Still be some who want better than headphones.
what this hobby is now and has been for a while is simply bling mixed in with some who want better.

 

[the sound of Tao]

All that really matters is that people keep making music. Its far more important we have artist and institutions that provide venues for music to be performed. How people replay it on their own time is irrelevant. When people stop making music or being engaged in art, larger social issues are at play.

As a society, would it be better to have 10 people lisening to music on $100,000 stereo, or 100,000 people listening on $10 stereo. Which society might be offering a better selection of music to enjoy. I would say the second. The access to good music is what matters. Not how it's played back.

If you want to call that crapping on a thread, go ahead.

The extreme high end of audio as we have seen it within our recent life times is probably largely an unviable aberration born out of a wonderful perfect storm of indulgence and excess. If the extremes of high end hifi goes dinosaur no way will it take out music with it.

Music is just a far more fundamental thing. It is inherent in all culture and was present at the start of civilisation and among the most essential vehicles for human expression. It is likely to be one of the very last human activities to go MIA if life as we know it gets ugly.

 

[dan31]

It is dying, as it should. Younger generations experience music differently than many of the older generation. Music will still be appreciated, just by a smaller subset of people.

 

[the sound of Tao]

In the end though music itself needs high end audio much like a fish needs a bicycle.

Recorded music needs some piece of equipment to play it back.

Absolutely, and recorded music doesn’t need dedicated rooms full of tower speakers triamplified with amps the size of small fridges, banks of PTSD inducing infrasonic generators and it doesn’t need six figure replay sources to deliver music in a connective and engaging experience of music. The hobby has now tried all that and its still is not necessarily working out as as what’s ultimately satisfying or what’s even best… unviable aspirations that have migrated over the boundary to a separate and even smaller and more distinct demographic. The small niche world of luxury and excess where the values and aims are likely prioritised differently.

How many of those seeking something sensational for sensations sake are going to be satisfied with something that uses modest acoustic realism as a goal. The high end may have lost the original plot of fidelity to the simple instruments of music. We stepped over realism and went straight across to hyper realism. Sensation that sells but becomes unquenchable because more is more becomes the patterned desire trajectory.

If the goals of hyper-realism have become the aspirations of our recent past they are less likely to be a broader part of recorded musics future… and sensibly along with the future of a hifi hobbyist as reality re-aligns us to something more realistically attainable and perhaps ultimately in ways more real.

 

[Al Stewart]

Here’s some data to consider:

In 1978, with a population of 225 million people, 341 million vinyl records were sold in the US and 726 million total units sold for all music formats for a 1978 total revenue of $19 billion (adjusted for inflation.) (RIAA data)

In 2023, with a population of 336 million people, 43 million vinyl records were sold in the US and 249 million total units were sold for all music formats for a total 2023 revenue of $17 billion. (RIAA data).

In 1978–3.22 music units were sold for every person in the US. In 2023–0.74 music units were sold for every person in the US. That works out to music purchases per person decreasing by 4.35X over the past 45 years in the US.

 

[Ron Resnick]

The high end may have lost the original plot of fidelity to the simple instruments of music.

I'm not sure why you think this. "Fidelity to the simple instruments of music" is a reasonable reformulation of the "absolute sound." This is today the goal of many audiophiles.

We stepped over realism and went straight across to hyper realism. Sensation that sells but becomes unquenchable because more is more becomes the patterned desire trajectory.

If the goals of hyper-realism have become the aspirations of our recent past . . .

If I am understanding you this sounds merely like a criticism of contemporary high-end dealer sound.

 

[the sound of Tao]

Here’s some data to consider:

In 1978, with a population of 225 million people, 341 million vinyl records were sold in the US and 726 million total units sold for all music formats for a 1978 total revenue of $19 billion (adjusted for inflation.) (RIAA data)

In 2023, with a population of 336 million people, 43 million vinyl records were sold in the US and 249 million total units were sold for all music formats for a total 2023 revenue of $17 billion. (RIAA data).

In 1978–3.22 music units were sold for every person in the US. In 2023–0.74 music units were sold for every person in the US. That works out to music purchases per person decreasing by 4.35X over the past 45 years in the US.

Though that is just the specific decreased sales of vinyl albums over 45 years on their own (sadly)… from the later analogue era as it all moved across into the digital era.

Though that doesn’t indicate ultimately about the purchases and consumption of music over that period or the amount of music produced or listened to. Those figures would be interesting and possibly more reflective of trends in music listening. The data is all valuable though for sure.

 

[the sound of Tao]

I'm not sure why you think this. "Fidelity to the simple instruments of music" is a reasonable reformulation of the "absolute sound." This is today the goal of many audiophiles.

It is a goal for some Ron for sure… is it where the high end has necessarily gone though? How much of the high end is purchased with this as a benchmark?

If I am understanding you this sounds merely like a criticism of contemporary high-end dealer sound.

I don’t think this at all. High end audio has evolved in its own way. The hobbyists, manufacturers, media and dealers have all been a part of the evolving process and we still all are.

The pattern of our consumption has (as usual) reflected the context of the specific culture and economy of the times. This is not a blame anyone situation.

High end audio may well just have outlived a more recent phase. Fragmentation of the aims of the core hifi hobbyist market may separate off and the continued aims of luxury hifi may continue more separately now maybe… who knows?

 

[AudioHR]

Despite the gear-head orientation of this forum the raison d'étre of audiophilery is music. Better music and a greater interest in music may lead to more audiophiles.

True, I think humans inherently need music in their lives.

My observations not supported by any facts is that many people today are happy with listening to music via earbuds or as background music at gyms, elevators, cars etc. No judgement on my part, OK just a little, but this has nothing to do with actively listening to music as most audiophiles might so it is unlikely that many will make the leap to something better, but some will.

To be fair it shouldn't be about the gear, especially who has the most expensive gear. If there are affordable components that sound good then some will aspire to own these and begin to be part of the audiophile chain. Probably most of us started this way! Let's hope it continues to play out that way.

 

[the sound of Tao]

Which maybe just leads us to what legacy can the hifi hobbyist of today leave behind for those that may come… what ways can we point forwards for those who look for something more from their sound but live in the constraints of a future real (and possibly very different world)… what benefits come out of our experience that we may yet instil for future generations?

 

[AudioHR]

Audio is expensive. Younger people have different priorities. So the only relevant question vis a vis this article is: has the age pyramid changed over the past decades? Who knows... I doubt audiophiles are the subject of any serious demographic studies.

If you look at videos of audio show conferences 20 to 30 years ago, most of the participants had grey hair back then too. So what's new?

I think it’s tough to reverse the trajectory. This is generally a time-consuming hobby. There’s no way my kids (music lovers both) would devote a couple of hours several times a week to JUST listening to music. They indulge me when they’re home for the holidays but if I get them to listen to BOTH sides of a record, I consider that mission accomplished.

My observation would be the same as far as time consuming.

Just listening to music is not generally what our youth does but maybe it wasn't what our generation really did on purpose either. We didn't have as many distractions then, today we have video games, social media, constant access to everything via the internet etc, etc. so perhaps lps, cassettes and CDs and the gear around it became popular by default.

I would like to think that there will always a place for people who want to listen to recorded music that sounds like it could be the real thing.

 

[gleeds]

It is dying, as it should. Younger generations experience music differently than many of the older generation. Music will still be appreciated, just by a smaller subset of people.

Have you ever been to a Can Jam event? Yes, you are right. The iPod generation does experience music differently. The demographic at head-fi events is between the late twenties and late forties. They are checking out all sorts of head-fi, including headphones, DACs, and dedicated headphone amplifiers that cost upward of $50k, with lots in between. The point is that the sector is anything but dying, which may lead to a resurgence of interest in two-channel audio, albeit it will likely look different.

Having just returned from CAF, the average age attending is probably 60, and I am being generous. So yes, the industry is contracting simply because baby boomers who have grown up owning a good hi-fi are aging out. What's driving the uber-high-end is that generation has accumulated tremendous wealth (the wealthiest generation ever) and is looking for ways to spend it. Hi-fi is as good a choice as anything, even better. I would say. So we have perhaps another ten years with $150k speakers, 300-pound $100k + amplifiers, and six-figure DACs and turntables.

I see innovation and value everywhere in the mid-high-end—for example, active speakers under $10k with incredible performance. Add a streamer DAC with a good VC, and you will have a fabulous-sounding two-box system.

Tonight, I am listening to an under $30k system with my pal David Blumenstein, which is incredibly satisfying. Those who know me know I promote high-end systems costing much more but also routinely ground myself in more modest offerings that still get my foot tapping and heart singing.

The high-end won't dye but must adapt. I'm encouraged at some of the new developments in my stable; for example, at Von Schweikert, we just introduced a $50k speaker that can run with six-figure models; WestminsterLab will introduce a dual mono, Class A integrated in the new year in the low 30's, Rockna is launching their new Reference DAC which at under $25k need not be embarrassed six-figure three chassis offerings, etc.

In the meantime, creating expensive systems that touch the soul and make one proud to own them is fun. Horns, panels (never been better), and multi-driver cones and domes - so much to choose from! And even at lower price points, I admire what Acora has done recently, Wolf Von Langa (field coils), Blumenhofer (horns), and Clarysis Piccolo's (ribbon panels) that allow enthusiasts the ability to put a system together for between $25-50,000 that rocks the house.

Encouraged about the future - you bet I am!

 

[AudioHR]

Which maybe just leads us to what legacy can the hifi hobbyist of today leave behind for those that may come… what ways can we point forwards for those who look for something more from their sound but live in the constraints of a future real (and possibly very different world)… what benefits come out of our experience that we may yet instil for future generations?

I became interested in good sound in my early teens when I heard a friend's dad's system! It changed my life!

When a friend's children or grandchildren come over to listen to my system it is my pleasure to introduce them to reproduced music like they have never heard it before. I am proud to say that a few of them have begun to build their collections of music and the systems to produce the sound well!

My wish would be that my system and my LPs find a good home when I pass so I plan to gift at least part of what I have to those that have been turned on to the possibilities I have shown them. Some family, some friend's family!

 

[Kingrex]

I am in Texas visiting a friend. His son just graduated college. His son has a long time girlfriend. They met through a dating app. What brough them together was discussing music and bands. I asked if either had a stereo. Neither do. They go to a lot of live shows. Big music scene here.

 

[DasguteOhr]

I think today's youth has hardly changed. Today they walk around with cell phones, digital players and headphones. In the past we had Walkmans and headphones. Technology has become more modern, access to music easier - streaming services like Spotify, Quboz, etc. Anyone who is really interested in music will sooner or later depend on high-quality playback. Have you ever heard something like that with good headphones*? Damn high quality. The situation with physical music media CD and LP is serious but not hopeless. In Germany all record pressing plants are running at full speed again; the LP is back, as the saying goes "those who are said to be dead live longer"
*streaming&digital player

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