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

Audiophilia is facing a crisis. With most enthusiasts over 55 and younger generations uninterested in high-end audio, the hobby risks fading into obscurity. Blame it on space, budget constraints, or the elitist image of the community—something needs to change.

40% of Audiophiles May Be Gone Soon, and No One Is Replacing Them

Can we make audiophilia relevant and inviting for the next generation, or is this truly the end of an era?

 

Don't forget their need for strong, competent distributers like yourself. Distributors can make or break a company.

There are far too many great boutique brands that use incompetent and unprofessional distributors to their own detriment.

I'm always amazed behind the scenes the vast difference in competence and ability between distributors.

Thanks, Michael. The same is true for Doctors and car mechanics, I suppose

 

Even Jay from Jay’s Audio Lab discusses Alexandra Plesa’s article on his YouTube channel, highlighting the looming loss of a significant portion of audiophiles and the potential decline of the high-end audio hobby.

Jay reveals surprising demographic insights about his audience, with over 51% aged 55 and older, raising concerns about the hobby future as older enthusiasts inevitably age out. He also explores strategies to attract younger generations and more women to the community.

 

Yes the demographics don't point to a very positive outlook.

 

Jay reveals surprising demographic insights about his audience, with over 51% aged 55 and older, raising concerns about the hobby future as older enthusiasts inevitably age out. He also explores strategies to attract younger generations and more women to the community.

Perhaps the demographic is related to the expense of gear. I've seen YouTube reviewers who are obviously young and have the right look/vibe for a younger audience. The gear is more affordable too. Might the demographics for those reviewers be different?

I always get cautious about one point on the graph and then we draw a trend line. However, if you asked me the demographic of audiophiles in general I would say male and 55 and older, so his information isn't surprising.

 

Perhaps the demographic is related to the expense of gear. I've seen YouTube reviewers who are obviously young and have the right look/vibe for a younger audience. The gear is more affordable too. Might the demographics for those reviewers be different?

It still doesn't answer the question of why there are so few women in this hobby.
Regarding the cost — as you mentioned, high-end gear is expensive, but so are supercars. Yet, plenty of young enthusiasts gather to watch Top Gear or actively participate in supercar forums.

I always get cautious about one point on the graph and then we draw a trend line. However, if you asked me the demographic of audiophiles in general I would say male and 55 and older, so his information isn't surprising.

Anyone who’s attended high-end audio shows can easily observe the audience. Last year in Munich, most of the younger attendees were seen in the headphones section.

 

It still doesn't answer the question of why there are so few women in this hobby.
Regarding the cost — as you mentioned, high-end gear is expensive, but so are supercars. Yet, plenty of young enthusiasts gather to watch Top Gear or actively participate in supercar forums.

Anyone who’s attended high-end audio shows can easily observe the audience. Last year in Munich, most of the younger attendees were seen in the headphones section.

This hobby seems to be about gear and tangentially about music. At least that is how these threads read. I'm trying to think of an analogous situation where women are into "gear."

I'm working with a sample of one. My wife loves music but doesn't care about gear at all, unless something I'm trying at home makes the sound "worse." She will say something diplomatic like: Do you really like the new gizmo? If she is listening at very low volume, then something is amiss. And is she avoids listening to her favorite albums altogether, I know it isn't working for her. This can happen during break-in/settle-in. Occasionally, I don't like the new gizmo and it gets returned without a purchase.

Good that the young ones are at the high-end shows. If it all translates to a love of music, then it may help the hobby continue within the younger generations. Until the AI-driven holograms are ubiquitous...half joking so need half a smiley face emoji.

 

It still doesn't answer the question of why there are so few women in this hobby.
Regarding the cost — as you mentioned, high-end gear is expensive, but so are supercars. Yet, plenty of young enthusiasts gather to watch Top Gear or actively participate in supercar forums.

Anyone who’s attended high-end audio shows can easily observe the audience. Last year in Munich, most of the younger attendees were seen in the headphones section.

Last year in Munich, there were more dealers and distributors than audiophiles/visitors.

 

Last year in Munich, there were more dealers and distributors than audiophiles/visitors.

The first 2 days are for dealers and distributors.

 

The first 2 days are for dealers and distributors.

Yes, that's what I'm talking about. The next two days for visitors, there were fewer people.

 

It still doesn't answer the question of why there are so few women in this hobby.
Regarding the cost — as you mentioned, high-end gear is expensive, but so are supercars. Yet, plenty of young enthusiasts gather to watch Top Gear or actively participate in supercar forums.

Anyone who’s attended high-end audio shows can easily observe the audience. Last year in Munich, most of the younger attendees were seen in the headphones section.

Yet how many that watch a show about supercars or participate in those forums actually own a supercar. Not many.

 

Yet how many that watch a show about supercars or participate in those forums actually own a supercar. Not many.

And how many that participate in WBF these days, actually own a decent system ? You can deduct anyone that does not list a system, they just talk, and pontificate about previous glory. Not many !

 

Yet how many that watch a show about supercars or participate in those forums actually own a supercar. Not many.

But at least they are young, and no one is complaining about a dying hobby

 

And how many that participate in WBF these days, actually own a decent system ? You can deduct anyone that does not list a system, they just talk, and pontificate about previous glory. Not many !

Hmmm, then I guess you can deduct myself and my system then. I tried to add it, but it is extensive and would not fit within the specified characters allowed. Just the streaming portion of my rig took up 3 full pages of a Power point presentation, and I only made it for me, so that if I unexpectedly kick the bucket, my son would know what's what and how to configure it. Heck, sometimes even I refer to it because the configuration can get a little confusing at times.

The "glory" is being enjoyed as I type. While I get what you are saying here, discounting any comment by folks, just because a system isn't listed is stretching a little bit (to me).

Tom

 

Hmmm, then I guess you can deduct myself and my system then. I tried to add it, but it is extensive and would not fit within the specified characters allowed. Just the streaming portion of my rig took up 3 full pages of a Power point presentation, and I only made it for me, so that if I unexpectedly kick the bucket, my son would know what's what and how to configure it. Heck, sometimes even I refer to it because the configuration can get a little confusing at times.

The "glory" is being enjoyed as I type. While I get what you are saying here, discounting any comment by folks, just because a system isn't listed is stretching a little bit (to me).

Tom

Tom, i don't mean just in your signature under your posts, i always go into the "about' section before i judge if someone has a decent system. You have obviously gone to the trouble of listing your equipment there

 

Oh, dear. That old rig? LOL....man, I need to update that. I had honestly forgotten about that. Much of what I had in that one is now long gone. Now I have speakers that are taller than I am and the overall system is much more extensive. In fact, just in glancing the Power Point I made? There is a lot that I need to update on that as well. Time sure does fly!

Tom

 

But at least they are young, and no one is complaining about a dying hobby

Oh Supercars are dying. Most kids don’t even bother getting a drivers license these days. Uber….

 

Oh, dear. That old rig? LOL....man, I need to update that. I had honestly forgotten about that. Much of what I had in that one is now long gone. Now I have speakers that are taller than I am and the overall system is much more extensive. In fact, just in glancing the Power Point I made? There is a lot that I need to update on that as well. Time sure does fly!

Tom

I haven't listed my hifi system either. Too lazy. My turntable bits list is longer than the rest put together.

I don't have a supercar, but I have a Nissan Pulsar and an Innuos Pulsar. That's probably a first.

Neither of my kids drive. One got a license and has driven a total of 5 miles since getting it 6 years ago. I insured him on my (Nissan) Pulsar for a month. An Uber would've been cheaper.

 

Sorry but the idea someone has to justify their system before their comment can be taken seriously says it all. Yes this hobby is in trouble.

 

Sorry but the idea someone has to justify their system before their comment can be taken seriously says it all. Yes this hobby is in trouble.

I personally don't want to spend my time reading posters i obviously have nothing sound wise in common with, this is a hi-fi forum. Be proud of your system, list it !

 

I personally don't want to spend my time reading posters i obviously have nothing sound wise in common with, this is a hi-fi forum. Be proud of your system, list it !

I enjoy the variety of systems. So many ways to reach one's personal musical nirvana.