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?

 

Most members in this forum have little listed that could locate them, most do not post their names or even country. Others list their name but own lots of guns and would welcome the distraction !

I think that insurance companies know how to crawl the web to save on not paying out on a huge claim … And the larger the claim the more likely they will spend more time on it …. And I don’t think the insurance company’s reasonable precaution statements are there just for fun reading …. But to each his own.

 

loving my hobby/system everyday, can't get enough, new speakers are almost complete and after that tis system will be 100%

 

I think that insurance companies know how to crawl the web to save on not paying out on a huge claim … And the larger the claim the more likely they will spend more time on it …. And I don’t think the insurance company’s reasonable precaution statements are there just for fun reading …. But to each his own.

No problems like that with insurance companies in my country, no pre existing conditions either.

 

No problems like that with insurance companies in my country, no pre existing conditions either.

Glad Denmark makes it so easy for you.

 

Just kidding. I think many here know where you are coming from. Whether they like to admit it or not.

Tom

Might you elucidate further Tom ? , for the edification of those members who have chosen not to list their personal systems. Are you making such an inventory a requisite of membership of this forum ? For the record my current system is proudly showing for any and all perusal in my ‘about’ Bona fides .

 

No. Why on Earth would you even.....nevermind. That should not have even deserved a response. Give me a break.

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.

If you have speakers, amplifier and source, list those as a start. Maybe the type of music you prefer. You don't need to list every detail -- length is not a good excuse. Some equipment lists are way too long, poorly organized or hard to read because they are a bunch of acronyms and numbers. I think an equipment list should be a requirement for posting; not required for read only.

For those 'too embarrassed' (or whatever) to post their system, you warrant less credibility. Even a modest system says you are in the game and transparent. That gets mutual respect.

 

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.

Justification is not the reason for posting your system. It is sociability and transparency.

 

I think an equipment list should be a requirement for posting; not required for read only.

Whatever next … Forum registration number tattooed on our left forearms .

 

Justification is not the reason for posting your system. It is sociability and transparency.

Can you explain your requirement for “transparency” ? Or do you really mean worthiness in your view !

 

If you have speakers, amplifier and source, list those as a start. Maybe the type of music you prefer. You don't need to list every detail -- length is not a good excuse. Some equipment lists are way too long, poorly organized or hard to read because they are a bunch of acronyms and numbers. I think an equipment list should be a requirement for posting; not required for read only.

For those 'too embarrassed' (or whatever) to post their system, you warrant less credibility. Even a modest system says you are in the game and transparent. That gets mutual respect.

Hey, Tim. I do get what you are saying here but I think that is misleading. Or can be in some cases when reading about a system you aren't familiar with.

Let's switch to cars for a minute, shall we? Someone can say that they have a Mustang, right? That gives folks an indication of what? Does he mean a 4 banger, 6 banger? V-8? Rousch edition? Someone can say that they have a Chevy truck for off roading. Okay, is it a Colorado, Silverado, or a Tahoe? 2" lift or 8" lift? Does it have standard size tires or Mickey Thompson 36" Super Swampers?

The reason I switched to cars, is that most muscle heads and off roaders can appreciate the difference between the performance capability between the standard model and the big boys. They can so appreciate the differences that aftermarket parts can bring to the performances of the vehicles.

In my mind, listing your system on an audio board is no different. Now, if all one person has is bare bones equipment and no upgrades? No problem. List away and that's that. But when you have incoming external, internal and custom items that enhance the performance of a particular item (that someone may consider a 4 banger Mustang), it puts that gear into more of a whole being greater than the sum of its parts. In my mind, it shines more of a light on what kind of commitment and synergy one may have over just listing basic gear.

I probably completely botched what I am trying to relay here, but hopefully you get my drift. It's been long day.

Tom

 

Audiophilia is NOT a dying hobby.

Evidence of this sort of discussion can be found dating back to the 1960s.

Think about it.

Mobile operating systems are definitely NOT a dying industry - and we have two major players - IOS and Android. The (worldwide, global) industry couldn't even support three, let alone four. Windows Phone and Blackberry (and Nokia and you can take all the rest with it) all died out.

Desktop operating systems are definitely not a dying industry - 2 again.

Despite all the demand for air travel.......2 did you say?

Even motor vehicles are definitely NOT a dying industry, and there are about 50 brands max, globally. Less if you take out all the subsidiaries. Much less.

But for audio - we've got at least 1,000 manufacturers of speakers. And of that, at least 100 that are well-known, successful, stable, long-term manufacturers. We've got niche products like Orpheus, Final, Avantgarde, Whatmough, Wisdom, Acapella. And we've got large, international conglomerates like TAD, Linn, Focal, Bowers&Wilkins, KEF, MartinLogan, Wilson Audio, Sonus Faber, JBL, Klipsch.

You can say the same for amplifiers - at least 500 brands, and at least 100 that I could name off the cuff.

Same again for sources. From pocket-rocket cheap stuff like WiiM and Schiit, SMSL, through to the likes of Antipodes, Aurender, Silent Angel, Meitner, MarkLevinson, Vitus Audio,......take the lot of them.

Headphones - same story. Sennheiser, Stax, AKG, Audeze, HiFi Man, etc.

In every category, we've got the choice of pro gear like ADAM speakers, Nagra, or RME and Benchmark DACs, through to consumer-oriented audio jewellery such as Transrotor Metropolis and MBL.

In every category - we've also got mass-market stuff like Marantz / Onkyo / Nakamichi / Yamaha / Denon, and we've got high-end niche manufacturers, like Audio Note, Lamm, Ypsilon, Pass, Goldmund, Halcro, Audio Research, McIntosh, Air Tight, VTL, Burmester, Zanden.

And again - in every category, you can buy cheap (but very technically competent) Chi-Fi stuff like Topping/Cayin/Consonance/EverSolo/etc and build a system for less than $1,000; through to ridiculous joke-expensive offerings like the Goldmund Telos, Solution, Dartzeel 468, Ypsilon SET100, MartinLogan Statement e2, CH Precision, Avantgarde Trio-Spacehorn, the Clearaudo Statement V2, or the Audio Note Ongaku that cost more than the building housing them.

We are spoilt for choice, in a way that no other industry gets to enjoy.

Live it up, guys. And stop saying the industry is dying. It is firmly NOT.

 

Hey, Tim. I do get what you are saying here but I think that is misleading. Or can be in some cases when reading about a system you aren't familiar with.

Let's switch to cars for a minute, shall we? Someone can say that they have a Mustang, right? That gives folks an indication of what? Does he mean a 4 banger, 6 banger? V-8? Rousch edition? Someone can say that they have a Chevy truck for off roading. Okay, is it a Colorado, Silverado, or a Tahoe? 2" lift or 8" lift? Does it have standard size tires or Mickey Thompson 36" Super Swampers?

The reason I switched to cars, is that most muscle heads and off roaders can appreciate the difference between the performance capability between the standard model and the big boys. They can so appreciate the differences that aftermarket parts can bring to the performances of the vehicles.

In my mind, listing your system on an audio board is no different. Now, if all one person has is bare bones equipment and no upgrades? No problem. List away and that's that. But when you have incoming external, internal and custom items that enhance the performance of a particular item (that someone may consider a 4 banger Mustang), it puts that gear into more of a whole being greater than the sum of its parts. In my mind, it shines more of a light on what kind of commitment and synergy one may have over just listing basic gear.

I probably completely botched what I am trying to relay here, but hopefully you get my drift. It's been long day.

Tom

Perhaps. A complex system and ensuing list may represent a whole greater than its parts. Nonetheless, listing the basic constituents of your system is more informative and personalizing than listing no system at all.

 

I don’t think audiophilia is a dying hobby -far from it. However, it has started to become a hobby for the dying people.

The prices of hi-fi gear have skyrocketed in recent years, making it nearly impossible for young people to afford. It seems that only those who already own a home, have a car, and have covered their children’s education and other expenses can afford modern hi-fi equipment. In other words, older people.

 

I don’t think audiophilia is a dying hobby -far from it. However, it has started to become a hobby for the dying people.

The prices of hi-fi gear have skyrocketed in recent years, making it nearly impossible for young people to afford. It seems that only those who already own a home, have a car, and have covered their children’s education and other expenses can afford modern hi-fi equipment. In other words, older people.

Which hifi gear?

You can get a stunningly good streamer for $300 (WiiM), good to great DACs for $400 to $2,500, good amps for $1,000, good speakers for $1,000.

All at a quality that, in relative terms and adjusted for inflation, probably leaves decades older equipment of similar price in the dust, or at the least, compares very favorably with it.

The market out there is big. To focus on just the type of brands routinely discussed on WBF seems a bit myopic.

 

My brother was at the Indy boat show this week. $400k for a twin engine boat. Don’t realize just how impressive the logistics, manufacturing efficiency and capabilities of the automotive industry really is until you compare it to airplanes and boats; and hot tubs/swimming pools. Anyone price a pool lately? That’s a pair of new ARC M300s, for a hole in the ground.

 

Which hifi gear?

Serious hi-fi gear.

 

Serious hi-fi gear.

I am being serious. And don't call me Shirley.

 

I am being serious. And don't call me Shirley.

Leslie is that you?

 

Good luck. We’re all counting on you.