Concern for the future of affordable high-end audio, or whats left of it...

Ahh, and in comes the headphones game. Though it really isn't a comparable experience to speakers. I notice that a lot with people getting into the personal audio side seem not to fully realize this. They're looking for that headphone setup that sounds as 'good' as speakers. And sometimes I feel like marketing takes a bit too much advantage of this desire, claiming access to experiences that nobody has ever had with headphones.

It's the same as nearfields. Never gonna sound at all like a proper mid-size to large room-sized hifi. No friggin way. But the value proposition and ease of setup will probably keep them from being too niche. If anything, the price has gone down and quality has gone up over the past ten years.

No so long ago, I was one of those. Because of that I learned to DIY a lot of things. You can get a lot of different things going if you work for it. I had multiple avenues for entertainment and creativity on a job just above minimum wage, living with the folks. Never had to buy a console. Waited and saved a little more instead. Never spent beyond my means.

I think because of that, I'm more critical of products. I know more about how they work... what they can and can't do. What they should have. Now, I'm making more than double what I've ever made, and as I progress will only make more. I could buy a truly hi-fi system with what I have in the bank, today. I could make a few clicks and have it. But I struggle to bring myself into that position. That market doesn't appeal to the sensibilities that I had to develop earlier on. I have seen how much one can get for how little. The illusion doesn't work for me... the opulence, the luxury. Performance is all I care about, and it's all I'll pay for, for the most part. This isn't a conscious thing. I feel it in my bones. I feel bad. Like, physical and emotional pain, even though nothing about it is hurting me or affecting my life negatively. It's nice to have toys. I like stuff. But my perspective on toys is that they are toys. Even if it's serious, the cost can't reasonably surpass a need, unless the raw value is really there.

This, I think has become more of a common attitude with younger generations. Part of that is just differences in economic situations and upbringing, but it remains influential regardless of how it comes about and for me even sticks around as I begin to see more success in life. To me, the real challenge comes down to who will be willing to undercut the hyper-luxury level with stuff that sounds just as inspiring, but appeals to the growing number of people who aren't interested in the more extravagant side. I think there will always be that ultra-hi-end niche stuff, but it will be more niche than ever. A little below that is room for... something else that hasn't come about yet. But it's interesting to see how the lower end is slowly rising up to meet that point.

Sometimes, I really think it is all just about generational shifts in habits and standing. Just threw a lot of things completely out of whack. But I think eventually we will see an equilibrium form that will allow for affordable hi-end to recover. The whole structure just didn't work anymore, and I think the establishment didn't see it coming, or perhaps by no fault of their own couldn't do anything about it. Doesn't mean it can't shift back. It will just have to work a little differently to catch the next wave of men aged say... 30-55, and will likely require some real advancement.

Something also worth noting... we're not starting families like our parents did. More of us are single. Could be quite the scale-tipper in the coming years. I mean, if you're 40 with a good job and no kids... play, you may. And pay, you will.

The good news is that with all of the solid budget stuff out there, we are holding an interest in audio, that can grow, depending on the landscape built up. We're in a lull similar to pre-golden-era of audio. But that is to say we've been here before. "If you build it, they will come."

 

Exactly. I posted this earlier:

 

I think there is validity to what everyone is saying, but I think the biggest killer is just a lack disposable income from customers and buyers. I read a similar article regarding cars today while I was trying to find a certain car spec that echoes what I've believed and have observed for a long time.
https://www.roadandtrack.com/car-cu...461/income-inequality-is-killing-sports-cars/

Misleading title, but the argument is very similar to one I would make - relative cost of monthly expenses via rent/mortgage, student loans, insurance and potential unpaid medical expenses, etc. have gone up drastically in proportion to income for people mid 20's - 40 vs decades past. This leaves people with little money to buy "disposable income" stuff, especially if they are trying to save for a home. On top of this, I imagine the average buyer (read: not SBAF or similar enthusiast populations) over 40 has "other stuff to buy" in life or has started to ride off into the $$$$ ORFAS sunset.

 

The same thing is happening with high-end motorcycles. In 1977 (when I was 24 years old) I bought a new BMW R100RS for the lofty price of $4,755. People told me "You could buy a car for that much money." I told them I didn't buy it instead of a car, I had a car. I was the youngest member of the national BMW club when I joined. When I quit the club in 2018, I think I was still the youngest member. The average age in the club went up one year every year. I could buy a new BMW motorcycle right now, but my son could not. He is motoring down the road (quite happily I might add) on a 2008 KLR Kawasaki.

Then one wonders who is buying all these $50-60K pickup trucks. That is the starting price for a C8 Corvette. Probably leases and 8 year car loans putting people in things they cannot reasonably afford. That is a large measure of why so many people are broke. You just cannot spend yourself rich. My own pickup is a 16 year old Tacoma.

 

My 25 y.o. son, who has plenty of disposable income, (70k annually, single, no kids, roommate) and loves music, has absolutely no interest in audio except as an appliance. Although he tries to be nice, I think he and most of his friends believe that all the boomer audiophiles are deluded and kind of dumb to invest substantial money in audio gear. A pair of $100 iems, Spotify, and a phone is all he thinks he will ever want or need. Part of me hopes he is right. He has no interest in gear I have offered to him for free. He only has one friend his own age who is an audiophile, and that guy sells audio at Best Buy. He also thinks buying a house is stupid. Just another data point.