How will the audio industry change in the near future?

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cooper52

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I'm hoping I can open this can of worms in a way that won't raise anybody's hackles, but it is partly about politics, so I'll try to tread lightly. With our incoming administration proposing to abandon our existing trade deals, especially with China, I was thinking that this would have a profound effect on the audio industry, as so many major companies have moved their manufacturing there. What happens if tariffs are imposed on these companies? How will these companies react? And how steeply will prices have to rise? Just some food for thought.
 
I wouldn't get too bothered until we know what exactly is happening. Right now it's a lot of rumor, with little specifics.

However, it will all depend on the level of tariff imposed. 5%? Not much. 35%? Then it's something.

I would have hoped by now that those hi end audio companies manufacturing in China would have learned that's not what clients expect when they are spending 5 figures.


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What has been promised, what will be attempted, and what will actually be accomplished are at least six different things.

There are other industries more wedded to China than audio. Think computers, cell phones, and toasters. I haven't had a decent slice of toast in 15 years because all toasters are made in China and can't toast both sides of the same slice evenly. Burn one side and leave the other cold. Please, lets bring back high-end toaster manufacturing to the US.
 
How lamentable, no decent toast for 15 years :) You should buy one of these: Magimix toaster. Made in France, I believe.

I agree with Mike about your incoming administration. Who knows what he/they will do. Down here we are pretty powerless and we can only hope that "making America great again" won't impact on us too much. We are just a little island nation :)

As for how the audio industry will change, you only need to look at current trends. I predict:

- Bluetooth audio will start to creep into the mid to high end market. The low end market is already saturated with bluetooth and wireless products. Maybe they might even not suck.

- Cheap storage and cheap data means we will get higher quality audio and video streaming. Admittedly, I am being optimistic about this, because one should never underestimate the masses to go for convenience over quality.

- Class D amps will continue to improve. Maybe someone will introduce a valve Class D amp (theoretically possible, but nobody has done it yet!)

- More people will get into computer audio. The cost of entry is very low, and the versatility of PC's is incredible. It's just that most people don't know it yet.

- There will be more active speakers, like the Beolabs 90 and Meridian. I predict that more companies will jump into this market. KEF and Devialet already have their toe in the "expensive bookshelf active speaker" market, so an active floorstander that doesn't cost a bomb can't be too far off.
 
Keith_W said:
How lamentable, no decent toast for 15 years :) You should buy one of these: Magimix toaster. Made in France, I believe.

I agree with Mike about your incoming administration. Who knows what he/they will do. Down here we are pretty powerless and we can only hope that "making America great again" won't impact on us too much. We are just a little island nation :)

As for how the audio industry will change, you only need to look at current trends. I predict:

- Bluetooth audio will start to creep into the mid to high end market. The low end market is already saturated with bluetooth and wireless products. Maybe they might even not suck.

- Cheap storage and cheap data means we will get higher quality audio and video streaming. Admittedly, I am being optimistic about this, because one should never underestimate the masses to go for convenience over quality.

- Class D amps will continue to improve. Maybe someone will introduce a valve Class D amp (theoretically possible, but nobody has done it yet!)

- More people will get into computer audio. The cost of entry is very low, and the versatility of PC's is incredible. It's just that most people don't know it yet.

- There will be more active speakers, like the Beolabs 90 and Meridian. I predict that more companies will jump into this market. KEF and Devialet already have their toe in the "expensive bookshelf active speaker" market, so an active floorstander that doesn't cost a bomb can't be too far off.
Click to expand...

Didn't Rogue introduce a Class D/tube hybrid a while back? Hydra something?


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How will it change, components will get more expensive affecting the price of the device be it speakers, amps etc....regardless of where its made prices will go up.
 
I think that internet radio and internet audio files get into the future for the most of the people, like Spotify up to tidal etc,
those who make the music will more and more use AI and/or software to get it done.
at the same time true good musicians will remain
and on the side I would believe there are still users that are oldschool and listen to their own cd collection, of which some in digital format.

does this help?
 
plonkywonki said:
at the same time true good musicians will remain
Click to expand...

oh no,this isn't the case for a long time. It is all marketing nowadays. Listen to the radio everyday because I have to, but it misses quality. And on the other hand, amazing songs never become hits

There might be something wrong with my taste, but it is weird that I don't like many 'hits' made after 2000. Is it music industry or am I getting old?
 
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