High End Audio Growth

Good article, and as usual, great work by Tom.

At first blush, I was thinking that more high-end dealers doesn't necessarily translate to more high-end buyers.

After reading the article, I came away thinking that there were two possible conclusions: Either a stagnant or shrinking pool of old audiophiles are buying and hoarding more equipment -OR- the number of new high-end customers is growing enough to keep the established companies as well as the new companies in business.

I can only conclude that it is the latter.
 
Interesting take on the subject, but I have to question the author’s definition of a high-end audio manufacturer:

“For this analysis, a manufacturer qualifies when it offers at least one product intended primarily for high-quality music reproduction in the home with a retail price above $500 in 2026 dollars.”

I would maintain that a single specialty audio product retailing for over $500 hardly qualifies an audio manufacturer as high-end, and that by using that definition the numbers have been significantly inflated, thereby seriously skewing the data. Of course, that same observation begs the question of exactly what does constitute a high-end manufacturer? I’d suggest that a manufacturer whose least expensive product retails for $1000+ would more accurately define the category.

Just my observation. As always, YMMV.
 
2FarGone said:
Interesting take on the subject, but I have to question the author’s definition of a high-end audio manufacturer:

“For this analysis, a manufacturer qualifies when it offers at least one product intended primarily for high-quality music reproduction in the home with a retail price above $500 in 2026 dollars.”

I would maintain that a single specialty audio product retailing for over $500 hardly qualifies an audio manufacturer as high-end, and that by using that definition the numbers have been significantly inflated, thereby seriously skewing the data. Of course, that same observation begs the question of exactly what does constitute a high-end manufacturer? I’d suggest that a manufacturer whose least expensive product retails for $1000+ would more accurately define the category.

Just my observation. As always, YMMV.
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I'm not sure about a particular dollar amount, ( although $1,000 does sound like a baseline from what I look at), but I'd start with:

Good design
Good parts (every part)
Point to point wiring (good wire and skillful solder job)
 
I found the article bias and lacking information. Seemingly lacking in order to sell the idea that high end audio is alive and well.

There may be more retailers and manufacturer, but he talked nothing about $$$ spent or pricing of equipment. I think there is a whole lot of growth in low fidelity. Good sounding, but small $$ affordable equipment.

I would accept the premise more if there were interviews of Magico, Boulder etc etc and we heard from them about sales.
 
Agree with Kingrex. Denon, Pioneer, Marantz etc. can easily claim they sell one product intended for high quality music reproduction in a home that exceeds $500. Using this criteria, Crutchfild easily qualifies. So does Best Buy. I use Crutchfied often but who thinks of Crutchfield and Best Buy as hi end dealers selling hi end products? What am I not understanding? For this type of analysis to be meaningful, one needs a much more explicit / refined definition of what qualifies as hi end equipment.
 
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There is, of course, no standard definition of "high end." Someone with a million dollar system might not think of a $50k system as high end, but most folks would. In terms of the article, it might be "us" that holds the outlier point of view. I suspect only a tiny sliver of people who listen to music every day have a system even at the lower end of the price spectrum that the average Audioshark or WBF subscriber owns. I think that most folks who listen to music every day can't imagine paying a thousand dollars for a set of speakers or an amp. So, in the broader context of music consumers, the definition of high end adopted in the article might be reasonable. It doesn't make sense only when viewed in the context of our very, very small segment of music consumers
 
ggdudeabides said:
Agree with Kingrex. Denon, Pioneer, Marantz etc. can easily claim they sell one product intended for high quality music reproduction in a home that exceeds $500. Using this criteria, Crutchfild easily qualifies. So does Best Buy. I use Crutchfied often but who thinks of Crutchfield and Best Buy as hi end dealers selling hi end products? What am I not understanding? For this type of analysis to be meaningful, one needs a much more explicit / refined definition of what qualifies as hi end equipment.
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As long it attracks mainly males, with big houses driving big cars then it is high end.
 
Almost every working crew that comes to my house has some sort of radio playing.

A better metrix is concert tickets. In the 70s, 30,000 tickets sold a year. Every year that has gone up. Today there are around 90,000 sold. I am not sure if that is just Ticket Master or what. Vashon Island where I live has small live music events all the time. Music is still strong.
 
Kramer64 said:
There is, of course, no standard definition of "high end." Someone with a million dollar system might not think of a $50k system as high end, but most folks would. In terms of the article, it might be "us" that holds the outlier point of view. I suspect only a tiny sliver of people who listen to music every day have a system even at the lower end of the price spectrum that the average Audioshark or WBF subscriber owns. I think that most folks who listen to music every day can't imagine paying a thousand dollars for a set of speakers or an amp. So, in the broader context of music consumers, the definition of high end adopted in the article might be reasonable. It doesn't make sense only when viewed in the context of our very, very small segment of music consumers
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My adult daughter wanted to get a system, her and husband make decent money, she wanted me to find her something around $400.00 for an amp. I found some good options on older Classe and Krell integrated used but couldn't close the deal, convince her, I showed her Yamaha and Dayton Audio, she liked the looks of the Dayton HTA-200. I found a crazy good deal on used kef R3's and eventually found a vintage Technics turntable for under $100.00.

I do belong to a page on FB where they consider themselves "average". Most don't understand better cables, streamers, etc. I bite my tongue a lot :) Interestingly, I do notice some of them upgrading from things like Wiim to Hi Fi Rose or from a receiver to better integrated. Much depends on the person, their passion, budget, other things the important thing I do see growth or some taking an upgrade path. Some have even tried power products.

Part of me don't see much difference from when I started way back. Sure we have more options now I feel purchases depend much on the economy.

I'm an outlier I was driven and thought nothing of buying a new piece of gear on a credit card. I still did so within my means though. I remember when an entry Krell power amp was $4k and thinking that was expensive. Inflation has definitely taken it's toll when you see what's $4k today.
 
ggdudeabides said:
Agree with Kingrex. Denon, Pioneer, Marantz etc. can easily claim they sell one product intended for high quality music reproduction in a home that exceeds $500. Using this criteria, Crutchfild easily qualifies. So does Best Buy. I use Crutchfied often but who thinks of Crutchfield and Best Buy as hi end dealers selling hi end products? What am I not understanding? For this type of analysis to be meaningful, one needs a much more explicit / refined definition of what qualifies as hi end equipment.
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High end is one of those things that can't really be defined as everyone has their own perspective or thoughts on what it is.

I agree most don't view Crutchfield as "high end" they do have Levinson and Mac though and some pretty good speakers. I'm not sure what BB has anymore. They lost Mac may still have some Levinson and B&W.
 
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