Why High-End Audio Matters @ Designtechnica

[Keebler]

Designtechnica takes a look at the current state of the audio market and what it means for the consumer.

If you work for the audio industry—or just write about it, as I do—these are disturbing times. Here’s the good news: Sales of audio products grew by 29 percent last year, according to the Consumer Electronics Association. Now here’s the bad news: Component audio sales actually fell by 16 percent. The growth in sales was driven almost entirely by portables, led by the skyrocketing iPod. Why is that bad news for an audiophile? Because high-end audio—the good stuff—is a subset of component audio, not portable audio. As the high- end market has withered, a whole generation has grown up without knowing what the good stuff sounds like. CEA reports that 56 percent of consumers “say they have never even heard what they'd consider a great sounding audio system.
Source: Designtechnica (http://news.designtechnica.com/talkback114.html)

[Thrax]

We're part of the ridiculous $15 headphone generation.

[QCH2002]

I have a pair of $1500 Tower Speakers for my home audio. They were given to me by my uncle. They are about 6 years old... they are, by far, the best speakers I have ever heard. The have 3 tweeters, 3 mid, and 2 sub all in one speaker. They have metal spikes that keep the speaker from touching the carpet for better sound and less distortion. They weigh about 70 lbs a piece and are rated for 300 watts. I usually forget to turn on my subwoofer because theses tower speakers are so good.

Until I got these... I had a set of Aiwa speakers that came with an old receiver. they were 120 watt speakers and were good, or so I thought.

Every time I go to my uncle's house I realize what good sound is suppose to sound like.

[Thrax]

Yar.. My family has an $1100 Paradigm floor-standing tower speakers, and they sound amazing. We don't even need a sub.