Trouble with hi-fi manufacturers going under?

[tom67]

I recently enjoyed watching a couple of Youtube videos of the big audio shows in Munich and London. People who appeared to be maybe under 45 were a definite minority and many of those were wearing name tags, so they worked there. The obvious majority of the attendees looked like my last visit to the Social Security office. I assume that the mfgs couldn't be happy seeing their future customers nearing an end.

 

[OldJBL]

Certainly when my Krell goes to the big amp graveyard in the sky it will get replaced with a dinky little class D that weighs 15 pounds and does 300 watts

But until that day, I've got it so I use it. Actually I've got 2 of them so they'll both have to die first. And before me.

My dilemma is what to do with my vintage gear. I have a sentimental attachment to it but that is about all. I will probably sell it at some point. By the time you are pushed into buying class D there should be some incredible small, class D options to choose from based on how fast they have been evolving.

 

[ProudArmyBra]

I have had headphones from cheap to studio grade since around 1988 not counting Dad's gear. The best headphones sound like a dumpster fire compared to even decent 2 channel stereo speakers.

Anyone that loves headphones outside of them being a requirment at times for polite society either does not understand sound and what is possible or they just hate themselves! LOL I know a bit hyperbolic!

I have almost every type of headphone technology or have at one point and they are not for me. Do not get me started on how many brands and types of aviation headsets and hame radio headsets I own on top of just music headphones. That is before we even get into wifi, BT, ear buds, sound canceling, IEM's etc......

When I go back to college since I have been back on 3 different occassions since my first 4 year degree headphones are a must. When sharing space with other's they are almost a must. For hardcore gaming they are almost a must have unless you are like my two youngest sons and game with no sound on 90% of the time.

One of my twins moved back home after earning his 4 year degree from a D1 school where he was also an D1 athlete. He has never had the space for anything outside of headphones and ear buds he can not afford a place of his own.

Headphones are almost a convience item today because the cost is so low. On top of that if you have team mates or like to talk trash a mic is needed and again having the sound seperate from the mic's area of pickup is convient.

Add in what can be done today with a $400 phone music, movie streaming, facetime etc......It is hardly reasonable to expect young people that can not even afford an apartment let alone a home or new car to invest in seperate componets and over priced speakers! Yes, most speakers are grossly over priced for what you get at each end of the spectrum today!

 

[Mart Mccall]

Add in what can be done today with a $400 phone music, movie streaming, facetime etc......It is hardly reasonable to expect young people that can not even afford an apartment let alone a home or new car to invest in seperate componets and over priced speakers! Yes, most speakers are grossly over priced for what you get at each end of the spectrum today!

They can buy on the used market, a whole system for very little money.

I got my first separates system when I was a student. I couldn't afford to buy a home or a car but I could afford £120 for amp, speakers, turntable bought new from a discounter.

Back then (1988) there was not a huge, easily accessible secondary market - it was limited to the classifieds at the back of the hi-fi mags, and ads in the local newspaper. Now there are numerous ways to access that market and an additional 40 years production of equipment out there. There's never been a better time to buy a good system very cheaply.

Agree there are over-priced speakers out there (and over-priced everything else, this is hi-fi where price is routinely, and stupidly, directly correlated with performance) but also some bargains too.