A big misconception of old timer audiophiles is that kids these days don't know what good sound really is. I work in a college, and can assure you they have a pretty good idea of what good sound is. They know mp3 compression doesn't sound great. They know iPod ear buds sound like crap. Music may well be even more popular now than its ever been. Or at least more accessable. I'd bet that more people listen to more music now than ever before.
The old timers begrudge the iPod. They think it brings down the audiophile scene by having the masses think it sounds good. If anything, I think the iPod is what'll save good sound. And it has little to do with incorporating iPods into hifi systems. Younger people constantly listening to music may mean that they'll graduate to proper stereo systems once they have a job and a home, maybe sooner. The students I talk to all know a full system sounds far better than a boombox with iPod dock and/or computer speakers.
They're not as stupid as the old timers will lead you to believe. Trust me. I deal with them every day.
What needs to happen IMO is advertising. Placing an ad in Stereophile or whatever other magazine is preaching to the choir. People know there's better sound out there, but they don't know what to buy. Why do most name Bose when asked what's the best stereo stuff out there? Because they're the only ones advertising. If they claim to be the best and no one challenges it, they must be the best. When was the last time you saw a stereo company advertise on TV? On the radio? In mainstream mags? Anywhere?
I see a great opportunity of the entry level companies like NAD, Rotel, Marantz, and so on. I also see a great opportunity for local shops that carry those brands. What needs to happen IMO is the manufacturers and dealers getting together to advertise. I see Rolex ads on TV. They always end with 'Available at these fine retailers.' Why can't NAD make commercials and have a scene or two in it at a local dealer's shop, and give a name and address of the shop at the end?
Another thing these companies need to do is get a celebrity endorsement. No one would have the Beats by Dr. Dre headphones if they weren't 'by Dr. Dre.' Beats headphones for $300 would sit on the shelf. They're decent sounding headphones, but they're no Grado/Sennheiser/AKG. If Grado had ads where Jay-Z was wearing them, I'm sure they'd fly off the shelf.
Another misconception is that younger people don't have money. I see more than my far share of Tag Heuers, Breitlings, and Tissots. Again, advertising. Tiger Woods and John Travolta helped sell enough of those. Ever since Brad Pitt rocked a Tissot in Mr. & Mrs. Smith, I've seen a lot more of them.
The future will be as bright as the industry wants it to be. I'm not saying McIntosh will sell a million units by having Metallica endorse them, but Rotel could. How about Katy Perry endorsing NAD in Men's Health magazine? What about Lady Gaga endorsing Cambridge in Maxim? Don't you think people will start looking for those brands? After they get bit by the bug, they'll move up the ladder like we all did.
Just my opinions. Take 'em or leave 'em.
The old timers begrudge the iPod. They think it brings down the audiophile scene by having the masses think it sounds good. If anything, I think the iPod is what'll save good sound. And it has little to do with incorporating iPods into hifi systems. Younger people constantly listening to music may mean that they'll graduate to proper stereo systems once they have a job and a home, maybe sooner. The students I talk to all know a full system sounds far better than a boombox with iPod dock and/or computer speakers.
They're not as stupid as the old timers will lead you to believe. Trust me. I deal with them every day.
What needs to happen IMO is advertising. Placing an ad in Stereophile or whatever other magazine is preaching to the choir. People know there's better sound out there, but they don't know what to buy. Why do most name Bose when asked what's the best stereo stuff out there? Because they're the only ones advertising. If they claim to be the best and no one challenges it, they must be the best. When was the last time you saw a stereo company advertise on TV? On the radio? In mainstream mags? Anywhere?
I see a great opportunity of the entry level companies like NAD, Rotel, Marantz, and so on. I also see a great opportunity for local shops that carry those brands. What needs to happen IMO is the manufacturers and dealers getting together to advertise. I see Rolex ads on TV. They always end with 'Available at these fine retailers.' Why can't NAD make commercials and have a scene or two in it at a local dealer's shop, and give a name and address of the shop at the end?
Another thing these companies need to do is get a celebrity endorsement. No one would have the Beats by Dr. Dre headphones if they weren't 'by Dr. Dre.' Beats headphones for $300 would sit on the shelf. They're decent sounding headphones, but they're no Grado/Sennheiser/AKG. If Grado had ads where Jay-Z was wearing them, I'm sure they'd fly off the shelf.
Another misconception is that younger people don't have money. I see more than my far share of Tag Heuers, Breitlings, and Tissots. Again, advertising. Tiger Woods and John Travolta helped sell enough of those. Ever since Brad Pitt rocked a Tissot in Mr. & Mrs. Smith, I've seen a lot more of them.
The future will be as bright as the industry wants it to be. I'm not saying McIntosh will sell a million units by having Metallica endorse them, but Rotel could. How about Katy Perry endorsing NAD in Men's Health magazine? What about Lady Gaga endorsing Cambridge in Maxim? Don't you think people will start looking for those brands? After they get bit by the bug, they'll move up the ladder like we all did.
Just my opinions. Take 'em or leave 'em.