by Michael

Interesting factoids from FutureSource on headphone uptake

Interesting factoids from FutureSource on headphone uptake…

Note that the average price for a ‘headphone’, in this survey anyway, is $30.

This means that the real growth is in in-ear headphones (currently 60% of the market).

As a point of reference, the original open Sennheiser headphones, the HD 414, in 1968 remains the best selling headphones of all time – and were my first headphones (but did not survive my transition to high-end audio in 1978)

 

“According to a new report by Futuresource Consulting, worldwide shipments of headphones grew by 8.5% in 2014 to 309.5 million units.

The report also found that, despite average retail price only growing by 4% in 2014, less than the growth in 2013, the trade value of shipments grew by 12%, generating revenues worth $9.4 billion. This is partly due to the falling cost to include certain features.

Despite increasing fragmentation in the headphones market, Sony, Philips, and JVC continue to secure the top three market positions, accounting for 31% of worldwide shipments. There is growing competition, notably from Apple Earpods, with a 5% worldwide volume share, and Beats by Dre, which has grown in volume by leveraging Apple’s strong distribution networks.

Futuresource Consulting has also analysed the different features and types of headphones emerging on the market within this new report. It notes that microphones have become a common feature across all types of headphones, especially as the ownership of mobile devices continues to grow. In 2014, headphones with microphones grew by 58%, to account for 36% of worldwide shipments.

In-ear headphones accounted for the lion share, 60% of worldwide shipments, with the inclusion of new features helping to drive growth in this segment.

During 2014, many brands introduced Bluetooth headphones to meet the growing demand of music on the go. This segment is forecast to increase over the coming years, with wireless headphones likely to account for 21% of worldwide shipments by 2018.

Sport headphones was another big area, with many headphone vendors introducing different designs for comfortable grip around the ears. We are seeing strong competition from specialist headphone manufacturers in this area, including Yurbuds, Jaybird, Jabra, and Parrot.

“The demand for headphones is increasing, especially as consumers are using their mobile devices for a plethora of content on the go, whether that’s whilst commuting to work, running, cycling, or simply walking into town,” Simon Bryant , Associate Director Consumer Electronics , Futuresource Consulting. “We are also seeing an increase in demand for more sophisticated features, which is increasing value and driving more sales for the vendors. In the coming months, we will likely see an increased presence from specialist vendors, which can add unique features.”

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 by Michael

Qrates, Montreal, Axpona, Munich, Headphones and Horns- Audiophiledom April, 25, 2015

 

Qrates, Montreal, Axpona, Munich, Headphones and Horns

Qrates – crowdfunded vinyl

“Artists and labels can promote their music online to fund vinyl pressings, deliver exclusive content and items, make their music streamable and offer free downloads and bonus tracks to their fans. We also offer statistics and reports services.”

Shows

Another triple-header show month? Almost a quadruple header:  Montreal, Axpona and Munich… with Newport not far after.


A nice Montreal Show Report by Canada HiFi

 


Mike Fremer describes Patricia Barber’s set at Axpona well. We like Patricia Barber, but only when we do not hear her in an exhibition room at a show [where it was played to death several years ago, from which we never recovered :-)].

 

HiFi Pig is trying to corner the market on Munich High End 2015 news and doing a good job at it.

 

Other Stuff


Inner Fidelity has a headphone shootout that looks promising.


Retro hi-fi always entertains me. That turntable above is JUST what we are looking for… [Riiiight, Neli? :-)]

 

And another article from the same site: Realistic High Fidelity Horn Loudspeakers and Enclosures – 1956

 

 

 

 

That’s hi-fi for now folks. Good night and have a pleasant tomorrow.

 

in High-end Audio HiFi and Stereo / News 2 comments
 by Michael

Off topic: David Letterman and Leonard Nimoy (Spock is no more)

Off topic: David Letterman and Leonard Nimoy (Spock is no more)

David Letterman

Almost since the Letterman Show (The Late Show) went on the air, I have NOT watched it. WE have not watched it.

He was stiff, rude, east coast-pushy, and not funny at all. IMO.

But in the last year or so, and now his last month, he has become fumble-brained, absent minded, casually inept – JUST LIKE A REAL PERSON.

I like to think he has finally entered that stage when one is so good at their profession, so much better than the competition, while at the same time realizing that one sucks at what they do (just that everyone else sucks more), that this kind of endorphin-based high sets in and you do your thing with humility and appreciation for its finer points, points soon to be lost to the world. But at the same time, being okay with this.

The show has become quite charming, albeit you may have to be over 50 to properly enjoy it.

Spock

With Leonard’s passing, one cannot help but reflect on the success that was Spock.

Spock in The Original Series that is.

I’ve watched the Next Generation, The Voyages, The Enterprise, Deep Space Nine, read Star Trek comics and several dozen of the fan-fiction books. And now the new movies.

Only TOS got Spock right.

Apparently only Gene Roddenberry knew what the heck he was doing. Everyone else is just riffing off what he did, and sloppily at that.

Why do I say this?

Because Spock was the ultimate expression of tech geek (nerd) angst. All of us geeks who loved, loved, loved technology: mathmeticians, astronauts, electrical engineers, physicists, astronomers. All of us who looked at society and social relations with confusion and mistrust. All of us who looked at mating and courtship rituals as if they were designed for a different species – perhaps penguins; certainly not thinking human beings.

This was Spock, science officer, with his distrust of stupid emotions and 7 year mating cycles.

Spock? In the new movies? Diddling Uhuru? Geeks may dream (over and over) that their lives would be so blessed. But in reality? New Spock is no geek. New Spock is one of THEM, just a little smarter, and with pointy ears (and the same is true for the Spock in the vast majority of the books and later movies).

Now, with both Leonard Nimoy and Roddenberry gone, Spock is no more.

Now Spock is only us.

 

 

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