I'm now in my late 60's, closer to 70 than ever before (birthdays tend to do that to you). I started in audio in my late 20s. Hard to believe I was ever in my 20s when I look in the mirror, but I guess I must have been.
When we first started PS Audio in 1974 the average age of our customer was between 40 and 70 years old. That age group hasn't changed in the 42 years I have been building audio equipment. Go to any audio show and there are lots of 40 somethings running around, even a few late 30s added for good measure. And that's just a description of the US shows. Munich has families and young kids too.
The demographics of high end audio lovers hasn't changed in the 42 years I have been in the business, and yet we continue hearing about aging Audiophiles and the collapse of the market. Like Henny Penny who believed the sky was falling after being beaned with an acorn, I believe most of the angst about our customers going away–not being replaced by younger Audiophiles–is misplaced.
Many of today's PS Audio customers were mere toddlers when we started the business, others in grade school and high school. This ever-changing group has people coming and going on a regular basis, and that's been happening for perhaps longer than I have been alive.
It's always a good idea to encourage younger music lovers to come over and learn what we enjoy, but let's not stress about them. Once they hit a certain age they'll have the time and the desire to want something more than work and family.
Music and the pursuit of its reproduced perfection is always a great way to spend your time, when you have the time.
