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The often-lively discussion focused on the relatively obscure nature of the high-end audio industry. Members of both the panel and audience debated reasons for high-end audio's small market size and discussed possible methods for increasing outreach and increasing interest and exposure in specialty markets.
The discussion became somewhat more heated when the topic turned to competition between specialty retailers and Internet e-commerce audio vendors. Most concurred that friendly, supportive retail stores provide and promote the unique benefits of high-end audio equipment in a way that online sales cannot, and that e-commerce would eventually benefit quality specialty retailers by helping to highlight their personal-service advantage. All in attendance also agreed, however, that retailers must work to be more inclusive of people with varying musical tastes, genders, races, and price points in order to succeed in the current electronics marketplace. |
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SoundStage!'s own
Doug Schneider participated in a panel discussion held at the Alexis Park on January 7.
Titled "Everyone Loves Music, So Why Don't They Love Specialty Audio?," the
discussion was moderated by Stereophile's Barry Willis and included (left to
right) Kathy Gornik from Thiel Audio, Doug Schneider, Russell Kibbes from Tag It, PBN
Audio's Peter Noerbaek, Janice Mancuso from Reference Recordings, and Kimber Kable/
DiAural stalwart Ray Kimber.
Most participants agreed
that an increased focus on music reproduction, including a more inclusive attitude among
retailers and manufacturers toward popular music, would help reduce the alienation
commonly found among consumers toward the high-end. Doug Schneider proposed that the
industry focus on "high-quality audio" rather than "high-end audio" in
order to emphasize the products' real benefits and further reduce the often-intimidating
nature of the industry.