2019 Home Audio Trends

In this High Notes Episode, we cover the 2019 Home Audio Trends as we see them.

Streaming Music

Just 10 years ago, streaming music only accounted for 4% of revenue in the music industry. In 2018, it was 75%! The time spent listening to music is also on the same upward trajectory. Paid subscriptions for streaming music services are on the rise, and our customers want their new equipment to be able to handle all of these new music services with easy access. The old distributed audio systems of years past using in-ceiling and in-wall speakers can be updated to have the ability to play streaming music. This type of system is also best for new construction as the speakers can blend into the environment. As clients spend more time enjoying music, they also expect great sound quality from their music system. Finally, streaming music and streaming videos for home entertainment put a much bigger strain on the home network than ever before. This is especially true with concurrent multiple users.


Outdoor Entertaining

Clients are putting more money than ever before into their outdoor entertainment areas. As these areas grow in size, filling them with music becomes more of a challenge. While speakers disguised as “rocks” are still available, most clients are opting for a new type of speaker configuration called a “landscape speaker system”. This type of system has two advantages. The first is the speakers look identical to a landscape light and blend easily into the landscaping, almost totally disappearing. To provide the deep bass a small speaker is not capable of, a large subwoofer can be buried in the ground with only a small top visible. This can be totally hidden behind shrubbery. The other advantage is how well this type of system can cover a large outdoor area. Rather than having two rock speakers trying to cover a big pool party, 8-12 discreetly placed landscape speakers can provide very even sound over a large entertaining space. Clients also expect this type system to be able to play all of their streaming music stations as well.

Vinyl as a Social Event

Just like streaming music, record sales are on a huge growth path. Just 10 years ago, total estimated sales of LPs in the US was around $50 million. In 2018, it surpassed $800 million. Listening to vinyl is becoming a social event for many age groups. This is especially true after a dinner party where our customers report pulling out records and talking about the music and concerts into the wee hours. It is important to consider where a vinyl playback system will go in a new home. Along with the vinyl resurgence, vintage or equipment with a vintage look is becoming very popular with customers wanting to have their electronics prominently displayed.