European Custom Installer

System Integration for the Connected Home

Audio Growth is in Soundbars and Wireless Speakers

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events-audio-renaissanceFuturesource Consulting presented clear evidence that growth in the home audio market in the coming years will come from two main categories: wireless speakers and soundbars.

Audio_Charts

Speaking at the Audio Renaissance conference in London, Jack Wetherill, Senior Market Analyst, said: “Home audio hardware demand is on the rise, and our forecasts show a 12% uptick in both units and volume this year. Legacy products such as CD-based Hi-Fi systems and dedicated speaker docks are in decline, but are more than outweighed by demand for wireless speakers and soundbars – two of the fastest growing products in the entire CE market.”

Wetherill reported Futuresource Consulting data that indicated a CAGR of 72% through to 2016 for wireless speakers, and 46% for soundbars. These more than offset the declines seen in dedicated docking speakers, hi-fi systems and A/V receivers. Meanwhile the headphone market is still growing, but at the rather slower rate of around 10%, and ASPs are still rising at around 8%.

Wireless technologies remain fragmented, with Bluetooth dominating the low end and portable market, and a variety of wifi-based solutions, such as Apple's Airplay and DLNA further up the range.

These trends provide clear direction for the channel in identifying focus areas for audio, as well as encouragement in the continuing strength of this opportunity.

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