Where Is It All Heading?

[ejr1953]

It took me a few years of swapping out this, upgrading that, finding a such-and-such that works well with that so-and-so, and for now I think my system is at a point where I can relax and enjoy the music.

My kids are in their late 20's and though they are very technologically-oriented, they are not interested in a hobby that requires so much work!

It got me thinking of "where the audio business is heading".

I suspect that, in the future, maybe 10 or so years out, many high-end systems will be anchored by a pair of "active" speakers, with internal amplifiers which are tightly matched to the drivers they power, which also have sophisticated room correction built in. It would not surprise me that they also have really capable DACs and excellent wireless capabilities as standard equipment. All of the electronics could be FPGA-based, to make it possible for firmware changes to be applied to improve performance over the life of the product, or during its warranty period, with the option to purchase "extended support" afterwards.

If that were to come to pass, I would see the user having an app on their phone or tablet, sending the raw digital file to the speaker, which would "take it from there". There would be no need for today's version of an amplifier, preamplifier, DAC, streamer, disc player, etc.

When a new speaker is purchased, the owner would position a calibration microphone in the listening positions and the speaker would adjust itself to the acoustics of the room.

All the components of this "vision of the future" exist today, but as separate offerings. It just seems that we audiophiles who enjoy mixing this with that are in the minority (of listeners) today, a minority which will likely "shrink" over time.

But, I do believe that many will appreciate and enjoy high-quality sound in their homes...without all the fuss we go thru to get there.

[For The Love of Music]

Originally Posted by ejr1953

It took me a few years of swapping out this, upgrading that, finding a such-and-such that works well with that so-and-so, and for now I think my system is at a point where I can relax and enjoy the music.



My kids are in their late 20's and though they are very technologically-oriented, they are not interested in a hobby that requires so much work!



It got me thinking of "where the audio business is heading".



I suspect that, in the future, maybe 10 or so years out, many high-end systems will be anchored by a pair of "active" speakers, with internal amplifiers which are tightly matched to the drivers they power, which also have sophisticated room correction built in. It would not surprise me that they also have really capable DACs and excellent wireless capabilities as standard equipment. All of the electronics could be FPGA-based, to make it possible for firmware changes to be applied to improve performance over the life of the product, or during its warranty period, with the option to purchase "extended support" afterwards.



If that were to come to pass, I would see the user having an app on their phone or tablet, sending the raw digital file to the speaker, which would "take it from there". There would be no need for today's version of an amplifier, preamplifier, DAC, streamer, disc player, etc.



When a new speaker is purchased, the owner would position a calibration microphone in the listening positions and the speaker would adjust itself to the acoustics of the room.



All the components of this "vision of the future" exist today, but as separate offerings. It just seems that we audiophiles who enjoy mixing this with that are in the minority (of listeners) today, a minority which will likely "shrink" over time.



But, I do believe that many will appreciate and enjoy high-quality sound in their homes...without all the fuss we go thru to get there.

Generally speaking, I don’t think your far off the mark.

Last year at RMAF, I think it was B&O or B&W that had a pair of speakers much like your describing - they sounded very good in the hotel room and could only imagine when someone brought them home.

One thing is certain, technology will prevail.

[dolsey01]

This is what Gayle Sanders of Martin Logan fame is banking on with his new Eikon Audio speakers. Under the Why Icon page,"LIFE IS COMPLICATED ENOUGH, GETTING GREAT SOUND SHOULDN’T BE

With Eikon, the hard work is done. Hook up the system, download the app, and follow the instructions for world-class sound quality."

The older I get, the more I become their target market.

[Macuser]

For me that would take most of the fun out of this hobby. I've found the research and time spent hunting down the gear I want at least as enjoyable as the end result. If someone can't put a little bit of effort into assembling a nice rig they may not have what it takes to be a serious listener either.

[ejr1953]

Originally Posted by Macuser

For me that would take most of the fun out of this hobby. I've found the research and time spent hunting down the gear I want at least as enjoyable as the end result. If someone can't put a little bit of effort into assembling a nice rig they may not have what it takes to be a serious listener either.

You and me both! But I suspect that, if we have hair, it's color is more on the grey side than those who will make up the majority of the market for audio equipment in the future.

[Mikado463]

Originally Posted by Macuser

If someone can't put a little bit of effort into assembling a nice rig they may not have what it takes to be a serious listener either.

and there lies part of the rub for being a 'serious listener' does not mean that you or I posses greater enjoyment of the content. Actually, as I get older (now in my mid sixties) I find myself less interested in all the equipment and audiophile BS and trying to focus more on the enjoyment of the music for musics sake .....

[Kal Rubinson]

Originally Posted by Macuser

For me that would take most of the fun out of this hobby. I've found the research and time spent hunting down the gear I want at least as enjoyable as the end result. If someone can't put a little bit of effort into assembling a nice rig they may not have what it takes to be a serious listener either.

Originally Posted by ejr1953

You and me both! But I suspect that, if we have hair, it's color is more on the grey side than those who will make up the majority of the market for audio equipment in the future.

I've earned my scalp situation but, even for us, the ground is shifting. What can be done with such DSP-enabled and purpose-designed simply exceeds what one can achieve only with equipment matching, room setup and acoustical treatments. That is not to say that it is panacea nor does it negate the value of all those skills we have developed but it advances the game substantially.

[Antonmb]

Originally Posted by ejr1953

I suspect that, in the future, maybe 10 or so years out, many high-end systems will be anchored by a pair of "active" speakers, with internal amplifiers which are tightly matched to the drivers they power, which also have sophisticated room correction built in. It would not surprise me that they also have really capable DACs and excellent wireless capabilities as standard equipment.



...All the components of this "vision of the future" exist today, but as separate offerings.

For the most part, this already exists I today in Linn’s full Exakt system. DACs and individual amps for each driver are integrated into the speaker cabinets, only connected to a separate streamer (which also functions as a prompt if you have a turntable) via Ethernet cable.

[ejr1953]

Originally Posted by Antonmb

For the most part, this already exists I today in Linn’s full Exakt system. DACs and individual amps for each driver are integrated into the speaker cabinets, only connected to a separate streamer (which also functions as a prompt if you have a turntable) via Ethernet cable.

Last night while I was enjoying my system, I thought that maybe the future holds two "standardized" pieces to that "audio system of the future", a device which would be a streamer, DAC, server and preamp, with both wired and wireless outputs to a pair of powered speakers with room correction...both the streamer and the speakers with an app to manage.

Over the last five years or so I've upgraded all sorts of my components and wires, and have the system where I want it. At this stage of my "audio life" I'm enjoying the music more than ever before!

[Macuser]

Originally Posted by ejr1953

Over the last five years or so I've upgraded all sorts of my components and wires, and have the system where I want it. At this stage of my "audio life" I'm enjoying the music more than ever before!

Same here; One thing I wish I could "upgrade" though would be my hearing. It's ok for my age but to hear that pin drop like we all could once upon a time sure would be nice. As would the ability to appreciate the maximum impact of those upgrades.