Part 2 of Does the Local HiFi Shop have a Future? Part 1 offered a nationwide wide-screen view of the HiFi market.In summary, the sales of HiFi products and services are strong and growing.It profiled audio consumers by generation: Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z.It stated that it’s the music enthusiast that drives HiFi…

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It’s no secret that the local HiFi shop is fading from our streets.Reports indicate “big-Box” premium HiFi sales are flat or even declining.Is this the result of decreasing consumer demand?Given this information, does HiFi have a viable future, and can the local HiFi shop survive? Well, the market is good … Annual U.S. Hi-Fi audio…

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Damn it, listen! Qualifying and clarifying questions make us better listeners.This is obvious to most of us, but not all.Any sales professional will say, “Hell yeah. It’s a no-brainer”. Qualifying is the core of sales. But sometimes we get lazy.Sometimes we need a kick-in-the-pants reminder. Look at this from this point of view. If Willie…

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We have entered the season of college and high school graduations – celebrations of academic accomplishment. It’s the season that reminds me of my last day in 1972 in a college classroom and the farewell words of my favorite professor, Dr. Richard H. Buskirk. I will divulge his prophetic words after I have provided a…

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Is it worthwhile for a gray-haired music enthusiast with declining hearing to finally consider purchasing a high-end audio system? Finally? Many had postponed and scaled down their original audio dream ambitions as family financial commitments took priority over a power amplifier. Is it too late to fulfill the original audio aspirations of their youth?Well, let’s…

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Many audiophiles and videophiles seek to recreate the goose-bump experience of live music, a studio recording, or a film director’s intended vision via a home audio and video system. However, many are slow to admit the extent of their effort and its costs. They wish to avoid the snide remarks of those who say they…

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The photo above shows Shohei Ohtani taking batting practice at the Dodgers’ spring training camp.Give this time to sink in.Shohei Ohtani is taking batting practice. Ohtani is the unanimous 2025 National League MVP.He is the National League Hank Aaron Silver Slugger award winner.Shohei is paid millions of dollars to hit and pitch a baseball.Oh yeah,…

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Copilot Inquiry: The SandTrap I recently asked Copilot to assess my SandTrap Architectural Speaker Tuning System. Here are the results. SandTrap is a patented architectural speaker‑tuning system designed to fix the biggest flaw in in‑wall and in‑ceiling speakers: drywall resonance. It restores lost decibels, tightens bass, and smooths midrange by adding a sand‑filled, vibration‑absorbing baffle…

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Opening Note I previously disclosed that many audio enthusiasts lack a basic understanding of audio concepts, such as stereo audio. It holds for multi-channel surround sound, which was built on the foundation of stereo audio. If you’re interested, select this LINK to confirm the definition of stereo audio. Kickoff A friend disclosed that his interior…

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A Discouraging Fact. Too many of our AV amigos do not understand fundamental audio & video terms.I have confronted many for decades with this simple question: “What is stereo?”I am still driven crazy by the answers I receive. At a minimum, to protect what’s left of my sanity, please confirm your understanding of the audio…

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