The Covid-19 pandemic may drive sales of audio equipment: new study

A new study of personal or home audio equipment buying habits among US households with broadband internet indicates that, while concurrent smart-home device ownership appears to increase the tendency to own headphones, earphones, soundbars, home theaters or wired/wireless speakers, they may also discourage consumers from buying new ones.

This may be due to their ability to cover the use cases of these audio products around the home: for example, newer, smart-assistant-enabled devices may be flattening the tendency to buy more traditional multi-room music systems. This may be due to the ability of these connected-home products to act as a control hub for other wireless entertainment-focused electronics around the house.

On the other hand, the group that commissioned this new research now projects that the Covid-19 pandemic and the need to replace normal working conditions, schooling or leisure activities with "in-home" alternatives might improve headphone or earphone sales in the short term. They may in demand to enhance privacy or concentration for those in shared living spaces with an emerging need for a personal "buffer".