Parks Associates: Headphones Likely to Experience Sales Spike Due to Coronavirus

April 07, 2020

A recent study by Parks Associates, a technology-based marketing and research company, finds that 44% of US broadband households own speakers, 37% own headphones bought separately from a phone or music player, and 33% own a separate set of earbuds. Purchase intentions were flat prior to the coronavirus outbreak, due in large part to the emergence of smart speakers, but demand for headphones and earbuds will likely experience an initial spike with work-at-home and entertainment-in-place now the standard for many households.

This new demand will not diminish consumer expectations for advanced functionality, so Parks says device manufacturers still need to prioritize app development and software enhancements to enhance the user experience.

The study, titled “Smart Product Market Assessment – Audio Devices” addresses future growth in the connected audio device market, including market drivers and inhibitors, identification of key players, consumer purchasing decisions, and user experience.

“Everyone in the household now needs their own headphones and earbuds for privacy during this time of shelter-in-place orders and work-at-home mandates,” says Steve Nason, research director, Parks Associates.

“Following this initial wave of purchases, users will look to integrate these standalone products with their smart speakers and other connected devices in the home. This trend was already underway with the gradual dissolution of the ‘home theater system’ concept, and now households feature a collection of different audio products, brands, and devices that must work together to deliver a seamless user experience.”

“Prior to the COVID-19 outbreak, the traditional audio device category was at a crossroads,” says Nason.

Parks Associates notes device manufacturers and voice assistant providers alike have to better market and communicate the value that integrated voice control brings to audio devices. Increased integration of audio devices and the use of high-resolution and 3D audio with the most-used CE video device, smart TVs, will also raise the profile of the audio category.“Adoption and usage of devices such as wired/wireless speakers without voice assistants, audio/visual receivers, home theater systems, and multiroom music systems had waned. While consumers are making purchases now to accommodate work-at-home and home schooling needs, manufacturers need to maintain their emphasis on innovation, particularly the integration with voice assistants, so that their devices can have value beyond the initial stop-gap usage.”

From the article "Parks Associates: Headphones Likely to Experience Sales Spike Due to Coronavirus".

Research Memberships

Visibility Memberships

Smart Home: Products And Services

Consumer Electronics and Entertainment

Connectivity and Mobility

Connected Health and Wellness

MDU / Multifamily

SMB

Strategic Consulting Unit

Channel Analytics

Research Services

Event

Analyst Insights

Media

About Parks Associates

Parks Associates: Headphones Likely to Experience Sales Spike Due to Coronavirus

Previously In The News

The Smart Money: Residential Security Continues Market Shift

Streaming services with ad-supported plans outpace ad-free tiers

Netflix, iHeartMedia Ink Video Podcast Distribution Deal

Forecast: US subscription TV revenue at $190.7bn in 2030

Providing Market Intelligence for 40 Years

Phone:

Email:

Mailing Address:

Expertise

Services

Events

Resources

About Us

Store