Providing market intelligence for more than 35 years

In The News

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

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".

Previously In The News

Parks Associates: Most MDU decision makers plan to upgrade, replace electronic access control systems

Parks Associates' new white paper addresses the state of access control adoption, including key challenges and opportunities. Parks Associates' new white paper, Multifamily Access: Riding the New T...

The Smart Money: Technology for Independent Living

Family caregivers and older adults face numerous challenges in managing health and daily activities. Technology offers promising solutions to ease their burdens and Parks Associates’ ongoing research...

Building the Future with Smart HVAC and Plumbing Technologies

According to Parks Associates' Smart Home Dashboard research, 45% of U.S. internet households have at least one smart home device, reflecting a growing demand for intelligent, connected systems. Fr...

Nearly Half of U.S. Households Own and Use Wearable Devices

A recent consumer study conducted by Parks Associates reveals that nearly 50% of U.S. internet households now own and actively use wearable devices, underscoring the growing demand for health and safe...