Personal Audio

The global headphones market is no stranger to disruption. True wireless (TWS) devices reshaped expectations; open-ear models have expanded the form factor mix; and over-ears have carved out their own premium growth story. Yet perhaps the most defining shift right now is financial, with an upsurge of consumers taking their headphones purchases to new heights. 

With more than 1.5 billion people worldwide already experiencing some form of hearing loss, the line between consumer audio and hearing health is beginning to fade away. Futuresource Consulting’s latest whitepaper investigates how true wireless stereo (TWS) earbuds and next-generation audio technologies are reshaping access to hearing support, challenging long-established categories and opening new opportunities for brands. 

The luxury audio market endured a second consecutive year of decline in 2024, with global volume shrinking by 4.7%, according to the latest market report from Futuresource Consulting. The impact on revenue was less pronounced, down 2.4%, as premium pricing and a rising emphasis on brand experience helped to achieve some stability.

The global headphones market recorded a 4.3% year-on-year increase in shipments during Q1 2025, pushing past 106 million units. Yet beneath this headline growth, Futuresource Consulting’s latest data reveals sharp contrasts between global regions, shaped by marked differences in economic and policy pressures.

Buoyed by surging consumer appetites, the global music market is charting a course towards new growth. That’s according to Futuresource Consulting’s latest report, which forecasts music streaming subscriptions will exceed 1 billion by the end of 2027, climbing to 1.2 billion by 2029. Meanwhile, physical media continues to carve out a growing niche in this increasingly digital market.

Augmented Reality (AR) is no longer a novelty. It's a strategic force reshaping how consumers discover, evaluate and purchase products. AR bridges digital and physical retail in ways that drive engagement, conversion and loyalty.

Futuresource Consulting has blended its latest round of international consumer research with its comprehensive market data and expertise, to reveal the buyer journeys that will shape the future of the headphone and soundbar markets.

On World Hearing Day, not only should we acknowledge the challenges that surround hearing health, but we also need to look to the transformative potential of technology in addressing them.  

With 487 million people projected to experience hearing loss by 2028, and 38% under the age of 50, the urgency to drive awareness and accessibility has never been greater.

The ever-increasing popularity of true wireless stereo (TWS) devices is reshaping consumer audio. TWS isn’t just offering convenience, it’s also delivering potential benefits for wellness.

With headphones now an everyday companion for work, entertainment and communication, they are seamlessly integrated into daily routines. However, noise exposure is also on the rise, and it is impacting hearing health.

We are thrilled to announce that Audio Collaborative 2024 is now available on demand! Thank you to everyone who attended the event and contributed to the vibrant atmosphere filled with excitement, connections, and a genuine enthusiasm for the future of audio.

Futuresource Consulting is launching Future Sessions on 6 January 2025, a dynamic new video series, designed to inform the technology and entertainment industries.

The resurgence of vinyl has been an unexpected success story. Audio Collaborative 2023 saw an entire panel dedicated to the revival, with experts discussing how heritage is playing a key role in the format’s popularity.

Futuresource Consulting’s latest comprehensive report on the global wearables market reveals that the wrist-worn wearables category is projected to grow by 8.7% in 2024, to achieve 213 million shipments. The specialist research agency has also announced that it expects retail value to grow by 11%, generating revenues of nearly $51 billion. 

Audio industry executives, experts and specialists, mark your calendars for the return of Futuresource Consulting’s Audio Collaborative conference, taking place in London on Monday 4 November. With less than a month to go, this exclusive half-day event will focus on the shifting opportunities within the audio landscape.

Aftermarket headphones maintain their position as a cornerstone of consumer electronics ownership, ranking third behind smartphones and TVs in a new consumer research survey from Futuresource Consulting.

The consumer love affair with music and audio in the home shows no signs of cooling off. With audio hardware capturing the attention of shoppers, Futuresource Consulting’s latest round of international research points to a future of multiroom audio and a demand for even longer battery life from portable speaker owners.

 Audio habits are evolving, with consumers becoming more attentive to immersive audio technologies such as Dolby Atmos. At the same time, they are placing greater emphasis on all physical formats. That’s according to the latest international survey from Futuresource Consulting, which identifies a rising consumer interest in CDs and vinyl, as well as a resurgence in demand for cassettes.