[schumanesq]

I was one of the early Quadrophonic adopters.  I actually had a 4 channel 8 track player!

[FullRangeMan]

When these Quad systems appeared, I swore they were better than Stereo, even though I'd never heard them, just because they had more channels 

[Phil A]

Welcome!  I had surround sound in the 1970s via time delays (https://www.teachmeaudio.com/mixing/equipment/effects/delay#:~:text=A%20delay%20unit%20works%20by,set%20by%20the%20mix%20control.)  The longer the delay (in milliseconds) the bigger the acoustic space it was simulating.  I heard quad recordings but never invested in the hardware.

[Mag]

I was one of the early Quadrophonic adopters.  I actually had a 4 channel 8 track player!

   We had Quadrophonic Receiver & Headphones, which I thought was quite good. Must have been my brother who bought it because I didn't purchase it, which would then place it around '78 or '79.
   Then I heard my friends new Radio Shack stereo system and I concluded good stereo beats Quad. However when I started investing in audio around year 2000. My girlfriends low cost Surround system sounded better to me than my stereo. So after that I was sold on Surround Sound. With my Bryston Model T speakers & 2 corner speaker for 4 channel stereo. I get a better soundfield than I did with 5.1 Surround, but my room dimensions is also a factor.

[savak]

Audiophile gear have alway been an expensive hobby, but now the prices are become ridiculous, especally for speakers.

[FullRangeMan]

Audiophile gear have alway been an expensive hobby, but now the prices are become ridiculous, especally for speakers.

Very true, the Alpha 15A was $69/each, now $144/each, same driver.
https://usspeaker.com/eminence%2015-1.htm

[paulns]

The constant smartphone upgrades and multi-funtionality of those phones has put a dent in many industries including audio.  Decent quality is now avaiable at a lower price (inflation adjusted lower price) and immediate fulfillment in listening to a song is more important than audio OCD in getting the right system.  Larger living spaces are harder to come by for young people, so spaces are smaller to have a system.  And lastly, more competition for the hard earned money. 

I think audiophiles will always be around, but the average age is certainly getting higher.  Maybe, just maybe there will be a resurgence in audio when some youtubers go viral over vintage/high end audio!