Recently, a report on audio technology shows that consumers are looking forward to integrating more technology in compact headphones, getting rid of cable constraints and enjoying voice interaction, and hope that products in all price ranges can support excellent sound quality features. Nowadays, consumers have higher requirements for audio products than before, and China has the most audio technology “early adopters”.
The report titled “Use Status Report 2018” shows that the audio industry is at an exciting time for change. The entire audio ecosystem’s expectations for sound quality are significantly increasing-including lower prices and headsets that are delivered when buying mobile phones. Many manufacturers are racing to explore new possibilities with various features. These features include a truly completely wireless experience, a natural voice assistant, ultra-low power consumption and integrated active noise reduction, not to mention a variety of new Use cases, such as artificial intelligence-based in-ear fitness guidance applications.
The report also believes that more consumers nowadays have an enthusiast-level pursuit of sound quality than before: 78% of respondents said that they want wireless headphones or speakers to support high-resolution (24-bit) audio, and at the same time only Active noise reduction features supported on high-end headphones are becoming more and more important. 47% of the respondents said that they are more inclined to buy a new smart phone equipped with wireless headphones or earplugs, and Bluetooth connection is the most popular wireless connection technology. The industry’s time to launch smart ear-worn devices is ripe. 78% of respondents said they prefer to buy truly fully wireless headsets that support additional features such as calling, fitness tracking, and voice assistants.
In terms of voice interaction, the report shows that people have actively embraced voice interaction, and 78% of respondents said that using voice or natural language to interact with smart speakers, home control centers or other electronic devices will make life easier. Smart speakers are the most popular audio consumer terminal. 32% of the respondents said that if they can only buy one terminal in the next 12 months, they will choose to buy smart speakers with integrated cloud voice assistants. Nearly half of the consumers interviewed expressed their desire to bring voice-activated speakers to outdoor or portable use, and hope to improve battery life and require speakers to support cellular connection technology. Compared with respondents from China and the United States, British respondents are relatively slow to accept new audio technologies, including smart speakers and truly completely wireless headphones.