Audio Video News

More than half (55 percent) of the people who own a soundbar use it for listening to music, podcasts, and other audio-related content in addition to watching TV, according to a new survey from The NPD Group.

The trend is most pronounced among millennials, who collectively spend more than $300 million yearly on soundbars. Nearly two-thirds of 18-34 year olds use a soundbar to listen to music/audio content, according to NPD, and spend about 22 percent of their time doing so, compared with the total population which uses soundbars for radio, music, or podcasts 15 percent of the time.

With more and more soundbars equipped for wireless streaming, 36 percent of soundbar owners report connecting at least one portable device to their soundbar. Nearly a quarter (23 percent) connect their smartphone, while 16 percent connect to a tablet or notebook and, 12 percent to an iPod.

See NPD industry analyst Ben Arnold’s blog for more insights on the generational appeal of soundbars.