Audio hardware sales offer promise for 2012

Consumer audio sales of streaming media and smart devices are expanding

Home audio hardware sales expanded seven per cent last year to hit $9.7bn (£6.2bn) globally, according to figures from Futuresource Consulting.

The outlook for 2012 is also positive, the analyst added.

"Our forecasts are predicting a further two per cent growth in both shipments and value," it said in a statement.

According to Futuresource, the market for traditional dedicated docks is maturing, but networked audio, enabling media streaming from a range of devices, will "reinvigorate" sales in both volume and value terms.

"These new devices have the power to replace physical docking, though it is likely that this feature will often be retained for the purpose of battery charging," the analyst said.

Sales of home-theatre-in-a-box and audiovisual receivers are also expected to grow strongly around the world. Demand for integrated audio systems will fall.