Sales of audio components and systems tumbled in 2005, and iPod-driven portable aduio sales soared past home aduio sales levels for the first time ever.

Is a home audio apocalypse in the making, or is this just another case of streetcorner prophets getting it wrong again?

For a look at what happened in 2005 and 2006 prophesies, TWICE assembled a panel of marketers to analyze the trends and issue their forecasts. Q uestions were e-mailed to the participants, who offered these replies: