EL SEGUNDO, CALIF. —
Premium
OEM audio systems will grow at doubledigit
rates in 2011 and beyond, thanks to
the proliferation of quality sound systems
in mid-range cars, IHS iSuppli said.
Global 2011 sales of premium audio
systems will reach 7.9 million units, up
14 percent from 6.9 million units in 2010,
and will hit 13.3 million units by 2015.
Premium audio systems are defined by
IHS as having any or all of the following:
surround sound, eight or more
speakers, and 400 watts or more.
Branded systems are included.
This year’s sales will yield worldwide
revenue of $7.3 billion for the
market, up 11 percent from $6.6 billion
in 2010.
Bose and Harman are the leading
premium audio system suppliers, IHS
said.
When it comes to trends, the research
group said that 5.1 and 7.1 surround is
growing in popularity, as are systems
that synthesize surround sound from
stereo. Class D amplifiers and portable
music player interfaces are also growing
in availability.
“An auxiliary input is the least expensive
interface, with nearly all premium audio
systems sold in the United States currently
including the feature,” IHS said. An
iPod interface is available in 91 percent of
U.S. cars, the company added.
“The next two years will see the growing
dominance of two more interfaces —
USB and SecureDigital,” IHS noted.
