Despite dwindling numbers I don't think audiophiles will become extinct. The audiophile population has not passed the lower threshold of individuals needed to ensure that inbreeding effects do not dominate. We might get to that point, but the breeding audiophile population is not perilously low yet.
But, more to the point, the Human Genome Project has isolated and stored copies of key audiophile genes, so in principal if the species became extinct it could be resurrected once genetic techniques are developed. It's a decade or more away, but it's certainly feasible and more than likely.
The main audiophile genes stored by the Human Genome Project are the following —
- The what-if gene: This gene is the one that makes an audiophile wonder, "Hey, what if I tightened the bolt holding my tonearm just a bit more?" or "What if I give valves a go after decades of using solid state amps?" Sometimes it takes the form of putting coins under spikes after nailing equipment to the floor because what if the spikes are making things worse.
- The box gene: This gene predisposes the audiophile to keep the original box kit came in just in case an upgrade is on the horizon and the item is more likely to be sold with an original box rather than something picked up at Staples and packed with Styrofoam peanuts or bubble wrap
- The monkey crap gene: This gene predisposes the audiophile to stop and squat so ears are in the sweet spot when entering a listening room of a friend or a hi-fi dealer's showroom
- The 25-seconds of the amazing LP gene: This gene makes the audiophile play the first 25 seconds of a sonically treasured album to either evaluate new equipment or to show off the hi-fi to rivals; note duration: exactly 25 seconds, no more, no less
- The remove grille and press woofer gene: Self-explanatory, but in case this behaviour is unfamiliar it's performed whenever an audiophile is wondering if something is wrong with the system (see what if gene); this gene is often co-expressed with the touch metal dome tweeter gene
- The careless whisper gene: This gene makes it possible for an audiophile to hear a female singer's breath with greater clarity than the singer's voice; this gene is found only in male audiophiles —Y chromosome-linked, obviously
- The ability to evaluate kit from YouTube videos: Despite lossy compression and cheap laptop speakers, this gene gives audiophiles the ability to assess kit from videos online; it's a form of super hearing despite having tinnitus and hearing loss around 8–12kHz in the left ear
I think the species will survive. And the genes are safely stored — cryogenically, no less! — should the unthinkable happen.
Joe