China’s audio industry is no longer escaping the AI sector’s component-buying frenzy. Parts are becoming more expensive—and so is Chinese audio equipment.
It was only a matter of time, but prices for Chinese audio products are rising rapidly. Electronic components such as RAM, storage, and now even seemingly ordinary analog components like capacitors have become the new gold. According to an article published by Headphonesty, for example, the FiiO JM21 has already increased in price from $199 to $239.99 in just six months.
Capacitors are a good example of the trend. Their prices are climbing sharply as well, largely because they are also widely used in the hardware powering today’s AI data centers.
For the time being, the AI boom shows no signs of slowing down. And even if that bubble eventually bursts, it remains to be seen how quickly component prices—and, by extension, the prices of Chinese hifi products—will come back down.