FILE - In this Thursday, Nov. 29, 2007, file photo, a display of three nutcracker soldiers wear iPods at the Apple Store on Chicago's Magnificent Mile. Americans spent several years stocking up on smartphones, tablet computers and ever-bigger size TVs. But in 2013's holiday season, they’re buying headphones, wireless speakers and other accessories to go with them. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File)
December 23, 2013 - 9:31 AM
ATLANTA - Listen up, Santa.
Headphones, speakers and other audio gear are topping the holiday gift lists of many Americans.
Audio equipment is among the top-selling electronics gifts this holiday season, accounting for 13 per cent of the $8 billion in consumer electronics sales between Nov. 24 and Dec. 7, according to research firm NPD Group.
Headphone sales rose 14 per cent. Sound bar sales grew 80 per cent. And streaming speaker sales nearly quadrupled.
The trend is being driven in part by the economy. Audio gear, which can range from $50 to more than $500, is being considered by some an affordable luxury during a still shaky economy.
Americans also have spent the last several years buying tablets, smartphones and TVs. Now, many are looking for ways to squeeze better sound from those gadgets.
News from © The Associated Press, 2013