The digital speaker market is set to grow from over 47 million units in 2013 to nearly 61 million by 2018, with portable speakers set to represent over half of the market claims ABI Research.

Speakers with mobile docks are expected to continue to decline in favour of wireless audio speakers that are among the fastest moving categories at Dick Smith and JB Hi Fi.
At the 2014 CES Show in Las Vegas several vendors are set to show new floor and shelf standing wireless speakers.

Senior ABI analyst Michael Inouye said that “iOS-centric digital speaker products, such as speakers with docks, lead the market, but a turning point came when Apple switched from the 30 pin connector to its new Lightning connector, compelling customers to place additional value on more universal wireless solutions such as Bluetooth.”

Practice director Sam Rosen added, “The digital speaker market is particularly intriguing because it parallels two growing markets – mobile devices and digital music services”
He said that the wireless portable speaker market could be poised for much stronger growth than their current 22.9% forecast.”

Rosen said that the number of households that need to support multiple mobile platforms-be it mixed platform households or individuals switching to different operating systems is growing. The large Android and growing Windows mobile bases have helped position Bluetooth as the common link between platforms, although opportunities for other technologies like Wi-Fi could play a role for some devices in the future.