ANALYSIS: AUDIO Home Entertainment
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CD revival sets the tone for a summer of sound
As luxury audio reaches new heights and compact discs begin to shine again, Steve May asks if everything old is new again in audio retail… Moon 491 preamp and matching amplifier
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f there’s one aspect of home entertainment still able to surprise, its audio - and that’s great news for retailers. Streaming continues to dominate the mainstream conversation and wireless speakers
remain a straightforward sell
(particularly if they’re from JBL), but one of the biggest talking points of the past 18 months has been happening on the periphery. The compact disc is making an unlikely
return. Millenials who grew up with streaming are discovering CDs for the first time, while older music fans are dusting off collections they never quite found the heart to throw away.
More people than ever are buying music According to official stats released by the BPI (British Phonographic Industry), UK recorded music revenue increased for the 11th consecutive year in 2025, rising by 5.0 per cent to a high of £1.57 billion. Streaming revenue rose by 4.6 per cent to
a record level of £1.07 billion, while physical music revenue increased for a third consecutive year, led by a 19.9 per cent lift in vinyl sales, exceeding £250 million in 2025 for the first time in eight years.
Significantly, CDs are enjoying their own
revival, with annual revenue now close to £100 million, a 3.1 per cent rise.
It’s interestingly to note that the big CD sellers in 2025 were all new or recent releases, indicating that this is not a nostalgia kick.
Moon CD player drive
Quite a feat for a format launched back in 1982. Those with long memories will recall that
the first CD player, the Sony CDP-101,
was unveiled in Tokyo back in October 1982, with Philips following in March 1983, with the legendary CD100. Taylor Swift’s The Life of a Showgirl was the biggest selling compact disc last year, selling around 226,000 copies. Other big sellers on silver disc include albums by Ed Sheeran (Play) and Lady Gaga (Mayhem).
High hopes for hardware As with vinyl, interest in discs will inevitably focus eyes back on hardware. Many consumers already own substantial CD libraries. Others are buying discs for the first time, attracted by artwork, collectability and the novelty of owning music outright. A fair percentage will be in the market for players - but there’s a caveat.
The challenge for the industry is ensuring there’s enough new kit available to meet renewed demand.
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