According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for audio equipment are 74.15% lower in 2025 versus 1985 (a $14.83 difference in value).
Between 1985 and 2025: Audio equipment experienced an average inflation rate of -3.33% per year. This rate of change indicates significant deflation. In other words, audio equipment costing $20 in the year 1985 would cost $5.17 in 2025 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.75% during this same period, inflation for audio equipment was significantly lower.
In the year 1985: Pricing changed by -3.38%, which is below the average yearly change for audio equipment during the 1985-2025 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 1985 (3.55%), inflation for audio equipment was much lower.
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Audio equipment, over time, for $20 beginning in 1985. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | $20.00 | -3.38% |
| 1986 | $19.43 | -2.83% |
| 1987 | $19.71 | 1.42% |
| 1988 | $19.63 | -0.41% |
| 1989 | $19.66 | 0.16% |
| 1990 | $19.73 | 0.38% |
| 1991 | $20.04 | 1.57% |
| 1992 | $19.99 | -0.26% |
| 1993 | $19.89 | -0.52% |
| 1994 | $19.87 | -0.10% |
| 1995 | $19.50 | -1.85% |
| 1996 | $19.22 | -1.45% |
| 1997 | $18.84 | -1.97% |
| 1998 | $18.04 | -4.23% |
| 1999 | $17.31 | -4.07% |
| 2000 | $16.98 | -1.89% |
| 2001 | $16.35 | -3.72% |
| 2002 | $15.54 | -4.94% |
| 2003 | $14.72 | -5.26% |
| 2004 | $13.98 | -5.08% |
| 2005 | $12.83 | -8.20% |
| 2006 | $12.15 | -5.32% |
| 2007 | $11.47 | -5.60% |
| 2008 | $10.92 | -4.73% |
| 2009 | $10.36 | -5.14% |
| 2010 | $10.03 | -3.22% |
| 2011 | $9.56 | -4.65% |
| 2012 | $8.90 | -6.91% |
| 2013 | $8.46 | -4.98% |
| 2014 | $8.05 | -4.79% |
| 2015 | $7.63 | -5.29% |
| 2016 | $7.25 | -4.94% |
| 2017 | $6.65 | -8.28% |
| 2018 | $5.73 | -13.87% |
| 2019 | $5.77 | 0.81% |
| 2020 | $5.68 | -1.64% |
| 2021 | $5.40 | -5.01% |
| 2022 | $5.42 | 0.42% |
| 2023 | $5.42 | -0.02% |
| 2024 | $5.27 | -2.80% |
| 2025 | $5.17 | -1.79%* |
* Not final. See inflation summary for latest details.
** Extended periods of 0% inflation usually indicate incomplete underlying data. This can manifest as a sharp increase in inflation later on.
Raw Consumer Price Index data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for Audio equipment:
| Year | 1977 | 1978 | 1979 | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
| CPI | 89.700 | 92.377 | 95.554 | 97.685 | 100.846 | 101.992 | 100.300 | 97.708 | 94.408 | 91.738 | 93.038 | 92.654 | 92.800 | 93.154 | 94.615 | 94.369 | 93.877 | 93.785 | 92.054 | 90.723 | 88.938 | 85.177 | 81.708 | 80.162 | 77.177 | 73.362 | 69.500 | 65.969 | 60.562 | 57.338 | 54.130 | 51.568 | 48.919 | 47.342 | 45.140 | 42.021 | 39.927 | 38.014 | 36.003 | 34.226 | 31.393 | 27.038 | 27.256 | 26.810 | 25.468 | 25.576 | 25.571 | 24.854 | 24.408 |