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Seventy-two percent of online adults in the U.S. listen to audio content on their home computers, according to a new study by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) "Computer-Sourced Audio Consumption."

"In the span of a few years, the PC has risen from an enigmatic beige box to what some consumers today might call the epicenter of infotainment in the home," said Steve Koenig, CEA's senior manager of industry analysis.

The study found that 86 percent of home PC audio users are content with their computer sourced audio experience. More than one-third of PC audio users say there is a need for better sound quality. If they had to choose between having quality audio and owning a large number of audio files, around half (47%) of PC audio users chose quality over quantity.

According to the CEA music is the most universal form of content that consumers listen to on computers. Seventy-seven percent of PC audio users listen to music on their computers an average of nine hours per week.

The study also found a gap between PCs and home audio systems. Just 9 percent of PC audio users have their computers connected to their home audio systems.

"The PC has claimed its place as a hub of audio content procurement and playback in the home," said Koenig. "The next step is to allow consumers to see the benefits of connecting their PC to their existing home audio system for a more enjoyable home audio experience."