Why HiFi Shows Matter

Last week I wrote about HiFi shows and made a few suggestions of how visitors could get the most out of them. This week I want to look at why I reckon that HiFi shows are so important for the hobby, the industry, and us. 

There’s something special to my mind about a HiFi show and, if you’re into this hobby, you’ll know what I mean. The gossip and chatter in the corridors, the sound of music coming from every direction (a double-edged sword), and that feeling of belonging when you realise you’re surrounded by people who love this stuff as much as you do. Whether it’s Munich (soon Vienna), Warsaw, Bristol, Cranage, or any of the smaller events around the world, HiFi shows are still the beating heart of this industry, and they’re a big part of what keeps it alive and kicking.

Let’s kick off with the people who make the whole thing worthwhile: the visitors (most of you reading this). For most, it’s the only time they’ll get to see, touch, and, most importantly, hear such a wide variety of gear in one place. You can move from room to room comparing loudspeakers you’ve only ever read about, nattering with designers, and stumbling across brands you didn’t even know existed (my favourite bit). It’s like a massive pick-and-mix for audiophiles, and mostly everything is something you’ll want to pop in your packet, only to worry about whether you’ve overestimated what sweets you’ve stuffed in there when it comes time to weigh up.

Then there’s the social side (no, this is my favourite bit). These shows aren’t just about the gear; they’re about the people. You bump into old friends, meet new ones, and spend hours talking about valves, turntables, or the latest streamer over a pint – or you might just eschew the whole HiFi chat and yadder cod shit for hours on end with your new mates. That sense of belonging, of being part of a community that actually gets it, is what makes these weekends so enjoyable.

And there’s the inspirational and aspirational aspect of it all. Hearing systems that are far beyond what most of us can afford isn’t depressing; it’s motivating. It reminds us why we fell in love with HiFi and music in the first place. If I go to a show, I want to see the truly bonkers gear that I can only imagine owning a home big enough to house it all in. I want loud lights and flashing music (if you ever heard our 90’s radio show or attended one of our infamous parties, you might get that reference). I want drama and showmanship. I want to be entertained. I want an experience!

For manufacturers and distributors, shows are a serious investment, but also a huge opportunity. It’s not just about setting up a stack of shiny boxes on a table at the front of a room and hoping people notice. It’s about being seen, being heard, and connecting with the right people – and all that takes a lot of planning and the right people manning your room. One of my bugbears of a shrinking minority of exhibitors is those that don’t interact with their audience or don’t capitalise on the audience they have paid good money to be in front of. If I’d paid the kind of money it costs to attend a show (the cost of a room, the cost of getting kit and all the people there, the hotels, the food, the wine, the whiskey, the…) I’d certainly be wanting to get a return on my investment.

At the big international events like Munich (or soon High End in Vienna), just about everyone in the industry is under one roof. Deals get done, partnerships start, and a few conversations can shape what we’ll all be talking about over the next year. For smaller companies, a show can be the first real step onto the world stage; a chance to impress the right distributor or reviewer and get their name out there. And hats off to the High-End Society that runs Munich/Vienna for offering newcomers the chance to get one of a few spots on their Newcomers’ Stand for free.

Even for well-established brands, it’s a bit of a reminder of why they do what they do. Talking face-to-face with customers and hearing the feedback must surely be worth more than a whole load of online comments. It humanises and personalises the whole business; you’re not just a logo; you’re people who care about sound and the business around promoting and selling your product – you know what you are doing!

For us at HiFi PiG, shows are equal parts exhilarating and exhausting. They’re where we get to talk directly to designers, engineers, salespeople, and the people who make this industry tick. There’s no substitute for being there; email interviews and press releases are fine, but it’s the casual chats over a coffee (or wine) that lead to the most interesting stories – many unpublishable. 

Shows also give us the chance to meet you, our readers, in person. We get to hear what you think, share a laugh, bants, and put faces to names. And then we bring it all back home; the news, the gossip, the fresh discoveries…and then we share it with everyone who couldn’t be there. For a few days, it feels like the entire HiFi world is squeezed into one buzzing building, and we’re right there in the thick of it.

I recall years ago when we first started out with HiFi PiG and tasked ourselves with going to as many shows as we could, and someone commented something along the lines of “Why do you go to all these shows, they’re a waste of time and money!” Back then, in the formative days of HiFi PiG, we recognised the importance of being at these events, even if we had to sleep on overnight trains to get there and put our heads down in less than salubrious hotels. 

Of course, HiFi shows aren’t perfect. Some rooms are tricky, not every system sounds its best, and by the end, you’ll have heard “That Tune” more times than is healthy for anyone. But none of that really matters.

HiFi shows are where this industry comes together! They are where passion, creativity, and community meet. They remind us that it’s not just about equipment; it’s about the love of music and the dark art of reproducing it well. They’re where new ideas are born, friendships are made, and enthusiasm is renewed year after year.

So yes, HiFi shows really do matter. They matter to the visitors, to the exhibitors, and to those of us lucky enough to tell the stories that come out of them. They’re where the magic happens, and we wouldn’t miss them for the world.

And on that note, we’ll see you at the Warsaw show next weekend!

If you are looking at attending a HiFi show, you could do a lot worse than checking out our HiFi Diary.

Stuart Smith

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