High-End Audio / Audiophile & Music Industry News

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07 / 22 / 25

Futuresource Consulting's Audio Collaborative 2025
Futuresource Consulting's Audio Collaborative 2025 returns as the audio sector's premier one-day summit on Wednesday, 12 November 2025, hosted at London's iconic Soho Hotel. This full-day gathering brings together senior executives, emerging disruptors and thought leaders under one roof to explore the intersection of commercial strategy and cultural context. With Futuresource's renowned research at its core, delegates will gain a panoramic view of market performance, emerging technologies and consumer behavior in a data-driven environment designed to inspire bold thinking and informed decision-making. The event program is structured around a series of data-rich presentations and high-impact panel discussions. Highlights include "The Audio Industry in Numbers," which delivers an up-to-the-minute assessment of category winners and losers; "Voice of the Retailer," spotlighting shifting channels and shopper preferences; and "Decoding the Audio Consumer," leveraging Futuresource's Consumer Insights to map purchasing drivers. Other sessions—such as "Tariff Turbulence," examining macroeconomic headwinds, and "The Innovative Future of Hearing Health," probing Apple's entry into OTC hearing aids—underscore the breadth of strategic challenges and opportunities facing the industry in 2025 and beyond.

Beyond its agenda, Audio Collaborative 2025 offers unrivalled networking opportunities—roundtables, informal meet-ups and a closing drinks reception—to forge new partnerships and share best practices. Attendees can interact with visionaries across global brands and startups, while event partners and sponsors gain exposure to a highly engaged audience. Early-bird tickets are priced at £266 (plus VAT) until the specified deadline, before standard tickets rise to £399, and point-to-point sponsorship packages are available for companies aiming to raise their profile within the sector.

07 / 21 / 25

audioXpress' August 2025 Issue
Editorial: The Endless Mysteries Of Acoustics
The Audio Circuits Cookbook By Ethan Winer
Neumann RIME Ref. Immersive Monitoring Environment
A Microacoustics Modeling Primer Part 2 Numerical Modeling
Acoustical Effects Of Floor Finishes
New Dimensions In Acoustics
The Room Impulse Response (RIR) Paradox
Real-Time Acoustic Simulation
Anechoic Chamber Design Fundamentals
And Much More!

Within his editorial, J. Martins says "I had great experiences at AXPONA and the High End Show in Munich this year. Both shows are extremely influential in projecting trends every year, revealing both the extreme high-end of audio designs for those that are aiming for the ultimate and the latest concepts for the more approachable home audio tiers of the market, which increasingly also include more high-quality lifestyle products. On top of the audio and design innovations that audioXpress reports, those trade shows reveal the overall directions for audio technology for the home market, showing how brands are revived and refreshed, and how technology creates new listening possibilities in the living room, for entertainment systems, and even whole home and multiroom approaches. This is more noticeable at the European show, and needs to be reinforced in the expo area of AXPONA, creating a welcome and much-needed opportunity for more mainstream products and brands, many of whom have more products than those they are able to fit in a listening room."
---> audioXpress August 2025 Issue.

07 / 17 / 25

dCS LINA Head-Fi / Headphone System Review
Headphone listening for the ages!
Review By Frank Iacone
dCS is not a company that releases new products often unless it can make a significant upgrade in overall performance. The Bartók was dCS's first entry into the high-end headphone market designed with dCS's famous Ring DAC it was a successful product for dCS. The Headphone community received it well and I enjoyed my time with it during my review and was sad to see it leave.  Not to rest on their laurels, dCS spent two years in designing the new Lina System, a Modular three-piece design that includes a separate Headphone Amplifier, Ring DAC, and Master Clock as a step up from the Bartók. Designed for ultimate listening performance the Lina System can be purchased as individual units or as an entire system, while aesthetically, the Lina's modern and sleek contemporary design will work well in any home or office setup.
---> dCS LINA Head-Fi / Headphone System Review.

Pass Labs X260.8 Monoblock Amplifier Review
Prestigious power, glorious grace, and terrific transparency.
Review By Dwayne Carter
Pass Laboratories, Inc., is a name that most audiophiles utter, after describing a product that comes close to perfection. "XXX amplifier almost sounds as good as the Pass Labs XXX model". We've all done it. Fortunately, "as good as" will have to wait. Thanks to the good people at Pass Laboratories; I get the real thing. As the world was on pause, my listening room entertained a pair of Pass Labs X260.8 monoblock amplifiers. In full disclosure, I would like to admit that I have been a fan of Pass Labs products for many years. I've never owned or reviewed any of their products, so I was looking forward to this delivery.... The Pass Labs X260.8 monoblock amplifiers require two people to move. I know most amplifier manufacturers recommend this, but this is the first time I heeded their recommendation. Luckily, my good friend Michael was able to help me wrestle these beasts into place.
---> Pass Labs X260.8 Monoblock Amplifier Review.

07 / 10 / 25

World Premiere Review!
Metronome Audio Le DAC 2 Review
The Spice must flow.
Review By Paul Schumann
It's no secret that Hollywood has become the land of the sequel. Nine of the top ten grossing movies from 2022 were sequels. I excluded The Batman because it technically wasn't a sequel, but it was a reboot, for goodness' sake. Now I'm not going to bash sequels out of hand. I watch a bunch of them myself. My big complaint is when a sequel is done by a different set of writers and a new director and is so different from its predecessor in tone and theme that about halfway through I throw up my hands and ask, "Why am I watching this?". One sequel I'm looking forward to watching is Dune: Part 2. While they call it a sequel, it's more of a continuation of the first movie with Denis Villeneuve and his team completing the task. Even though I've only seen 2.5 minutes of it in a trailer, I am incredibly hopeful that this crew will bring the ship safely into the harbor. Yes, I could be wrong, but like Fremen, I believe.
---> Metronome Audio Le DAC 2 Review.

Let's Talk About Luxurious Premium Audio Shows
Hi-fi shows and what they ought to be.
Article By Roger Skoff
If you're an audiophile, you've almost certainly either been to a high-fidelity audio event (Hi-Fi Show) or wanted to go to one. Back in the days before I got into the industry, every time CES – the Consumer Electronics Show – came around (There used to be two of them – Las Vegas and Chicago), I would always ask my industry friends if they had gone to it; how they liked it; what had been the hit of the Show; and what new great stuff I should hunt down and buy for myself. Invariably, the answer I got was that they had been too busy working their own exhibits to actually go and see or listen to anybody else's; and that they had effectively seen or heard nothing. NO FUN! That was back years ago, when hi-fi was – following the great hi-fi boom of the late 1950s and 1960s when stereo LP records were first introduced, and the second boom in the 1980s, when CDs came along offering "perfect sound forever," a common interest....
---> Let's Talk About Luxurious Premium Audio Shows.

07 / 08 / 25

Shanghai International Top Audio-Visual Show (TAS) 2025
The 32nd Shanghai International Top Audio-Visual Show (TAS) is set to take place this weekend, from July 11 to 13, at the Shanghai International Convention Center in Lujiazui, Pudong. Nestled on Binjiang Boulevard along the Huangpu River and just steps from the iconic Oriental Pearl Tower, the venue offers easy access to Shanghai's financial district and skyline vistas. Over three days, TAS will transform the convention center into a showcase of high-end immersive audio-visual (A/V) craftsmanship and innovation. Driven by both industry heavyweights and boutique specialists, the 2025 edition will feature more than 200 exhibitors presenting over 2000 brands. Attendees can expect comprehensive demonstrations of cutting-edge loudspeaker systems, state-of-the-art amplification, digital streaming solutions, immersivephile home-theater setups, and smart-home integration. Each year the show draws roughly 35,000 visitors, from audiophiles and A/V integrators to international buyers scouting the latest trends in hi-fi and commercial A/V technology.

Beyond product displays, TAS 2025 will host expert-led seminars, hands-on workshops, and guided listening sessions where guests can engage directly with engineers and designers. Networking lounges and meeting suites provide a forum for distributors, dealers, and journalists. The centerpiece of TAS 2025 will be the latest in immersive spatial audio systems, moving well beyond traditional 5.1 or 7.1 channel layouts. Expect demonstrations of immersivephile sound systems, object-based formats like Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and Auro-3D powered by advanced loudspeaker arrays and beamforming technology. Manufacturers will showcase wave-field synthesis rigs capable of creating locally precise sound zones, so each listener hears a personalized mix. These setups highlight how multi-driver panels and coaxial point-source speakers can render hyper-realistic soundscapes for home cinemas and dedicated listening rooms. As one of Asia's premier high-end luxury A/V gatherings, the Shanghai International Top Audio-Visual Show continues to set the pace for technological advancement and market expansion across Greater China and beyond.

07 / 07 / 25

Hi-Fi+ July 2025 High-End Audio Magazine
Editorial: Making High-End Audio Gear Bigger
Clearaudio Performance DC, TT5 And Stradivari V2
Soulution Audio 331 Integrated Stereo Amplifier
Doshi Audio Evolution Stereo Line Preamplifier
Acoustic Energy AE3092 Floorstanding Loudspeaker
Euphony Summus 2c And 4c Music Server
Piega Premium 301 Gen2 Stand-Mount Loudspeaker
PMC prophecy7 Floorstanding Loudspeaker
Karan Acoustics Master Collection POWERb MONO 
Chord Electronics Alto Integrated Headphone Amp
McIntosh DS200 Network Streamer / DAC
...And Much More!

Within this month's editorial, Alan Sircom says "The Loudness Wars of the first years of the 21st Century are, thankfully, largely behind us. The days of 'everything louder than everything else' and '3dB of dynamic range equals a hit single' are mostly a thing of the past. However, the excesses of that time highlight a maxim that is so easily forgotten in all walks of life, including good audio; just because you can do a thing, doesn't mean that you should. High-end audio, like its counterparts in many luxury goods markets, has yet to find its price ceiling. I don't think it's possible to build a system that exceeds the five million mark yet (be that Pounds, US Dollars, or Euros), but we're getting very close to that price point. Doubtless, a couple of years from now, we'll be pushing the eight-figure barrier. But... should we? Audio enthusiasts want to build a system out of the best sounding products and that creates a 'Top Trumps' world where pinnacle performance rules. But a loudspeaker with a frequency range from DC to light or an amplifier with reservoir capacitance that could jump-start an aircraft carrier might be overkill even in the largest listening rooms."
---> Hi-Fi+'s July 2025 High-End Audio Magazine.

07 / 01 / 25

Audiophiles: July's Must-Read Fight Against AI Music
Plus high-end audio gear reviews, show reports, and more!
Within the July 2025 issue of Enjoy the Music.com's Review Magazine, we feature a special world premiere review of the much-anticipated Genesis G7 Samba floorstanding loudspeaker. Our Senior Editor, Tom Lyle, was amazed by the lifelike sound. With two more show reports, HIGH END in Munich and InfoComm in Orlando, there's a lot to unpack from these major consumer electronics showcases. Within this issue, we're focusing on what everyone is talking about: Artificial Intelligence (AI). While AI can be very helpful and a big timesaver, it can also replace some human activities. We know the music BUSINESS is already taking great advantage of AI, which also rings higher profits for record labels and removes the problem of costly and emotional human musical artists. Why pay for a human to create music and a human tour when you can outright own it thanks to AI? Modern technology and all that.

Speaking of modern tech, our July issue also features our special exclusive review of Chesky Audio's modern LC1 bookshelf monitor. Built in the USA, the LC1 monitor's enclosure is a multi-layer, high-mass, non-resonant shell made from a proprietary high-density polymer. Chesky Audio leverages modern 3D-printing techniques to create a single-piece, multi-layer structure. In addition, our World Premiere Review of the Genesis G7 Samba floorstanding loudspeaker showcases full-range, ultra-transparent sound quality.

Genesis' Gary Koh says the Samba floorstander is the result of "years of intensive development." He also says that besides the two years it took to design the Samba, it "utilizes all the technologies that Genesis developed over the past 30 years." Three decades; that's the same as our 2025 anniversary celebration. Dive into July's Enjoy the Music.com audiophile Review Magazine and discover the high-end audio gear that's redefining high-fidelity listening this summer. As always, in the end what really matters is that you... enjoy the music!
---> Audiophiles: July Review Magazine's Must-Read Fight Against AI Music.

Audiophiles May Be The Last Line Of Defense Against The Music BUSINESS
With MIDI, AI, etc, why should the music BUSINESS use (costly and emotional) human musicians?
Editorial By Steven R. Rochlin And His AI Assistant
So I asked my AI assistant, "With computers and MIDI, why should the music BUSINESS use human musicians when a performer will be fine?" It replied: Here's why real humans still hold the cards—even in an age of perfect-on-paper MIDI and algorithmic "performers": Emotional Nuance and Imperfection • A live player breathes life into a line: tiny timing fluctuations, micro-dynamics, soft attacks and releases that MIDI CC can only approximate. • Those "mistakes" are often what move us—think of the humanized swing feel in jazz, or a vocalist's crack at the bridge that makes a song unforgettable. True Creativity and Spontaneity • Computers follow rules. Humans break them, riff on the spot, invent a lick that becomes a genre's signature. • In-studio, session pros will suggest chord tweaks, melodic turns, or rhythmic feels that no preset or randomizer would generate.
---> Audiophiles May Be The Last Line Of Defense Against The Music BUSINESS.

It's Sad, But This AI-Generated Band Will Make Some Musicians Give Up
The music is actually pretty good.
Article By Bobby Owsinski
Artist and bands face so much natural competition these days that it's a wonder why anyone even does it all. Not only do you have to worry about the other 120,000 tracks that are uploaded every day, but you now have to worry about AI-generated music as well. Case in point, a presumably AI-generated band called Velvet Sundown, as outlined by Musically. Velvet Sundown has 325,000 monthly listeners on Spotify and 1,500 followers. Everything about this band screams AI. For instance, their bio states, "This four-piece band bends time, fusing 1970s psychedelic textures with cinematic alt-pop and dreamy analog soul" Okay, maybe that's the writing of a clever publicist, but the bio goes on, ""Formed by vocalist and mellotron sorcerer Gabe Farrow, guitarist Lennie West, bassist-synth alchemist Milo Rains, and free-spirited percussionist Orion ‘Rio' Del Mar, the band feels like a hallucination you want to stay lost in."
---> It's Sad, But This AI-Generated Band Will Make Some Musicians Give Up.

12 Findings From InfoComm 2025—An AV Tech Geek Show Report
And some 'modern breakthroughs' that are shaping the Future of your audio (and video).
InfoComm 2025 Show Report By Steven R. Rochlin
Held within the Orange County Convention Center from June 7th through 13th, InfoComm 2025 was the largest professional audiovisual (AV) trade show in North America. While this is not an 'audiophile show' open to the public, it brings together industry leaders, cutting-edge immersive modern audio and video technologies, and immersive experiences. Attendees explored thousands of products related to audio, collaboration, display, audio / video streaming, control systems, enterprise IT, security, VR, higher education, and live events. For modern technology enthusiasts, the exhibit floor had several dynamic zones, with dedicated areas for augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) innovations for immersivephiles, IP communications, and smart building systems. Beyond the exhibits, InfoComm 2025 offers a robust education and networking program that caters to every facet of the industry.
---> 12 Findings From InfoComm 2025—An AV Tech Geek Show Report.

World Premiere Review!
Genesis G7 Samba Floorstanding Loudspeaker Review
You're drawn into the music by its amazing, lifelike sound.
Review By Senior Editor Tom Lyle
I first became aware of Genesis speakers when I was a young man, shortly after they were first introduced in 1991 via the audiophile press. It was tough to ignore the fact that anyone who discussed this brand of speakers never failed to mention their chief designer, the late Arnie Nudell, and his passion for research and development, as well as the use of premium materials, their impeccable design, and, by all reliable accounts, their outstanding sound quality. Genesis introduced their more affordable G7 Series in 2005, beginning with the G7c, also known as the Convertible, a bookshelf speaker designed by Genesis' Arnie Nudell, who sadly passed away in 2017. The G7c speakers were soon followed by other models created by Mr. Nudell's successor, Gary L. Koh, who is now Genesis' Chief Designer and the CEO of Genesis Advanced Technologies. These newer models included the G7p (Petite) and the G7f, a floor-standing model with an active side-firing woofer. Although the G7 Series was discontinued in 2018, it has now been reintroduced.
---> Genesis G7 Samba Floorstanding Loudspeaker Review.

Chesky Audio LC1 Bookshelf Monitor Loudspeaker Review
Clean, spacious, and incredible transparent sound.
Review By Ron Nagle
You know, I heard it through the grapevine. Chesky Audio's LC1 Bookshelf Monitor loudspeaker was mentioned in show reports I found online. Many critics remarked how great these inexpensive $996 bookshelf speakers performed. At the same time, I received a shout-out from my friend and colleague Rick Becker at Enjoy the Music.com, and he thought the LC1 would be perfect to audition in my smallish 12' by 19' foot ear cave listening room. Initially, that seemed to make a lot of sense. The old audio adage tells us, small speakers fit in a small room. So I cast my lot and submitted my case on the Chesky Audio web space. It turns out that they were in such demand that there was a serious backlog. The designer, Lucca Chesky, is pretty much a one-man band who is busy 3D printing and finishing them by hand. The backstory has him still in high school when he developed the LC1 bookshelf monitor speakers as reviewed here.
---> Chesky Audio LC1 Bookshelf Monitor Loudspeaker Review.

Best Portables CD Player For The Music Lover On The Go!
We test four retro CD players; the winner will surprise you!
Review By Steven R. Rochlin
As a world traveler, sitting within the "tuna can" for over six hours can be a mind-numbing experience. Other than the lousy airline food and ever-declining quality of onboard service, bringing your entertainment during a trip is a must. Also, those who are allowed to enjoy music at work will find this review enlightening. Portable systems must be just that, completely portable, and therefore mandate the use of headphones. So what is an audiophile to do with all the junk at mass market stores? Any audiophile worth their salt would never choose MP3 or other lossy compression schemes devices. "The iPod" shouts the Apple Dumpling Gang from the back of the room. No thank you. While it is indeed a great mass-market product, its music reproduction abilities are far behind what is truly possible. As for portable DVD units, I tried a few and feel they were just ok with higher resolution digital discs, yet most audiophiles have only one real choice.
---> Best Portables CD Player For The Music Lover On The Go!

Many more reviews & articles are within our Review Magazine.

06 / 27 / 25

Magenta RealTime (RT) Open-Weights Live Music Model
Are you a music lover wishing you could create your own tunes in Hi-Res Audio 24-bit/48kHz? Imagine yourself expanding on Miles Davis' great jazz works, or Buddy Rich's lightning-fast drumming. You can now easily create Jazz, Classical, Prog, or other music genres to bring more joy and happiness into your life. Welcome Magenta RealTime (Magenta RT) Research, the new open-weights, live-music generative model designed for fully interactive creation and performance. As the open-weights counterpart to Google DeepMind's Lyria RealTime (which powers Music FX DJ and the Google AI Studio real-time music API), Magenta RT brings that same on-the-fly generative capability to a community-driven platform. Clocking in at 800 million parameters, there's a lot to digest here. Real-Time Generation Architecture and Performance Live music generation demands real-time factor > 1 (i.e. generate more audio than wall-time), causal streaming, and ultra-low latency control—challenges were meet by adapting the MusicLM framework into block autoregression. Style embeddings—computed as weighted averages of text or audio prompts—let you morph instrumentation and genres instantaneously. On a Colab v2-8 TPU, every 2 seconds of audio takes just 1.25 seconds to generate (real-time factor ≈ 1.6), and you can shorten the chunk size further to tighten control latency. Fidelity uses SpectroStream (48 kHz stereo successor to SoundStream, with 24-bit/192kHz being possible in a future release) and trained a joint music+text embedder, MusicCoCa, drawing on MuLan and CoCa research.

Creative Possibilities, Ethos, and Roadmap Magenta RT unlocks exploration across genre boundaries—imagine hybrid timbres you've never heard, DJ-style live interpolation, or immersive soundscapes for galleries and games. The goal is to amplify human creativity, not replace it: real-time interaction fosters a dynamic flow state where every prompt tweak impacts the music you hear, steering creation toward more personal, in-the-moment artworks and performances. Unlike batch-style generators, live models inherently balance listening and generation, avoiding a surplus of passive outputs. Current limitations include a Western-instrumental bias, non-lexical vocalizations only, two-second style-control latency, and a 10-second context window (so it won't autonomously build extended song structures). In coming weeks, the company plans to roll out on-device inference, fine-tuning tools, and next-generation real-time models boasting even higher quality, lower latency, and richer interactivity.

06 / 26 / 25

Celebrating 45 Years Of The First Sony Walkman
The birth of Sony's TPS-L2 Walkman began in early 1979 when co-founder Masaru Ibuka asked for a compact stereo player to use on long flights. Norio Ohga, then President of Sony's audio division, handed the request to engineer Kozo Ohsone. In just four days, Kozo stripped a home Pressman mono recorder of its speaker and recording circuitry, added stereo playback electronics and amplification, and delivered a palm-sized prototype to Ibuka. Enchanted by the result, Sony chairman Akio Morita green-lit full production under the model code TPS-L2 (Tape Player Stereo L2) with twin headphone jacks, a "fader" button for in-headset conversations, and a sub-$200 (~$780 in 2025) price target. It hit Japanese stores on July 1, 1979 (¥33,000) and reached the U.S. market in June 1980, setting the stage for what would become the world's first truly personal audio device.

Externally, the TPS-L2 wore a slim blue-and-silver metal case measuring just 88 x 133.5 x 29 mm (WxHxD) and weighing about 390 grams. Internally, it jettisoned the press-and-play mechanics of Sony's earlier cassette recorders in favor of a purely playback-only, stereo tape transport. Two AA batteries powered roughly eight hours of continuous music; a two-position tone switch let users compensate for chrome tapes and Dolby noise reduction; and a pair of independent volume sliders ensured balanced left / right output. Its frequency response was only 40 Hz to 12 kHz, with a maximum output of about 15 mW per channel (stereo). The new Sony TPS-L2 was said to pushed portable fidelity to new heights, while the built-in electret microphone and Hotline function eliminated the need to pause playback for a brief chat—an ingenious nod to co-listening experiences.

Upon release, the Sony TPS-L2 portable stereo cassette tape player became an instant cultural phenomenon. It transformed sidewalks, gyms, and commutes into personal soundscapes, giving rise to mix-tape culture and redefining the act of listening as a private, mobile ritual. Despite an initial 30,000-unit run—of which only 3,000 sold in month one—it rapidly sold out via word-of-mouth, propelling Sony to sell over 400 million Walkmans over the next decades. More than a gadget, this now-old mid-to-late 1900s device cemented the idea of high-quality portable audio (personal audio, HeadFi, etc), directly inspiring the design philosophy of MP3 players, smartphones, and enjoying "music on the go" a fundamental part of modern life.

06 / 25 / 25

Cirrus Logic CS5308S / CS5304S ADCs And CS4308S / CS4304S DACs
Cirrus Logic, a renowned leader in innovative audio technology, has expanded its Pro Audio portfolio by launching two new analog-to-digital converters (ADCs CS5308S and CS5304S) and two new digital-to-analog converters (DACs CS4308S and CS4304S). Designed with affordability in mind, these converters deliver exceptional audio performance without compromise, making them ideal for a variety of setups—including Hi-Fi stereo playback systems, professional audio installations, musical instruments, and USB audio interfaces. This strategic launch underscores the company's commitment to democratizing high-quality audio technology for both high-end and mid-tier devices. Incorporating premium features, the new ADCs and DACs are engineered to enhance the audio experience through advanced functionalities. Key improvements include a hybrid gain control for precise signal adjustments, differentiated digital filters that allow users to tailor their sound signature, and an exceptional power-to-performance ratio for superior sound quality paired with energy efficiency.

Moreover, the ease of integration of these devices means they can be seamlessly incorporated into diverse audio configurations, thereby broadening the range of applications and accessibility for professionals and prosumers alike. The announcement reflects on Cirrus Logic's forward-thinking approach. Jonathan Taylor, Pro Audio Product Marketing Manager, emphasized that these additions provide innovative solutions that balance high performance with cost-effectiveness, extending the reach of Cirrus Logic's technology to a broader audience. Meanwhile, acclaimed recording engineer and producer George Massenburg highlighted the converters' ease of implementation during critical listening tests, indicating that these devices are poised to set new standards in professional audio applications. "In a recent series of critical listening tests, Cirrus Logic's Pro Audio technology stood out conclusively against high-end, industry-recognized studio converters," said George Massenburg. "Cirrus Logic's dynamic range, transparency, and fine detail converge brilliantly with their relative ease of implementation—these are no less than the future of converters for professional audio applications."

06 / 24 / 25

Edinburgh Hi-AV Show 2025 A/V Event In Scotland
The Edinburgh Hi-AV Show 2025 is poised to become one of Scotland's most anticipated audio and visual events. Set for November 8th and 9th at the DoubleTree by Hilton Edinburgh Airport, the show brings together audiophiles, Audio / Video (A/V) immersivephiles, and industry experts under one roof. Organized by the Chester Group—renowned for their previous successful events—the show marks the second edition since its relaunch after a 17-year hiatus. With a reputation built on delivering great sound and hands-on experiences, the event promises to build on its past success, it offers an exciting preview of emerging trends and technological advancements in audio and visual display.  At the show, visitors will be treated to an expansive array of displays featuring some of the world's finest audio brands. Attendees can expect live demonstrations of cutting-edge equipment ranging from high-fidelity home theater systems to state-of-the-art streaming A/V setups.

The event is set to showcase innovative domestic and international manufacturers The 2025 edition plans to broaden its appeal by expanding the vintage corner dedicated to new and used vinyl records, merging the allure of classic sound with contemporary tech marvels for an all-encompassing audio experience. Beyond the technical showcases, the Edinburgh Hi-AV Show 2025 is designed to be accessible and engaging for a broad spectrum of visitors and audiophile / immersivephiles. Early bird tickets are attractively priced at £10 for both days when purchased by June 30, with prices adjusting thereafter, while children under 15 can attend for free when accompanied by a paying adult. The venue's excellent transport links—being close to the Ingliston Park and Ride and having nearby tram stops—ensure that visitors can navigate the grounds with ease. This event not only celebrates the brilliance of audio and visual innovations, but also serves as a dynamic cultural gathering for those passionate about high-quality sound and immersive experiences.

06 / 23 / 25

Capital Audiofest 2025 Audiophile Show Expands
Capital Audiofest (CAF) 2025 is set to take place from November 14th to 16th at the Hilton Rockville in Maryland, continuing its legacy as the East Coast's largest and most beloved high-end audio show. The event will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, offering three full days of immersive listening experiences, gear demos, and community engagement. Founded in 2010 by Gary Gill, CAF has grown from a grassroots gathering into a cornerstone of the North American audiophile calendar, drawing enthusiasts, engineers, and manufacturers from across the globe. The 2025 edition promises to uphold its reputation for warmth and accessibility, with a family-friendly atmosphere and a strong emphasis on music appreciation. Music lovers will enjoy a CAF record-breaking ~150 listening rooms, each tailored by exhibitors to showcase their latest innovations in audio reproduction. Attendees can expect to audition everything from cost-no-object reference systems to clever budget-friendly setups, with a wide range of analog and digital front ends. The Atrium Marketplace will be buzzing with vendors offering rare vinyl, CDs, accessories, and audiophile curiosities, while the theater and bar areas will host live music performances and special evening events.

CAF has added two large demo rooms at the EVEN Hotel across the street, plus there's two nights of great live music! Exhibitor interest continues to surge, with 2025 expected to feature a record number of brands across categories like loudspeakers, tube and solid-state electronics, streaming solutions, and personal audio. The show's inclusive vibe makes it a favorite for both legacy manufacturers and boutique newcomers looking to connect directly with passionate listeners. With immersive audio gaining traction, some rooms may feature Dolby Atmos and other spatial formats, offering attendees a glimpse into the future of high-fidelity listening. The CAF mobile app will help navigate the venue and flag must-see rooms, while first-timers are encouraged to bring familiar music on both USB and vinyl for reference listening. Whether you're a seasoned audiophile or a curious newcomer, Capital Audiofest 2025 offers a welcoming, hands-on celebration of sound that's as much about connection as it is about gear.

06 / 20 / 25

AXPONA 2025: Inside the 4th-Floor Sonic Playground
Gear, great grooves, and perhaps some juicy gossip too!
Audio Expo North America (AXPONA) 2025 Show Report By Rick Becker
"From Rick's exceptionally detailed report below, AXPONA's buzzing 4th floor seemed like a self-contained city of high-end audio, where every hallway bend revealed another system vying for 'best-in-show' bragging rights," says Enjoy the Music.com's Creative Director Steven R. Rochlin. "From boutique vacuum tube and solid-state amplification to floorstanding and stand-mounted flagship loudspeakers, the rooms here proved that innovation and indulgence can coexist in seriously photogenic style. Let's all dive into Rick's excellent room-by-room report for the gear highlights, sonic surprises, and insider gossip you might've missed!" Rick's report begins with Harmonia Distribution out of LaVerne, California, in conjunction with local retailer Quintesence Audio (who had multiple rooms on the 1st Floor), put together a very nice sounding system with Fyne Audio F701SP stand-mounted monitors in gloss black driven by the Pathos Acoustics InPol Remix MkII tube hybrid integrated amp.
---> AXPONA 2025: Inside the 4th-Floor Sonic Playground.

06 / 19 / 25

The Music Industry Just Took A Backwards Step On Streaming Pricing... In Glorious HD
Editorial By Tim Ingham
Founder Of Music Business Worldwide
Amazon's Echo Studio launched in Q4 2019 at a $199.99 price point in the US. "In 2019, Amazon launched Amazon Music HD, a high-quality audio streaming offering that is available to customers at a premium price in the United States. We believe the value proposition that streaming provides to consumers supports premium product initiatives." This, from Warner Music Group's pre-IPO filing last year, is a key part of the modern music industry's big sell to investors. Just you wait, it says: streaming is $9.99-a-month today, but tomorrow, oh man, the possibilities for building on this price-point are endless. Today (May 17), those possibilities hit the floor with a thud. A thud captured in stunning HD sound. It was a noise that hurt my ears – and reiterated a troubling power balance between music rightsholders and Big Tech.
---> The Music Industry Just Took A Backwards Step On Streaming Pricing... In Glorious HD.

This Is The Best Time To Be A Music Enthusiast
Product development, reviews, and true lossless hi-resolution on the rise!
Editorial By Steven R. Rochlin
Over 25 years ago when I started Enjoy the Music.com there was very little info about high-end audio / audiophiles online. Today, that has all changed as we have thousands of websites from the latest and greatest gear to vintage audio, DIY, headphones, etc. In addition, we now have more manufacturers than in the history of our hobby! It is virtually impossible to keep up with it all, let alone report on every new piece of high-end audio equipment. I'd be slapped silly by not mentioning that true lossless high-resolution music, without the 'need' for typical music BUSINESS lossy compressed scams and schemes, is now mainstream and not limited to only a few niche' streaming music players. Without a doubt, this is the best time to be a music enthusiast! Way back when in the 1980s and 1990s there were only a tiny few small digest-sized print publications plus Audio and Stereo Review (to name a few) here in the States. Europe and other parts of the globe had their fave publications. It was like we were part of a super-secret hobby we all love. There was a tribal feeling about it all too!
---> This Is The Best Time To Be A Music Enthusiast.

06 / 18 / 25

Date Change: HIGH END 2026 From June 4th To 7th
HIGH END 2026 represents the biggest high-end audiophile show's 40-year history: after more than two decades in Munich's MOC, and Frankfurt before that, the world-leading high-fidelity audio event migrates East to the Austria Center Vienna (ACV). The venue's 26,000 m² of newly refurbished, digitally future-proof exhibit space spans multiple levels and purpose-built halls, giving brands everything from intimate listening rooms to cavernous product-launch stages. The High End Society picked Vienna precisely because the ACV's modern acoustics, fiber backbone and modular floorplan let manufacturers push experiential demos far beyond the limitations of Munich's hotel-style cabins—think full Dolby Atmos suites, immersive headphone quiet zones, car-audio test rides inside the complex, plus many spaces for home audiophile stereo sound systems. The relocation also taps into Vienna's musical halo: attendees can spend the evening at the Musikverein, then audition the same Mahler symphony on an immersive home audio rig the next morning. It is, quite intentionally, a love letter to the city that still bills itself as the capital of classical music.

You'll want to adjust your travel dates, though. Originally slated for May 28th to 31st, the inaugural Vienna edition has been nudged to June 4th through the 7th (2026) so it doesn't clash with the Eurovision Song Contest, which will also flood the city that month with ~500,000 people. The extra week not only frees up hotel capacity (and tames the dynamic pricing algorithms) but also restores the show's tradition of opening on a public holiday, handy for German and Austrian retailers who can slip away without shuttering their stores. Expect four days split into two trade-only sessions followed by a consumer weekend, a format that has proved wildly successful in Munich. Early buzz from exhibitors who tested the ACV said the new venue is unequivocally better thanks to sound isolation, more natural daylight, and easier freight logistics than the MOC. In short, HIGH END Vienna 2026 isn't just a change of scenery—it's the industry's bid to future-proof the premier immersive audio showcase for the next quarter-century.

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