Episode Details

THE HIFI FIVE Episode 31:  High End Vienna 2026 Show Report

Learn what really happened at the show, best sounding exhibits, most exciting component debuts and industry discussions!

Guests:

Edgar Kramer -- Editor-in-Chief of SoundStage! Australia

Mikhail Kuzemchenko -- audiophile hobbyist

Carlo Lo Raso -- Editor-in-Chief of Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity

Greg Weaver -- The Audio Analyst on YouTube, Senior Editor at Positive Feedback

The first High End Vienna has come and gone, and opinions are already divided. Did Vienna actually improve on munich? On this episode of The HiFi Five, we ask:

Was moving the show from Munich a mistake -- or a major upgrade?

Why didn’t High End Society secure additional venue capacity instead of effectively encouraging satellite shows?

Favorite affordable and favorite cost no object systems.

Which mega-buck systems failed to impress?

Which affordable systems embarrassed components costing ten times as much?

What products created the most buzz?