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25 April 2024
From the moment Future Shop staff entered the High End AV show in Hong Kong’s beautiful convention centre, it was clear that this was no ordinary trade show.
The long lines of audiophile delegates zig-zagged patiently to experience the largest display of cutting edge high end AV technologies. This display of passion for music and the technologies that enable the human ear to access it, was the one thing that bound delegates and exhibitors throughout this event.
Upon entering the show, visitors were immediately greeted with vast collections of CDs. To our surprise, CDs are still immensely popular here, evident by the large volumes on display and available for purchase. Moving along, one could see Vinyls catering to a broad range of musical preferences.
Hong Kong's audiophiles appear to have a special place in their hearts for these music formats. Despite the myriad of impressive technologies showcased, this show was fundamentally about the music; it focused on sound clarity and the emotional elevation of its listeners.
The listener experience was palpable in all the demonstration rooms. High-end speakers, amplifiers, turntables, DACs, streamers, cartridges, valve amplifiers, power amplifiers, Hi-Fi racks, headphones, Hi-Fi cables, power cables, power blocks, mains conditioners, isolation accessories, and plugs were set up for demos virtually every hour.
It could only be described as an audiophile's dream—like a kid in a sweet shop.
The range of Hi-Fi components within a system on display was unparalleled, the largest we've ever seen at any Hi-Fi audio show.
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Seats in these demo rooms filled up quickly, often 30 minutes before a session, with standing-room-only crowds lining up soon after. Different genres of music flowed from the speakers, allowing every note and instrument to shine. Listeners sat in reverence, eyes closed, completely immersed.
Outside of the hardware, there was an emphasis on cables and power.
We reconnected with industry colleagues at AudioQuest, Nordost, Synergistic Research, PS Audio, Isotek, QSA, and IsoAcoustic......
….. and forged new relationships too.
Delegates were not only knowledgeable but also eager to elevate their AV cables and power solutions to enhance their listening experience. Many solutions were not only technically adept but also pleasing to the eye.
Perhaps the biggest surprise to Future Shop delegates was an interesting new market in high end, bejewelled in-ear headphones.
There is a huge market for these in the Far East for younger and more mature audiophiles who combine them with high end music players such as the SR35 from Astell & Kern. Watch this space to see if this trend comes to Europe.
The show's attendance was phenomenal. Demo rooms, some quite expansive, were bustling with activity, so much so that at times we couldn’t get in on our first attempt. The sheer scale of the event, combined with the palpable enthusiasm from visitors and the vast amount of equipment on display, was truly breathtaking and profoundly impressive.
Ultimately, the Hong Kong High End AV show provided us a profound insight into the Hi-Fi markets in the Far East. It's safe to say, the audio industry here is very much alive and thriving. For Future Shop, it was an enlightening experience, bringing back numerous innovative ideas for our customers.