Understandably the show was a bit smaller and quieter than in previous years, with Corona inevitably beginning to cast its shadow, but it was well attended nonetheless for its 33rd year with many improved products and systems and numerous launches of new audio product.

​It seems to get bigger every year and this time I was determined to be a little selective even with the danger of overlooking something of particular interest. The layout is something of a maze and despite maps and extensive signage it is easy on more than one occasion to end up at the same place. That is not so bad, as more often than not you then find something interesting that you would otherwise have missed.

​Once again the UK's largest consumer AV/Hi-Fi Show and the UK’s largest industry trade show, and its 32nd year!
www.bristolshow.co.uk

​HIFICRITIC will be exhibiting as usual at the Bristol HI-FI Show, with stocks of the current edition at show prices and many well discounted back numbers, plus show discount for subscription sales, cash or credit card. Please come with your audio queries for us to try and answer.

​Held on the 10th and 11th, the latter day was unfortunate in view of the many Remembrance events on this particular Sunday. My Saturday visit was eventful including a rainstorm with some site flooding belying the stock photo above, but finding many popular exhibits from leading brands, though as an exception missing Naim and Focal. They had put in a strong appearance at the recent September Festival of Sound, the London show, in September. Note that the Hi Fi News show will be rebranded for next year and will move venue to Ascot Racecourse.

Predictably quiet on a weekday morning it was a breeze getting round the show on the Friday first day. I wanted to catch up with audio industry members, see and book new products and discuss findings for published reviews in HIFICRITIC.

2017 came and went, and almost without warning 2018 arrived in a rush with the first HIFICRITIC show date for the last week in February, with bitterly cold winds sweeping in, and with worse to follow. Braving the chill, that happy band of West of England enthusiasts queued up in the cold from 9.30AM to get ring side seats for 10AM in the better demonstration rooms. 
 
It was one of the largest shows for some years, certainly judging from the number of brands presented, well over 200 at last count. 

Read Martin’s full Show Report

At the Indulgence Show 30th September to 1st October, 2017, some 250 brands were exhibited over 5 floors of the Hammersmith Novotel (formerly the Cunard) including some massive suites with substantial sound systems. Both live music and music production featured, and as before, a massive floor area was devoted to headphones earphones and supporting amplification.

Now in its 30th year there are already over 170 brands to be exhibited at the Sound and Vision show which occupies multiple floors of the Marriott Hotel, Castle Street, Bristol. This includes  HIFICRITIC who will be at their usual Mezzanine location, stocked with lots of discounted back numbers, and with both the current issue and annual subscription both available at a special show price for visitors. Editors Martin Colloms and Paul Messenger will be on hand to answer queries while many of our reviewers and contributors will also drop in to enliven the usual technical and philosophical discussions. Contributors will be roaming the show seeking out key products to consider for future assessment in HIFICRITIC audio magazine.
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​​Brands already slated to exhibit at the show include:

On the Friday it was a bit quiet in the morning, but it began to pickup later, while there was a good Press and Dealer turnout as there were several new product and new range launches allocated to this show. And not to forget that this Hi Fi show was allied to the well supported Headroom show, while on the second floor ‘Champagne Suite’ there were literally hundreds of headphones and earphones to try out. There were live music events throughout, plus a whole series of seminars, presentations and demonstrations. There was also a gallery of famous rock star and rock band photographs by top rated photographer Ross Halfin .