Audiophile shows are finally back this year and arguably the most important one globally, High End Munich, returned for the first time since 2019 and attracted almost 20,000 attendees to the May 19-22 event held in Germany.
Though it did not quite reach annual pre-pandemic levels of 21,000+ such as when CE Pro attended in 2019 – the last time the event was staged – High End Munich attracted 19,767 enthusiastic audiophiles who clamored for the show, which was canceled in spring 2020 and fall 2021 due to Covid.
“The High End is back, and we are overjoyed that it was such a resounding success,” says Stefan Dreischärf, managing director of High End Munich organizer the High End Society. “The feedback from our exhibitors, not to mention the trade public, the visitors and the press, was overwhelming.”
Always among the most highly anticipated audiophile events of the year, High End Munich offered 450 exhibiting companies from 40 countries to cover 28,000 square meters of the MOC Event Center.
For audio fans and companies, this spring has been music to their ears as High End Munich’s return from hiatus followed April’s staging of AXPONA (Audio Expo North America) outside Chicago with T.H.E. (The Home Entertainment) Show on tap for June 10-12 in Long Beach, Calif.
The international High End Munich event featured an intensified B2B focus over the first two days this year, organizers note, and among the 800 brands presented were many leading, established names as well as also up-and-coming firms, which set up shop in the Start-Up Area.
High End Munich Attendees Treated to Audiophile Goods & More
Attendees got to indulge in intelligent streaming solutions, state-of-the-art turntables, traditional tube amplifiers and proven two-channel technology throughout the event. Plus, in the World of Headphones section, visitors were able to listen to and compare a huge range of models, show organizers mention.
“Since the last High End, which took place in May 2019, quite a lot has changed in the audio industry,” the High End Society notes.
“From new manufacturing methods to the use of novel materials, the manufacturers have used the past three years to further develop their products and to introduce innovative technology into the market. Visitors were able to marvel not only at traditional craftsmanship but also at components that came right out of the 3D printer.”
Besides all of the exhibits to take in, attendees had other audio experiences available that elevated the return of High End Munich.
Most notably, famed audio engineer, producer and musician Alan Parsons, whose credits include working with Pink Floyd and The Beatles, served as High End Munich brand ambassador.
On the heels of being presented the OBE Award in London by Prince William two days earlier, Parsons offered anecdotes and insights during an opening day press conference and on Saturday of the show met with ticket lottery winning fans to greet them and sign autographs.
Parsons even visited some exhibiting audio companies to talk shop and hear about their audiophile wares.
On Saturday evening, American singer Lori Lieberman engaged attendees with a concert accompanied by C.S.Q. – Christian Schumacher Quartet from Munich – during which the singer and songwriter debuted her new album, Truly.
Audiophiles can mark their calendars for next year as High End Munich plans to return to the MOC Event Center in May 18-21, 2023.
