Now that the High End show has moved from Munich to Vienna, what will audiophiles encounter there this week? One thing they'll encounter is not one but a multiplicity of shows—the big, main show, and at least three much smaller shows. The first four-day High End Vienna, sponsored by the High End Society, opens at the Austria Center Vienna on June 4, and runs through June 7, 2026.
Like Munich before it, High End Vienna is the largest and most important audio show in the world. A representative of High End Vienna told Stereophile that this year's show will have "nearly" 500 exhibitors, more than 1000 brands, at least 430 registered journalists (with 550 expected), and a projected 22,000 visitors. The show will, they say, fill the more than 30,000 square meters at the Austria Center Vienna. The show's first two days are business-to-business; the last two days are open to the public.
So many brands are planning world premieres that constructing a comprehensive list is impossible. Much else is impossible or difficult to predict. How will the exhibit spaces sound, given that precious few have solid walls? What will the corridor traffic be like, given the addition of outside-room exhibits with no sound? There's an official, 360º venue tour, which inexplicably spends a lot of time in the men's room.
The biggest issue surrounding this year's show is whether the new venue has enough space—as in, enough listening rooms of adequate size, and enough booths in the exhibit halls. Claudia Kazner, press and public relations manager for the High End Society, High End Vienna, told Stereophile that the show is "fully booked." Even the performance by brand ambassador Dominique Fils-Aimé, of Canada, is sold out. Kazner insists, though, that the new venue offers exhibitors more opportunities than the old one did.
"We have over 500 exhibitors and co-exhibitors and offer more space at the ACV [Austria Center Vienna] than ever in Munich," Kazner wrote by email. "We have four halls, and every room at the ACV is occupied. The number of rooms is nearly the same in Munich, but we have more variety regarding the size, from 21m2 to 500m2. The size of the halls is also bigger than in Munich. In total, our exhibitors use more space in the halls and on the levels at the ACV (rooms and halls) than in Munich.
"One more difference is that the exhibitors can also use the free spaces in front of their rooms," Kazner continued. "Maybe it helps if you take a look at the 360 degrees tour."
If there's so much space at the main show, then why have so many alternative shows popped up? The three-day HiFi Deluxe (June 5–7, 2026) has long been a satellite of the High End show. HiFi Deluxe will take place in the Arcotel Kaiserwasser, a nine-minute walk from the Austria Center. Some of the 40-or-so brands listed , including Jadis and Metronome/Kalista, told Stereophile that they were unable to secure exhibit space at the main show. Others, including JMF Audio, decided to exhibit at HiFi Deluxe because they considered it the superior option. A few brands also have a presence at both shows.
Another alternative show is the four-day Vienna Sound Fest (June 4–7, 2026). Located in the Techgate Building, a 3–4-minute walk from the main show, it promises 24 brands including AudioNostrum, Vinnie Rossi, Esoteric, Transrotor, Siltech/Crystal Cable, Artesania Audio, Kroma, Marten, YG Acoustics with TechDAS, Wadax with Kuzma, Pilium, Teac, Tannoy, and Taiko Audio. "Due to the lack of available space at the main High End Vienna venue this year," the organizers wrote in an email received by Stereophile, "Vienna Sound Fest was created as an additional platform where different international brands will be presenting their products during the event."
Finally, the free, four-day Xclusive High End Show Vienna (June 4–7, 2026) is in the Ares Tower, which is right across the street from the High End Vienna venue, and is, at most, a five-minute walk. Xclusive lists just eight brands—but they're good ones, including Aequo Audio, Aries Cerat, and Pink Faun. Some of these companies told Stereophile that they were unable to secure adequate space at the main show, and in some cases, not any space at all.
At least one longtime High End show exhibitor, Tidal, opted out of exhibiting entirely. Instead, Tidal has invited industry folks to hear their premieres in their new factory in Erftstadt, Germany. Octave Audio, too, has opted for one-on-one meetings. They've done this for years, regardless of space availability.
The High End Society says there's plenty of space; some exhibitors say there isn't. These competing narratives have muddied high-end waters for months.
Several people Stereophile spoke to said that, after having a room at the main show every year in Munich, they were unable to secure a room in Vienna. One person who didn't get a room said that the High End Society was giving first dibs to High End members. Kazner, the Society's rep, denies this.
While none of the twelve or so major brand owners and distributors I've communicated with over the last few days disputed the High End Society's facts and figures, they did question aspects of that narrative. Some would-be exhibitors welcomed being quoted, but we decided not to mention any of them by name. Instead, we identify each of them by a letter. (footnote 1)
A: "We were one of the lucky ones who got a room. Yes, we did apply as soon as we could. I guess we have been part of the show for more than a decade, which probably helped. Many of our friends were snubbed, which makes me wonder why they moved to a smaller space."
B: "I started requesting space options for the brand I represent in November 2025. I know two other brands that did the same. When I didn't get the space, the answer was that High End Society members have priority over Munich longtime exhibitors."
C: "One of our brands, which formerly had their own exhibit room at the main show, did not get a room of its own this year. Instead, it is partnering with other brands. I cannot confirm this, but I have been told by multiple people in Europe that there are about 65% of the rooms available that were available at the MOC [Event Center]. If that is true, I don't understand how anybody could possibly suggest that there are as many display rooms unless they count static displays."
D: "We were indeed put on the waiting list by the High End Society after years of exhibiting as a brand at previous editions in Munich. […] [Rather than wait] for their decision, I booked a suite elsewhere. I find the High End organization particularly poor; they were aggressive and haughty. Lesson learned."
E. "We do not want to criticize too much the High End Society, but I have to confess that the move to Vienna has been a real mess. We wonder how they decided to allocate or not allocate rooms to the exhibitors. We finally decided to cancel our participation there because we were not able to get a room like we wanted, and several other little things: no communication or late communication, fees increases […] ."
F. "We are taking a 'wait and see' approach, somewhat. I'm attending to get the lay of the land, and I encouraged one of the brands I distribute to partner with other companies rather than investing in their own room, at least for the first year."
G: "Only one of our two companies exhibited at the main show last year. […] They were slow with everyone. That's why our two companies locked down an alternate venue early, so that we would have something solid. Then we turned down the High End Society's offer, which arrived long after we had applied."
H: "We had one of the largest rooms in Vienna, but we didn't get a room big enough this year."
I: "I believe there are far fewer rooms than in Munich. They say they have more variety of rooms, but some of those are smaller rooms, and most of us don't want smaller rooms. Most people in Munich had 65m2 rooms, but many of the rooms in Vienna are smaller."
J: "We were considering exhibiting at both the main show and one of the alternate shows, where one of us exhibited last year. Late in the game, the High End Society offered us a space in the main exhibition hall equipped with a temporary 'sound cabin.' We did not feel this would do our brands justice. Nor did we feel that the extra investment was worth the cost and diffusion of our effort. We exhibited at the alternative show last year and had a positive experience, with less chaos and a significantly better sounding and more generous space."
There's even a persistent rumor that the High End show will return to Munich, either next year or some future year. One rumor says that the show was forced to leave the MOC because it was due to be repurposed or razed. However, some say those plans have changed, and the venue may yet be available. Kazner, though, insisted that High End will remain in Vienna for at least two more years. "We have a three-year contract with the Austria Center Vienna, and the dates for 2027 and 2028 are fixed," she wrote.
Final thoughts
Drawing firm conclusions from all this is difficult, and perhaps unwise. Given the degree of change, some dissatisfaction is to be expected. None of the showgoers' testimony disproves the High End Society narrative, yet it does point to some dissatisfaction. Such issues, though, are at the outside edges. Here's hoping that High End Vienna is a great experience for all involved. May music and harmony prevail.
Footnote 1: Stereophile collected names, so we know who they are. They're real people representing real companies.
If there's so much space at the main show, then why have so many alternative shows popped up? The three-day HiFi Deluxe (June 5–7, 2026) has long been a satellite of the High End show. HiFi Deluxe will take place in the Arcotel Kaiserwasser, a nine-minute walk from the Austria Center. Some of the 40-or-so brands listed , including Jadis and Metronome/Kalista, told Stereophile that they were unable to secure exhibit space at the main show. Others, including JMF Audio, decided to exhibit at HiFi Deluxe because they considered it the superior option. A few brands also have a presence at both shows.
Another alternative show is the four-day Vienna Sound Fest (June 4–7, 2026). Located in the Techgate Building, a 3–4-minute walk from the main show, it promises 24 brands including AudioNostrum, Vinnie Rossi, Esoteric, Transrotor, Siltech/Crystal Cable, Artesania Audio, Kroma, Marten, YG Acoustics with TechDAS, Wadax with Kuzma, Pilium, Teac, Tannoy, and Taiko Audio. "Due to the lack of available space at the main High End Vienna venue this year," the organizers wrote in an email received by Stereophile, "Vienna Sound Fest was created as an additional platform where different international brands will be presenting their products during the event."
Finally, the free, four-day Xclusive High End Show Vienna (June 4–7, 2026) is in the Ares Tower, which is right across the street from the High End Vienna venue, and is, at most, a five-minute walk. Xclusive lists just eight brands—but they're good ones, including Aequo Audio, Aries Cerat, and Pink Faun. Some of these companies told Stereophile that they were unable to secure adequate space at the main show, and in some cases, not any space at all.
Several people Stereophile spoke to said that, after having a room at the main show every year in Munich, they were unable to secure a room in Vienna. One person who didn't get a room said that the High End Society was giving first dibs to High End members. Kazner, the Society's rep, denies this.
Drawing firm conclusions from all this is difficult, and perhaps unwise. Given the degree of change, some dissatisfaction is to be expected. None of the showgoers' testimony disproves the High End Society narrative, yet it does point to some dissatisfaction. Such issues, though, are at the outside edges. Here's hoping that High End Vienna is a great experience for all involved. May music and harmony prevail.
Footnote 1: Stereophile collected names, so we know who they are. They're real people representing real companies.
