Several major Hi Fi distributors, who were disapointed with the Australian Hi Fi AV show run by the Chester Group, have moved to support the new International HiFi Show that kicks off in Melbourne next month.
The event that runs from July 1st – 3rd 2016 will be held at the at Pullman Mercure Hotel, Albert Park in Albert Park.
Melbourne based distributor Qualifi will use the event to reveal the new Heos Link which adds Heos functionality to an existing stereo or home theatre system.
Apart from playback of FLAC, WAV and ALAC files up to and including 24-bit/192kHz, this new version of the Heos Link has built-in Bluetooth and also supports dual band ‘AC’ Wi-Fi networks.
Also supporting the show are International brands such as Sennheiser who will display their top end HD 800S and the HD 630VB headphones. Bowers & Wilkins is set to to Premiere the new 800 Diamond Series speakers. The $283,000 Raidho Acoustics D-5.1 Speakers will also be shown for the fist time at the Melbourne show, along with new TechDAS Air Force III Turntable. The Show is also the venue for the Australian premiere of the Australian designed Doemann Helix One Turntable.
Melbourne based Hi Fi specialist, Mark Rushton, announced the International Hi Fi Show up against the struggling Chester Group run event earlier this year.
Several brands that in the past have supported the Australian Hi Fi Show, have switched to the International even t due to what has been described as “poor attendance” at the Australian show. The Chester Group event has in the past been held in locations that several exhibitors have said were not suitable for high end Hi Fi demonstrations.
The last Australian Hi Fi Show show at Homebush in NSW was described as “a disaster”.
This year the vent is set to be held in a Melbourne Hotel right in the CBD where car parking prices are a “premium”.
Also impacting the show has been a move to networked Hi Fi products that are primarily sold via mass retailers and not the specialist Channel where the Chester Group who are hooked up with Australian Hi Fi Magazine have been generating leads.
The CEO of a major HI Fi distribution Company said “The past Australian Hi Fi & AV shows have been a waste of time and money. There has been limited attendees and exhibitors have ended up talking among themselves. We have been to two of their events we will not be exhibiting at this year’s event”.
The International Hi Fi Show will host more than 65 elite brands in over 50 exhibition spaces.
The show’s focus is on traditional stereo and will capitalize on the vinyl resurgence with dozens of turntables set to be exhibited.
Marc Rushton the Show Organizer said, “The International Hi Fi Show has been two years in the making, creating the perfect opportunity for Australian consumers to truly appreciate the enjoyment of music and Hi Fi,” he says.
