Everyone was excited for this big premiere: in 2026, the industry’s most important show, HIGH END, took place in Vienna for the first time. The key takeaway right away: in the corridors you heard almost nothing but positive feedback about the new venue. The Austria Center Vienna (ACV) offered significantly more space than the MOC in Munich, higher-quality rooms, better acoustics and a wider range of room sizes. Overcrowded demo rooms seemed to be a thing of the past in Vienna, even on Saturday. Here and there, there was criticism of the long distances, unclear signage, and various areas without exhibits.
As in Munich, heavy and expensive high-end systems were attracting most of visitors. But the new venues layout, with demo rooms being further apart from each other, created a feeling that all different facets of this fascinating hobby were actually well mixed. As a general trend, we spotted more compact and more affordable HiFi components — especially a wave of more compact design speakers, soundbars and streaming components. That pretty much sums up some of the core topics of STEREO GUIDE, and it made us feel that HIGH END Vienna is even more of a home show for us than the Munich editions.
One small downside: the “World of Headphones“, which we consider very important, was located in the smaller Hall X4. As last year, numerous exhibitors attracted a younger and clearly more open-minded audience to the center of the hall. Around it, though, we also found many exhibitors who had nothing to do with mobile or personal HiFi—for example from gaming, accessories and cables. Many exciting headphone brands, in turn, were not represented in Hall X4, but spread out along the foyer corridors on the upper levels. From our point of view, the organizers could do a better job of grouping related themes together.
What were the highlights? Active speakers weren’t quite as prominent, but several manufacturers outdid themselves with compact enclosures, new designs and ever more streaming features.
Streaming speakers at the Vienna show
Cambridge Audio L/R M
The bigger brother of the Cambridge L/R S we already reviewed was a surprise. For one, the speaker was so tiny that many high-enders probably wouldn’t have expected much from it. All the greater was the amazement at the deep, rhythmically precise and punchy bass these minis were able to produce. We heard the question of where the subwoofer was more than once.
Yamaha NX-70A
Streaming sensation number two was Yamaha’s new MusicCast models. These very compact speakers, elegantly tapered towards the rear, not only breathe new life into the Japanese brand’s multiroom system, they also bridge the gap between serious speakers and design HiFi.
Denon Design Series
Yes, it looks like a well-known Danish design brand—but it’s Denon. With new models, the Japanese company, under the Harman/Sound United umbrella, is expanding its portfolio of multiroom and design speakers.
Dutch&Dutch 6c
We found a compact version of the Dutch&Dutch active speakers, almost hidden away in the last corner of Hall X5. Despite their compact dimensions, they feature directional bass/lower-mid radiation, a so-called cardioid. There was no listening impression yet, because the booth was playing the well-known larger 8c models—though very convincingly: one of the best demos of the show.
Questyle + Seas
A collaboration between Questyle and driver manufacturer Seas was probably not on most HiFi prophets’ radar. The active speakers are said to come with particularly extensive streaming features, and their extremely compact dimensions and retro design already made us want more.
HiVi X8Pro
A round form factor is still the big exception with active speakers. HiVi’s version, with recessed illuminated displays, is definitely an eye-catcher.
Electronics at High End 2026 in Vienna
Magnetar Ultima
The new two-piece Magnetar Blu-ray player Ultima was eagerly awaited by disc fans. Thanks to new software, the player can also be used as a streamer.
Nubert’s new streamer
Equipped with a large touchscreen and many digital functions, Nubert presented not only the new combo of streamer/preamplifier and power amps, but also, as a prototype, the compact multi-channel streamer/preamp nuControl X-c.
Onix
We liked the combo of streamer and DAC/headphone amp at the Onix booth—not just because of the well-executed retro design.
Dan D’Agostino
Dan D’Agostino’s aluminium enclosures are true works of art. Here’s a model from the Progression Neo series that combines two moving-coil VU meters and a screen.
Cyrus
The British manufacturer, long known for particularly compact components, returned at HIGH END 2026 with a full-featured streaming amp. The 80 Amp with full BluOS integration is set to cost €6,300.
HiFi-Rose
Clearly one of the big eye-catchers of the show: the HiFi-Rose setup, whose mono power amps offer a full-front screen with various VU displays—including a multi-view in the finest antique design.
Gadgets & Design
Ruark
For Ruark’s one-box system, there was a small CD drive available as an accessory. Not the only sign of an ongoing wave of an obvious CD revival.
Fram Midi 150P
Fram Audio specializes in industrial-design speakers—here the compact Midi 150P model with a retro tripod stand.
Kaiser
At Kaiser’s booth we saw exceptionally compact speakers fitted with drivers from specialist Purifi.
Once
The speakers from Turkish manufacturer Once were among the most photographed objects at the show. Absolutely flawless paintwork—yet the horns aren’t positioned as design HiFi, but as high end with tube amps and an ambitious price tag.
Elac clock radio
No need to fear affordable products with a high-end logo: Elac clock radios in 1970s retro design.
Lingke
Design HiFi with serious sound is what Lingke promises—from portable Bluetooth speakers in striking colours to ambitious active speakers, there was a lot on show.
Canton Townus
The German flagship manufacturer presented the already familiar Townus series with real-wood veneer cabinets and in various pastel colours.
Jamo
After the successful launch of its unusually designed home speakers, Jamo also brought several portable Bluetooth models to the show. Design-wise, we especially liked the small one with a handle.
Kanto
We mainly had the brand on our radar for affordable desktop monitors and very compact active speakers. At HIGH END 2026, the Canadians surprised with horn-loaded compact speakers.
Tone Factory
One of the most beautiful systems came from Vienna-based Tone Factory—the ultra-slim floorstanders in deep blue matched the table arrangement perfectly, which integrates not only the electronics but also the turntable.
Soundbars & Co
Dynaudio Symphony Opus One
The design of the Dynaudio room amazed with a green jungle in which several speakers played nature sounds. Among them was the large soundbar, which was also demonstrated in a separate room. Surprisingly audiophile sound with natural voices could be heard here, although the illusion of surround and soundstage width fell a bit short of expectations.
WiiM Bar
The slim Dolby Atmos soundbar with the distinctive colour display had already been announced before the show. In the main hall, the complete cinema setup with an additional subwoofer and rear speakers was then demonstrated. With no ceiling, there wasn’t much sense of Dolby Atmos, but the dynamic potential and vocal reproduction were worthy of a high-end show.
Weiss & PSI
One of the rooms that benefited multiple times over from the ACV’s good architecture. The one-box system, dubbed “LiveBar” by the partners, is said to even surpass the imaging width of a high-end stereo system. We were able to confirm that in a short listening test—if you really sat in the middle, the room illusion was genuinely astonishing thanks to an exclusive crosstalk-cancellation algorithm.
Perlisten X Series
Perlisten’s X Series promises serious home cinema sound in a very slim format; the speakers are optimized for on-wall installation.
Canton Cinema
The company from Hesse created its own small gaming zone with its new Cinema speakers, including rear speakers. Managing Director Christoph Kraus even sat down to play some well-known console games—which we happily used as an opportunity for a photo.
Headphones and mobile HiFi
Cayin CP6
A booth full of tube amplifiers—and right in the middle, a portable CD player where the word “Discman” hardly seems appropriate. The Cayin CP6 is a silver-disc spinner with a tube amp that can also be used as a D/A converter for smartphone and laptop, as well as a CD ripper.
D&A Alpha + Omega Pro
The next proof of the CD revival: a transport called Omega and a D/A converter and headphone amplifier called Alpha Pro from manufacturer D&A, in a compact format.
Spirit Torino
In Hall X4, the World of Headphones, the models from Italian manufacturer Spirit Torino were—as always—a magnet for visitors.
Austrian Audio Arranger
A particularly well-made headphone on display was Austrian Audio’s Arranger. Unfortunately, it wasn’t in the World of Headphones, but on Level 3.
Grell OAE 2
Grell brought the surprisingly affordable OAE2, at €500, to HIGH END—and accordingly many visitors wanted to know how it sounds.
High End
Bowers&Wilkins 801D5
Topic number 1 among high-enders in the corridors in Vienna was, of course, the question: “What does the new Bowers&Wilkins 800 Series sound like?” Because shortly before the show, to many people’s surprise, the Brits unveiled the D5 version of their flagship series.
After a short listening session, we’d say it combines the best of the D3 and D4 iterations: ultra high-resolution in the treble, lively, punchy and holographic, yet with particularly precise but assertive bass. A speaker with a real wow factor—but whether that kind of punch is also suitable for long listening sessions remains to be seen.
Auer Acoustics & Soulution
By far the best-sounding—and most elaborate—room could, as usual, be found at Auer Acoustics. The new Versura V6 made of densified Panzerholz impressed with especially holographic sound and punchy bass, which we otherwise missed in many presentations at the ACV. Next to company founder Robert Auer is Cyrill Hammer, who is responsible for Soulution’s electronics.
Cynaudio Confidence 30i
Alongside the XXL soundbar, Dynaudio also presented the new Confidence 30i. We enjoyed very transparent sound and impressive treble resolution, although the speaker didn’t seem to be able to really fill the room in the bass. A smaller room might have provided more warmth and foundation.
FinkTeam Spot
High end doesn’t have to be big or expensive. Veteran developer Karlheinz Fink delivered that with his new “Spot”, which — with AMT tweeter, living-room-friendly shape and a price tag still just in the four-digit range (in Euros) — is sure to make waves. Lively, especially holographic high end with bass that plays forward; many might have wished for a bit more smoothness.
Gauder DARC and Accustic Arts
We couldn’t avoid a high-end material battle after all: the large Gauder Berlina RC 15, playing on an elaborate electronics chain from Acoustic Arts in a room with an almost mystical lighting mood. Despite rather hefty bass, the combo didn’t sound like a material battle at all, but surprisingly coherent, ultimately transparent, and lively without being fatiguing. If there was anywhere you wanted to stay seated longer and simply enjoy music, it was here.
A truly blockbuster experience – Perlisten and dCS
At the Audio Reference booth, a full Atmos cinema was set up and, thankfully, demonstrated mainly with audiophile music recordings. The special feature here: Perlisten speakers and dCS’s audiophile 32-channel DAC.
People and show moments
Brand ambassador at Auer Acoustics
Canadian jazz singer Dominique Fils-Aimé presented some of her songs from vinyl pressings at Auer Acoustics and shared entertaining insights into how they were made.
Velodyne 1824 – The biggest subwoofer
Lorenzo Mamaghani proudly presented the 1824, the largest subwoofer the Velodyne brand has produced to date. 18 stands for the “small” 18-inch driver, 24 for the larger 24-inch. The super woofer with aluminium cabinet will be limited to 50 units.
Wilson Audio’s Autobiography
WA CEO Daryl Wilson presented the Autobiography super speaker at HIGH END 2026, which follows in the tradition of the WAMM and is based on his personal concept. Unfortunately, we still haven’t been able to hear the sculpture, which costs exactly €1 million.
Cambridge Audio Evo 300
Cambridge owner James Johnson-Flint didn’t miss the chance to personally show the new Evo 300 streaming amplifier. The unassuming powerhouse supports virtually all streaming variants and delivers up to 2×550 watts RMS.
Cayin tube headphone amp
Thomas Deyerling from Cayin brought the HA-1 Mk3 to the show, a particularly affordable triode amplifier for headphone enthusiasts.
Dual
Dual showcased the CS 629, a Bluetooth turntable with full automatic operation, smart app control and 78 rpm—a highlight for open-minded vinyl fans.
Press conference
As every year, a large group of journalists gathered at 11 a.m. on the first day of the show for the High End Society press conference. Canadian jazz singer Dominique Fils-Aimé opened the show in visibly high spirits and took questions from the journalists.
