EP 065 HiFi Show 2026 review - Best and Worst HiFi.
HiFi Show Melbourne 2026: Two HiFi Experts, One Show and Plenty of Different Opinions
What were the best loudspeakers and HiFi systems at the StereoNet HiFi & AV Expo in Melbourne 2026? And does spending more money really guarantee better sound? In Episode 065 of Not An Audiophile – The Podcast, host Andrew Hutchison joins StereoNET and Resistor Magazine reviewer Peter Katsooolis for an entertaining, independent assessment of Australia's biggest and best HiFi Expo. For a full episode interview with Peter Katsoolis listen to Episode 055 - HiFi is Back.
From affordable stereo systems to extraordinary high-end audio equipment, the conversation explores what impressed, what disappointed and what made the exhibition worth attending. Drawing on their different experiences in the HiFi industry, Andrew and Peter discuss the equipment, demonstrations and listening experiences that stood out, frequently discovering that their opinions are anything but identical.
Best Loudspeakers at StereoNet HiFi & AV Expo 2026: Bowers & Wilkins, AlsyVox, Klipsch and More
Which loudspeakers delivered the most convincing sound at the show? Andrew was particularly impressed by the relatively affordable Bowers & Wilkins 707 bookshelf speakers, praising their engaging, detailed and dynamic presentation. At the other end of the spectrum, the AlsyVox panel loudspeakers demonstrated by Pura Sound produced one of the episode's most entertaining disagreements. Peter found them exceptionally emotionally engaging, while Andrew remained decidedly unconvinced. The pair also discuss Klipsch, including the OJAS collaboration and La Scala loudspeakers, alongside other notable demonstrations involving Rockport Technologies, Marten and high end audio electronics. Their contrasting reactions demonstrate why even experienced listeners can reach very different conclusions about the same loudspeaker.
High End HiFi Prices: Is a $670,000 Audio System with $140,000 in Cables Worth It?
High end audio pricing has become one of the industry's most contentious subjects, and the StereoNet HiFi & AV Expo provided plenty of material for discussion. Andrew and Peter examine a system presented with a total value of approximately $670,000, including an astonishing $140,000 worth of AudioQuest cables. But does extraordinary expenditure necessarily translate into an extraordinary listening experience? The discussion moves beyond expensive loudspeakers and amplifiers to question what constitutes genuine value in high end HiFi. With demonstrations featuring prestigious equipment and brands including McIntosh, Sonus Faber, Rockport Technologies and CH Precision, the episode asks whether the pursuit of ultimate sound quality sometimes becomes disconnected from the simple enjoyment of music.
Best Affordable HiFi at HiFi Show Melbourne: March Audio, Western Acoustics and Real Value for Money
Not everything impressive at this year's StereoNet HiFi & AV Expo carried an extravagant price tag. Andrew and Peter discuss several demonstrations that offered convincing musical performance without requiring a six-figure investment.
Australian manufacturer March Audio receives praise for its combination of sound quality, engineering and value, while Weston Acoustics stands out for its locally manufactured valve amplifiers, featuring handmade transformers and prices starting around $2,000. Andrew considers Weston Acoustics one of the show's outstanding bargains, and Peter agrees. The discussion also considers how affordable loudspeakers can perform exceptionally well when partnered with quality electronics. For listeners interested in building a genuinely satisfying stereo system, these demonstrations provide an encouraging alternative to the increasingly expensive world of luxury HiFi.
Are HiFi Shows Worth Attending? What the Stereonet Melbourne HiFi Show Revealed About Great Sound
Can you really judge a loudspeaker or amplifier in a hotel room at a HiFi exhibition? Andrew and Peter discuss the limitations of unfamiliar rooms, difficult acoustics, compromised speaker placement and the considerable logistical challenges manufacturers face when transporting equipment across Australia. Some systems performed beautifully, while others appeared constrained by their surroundings. Yet despite these difficulties, both came away with a positive impression of the exhibition, particularly the variety of equipment, quality of demonstrations and enthusiasm of the people attending.
Ultimately, Episode 065 of Not An Audiophile is about more than identifying the best HiFi equipment on show this year. It's a reminder that great sound is personal, price is no guarantee of musical enjoyment, and hearing equipment for yourself remains one of the most valuable experiences in HiFi.
PEOPLE MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Andrew Hutchison
Peter Katsoolis - Reviewer StereoNet and Resistor Magazine
Alan March - March Audio
Brad Serhan - Serhan Swifft
Bjorn Bengtsson - Nordost
Earle Weston - Weston Acoustics
Edgar Kramer - Soundstage! Australia
Jack Miura - Air Tight
John De Sensi - OAD Ultrafidelity
Rob Campbell - Pura Sound
dothmusic-industry people
BRANDS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Commonwealth Electronics
Fidelity Research
THIS EPISODE
Andrew Hutchison - Host
Peter Katsoolis - Host
Sharron Hayden - Editing Copywriting
Thanks to these fine Global HiFi Brands for their Support.
