Click images above to enlarge. (Above entrance images only)

Report by Robin Francis

I confess, the Bristol HI-FI Show 2025 was not actually marked in my digital diary to attend.
As I dug deeper into the world of hi-fi since attending the 2024 show, I had my eyes set on shows across the pond (Warsaw Audio Video Show – Munich – Axpona) to name just three! However, it wasn’t just my wallet that had other plans!

My Bristol 2024 report seemed to strike a chord with hi-fi enthusiasts who attended that year (thank you so much for your positive communication). Coupled with a new Music Listening room home demonstrations with friends at the beginning of 2025, appeared to reignite curiosity and possibilities. It was therefore a great pleasure to offer requested opinions and follow friends and patrons who attended this years’ show. We collectively investigated researched hi-fi brands for a possible hi-fi upgrade, or complete hi-fi component renewal?

Variety and quality

Variety and quality of individual company exhibitions (considering logistics space and time) seems to improve every year. I also noticed many exhibitors are reducing the ‘talk it up’ part of listening sessions, allowing the components, set-up and music to speak for themselves. Patrons are appreciating this!

Show winner?

This year there was one room that stood out as being a clear musical winner. The Innuous room! I can still feel Abdullah Ibrahim and Sara Bareilles in my bones…

Handing over to the next gen (generation)…

Last year I reported positively regarding the increase in the attendance of a younger generation of music lovers & hi-fi enthusiasts. I hoped to see them return this year. Thankfully, my hopes were turned into reality in the form of sixteen year old Eli Mayne.
Read Eli's Bristol HI-FI Show 2025 report here...

Audio Note

With guest speaker Old Grey Whistle Test host, radio presenter “Whispering” Bob Harris at the helm. The audio Note room was packed wall-to-wall with eager ears hanging on to every rock & pop story-line and subsequent associated recording shared. Now this is a great way to engage an audience and showcase audio. That feeling of ‘being there’ during the performance, or recording had an added flavour!

Kerr Acoustic consistency

Last year Jes Kerr (KerrAcoustic) impressed many with his debut attendance showcasing his K300 mk.3 speakers. This year he proved last years’ success was no fluke. One particular patron remarked as he reluctantly left the room. “Damn, those speakers sound good..!” I did notice Townshend speaker podiums were in place (as per last year) but different speaker cable, interconnects and components were being used this time round and the sonic signature had changed, but music remained inviting and musical. Goes to show, these speakers are versatile.

MartinLogan

As a long-time MartinLogan ESL speaker owner it was great to see a pair of MartinLogan ESL’s (MartinLogan Electromotion ESL) in full working order (rather than for display purposes only). MartinLogan ESL’s are revered transparent sounding speakers that require specific amplification to get the very best out of them. Such attention to ‘set-up’ detail might take time, but once achieved, I challenge any serious music lover to not fall in love with what they hear and feel. Of course there are other speakers that could offer a similar transparent, uncoloured musical signature which require less attention regarding potential future maintenance? I respect that PMC (UK distributor) made an excellent effort this time round to demonstrate just what these type of speaker can deliver. I look forward to offering PMC the highest praise when I feel they have hit a musical home run!

Rel

Rel owner John Hunter and his team certainly know how to WOW their audience. Previous years have seen Rel demonstrate their Line Array subwoofers in small rooms. On this occasion a large room in the basement area was utilised to full effect.

The demonstration began with playback of a single piano track by Japanese piano virtuoso ‘Hiromi,’ utilising their six pack Line Array stack system (6x REL Acoustics No. 31 subwoofers) together with a pair of Stenheim Alumine Five SE floorstanders (£44,995.00). The same track was played back after disconnecting individual units (rows) within the subwoofer stack, thus demonstrating clearly the impact of the Line Array set-up. There were gasps of positivity throughout the room and the silence as one patron asked the ‘cost’ question. Obviously John Hunter has answered this question more times than I personally have paid out such sums – Around $45,000. I will let you work out the $ - £ conversion if you need to do so? I do love those Audio Research 330M Monoblock Amplifiers. They delivered power, speed and musicality into all speakers connected (£92,000 pair). System total cost £300K!

Go to The Bristol HI-FI Show 2025 page two

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