Oh, it’s good to be back. The Bristol Hi-Fi Show – the UK’s largest and longest running dedicated hi-fi show – has been off our schedule for three years and for me personally I was more excited than usual to be back.
People make fun of me when I say this, but I really love the Bristol Hi-Fi Show. i joined Which Hi-Fi? over a decade ago and it’s still one of my favorite events of the year. It’s where the audio industry gathers year after year (in the exact same place, even in the exact same demo room) to celebrate all things hi-fi. It’s familiar, the people are nice and there’s a real buzz around seeing the latest (and sometimes older) audio kit.
And with 160 participating brands, there was plenty to see. New launches, products already announced but getting their first public showing, surprising revelations and some classics that I never get tired of.
I recommend checking out our Bristol Show Highlights page for a fuller picture (including lots of hands-on photos) of all the new announcements and more of what the brands showed this year, from Naim to Technics, Rotel to PMC.
But here I’ve picked out a handful of products from the Bristol Show that not only caught my eye and piqued my interest, but that I couldn’t stop talking about with my colleagues. These are the best hi-fi products that stuck with me all show weekend.
Rega Naia
Rega had a world exclusive unveiling of its new high-end turntable, in celebration of the company’s 50th anniversary this year. The Rega Naia is a production-ready version of the legendary Naiad (an engineering exercise that was never intended to go into production, but was in huge demand – only 50 will be made). The Naia (£12,000 with the Aphelion 2 MC cartridge fitted) is designed as a real-world model that can actually be bought and enjoyed.
The turntable has a carbon fiber skeleton plinth and a one-piece titanium tonearm, but it won’t officially launch until Fall 2023. Can’t wait to hear it when it’s ready.
Wharfedale Dovedale & Audiolab 9000 Series
Wharfedale announced the Dovedale, the latest and greatest classic model to be revived in the Heritage Series, just days before opening its doors at the Bristol Show. And sister brand Audiolab also announced brand new 7000 and 9000 series electronics just a few months ago.
Not only were all the new products on show, but conveniently the new 9000A Integrated Amplifier and 9000CDT CD Transport powered the Dovedale speakers during the demo.
While a fair (especially one that takes place acoustically Antreated hotel rooms) is not the ideal environment for any kind of critical listening, it was a match that seemed to work well. The system sounded open, smooth and grand in an effortless way. Sure, the Dovedales have the advantage of a fairly large cabinet volume (around 65 litres), but it did show a tantalizing glimpse of what the retro style speakers are capable of.
Lyngdorf Cue-100
Lyngdorf’s new Cue-100 loudspeakers caught the team’s attention from the start, thanks to its modern Scandi design that looks timeless and futuristic at the same time. But it’s the Purifi technology with Neutral Surround Geometry that’s the real star.
What is that exactly? It’s the unusually creased, corrugated design of the surround that surrounds, well, the aluminum mid/bass driver. Lyngdorf uses a ‘ring shape [consisting] of alternating ridges” here, designed to eliminate any distortions caused by the movement of the surround, and aims to deliver ultra-low levels of distortion.
And while you can’t quite see it clearly in the photo above, it’s a design that looks absolutely revolutionary.
Pro-Ject colorful audio system
What’s the best way to stand out in a hi-fi show? A bright yellow finish. This system looks so good, I couldn’t resist going back to see it repeatedly on the show.
Pro-Ject’s colorful audio system cleverly packs everything you need into one tidy system: a Debut Carbon Evo turntable, a MaiA S3 streaming amp, Speaker Box 5 S2 two-way speakers and even the cables are thrown in.
All for £1599, and ideal for anyone wanting to get started with hi-fi or take the plunge into vinyl And stream. And the fact that the whole system comes in a range of attractive finishes (yellow, blue, green, white, black, walnut) does the trick.
Martin Logan & AVM
We knew Martin Logan and AVM would be on the show, but I wasn’t quite prepared for how good this combination sounded in the room.
The new Motion and Motion XT speakers aim to combine the open sound of electrostatics in a traditional cabinet design, while the versatile AVM CS 5.3 all-in-one player boasts 350W per channel and gave the system plenty of grunt.
Despite being a noisy trading floor, the system managed to cut through the chatter and sounded clear, punchy and rhythmic. Impressive.
Meze Audio 109 Pro
Headphones were few and far between, but Meze Audio stood out from the crowd for miles. Not only were the Romanian company’s high-end Elite and Liric headphones scattered throughout the show and paired with Chord Electronics and EarMen DACs/amplifiers, but I also got my hands on the new 109 Pro open-back dynamic cans. They look and feel sumptuous: signature sculpted wood housings mixed with plush ear cushions.
JBL Classic series
Which Hi-Fi? has already reviewed JBL’s new Classic range of electronics at CES 2023, but this was the first time they had been shown to the UK public. And crucially, it’s the first time I’ve seen them in real life. The CD350 player, two stereo amplifiers (SA550 and SA750), MP350 music streamer and TT350 turntable all look good and add a streamlined touch to the vintage revival that has been very popular.
I hope they sound as good as they look.
Vibrant Audio Kaya S12
Sometimes you come across a new brand – big or small – that makes an impact and you keep talking about it. Vivid Audio hasn’t been to a trade show for quite some time, but the South African company decided to show up in Bristol this year.
And I’m glad they did: the new small Kaya S12 standmounters certainly stood out. It wasn’t just because of the shiny purple finish (you can request most colors to match your car), but the designer/technical director behind the speakers is one Laurence Dickie. If the name sounds familiar, it’s because he’s the one who designed the original, iconic B&W Nautilus speakers.
The S12 cost around £6,000 a pair, and Laurence said the warm response they’ve received at the show hopefully points to Vivid Audio making bigger waves in the UK market.
Wilson Benesh
Wilson Benesch presented an impressive display of new ACT 3zero floorstanding loudspeakers (shown here in a purple finish), replacing the signature carbon fiber enclosure – which the Yorkshire company has used for years – with sustainably sourced and bio-based composite materials in its construction.
It’s an interesting move from the speaker company, whose products have always been at the forefront of technology.
Michael Gyro
An oldie but a goldie… no Bristol Hi-Fi Show would be complete for me without a visit to the Michell Engineering room. It’s a chance to look at and listen to the iconic Gyro turntable (as well as Orbe and Tecnodec models).
The Gyro SE and GyrdoDec models have been making elegant, iconic turntables since the 1960s and have even made it onto the silver screen. They are always a pleasure to experience in person.
MORE:
Highlights Bristol Hi-Fi Show 2023: all the news and the latest products
Wharfedale Dovedale is the latest, largest speaker to join the Heritage Series revival
Wilson Benesch will wow visitors to the Bristol Hi-Fi Show with new ACT 3zero loudspeakers
Leema Acoustics Unveils 25th Anniversary Quantum Hi-Fi Range at Bristol Hi-Fi Show