STEREO Magazine Issue 22
Editor's Lead In
HIGH END 2019 And New Partnership With Enjoy the Music.com
Editorial By Tom Frantzen

  The hi-fi industry was not quite as badly hit by the smartphone-boom as for example the photo industry. On the contrary, it increasingly understands how to use this platform as a bridge. That is a plausible development when you consider how much music is now being listened to on the go and how much higher the technical level is – or could be – at home. This trend was also apparent at this year's HIGH END event in Munich, which took place from May 9th to May 12th in the M.O.C..

In numbers this year's HIGH END consisted of 551 exhibitors from 42 countries (+3.8%), 21,180 visitors (+6.5%) – the High End is entirely open to public – as well as 8,208 trade visitors from 72 countries (+8.6%).

This demonstrates how the Munich show has been increasing its international relevance with every year, but also how it kept growing noticeably overall. And that not only in numbers, but also in quality, as countless top ratings indicate. These developments have been so noticeable that Berlin and Las Vegas are likely to feel the effect in the audio but also and especially in the high-end audio sector. Munich has undoubtedly become THE top meeting place for the scene.

This year, it was particularly striking that where in the past trench warfare separated tube and transistor amplifiers, Class A from Class D, CDs from records, direct from belt drives or electrostats from horns, the focus was now more on the shared higher goal. Even the music demonstrations became not only – on average – more "expensive", but actually also better. A development that was urgently necessary, because when trained ears meet a 700,000 Euro system and one has to explain why the musical result doesn't put one in an euphoric-enthusiastic mood, a classification into the "maniac"-category is unfortunately not too far-fetched. However, as we all know, it is not always necessary to invest a lot of money in order to make at least harmonious results come true.

At the show STEREO met Steven R. Rochlin, the mastermind behind the internationally renowned audio online portal Enjoy The Music.com, and agreed on a close and mutually fruitful cooperation for the future as a partner magazine.

This HIGH END with its extremely positive mood and excellent figures stood for a "spring fever" of this sensual, experience-/ enjoyment-oriented and life-affirming industry. Good sound is quality of life!

Tom Frantzen, Editor STEREO Magazine

Download This Issue For Free At STEREO Magazine
Get this issue of STEREO Magazine for free by visiting their website.