Henley Audio Blog

27 February 2026

Bristol Hi‑Fi Show 2026: The Highlights

This weekend we proudly returned to the UK’s largest and longest‑running hi‑fi event, the Bristol Hi‑Fi Show. Showcasing a broad mix of products from Pro‑Ject, WiiM, Klipsch, Onkyo, Musical Fidelity, Rotel, Heco and Piega, we enjoyed a vibrant and exciting few days. With multiple UK debuts and new launches, the event drew in industry experts, seasoned audiophiles and curious newcomers alike, making it a standout moment in our 2026 calendar.


Pro‑Ject: A Journey Through the Debut Line

In the Pro‑Ject room, we invited visitors to explore the full evolution of the legendary Debut line, beginning with its inception in 1997 and UK introduction in 1999 right through to the upcoming Debut Reference 10, set to arrive in the UK this March. Alongside this timeline, we displayed complementary products from the S Line and E Line, allowing attendees to experience how these electronic, speaker and accessory ranges perfectly support the Debut turntables.


WiiM: Whole‑Home Audio with Impact

Our WiiM display focused on demonstrating the impressive capability of the new WiiM Sound and WiiM Sound Lite systems in a 2.1 setup featuring the WiiM Sub Pro. While passive speakers are traditionally preferred within hi‑fi circles, this showcase allowed attendees to hear the remarkable potential of WiiM’s early steps into lifestyle speaker design. With whole‑home audio and emerging home‑cinema possibilities on display - visitors were eager to learn more. We also demonstrated the intuitive WiiM Home app, while a static display of the wider product line encouraged conversation and hands‑on exploration.


Musical Fidelity: A Budget‑Friendly Path into High‑End Audio

The Musical Fidelity room offered guests an accessible introduction to a highly respected brand. The B‑Series, launched last year and featuring the EISA Award‑winning B1xi which raised the stakes of what is expected of an affordable integrated amp. Building on this success, we previewed the new B1xCD, due to arrive this spring, bringing impressive features and the signature Musical Fidelity sound. We also displayed the forthcoming additions to the M‑Series - high‑end amplifiers promising increased realism, emotional engagement and quality‑of‑life enhancements - encouraging visitors to seek out a dealer for future auditions.


Rotel: Rediscovering the 14 and 15 Series

In the Rotel room, we reintroduced attendees to the versatile 14‑Series and the performance‑focused 15‑Series. The 14‑Series delivers excellent sound without unnecessary complexity, making it ideal for anyone beginning their hi‑fi journey. Meanwhile, the 15‑Series sits at the heart of high‑fidelity performance, balancing exceptional sonic detail, dynamic range and robust build quality. This was our first time showcasing these ranges since taking on Rotel distribution in September, and the enthusiastic response spoke volumes - especially given there were no new product launches in this room. To highlight the level of excellence on offer, we paired the 15‑Series system with Piega Premium 701 Gen2 loudspeakers, resulting in a dynamic and captivating presentation.


Premium Audio Company: Klipsch and Onkyo Live Demonstrations

The PAC room centred on the Onkyo Icon Series, released late last year and solidified Onkyo's big hi-fi comeback. Alternating between the Klipsch RP‑6000F II and new The Sevens II active speakers, we showcased the brand’s range of floorstanding and bookshelf solutions, powered by the incredibly popular Roon Nucleus One as a source. Our static lineup included the upcoming The Fives II and The Nines II, both arriving in Spring 2026, along with The Sevens II and lifestyle models such as the Detroit, Nashville and One Plus. For Onkyo, visitors were able to discover the new Onkyo Muse Series ahead of its expected early‑summer launch.


Distributor of the Year Award

We were honoured to receive the Distributor of the Year Award from Clarity, the UK’s hi‑fi trade body, during their annual show event. Our sincere thanks go to the judging panel - and especially to our dealer network, whose nominations made this achievement possible.


Reflecting on an Incredible Weekend

As always, the Bristol Hi‑Fi Show proved a fantastic opportunity to meet the hi‑fi community face‑to‑face and showcase our growing portfolio. For those wanting more insight into the weekend, our Head of Sales, Kieran, spoke with Audio T about the evolving hi‑fi landscape and how our offering is a one‑stop shop for dealers, spanning turntables, speakers, streamers and even TVs.


Looking Ahead to Audio Show Deluxe

Our attention now turns to the upcoming Audio Show Deluxe - the fourth edition of a rapidly emerging must‑attend event for high‑end audio. Designed as more than just another hi‑fi exhibition, Audio Show Deluxe 2026 promises an immersive experience for both exhibitors and visitors. We’re excited to deliver another weekend of audio excellence, highlighting the luxury and high‑performance products across our portfolio. Trust us - you will not want to miss it.

Visit Us at Audio Show Deluxe