High End Society’s press release summing up the facts and figures of the show, plus read on for the High End Munich 2019 date!

“After four successful exhibition days, the 37th HIGH END in Munich ended on May 13. A total of 530 exhibitors (previous year: 538) from 41 nations and 19,899 visitors (previous year: 21,412) were counted, including 7,557 trade visitors (previous year: 8,002) from throughout the world. This represented a slight decline in visitor numbers compared to the previous year. Quite possibly, it was the almost mid-summer-like weather throughout all four days of the exhibition that prompted some potential visitors from the region to go on an excursion rather than to visit a trade fair”.

• 530 exhibitors from 41 countries (- 2%)
• 19,889 visitors in total (- 7%)
• 7,557 trade visitors from 78 countries (- 6%)
• High satisfaction among all participants

“For the trade experts, it was one of the world’s most significant events in the audio industry, for the public it was a unique world of experience –this year again, the HIGH END pivoted on these two areas of interest”.

“In total, 7,557 trade visitors from 73 countries came to Munich. This represents slightly six percent fewer visitors compared to the HIGH END 2017. The share of international trade visitors was in fact 70 percent. After Germany, the four most heavily represented countries are the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Italy and the Netherlands.

It is the combination of music presentations, the showcase of the most exquisite lines of equipment, workshops and captivating lectures that have made up the HIGH END for decades, attracting dealers, consumers, as well as representatives from the audio and supplier industry, to the exhibition in Munich.

The Managing Director of the HIGH END SOCIETY, Stefan Dreischärf, expressed his satisfaction on how the exhibition turned out, only the visitor numbers did not quite meet expectations. This was to be expected, however, given the forecast for mid-summerlike temperatures.

The Deputy Chairman of the Board of the HIGH END SOCIETY, Jürgen Timm, gave a positive assessment: “We can look back on four days of in-depth discussions with trade partners, the press and consumers. One of the highlights that comes to mind is the strong interest of consumers in qualitative comparisons between streaming solutions and traditional CD sound reproduction. The HIGH END has once again established itself as ‘the place to be’, also among the international public, and thus it will be an event not to be missed in 2019 as well.”

There is consistent consumer interest in good sound reproduction – specifically, anytime and anywhere. Multi-room and streaming components for use at home and when out and about are booming. At the same time, there also exists a reminiscence for the analog and haptic world, which means there continues to be strong demand for traditional hi-fi and albums that provide a hands-on experience”.

The Chairman, Kurt Hecker, was pleased with the consistently upbeat mood among the exhibitors: “Munich is the rendezvous point for the international audio industry. Only here can visitors and journalists from Germany and abroad gain comprehensive information on the latest developments and innovations and discover first-hand the know-how and excellence in the industry.”

SAVE THE DATE!

The next High End Munich will take place from May 9 to 12, 2019 again in the exhibition area of the MOC in Munich.

Read all the High End Munich 2018 coverage here!