Review:Bristol HiFi Show
Showcasing the latest innovations in audio technology
The Bristol Hi-Fi Show stands as the UK’s largest and longest-running consumer Hi-Fi event, celebrated annually for enthusiasts and industry leaders. Hosted at the Delta Hotel by Marriott Bristol City Centre.
O
rganised by Audio T, the country’s oldest specialist Hi-Fi retailer founded
in 1966. Over the years, by joining forces with respected retailers, Audio Excellence, Hampshire Audio, Jefferies Hi-Fi and Practical Hi-Fi, the Show has cemented its place as a cornerstone of the British Hi-Fi calendar. (
https://www.bristolshow.co.uk ) With a rich history spanning decades, it has
attracted thousands of visitors and hundreds of exhibitors from around the globe, showcasing the latest innovations in audio technology. This year was no exception as the experts
representing a vast line-up of 142 British and International brands occupied all available facilities of the hotel all the way up to the fourth-floor bedrooms. Appropriately, being the largest UK Show
of its kind, the Hi-Fi trade association, Clarity, held its 2026 Hi-Fi Industry Awards at the Show, marking a return to Bristol for its presentation ceremony, at which the winners, voted for by the members of the industry, were announced. Following the success of the first Hi-Fi
Industry Awards, held last year, this year’s categories were once again focused on key participants in the industry, rather than the previous “Best of Show” format. Many of the categories were open to the industry to vote, with the winners chosen being those with the greatest number of nominations.
Emily Beale, Monitor Audio
The winners chosen by the industry’s votes
were: • Manufacturer of the Year - Gold Note (
https://www.goldnote.it) • Distributor of the Year - Henley Audio (
https://www.henleyaudio.co.uk) • Retail Salesperson - Paul Clarke of HiFi Lounge (
https://hifilounge.co.uk) • Manufacturer Salesperson - Stuart Marchant of REL Acoustics (
https://rel.net) • Most Significant Product Launch - Michell Gyro & Revolv (
https://www.mitchellaudio.com) The Clarity board of directors reserved three
categories for people it felt deserved special recognition. These were: ‘The Women in HiFi Significant Achievement
Award’, presented to Linette Smith of Hi-fi Pig for her dedication to the cause of women working in the industry. Emily Beale, from Monitor Audio, was
recognised for the real and valued difference she has made for her employer in her marketing role. Emily was awarded the first ‘Unsung Hero Award’.
Understanding that the industry needs
younger people to ensure its longevity, the ‘Rising Star Award’ was presented to Chris Burton from Home Media Maidstone, for his infectious enthusiasm, dedication to customers, product knowledge and expertise. Elizabeth Gould, Clarity chairperson (also
Above: Elizabeth Gould, Clarity
MD of Martins Hi-Fi in Norwich), comments, “We are delighted to be able to recognise the talents and achievements of people in the industry and are particularly pleased that the majority of these awards were voted for by the winners’ peers and members of the public. It is very encouraging to see the participation of the industry and the obvious admiration and good standing in which the winners are held. I would like to add my personal congratulations to all who won and those who were nominated.” Clarity thanked the management at PMC
Loudspeakers for hosting the Awards in its room, following on from its own event celebrating the first anniversary of its Prophecy range. PMC was presented with a special recognition award as a ‘thank you’.
About Clarity Clarity is the Hi-Fi industry’s trade association - an alliance of the best of the audio and video industries. Its mission is to get more people into more stores, so that they can experience just what drives the collective passion. It aims to achieve this through creative and innovative promotional campaigns, while raising the standards of the wider specialist hi-fi and home cinema sector. Clarity membership is open to manufacturers,
distributors, retailers, the media and individuals working in the specialist hi-fi and home cinema industry – everyone, in fact, to whom the health of the industry matters. •
www.clarityhifi.co.uk
Simon Powell, Henley Audio 46 |
www.ierdaily.co.uk PEOPLE MAKE THE DIFFERENCE
Tom Loader, PMC Spring 2026
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