I review a lot of audio headgear on my blog because it is convenient – brands and agencies can ship over to my address and I can review any time and anywhere. Desktop speakers and amps can also be reviewed at my home since they are relatively convenient to move around. But loudspeakers and audiophile amplifiers are entirely out of my scope. There are a couple of Hi-Fi shows happening regularly in Singapore but they are focused on the high-end, spec-wise and price-wise. It’s like asking me to walk into a Porsche or Mazerati showroom casually just to feel the vehicle, sit inside just for fun, and ask for a test drive.
At Asia Hi-Fi & AV Expo, I can walk into a five- and six-figure audio setup and listen to them without looking out of place and drawing attention to sales staff. And you can still blend in with the crowd as most of them are probably not in the income bracket, because this show offers a wide spectrum of audio products that appeals to anyone who enjoys listening to audio.
I enjoyed this inaugural Hi-Fi expo by StereoNET . The show offers an excellent mix of Hi-Fi, AV products, from the hardcore audiophile amps and six-figure 200kg speakers to budget-friendly earbuds, it offers visitors a wide spectrum of audio experience, even including car stereo audio. There is also a record fair selling vinyl and CDs that are so packed that I don’t really have space to crate dig (yet I wonder why my Carousell vinyl listings are not getting attention).
This expo is worth visiting because first, it’s FREE. Second, the exhibitor mix caters to a wide range of audio lovers, both headphones and loudspeakers. Or if you only go for high-end stuff who never stepped foot into a consumer headphone shop, you can check out the Headzone for some wired in-ears (some are not cheap, mind you). Lastly, it’s at MBS so you are just minutes away from retail therapy and nature detox even if the products bore you.
While the expo exhibits an equal exposure on Hi-Fi amps and cables, it’s the speakers that caught my ears. No doubt the electronics and circuitry contribute to the audio delivery, it is a topic that is beyond me on how they help drive the speakers to the pinnacle performance. What I can say is that I enjoy listening to the new JBL Summit series speakers, and playing live on the show is the Summit Everest, a 3.5-way dual 15-inch floor-standing reference loudspeaker weighing 237.2 kg and retails in Singapore at S$199,000 a pair. Like Justin says, the music that they play attracts a certain type of audience. During the sessions we went, the curator played acoustic instrumental tracks with subtle bass lines and pristine percussion mix. We thought the speakers could take on more complex modern genres, but perhaps we will get to hear it in the future.
Right next to JBL room is the Audio Exotics room, the only acoustically-treated setup in the expo. The exhibitor surrounded the listening room with cloth curtain and reflectors, delivering possibly the best-sounding listening experience at the event.
The other room that I love is setup by hifi.com.sg . They designed the space with Grafunkt furniture and light fragrance to create a cosy lounge-like atmostphere while listening to the Avantgarde Acoustic OPUS 1 speakers. They are large yet compact, powered by built-in amp that you can connect to digital streamers and other sources. The sound is good enough to keep us loitering for quite a bit. I could have hogged a seat here and chill the entire day if I had more time.
There were guided tours arranged by some of the brands. I signed up for the KEF listening tour and felt it was rather well done. KEF has so many products ranging from consumer-friendly to the opulant. They cleverly partitioned all the products into small areas so that visitors can try them in a simulated enclosed space. The Coda W sounds good enough for a small room and its built-in phono preamp is such a convenient option. The flagship KEF Blade One Meta is over-the-top that the curator admitted did not do justice at the show due to the limited space.
I also signed up for the Audio-Technica listening session to their most expensive turntable cartridge, AT-MCD1. I was surprised to see a huge turnout, revealing the drawing power of Audio-Technica and the analog medium. It seems to be an recurring theme across the demo rooms, where an equal mix of setup uses the vinyl records and turntable to present the audio experience. It was a privilege to meet Yosuke Koizumi, Audio-Technica’s Cartridge Global Product Manager, who was responsible for the development and creation of these cartridges.
I also got drawn to the smaller trade booths next to the Record Fair. The Ruark Audio audio products on display have a pleasing cohesive wood panel design. The Kanto Audio booth also features upcoming speaker systems and a new turntable with companion accessories that will launch next month. Even Fosi Audio flew their marketing team from Shenzhen to showcase their most popular products, many of which I have reviewed and loved. I spotted their upcoming release which is quite possibly the smallest CD player made this decade (taking a leaf off the Sony D88). Also, check out Decibelist booth for their custom made speakers handcrafted in Singapore.
The Asia Hi-Fi & AV Expo Singapore 2026 ends today, but I hope they come back again next year and attract even more brands to make it even better.