Audio Video Show 2026, the 28th edition of the hi-fi show in Warsaw, will open in just a few hours, on Friday, October 23, at noon local time. Said to be the second largest audio show in the world (trailing only High End Vienna), the three-day event is expected to attract a huge number of visitors from all over Europe and beyond.
The lobby and conference areas of the Radisson Blu Sobieski—which, on the day before the show begins, are virtually empty—will soon be packed with queued-up visitors and exhibitors. Featuring “devices and systems from 100 PLN to 2 million PLN!” (PLN is the Polish złoty, the country’s official currency; one złoty is worth about as much as one US quarter), this year’s show is said to present a record 196 exhibit rooms showcasing products from 262 exhibitors, the largest headphone zone and vinyl record fair in Poland, and a surprisingly large number of world and regional premieres.
Audio Video Show Warsaw is not the easiest show to cover. The show is split between the neighboring Radisson Blu Sobieski and Golden Tulip hotels (close together but separated by significant traffic) and the huge PGE Narodowy Stadium, which is many packed-street miles away. This year, coverage is made easier by the active presence of no fewer than three intrepid Stereophile contributing editors. Ken Micallef and Ola Björling will focus mainly on video while yours truly visits rooms, takes notes and photos, and sends them in to be posted online. An honorary member of our team, my husband David James Bellecci, will provide moral support and hair styling tips.
This is the first show in Stereophile history to be covered by twice as many videographers as traditional show reporters. I hope you have as much fun as we expect to as you read and view our coverage.
