Big news for audiophiles around the world: after decades in Munich, the High-End HiFi Show has announced it will relocate to Vienna starting in 2026.

The decision marks a significant new chapter for what has become the world’s most influential audio exhibition. Organisers cite the need for expanded facilities, improved logistics, and a fresh setting to reflect the event’s growing international profile.

For many enthusiasts, the Munich show has been an annual pilgrimage, combining the latest in audio innovation with the city’s vibrant cultural scene. Moving to Vienna is expected to bring new energy and opportunities, while also honouring the event’s legacy as a gathering place for designers, engineers, and passionate listeners.

Vienna’s Messe Wien Exhibition & Congress Center will host the show. This modern venue offers larger demonstration spaces and improved acoustics, providing exhibitors with more flexibility to create immersive, purpose-built listening environments. The city’s rich musical heritage—home to composers like Mozart, Beethoven, and Schubert—makes it a fitting backdrop for an event dedicated to the art of sound.

We’re already planning to attend the inaugural Vienna edition in 2026 and will share updates as more details are announced. For anyone serious about high-end audio, this promises to be the start of an exciting new era. Stay tuned, we’ll keep you posted.

When designing a high-performance music or theatre room, flooring is often overlooked—but it can make or break your acoustic results.

The substrate beneath your floor—whether it’s a concrete slab or suspended timber plays a huge role in how sound travels and resonates. A solid slab can help limit bass transfer, while a timber floor can create unwanted vibrations and “bounce.”

At BLA, we prefer using solid hardwood or engineered wood flooring for its durability, clean aesthetics, and balanced acoustic character. To fine-tune reflections and absorb excess brightness, we overlay these surfaces with high-quality rugs and soft furnishings. This approach delivers the best of both worlds: beautiful design with controlled, natural sound.

Another advantage of timber flooring is the flexibility in sizing. Boards are available in a range of widths from around 85mm up to 180mm or more, and thicknesses from 14mm to 24mm, depending on the product and construction method. Selecting the right width and thickness can not only enhance the look of the space but also subtly influence the way the floor responds to vibrations.

Choosing the right flooring isn’t just about looks. Done correctly, it creates a quieter, more controlled environment so your system can truly shine.

The 2025 Munich High-End HiFi Show further cemented its status as the world’s premier gathering for high-end audio innovation. This year’s show placed a strong spotlight on the seamless integration of audio, automation, and intelligent control systems. Many demonstrations featured single-interface solutions, allowing users to adjust lighting, acoustic treatments, and playback modes effortlessly.

Sustainability remained a core theme, with numerous exhibitors presenting recycled acoustic materials and energy-efficient amplification. The rise of immersive audio for music listening also continued to dominate conversations, as more purists experimented with multi-channel setups to enrich their two-channel libraries.

One of the most exciting aspects of the 2025 event was the focus on experiential room design—spaces crafted not just for equipment, but for emotion and engagement. From floating floors to variable acoustics, these demonstrations showcased how the listening environment itself can elevate a system’s performance.

Overall, the 2025 show delivered a clear message: the future of high-end audio is holistic, immersive, and increasingly intelligent. We left inspired by the possibilities and eager to bring these ideas into our clients’ homes.

When you imagine your dream home theatre or music room, you probably picture the speakers, the screen, the acoustic treatments. But one element quietly shapes the entire experience: paint.

Not all paints are created equal, and your choice of colour and finish is as important as any piece of equipment.

Light Reflection Matters
In home theatres, even a slightly glossy paint can reflect projector light and wash out image contrast. This is why we recommend matte or low-sheen finishes. They absorb stray light, reduce glare, and let your visuals truly pop. In music rooms, a non-reflective finish prevents light scatter from undermining the sense of intimacy and focus.

Colour Creates Atmosphere
Colour has a powerful psychological effect. Dark, neutral palettes—deep charcoal, espresso brown, slate blue—help the walls recede and put all attention on the film or the music. These shades make the space feel more enclosed and immersive, an essential ingredient for cinematic impact. Conversely, lighter or vibrant colours can energise a creative studio, but in a dedicated theatre, they often feel distracting.

Quality Is Key
Beyond colour, the formulation of the paint matters. Cheaper paints can release odours and VOCs that linger, especially in sealed rooms with limited ventilation. Premium paints deliver richer pigments, smoother coverage, and a cleaner indoor environment.

When you build a space to experience art at its best, every detail counts. The right paint doesn’t just cover walls it sets the stage for unforgettable listening and viewing.

The 2024 Munich High-End HiFi Show built on the previous year’s momentum, bringing together a record number of brands and a renewed emphasis on architectural acoustics and system integration. While impressive flagship speakers and amplifiers were on display, the real story was the convergence of high-performance audio with interior design and automation.

Exhibitors showcased complete room concepts that blended minimalist aesthetics with advanced acoustic treatment, highlighting how performance and beauty can coexist seamlessly. Another key trend was the proliferation of energy-efficient materials and low-impact manufacturing processes, reflecting the industry’s commitment to sustainability.

Throughout the halls, immersive audio demonstrations drew large crowds, especially as more manufacturers embraced Dolby Atmos Music and Auro-3D as mainstream listening options. For our team, the standout takeaway was the variety of solutions available to help clients build spaces that not only sound incredible but also enhance everyday living. The 2024 show underscored that today’s high-end audio is as much about the environment as it is about the equipment.

When building purpose-designed music and theatre spaces, the choice of plasterboard isn’t a trivial detail. It’s one of the foundations of exceptional sound and lasting performance.

At Black Lab Audio, we specify Fyrechek 13/16mm plasterboard instead of the standard 10mm because thicker materials deliver clear benefits for serious audio environments.

Superior Acoustic Isolation
Mass matters. The added density of 13/16mm sheets forms a much more effective barrier against airborne sound transmission. Whether you’re watching a film in reference-level surround or listening to high-resolution stereo recordings, thicker board helps contain bass energy and prevents sound bleeding into neighbouring spaces. This isolation is critical for maintaining clarity and avoiding disruption elsewhere in the home.

Reduced Vibration and Flex
Standard 10mm plasterboard flexes more easily, acting like a giant resonant diaphragm. That vibration smears detail and compromises imaging. The rigidity of 13/16mm Fyrechek makes walls more inert, so they don’t colour the sound or transmit low-frequency rumble. It also provides a stable substrate for mounting absorbers, diffusers, and heavy acoustic panels, all essential in any high-performance theatre or listening room.

Put simply, if you’re investing in serious equipment, you deserve construction materials that match your ambition. Thicker Fyrechek is the professional choice for achieving quiet, controlled, uncompromised listening environments.

The 2023 Munich High-End HiFi Show marked a triumphant return to large-scale events, attracting over 20,000 attendees and more than 500 exhibitors. This year’s show reflected a clear shift in the industry’s priorities, with immersive audio and sustainable product design taking centre stage. One of the standout themes was the integration of multi-channel music playback into traditionally two-channel-focused listening rooms, with brands demonstrating how Dolby Atmos Music can transform familiar recordings.

Equally impressive was the array of innovative acoustic solutions, from modular treatments to advanced room simulation software, enabling enthusiasts to visualise and fine-tune their environments before installation. Despite the incredible technology on display, the show retained its welcoming atmosphere, with ample opportunities to sit, listen, and compare equipment firsthand.

For many visitors, including our team, the highlight was the chance to connect with passionate designers and fellow audiophiles, all dedicated to the pursuit of exceptional sound. The 2023 event set the tone for what would become an even stronger focus on holistic listening experiences in the years to follow.