Paris AV Show 2026 - Highlights

I’ve just returned from the Paris AV Show, perhaps the best I’ve attended in years. Our hosts, AV Industry, took excellent care of us before and after the event, and we got our first look and listen at their new Legacy range at their Champigny-sur-Marne showroom.

Beyond the superb hospitality, the Paris AV Show was exceptional—and unlike any British show. Bristol, take note. It celebrated music, AV, lighting, DJing, and instruments from brands such as Gibson, Fender, and Roland, attracting a young, enthusiastic crowd and filling the venue.

Bringing everything together in one huge Comic-Con-style expo encouraged visitors to explore beyond their usual interests. While I headed downstairs for the DJs, lighting, and smoke machines, younger attendees ventured upstairs to discover two-channel audio—perhaps for the first time.

The venue was another advantage. Located at the edge of the Bois de Boulogne, the spacious Palais des Congrès de Paris was easy to reach—just half an hour from the Eurostar, no planes! Access was straightforward, and the facilities were good, although catering struggled to keep pace with the crowds.

Warsaw’s show also took place this weekend and looked impressive. In Paris, British brands drew packed rooms: after three attempts to enter the Naim-Focal room and hear the new Mu-so Utopia, I still couldn’t hear it. B&W, Rega, Cambridge(wow!) and iFi Audio were equally prominent.

It’s time for England to raise its game with a hi-fi show worthy of its great British brands. A major expo at a proper conference centre, in Manchester at the NEC or in London, is achievable. Let’s go big or go home!

AV INDUSTRY Legacy Range

As guests of AV Industry, the owners of Elipson, Tangent, Ateca, Instaal, Eltax, and Lumene (cinema screens), and Norstone (audio furniture), we had exclusive access to a first listen to their new Legacy range at their offices.  They paired a tube amplifier from a new brand called Cayin with the Tribute loudspeakers, and the presentation was electric, with smooth sound and great midrange resolution. The new Legacy 3220 looked and sounded the same, with an excellent soundstage using their own Elipson electronics (pre and power).

We also got to listen to the 200 Euro Eltax Monitor III, which were ridiculously good at that price point; I might have bought a pair to bring back if I didn’t have to carry them!

At the Paris AV Show itself, AV Industry featured a large room showcasing its new Legacy 3230 flagship loudspeakers. The room was terrific, showcasing all their brands, including their new OPUS turntable brand, Eltax, and a superb cinema display.  Needless to say, the Legacy loudspeakers range drew a lot of attention, including a centre speaker, offering an AV solution across the Legacy range with their Legacy bookshelves (3210).

Our hosts kindly let us wander the show, and here are a few other highlights.

Daniel Schar

Daniel Schar, formerly of Micromega, was displaying his new ONE CD player, which weighs 25kg.  With an external power supply, it is as clean as it can be and sounds wonderful with a STAX headphone amplifier next to it. Prices are unavailable but likely around the 10,000 Euro mark. This SCHAR x AV Industry project is a collaboration that may develop into other areas!

Naim Audio & Focal

I couldn’t get into the Naim Room; it was absolutely packed, with many patiently queuing. I doubt many knew about the Mu-so Utopia, their new flagship all-in-one wireless audio and home theatre system, but it was there next to the Hekla, the other 15-driver all-in-one wireless music system and soundbar. I did not actually hear either!

Radiant Acoustics

One thing I really do like about HiFi Shows is walking into a room and hearing something great! The Radiant Acoustics room was one of those.  They had their Clarity 66 floorstanders on display, and boy, they sounded good, driven by a lonely Lyndorf integrated amplifier in the corner; I made enquiries…

Meze Audio and Audma

Meze Audio always have a good presence at these European shows, and Paris AV was no exception.  I heard the new ARTE headphones on a (slightly temperamental) Hugo TT, and they were sparkling.  Next to them, I was encouraged to listen to the ARTE on a small headphone amplifier from a new (to me) Italian brand called AUDMA.  Wow! What a sound from such a small portable device; it does cost around 5000 Euros, though!

Eversolo

After my recent experiences with Eversolo, the fabulous T10 streaming transport, and the AMP-F8, I heard Eversolo was releasing a new external clock.  It was here at the Paris AV Show.  The room, run by French distributor Hamy Sound with Paradigm loudspeakers, was very good indeed and, for me personally, a highlight of the show. There was no price indication for the C10!

iFi Audio

iFi Audio, fresh off the Steve Levine GR2 launch, also had a good stand.  Vincent Luk, their founder (holding the coffee), was there talking excitedly to me about the Master Tune series that started with the GR2 tuning.

Klipsch x OJAS

The Klipsch room was one of the best rooms I have been in for a long time at many HiFi shows; it felt relaxed, with a bar-like vibe, stools, nothing formal, and a very friendly atmosphere.  The new OJAS loudspeaker was there, driven by a Jardis tube amplifier that was clearly taking the edge off the OJAS horns.

Also on display were the 80th Anniversary Klipschorns, of which only 80 will be sold.

Sound and Colours GT Audio

The Sound and Colours room was pretty spectacular with the Piega Premium 800s driven by the Rega Solis and Mercury.  What a sound! I also discovered the track “Queen Mary” by Francine Thirteen there.

Paris AV Show Playlist

There’s some good music in here!

Related Posts