2026 Shenzhen International Audio Show SIAS

[poiasd]

Hi Amir, I don’t think it’s a good idea to take the train. There are frequent flights from SZ to BJ and it’s much quicker. I find the train stations much more challenging than airports. The Shenzhen airport is new and super nice. Highly recommend changing to a flight.

IMO, Bao'an airport is kinda far, and especially if you can get a train from Futian its super convenient. The train to Beijing is annoyingly long though - but if you consider time to get to Bao'an, security, delays etc (SZX & CAN often have a lot of delays), it can be worth it, and of course, fun. The main problem is "wasting" a day due to limited timings - but the overnight sleeper could also be an interesting experience.

I think the stations are not really confusing, once you book your ticket and know the train number & time, just arrive 40mins before and figure out the platform. For a foreigner you'll need to use the manual passport lane for security & boarding usually, but that's about it.

 

[338h10]

IMO, Bao'an airport is kinda far, and especially if you can get a train from Futian its super convenient. The train to Beijing is annoyingly long though - but if you consider time to get to Bao'an, security, delays etc (SZX & CAN often have a lot of delays), it can be worth it, and of course, fun. The main problem is "wasting" a day due to limited timings - but the overnight sleeper could also be an interesting experience.

I think the stations are not really confusing, once you book your ticket and know the train number & time, just arrive 40mins before and figure out the platform. For a foreigner you'll need to use the manual passport lane for security & boarding usually, but that's about it.

I recommend high-speed train as well. I have done Hong Kong to Beijing, even when there were flight alatneratives. The train ride is an experience -- I enjoyed the quietness and city v. country sceanary -- while the flight not as much.

After the manual passport check at security (which is typically fast), there should be a separate queue line for foreign passport holders at boarding time -- it functions like pseudo priority boarding. Business class will get you real priority boarding.

 

[tuning]

Dear Amirm,
Welcome to Hong Kong, Shenzhen and China.
As a HiFi/AV enthaustic and a fellow ASR readers and member. Would like to give big thanks for your effort to make ASR informative and wonderful. The truth and honest reviews are marvelous.
Hope you can come to HK for the annual AV show as well as the SIAS in SZ next year. As they are only a week in difference. Have visited the HK AV show last weekend with a lot of demo and booths. Worth the visit.
I travel to Futian, SZ quite frequent. It is actually a city at SZ/HK border. The most comfortable and quickest way from HK Airport to Futain is travel by limo as suggested by 'skybird'. The cost is about US$100 without car-pool from HK Airport to Futian for reference. Take about 35~45 mins point-to-point. Pls PM me if you do need the contact.
If you want to save the Roaming Data. Can get a Data SIM card at the convenience store (7-11) or magazine booth at HK airport. Either at the arrival level or departure level. You can choose various Data plan to suit your need. Some of them can top-up if needed. No need for registration if not using the services in HK.
Both 'Alipay' and 'Wechat pay' are very popular in China. Despite of the popularity of the electronic payment in China. RMB cash is still an official way of transaction. Retail shops are bound to accept the cash payment.
It is 'hot' and humid in SZ in the coming week. Between 27 ~ 33 degree celsius, 75~95% RH.
If you have some free time. Please visit Huaqiangbei Electronic Market in Huaqiangbei North. It is the biggest place for electronic items in SZ, even the southern part of China.
Hope you have a wonderful time in HK, SZ and Beijing.
Wish you all the best. Enjoy the music and the foods.

 

[amirm]

Hope you can come to HK for the annual AV show as well as the SIAS in SZ next year. As they are only a week in difference.

First thank you very much for the kind words and tips.

I just learned about the Hi-Fi show a couple of days ago! Didn't realize they were so close. Will definitely pencil in for next year.

On the arrangement form HK to Shenzhen, I broke down and reserved a private car at $250, door to door. After 14 hour flight, didn't feel like trying to figure out the system of multiple connections (van and then taxi).

And yes, not looking forward to heat and humidity! Used to live in Florida with similar weather and don't miss it. Spent such a hot summer in Hong Kong many years ago. Loved the food and city but boy, the weather was rough seeing how I had to wear a suit to meetings and go from place to place.

 

[YSC]

Spent such a hot summer in Hong Kong many years ago. Loved the food and city but boy, the weather was rough seeing how I had to wear a suit to meetings and go from place to place.

No so fun fact: This week we have record breaking heat since 1880 on Monday and the heat wave continued. welcome to the blazing heat and seaside weather

 

[pma]

So, how does it go, Amir, what are your impressions?

 

[yo!]

So, how does it go, Amir, what are your impressions?

Let him survive those days, return, compensate jetlag ... I don't think a sensible answer can be expected before a week has passed.

 

[amirm]

So, how does it go, Amir, what are your impressions?

It is a beautifully run compact audio show. It makes CanJam look like garage operation! Everyone is incredibly polite and helpful. Massive number of IEMs on display plus fair bit of headphones. Was surprised to see a lot of CD player/transports! Fair amount of tube products. And even company products such as CHORD!

 

[Luxsin]

Just sharing a photo with Amir. He was so busy at the show that it was hard to get him to stop for a picture.

 

[DanielT]

Headphones, IEMs, DACs of all kinds, streamers, (small) Class D amplifiers—I suspect that companies/manufacturers at SIAS offer or showcase top-notch hifi and/or a superb price-to-performance ratio, given all the tests you’ve conducted here on ASR, Amir. But what about speakers? What’s the situation on that front at SIAS?

 

[amirm]

There are a few attempts at desktop speakers from Fosi and Topping. SMSL was showing a large stand mount.

 

[NTTY]

Was surprised to see a lot of CD player/transports!

Yeah! Send me, send me, send me!

 

[DanielT]

Was surprised to see a lot of CD player/transports!

But it is understandable, because:

CD player and compact disc sales are experiencing an unexpected consumer resurgence. U.S. CD album sales jumped 16% in the first half of 2026 to reach 16.3 million units, outpacing vinyl growth. Concurrently, hardware searches and hardware sales—such as a 74% surge reported by major retailers—are climbing as retro aesthetics and physical media catch on with younger buyers. [1, 2, 3, 4]

(Gemini AI)

 

[amirm]

Yeah! Send me, send me, send me!

I kept thinking about you! Need to change your alias to Mr. CD Man!!!!

 

[YSC]

It is a beautifully run compact audio show. It makes CanJam look like garage operation! Everyone is incredibly polite and helpful. Massive number of IEMs on display plus fair bit of headphones. Was surprised to see a lot of CD player/transports! Fair amount of tube products. And even company products such as CHORD!

Actually IEM and headphones are the best selling in better paid Chinese cities and Hong Kong, as the home size is usually barely enough for a pair of studio monitors like the 305P, and those CD players are the recent trend of nostalgia here also

 

[Mart68]

But it is understandable, because:

CD player and compact disc sales are experiencing an unexpected consumer resurgence. U.S. CD album sales jumped 16% in the first half of 2026 to reach 16.3 million units, outpacing vinyl growth. Concurrently, hardware searches and hardware sales—such as a 74% surge reported by major retailers—are climbing as retro aesthetics and physical media catch on with younger buyers. [1, 2, 3, 4]
View attachment 551890
(Gemini AI)

Who'd have thought the younger generation would be useful for something?

 

[SoySalsaPicante]

Who'd have thought the younger generation would be useful for something?

They're also the driving force behind the resurgence in vinyl sales.

 

[DanielT]

Who'd have thought the younger generation would be useful for something?

That’s one way of looking at it.

In a way, it does offers a glimmer of hope that hi-fi isn't dying out. And..

They're also the driving force behind the resurgence in vinyl sales.

...the same goes for vinyl.

 

[gorman]

But it is understandable, because:

CD player and compact disc sales are experiencing an unexpected consumer resurgence. U.S. CD album sales jumped 16% in the first half of 2026 to reach 16.3 million units, outpacing vinyl growth. Concurrently, hardware searches and hardware sales—such as a 74% surge reported by major retailers—are climbing as retro aesthetics and physical media catch on with younger buyers. [1, 2, 3, 4]
View attachment 551890
(Gemini AI)

Common sense winning out for once!

 

[Power Pop 23]

Revenue from physical media is dwarfed by revenue from streaming.

https://www.riaa.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/RIAA-Year-End-Revenue-2025.pdf

That said, I hope a few audio companies in China decide to further differentiate themselves by offering a universal disc player for under $500 that can play most formats from Compact Disc to UHD 4K Blu-ray.