Australia’s two major hi-fi shows for 2018 are happening next month and they’re being held on consecutive weekends. The first is in Melbourne and the second is, um, also in Melbourne. One audio industry veteran describes this as “beyond ludicrous.”

The International HiFi Show & Entertainment Expo is at the Pullman Mercure Hotel in Albert Park from Friday October 12 to the following Sunday. The Australian Hi-Fi & AV Show is at the Como in South Yarra the following Friday to Sunday. So while Melbourne hi-fi enthusiasts face a couple of full weekends, those in Sydney, Brisbane, Canberra or anywhere else must be feeling like the folk way down the back of economy class.

The first show is backed by leading hi-fi website Stereonet, while the country’s major publisher of hi-fi and home entertainment magazines and their associated websites, Next Media, backs the second. They’re ferocious competitors. And given the influence of the backers most people in the industry I approached over recent weeks spoke on condition of anonymity, so they wouldn’t offend either side.

“It’s absolutely ridiculous that they didn’t at least talk to each other; what chance is there for world peace?” one major importer asked. “Two shows in the same city on consecutive weekends? There’s likely to be great confusion between them and at this point we will not participate in either.”

“The timing is unfortunate,” another said. “This year due to a number of reasons we have decided not exhibit at either show.”