Hannes Palfinger is a successful entrepreneur, a hi-fi freak and is dead serious when it comes to quality. The combination of these characteristics led to the founding of Audiodata Lautsprecher GmbH in 2014. His mission: the perfect “Made in Austria” loudspeaker.

Mr Palfinger, you are a successful and busy business owner – what is your approach to hi-fi?

Hi-fi is something that I’ve been occupied with since the age of 16. Even then I had started to “tinker” with my own equipment and speakers. Over the years I’ve tried countless different brands and systems, and I was always looking for the perfect sound. At some point I met Franz Stöger who, since then, has systematically brought me closer to my goal.

What does music mean to you personally?

Music is incredibly important. For me, the best way to relax after a stressful day at work, or to get away for a few hours, means listening to one of my favourite songs on a perfectly balanced sound system. When I listen to music, it is very deliberate – maximum enjoyment factor under the most perfect conditions possible.

Would you describe yourself as a quality fanatic?

Definitely! My zodiac sign is Virgo, perfectionism is pure pleasure for me. The overall experience of listening to good music on a quality system needs to be 100% consistent in every detail. This includes, for example, the appearance of materials: a speaker must not only sound really good, but also look accordingly outstanding. Even if you unscrew the product and take it apart, one thing must be clear to you: that someone put significant thought into its creation. Audiodata embodies that philosophy. The cooperation between Peter Schippers and Franz Stöger brings the concept of quality to a whole new level.

Hannes Palfinger is, among other things, Chairman of the Board of Palfinger AG. A former competitive athlete and family man, in 2014 he founded Audiodata Lautsprecher GmbH alongside Franz Stöger in Salzburg. In 2019 the cooperation with Franz Stöger was terminated.