The annual High End Munich show is a place for brands to showcase the pinnacle of what hi-fi can achieve. That takes various forms. They can either be million pound/dollar speakers with wild designs, gigantic amplifiers built like a tank, or they can be ultra-modern and deliver cutting-edge technology, regardless of what form or price this takes.

High End Munich 2025 had a bit of everything this year, but there was one type of product that kept rearing its head as I covered the show: the streaming amplifier. A single box that combines amplifier, DAC, streaming, volume control and inputs; you just have to add speakers.

It’s a neat solution for those who don’t want the complication of separates and mess of wires. But these products have been around for a long while now – so what was different this year?

I think streaming amplifiers have levelled up: the sheer variety of streaming amps available today, packed with the latest streaming tech and DAC chips, and in more desirable shapes, sizes and designs simply appeal more to the modern hi-fi user. Not to mention there are more products with competitive specifications available across the price spectrum these days.

One common theme I saw that has elevated this new crop of streaming amps above its predecessors? A full-colour touchscreen display. This shouldn’t feel revolutionary, but it does prevent these products from feeling like yet another anonymous black rectangular box. These streaming amplifiers are more inviting and engaging – literally.

As I noted when reviewing the WiiM Ultra, the touchscreen display invites you to interact with the streamer, thus giving you a more tactile connection with your hi-fi. It’s also more accessible and quicker to use at times than firing up the app, too – always a bonus.

The new WiiM Amp Ultra, then, is the affordable streaming amplifier that heads my list of the best streaming amp launches from Munich. Whereas WiiM’s current streaming amps – WiiM Amp and step-up WiiM Amp Pro – are discreet, minimal designs, the screen-toting Amp Ultra design makes total sense for a modern streaming amplifier. It will make it easier to control playback and quickly access your presets in particular, if it follows the same blueprint as the Ultra.

This model combines the Ultra’s slick streaming platform with 100 watts per channel amplification in a tidy compact box. Pricing will be announced later this year, but we have to assume it will remain affordable and competitive, as WiiM has proven so far. £400 / $400 perhaps? A bargain.

Eversolo Play is another streaming amp that will be leveraging the brand’s excellent streaming interface and touchscreen display, both of which we praise highly in our DMP-A6 streamer review.

Like the WiiM, this is a compact, desktop-friendly design that doesn’t look like a traditional hi-fi product. The colourful screen dominates the product and offers extensive scope to access all your apps and features with a tap and swipe, in an experience akin to using your smartphone.

There is also a CD Edition of the Eversolo Play, which features an integrated CD-ROM drive to the design – which is hugely appealing for physical media fans, of which there remains many of us! Costing £599-£699 / $699-$799 depending on the model you get, this could be the sleeper hit of the year.

Going up the price ladder, we saw new streaming amplifiers launch from NAD, Lyngdorf and Cyrus Audio. NAD’s M33 V2 BluOS Streaming Amplifier is a feature-packed model, introducing MQA Labs' new FOQUS and QRONO technologies for a more accurate signal conversion, along with Gen 2 Purifi Eigentakt amplification modules and the popular Dirac Live Room Correction. This one is yours for a more premium £4999 / $5999 price tag, and is available in August.

Lyngdorf’s TDAI-2210 (£3499 / $4499) is the middle child of the Danish brand’s streaming amplifier range. Its USP is that it uses fully digital amplifiation (not Class D), with 105 watts per channel and RoomPerfect calibration to fine tune the sound to your room. Lyngdorf promises “best-in-class volume control” and the “most uncolored sound you have ever experienced”.

Possibly the most exciting model is the Cyrus 80 AMP. It has us interested for two reasons: it’s the first time Cyrus has gone full-width, a historic moment in the hi-fi world on par with Naim ditching olive green from its identity. And second, we have loved what Cyrus has done with the 40 Series – both visually and sonically – and the step-up 80 AMP looks the business.

I only saw a display model at the show, as it was just a preview, but it looks smart – the modern redesign makes even more sense in a full-width design, with the crisp and clear touchscreen display and illuminated dials and icons looking very enticing.

The 80 AMP also runs on the BluOS streaming platform, but features Class A/B amplification – 150W per channel – which is a departure from the dominant Class D usage in the products in this list. The Cyrus 80 AMP is out in November with price set to be in the £3000-£4000 region.

It should go without saying that all the products here support not just various streaming methods and apps (bar a few notable omissions depending on the brand/platform), but also ample physical analogue and digital connectivity, with an HDMI ARC input pretty much standard across all new streaming amps.

What's more, these are products that have the sense of being a bit more grown up, having learned lessons from previous generations and refined what is required of a modern streaming amp.

I haven't heard any of these new streaming amplifiers yet, but I can hope – and reasonably expect – that the sonic performance has also matured across the board, even accounting for the compromises made when combining all separate hi-fi elements under one roof.

I have reviewed and used various streaming amplifier over the years – from the premium Naim Uniti Atom to the Cambridge Audio Evo 75 to the more recent Roksan Attessa Streaming Amplifier – but this next generation of streaming amps is the one to get me properly excited.

I can’t wait to try them out.

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We've caught our first glimpse of HiFi Rose's latest music streamer, the RS451.

Making its official debut at this year's High End Munich show, the new model joins HiFi Rose's solid roster of established network players, and while we don't have official prices just yet, we do have enough information to keep you in the loop.

The new RS451 uses an ES9027 PRO(ESS) DAC at its heart, and is capable of handling PMC files up to 32-bit/868kHz alongside DSD512.

It's well-appointed with physical connections, boasting coaxial, optical and even an HDMI eARC digital input for hooking up your TV. There are also coaxial, optical and USB-A digital outputs, plus balanced and unbalanced analogue outs.

Three headphone outputs (XLR, 4.4mm and 6.3mm) are housed at the front.

We don't know the full extent of the streaming platforms that HiFi Rose's latest player supports besides Spotify, but we do know that the likes of aptX Bluetooth and AirPlay are on the menu, and the RS451 is also Roon Ready.

The HiFi Rose follows the same aesthetic we've admired in many of the brand's previous music streamers and all-in-one units, boasting a substantial 9.9-inch LCD touch capacitive touch screen, plus a large volume dial on the right side of the player.

Updated 03/09/2025: Available in silver and black finishes, the HiFi Rose RS451 is set to cost £2699 / $3295 and will be in stores in September 2025.

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iFi has announced two new travel accessories to bring wireless hi-res tunes to your summer holidays. The Up Travel Bluetooth DAC adds the capability to an in-car or inflight entertainment system, while the Go Pod Air adds it to your in-ear monitors (IEMs).

The Go Pod Air is a smaller, more affordable version of the Go Pod which launched a couple of years ago. But the Up Travel is a new product altogether.

Plug it into an in-car or inflight entertainment system, and it uses the magic of Bluetooth to send the sound over the air to your wireless headphones. It also streams in hi-res Bluetooth to car aux inputs – perfect for a road trip.

At 25g, it's light enough to carry on your person, and the 10-hour battery will last you even through a long-haul flight.

Dual headphone support means you can share your film, playlist or podcast with a pal. And it's driven by iFi's "hi-fi-grade architecture" with independent audio stages promising to extract maximum performance.

The 3.5mm connector flips out at the press of a button, a bit like a car key from a fob.

Transmitter mode sends audio from an inflight system or laptop's 3.5mm headphone jack to your headphones, while receiver mode does the same from your car's aux input.

It claims to be the only device of its kind to use "true hi-fi-grade architecture". The Qualcomm QCC51xx series Bluetooth chipset is tasked with delivering high-quality Bluetooth codecs – SBC, AAC, aptX (Classic, Low-Latency, Adaptive), LDAC, and LHDC/HWA – with greater stability, while the Cirrus Logic MasterHIFI DAC delivers "detailed, accurate sound with wide dynamic range and minimal distortion."

It also uses iFi's bespoke clocking circuitry to keep all components performing optimally. And there's a microphone built into the base which uses Qualcomm’s cVc noise and echo suppression technology for clearer hands-free calls.

It's out now for £99 / $99 (about AU$200), while the Go Pod Air is £249 / $249 (about AU$500). Happy travels.

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Last week was one of the busiest this year for What Hi-Fi?’s team of experts. As well as having to cover the High End Munich show, we also had to contend with surprise product launches from big name brands.

These included the follow-up to a long standing recommendation in our best wireless headphones guide and a fresh rival to one of our favourite new OLED TVs.

Here’s everything you need to know.

High End Munich delivered the goods

This year’s High End show was always going to be special, as it’s set to be the last to happen in Munich. The show is packing its bags and jetting over to Vienna from next year.

So we always expected brands to celebrate the end of an era with style. But boy, did they go all-out.

At the show, our team of experts on the ground were hit with more product launches and cool looking new high end speakers, amps, streamers and more than they could count.

These included Chord’s new flagship Ultima Phonostage, JBL’s latest range of high end Summit loudspeakers, the WiiM Sound smart speaker and WiiM Sub Pro subwoofer and more.

Read the full story: High End Munich 2025 highlights

Sony’s latest flagship headphones are great

Last week Sony unveiled its new WH-1000XM6 over-ear, wireless headphones. The new headphones are a big deal for two reasons.

First, because they’re the successor to the Award-winning Sony WH-1000XM5 that have sat at the top of our best wireless headphones guide for quite some time.

Second, because they are a fantastic pair of headphones any music fan would do well to consider when shopping for a new set of cans, based on our testing.

Key upgrades include a new design with an improved hinge mechanism that makes them more comfortable to wear and easier to pack away. Under the hood there is also a newly developed 30mm ‘soft edge’ dome driver and completely new chipset.

The end result is a five-star set of wireless headphones that offer palpable improvements on their still impressive predecessor. Hence our reviewers’ conclusion:

“It feels like the Sony WH-1000XM6 have been a long time coming, and we are pleased to tell you they have been well worth the wait. They’re the best-sounding flagship pair we’ve heard from Sony to date, which is no mean feat.”

Read our in-depth Sony WH-1000XM6 review

The LG C5 OLED TV may have a fight on its hands

While our team of audio experts may have been squarely focussed on covering High End, our AV team had its own launch event to contend with.

Last week our intrepid senior staff writer, Lewis Empson, snuck off to Germany to get a hands-on look at Panasonic’s 2025 range of TVs.

And while this included some hands-on time with the Panasonic Z95B, which we originally saw at CES in January, it was the step-down Panasonic Z90B that caught his eye the most.

The set is a direct rival to the LG C5, which is the current recommended new model in our best OLED TV buying guide.

Featuring a new processor and higher max brightness, Panasonic claims the Z90B is its finest step-down OLED to date, and from what Lewis saw at the event, we’re taking that boast seriously.

If it delivers on even a fraction of Panasonic’s promises when we get it in for review, home cinema fans will be in for a serious treat when it launches later this year.

Read our full Panasonic Z90B hands-on preview

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Munich has said goodbye to the High End show with a hearty wave and one hell of a bang, as Europe's biggest hi-fi show moves to Vienna next year.

High End Munich 2025 is the annual showcase of biggest launches from the heaviest hitters in the hi-fi industry, and this year continued that trend with a raft of audio products to get mouths watering and wallets sweating nervously.

Living up to its name, many of the new hi-fi products we saw at this year's showcase have been appropriately 'high end' in price, with five- and six-figure price tags being the norm rather than the exception in the sprawling halls. However, there were a handful of products available at real-world money that we're just as much excited about as the big, shiny, flagship products with the wow factor.

The What Hi-Fi? team spent a whirlwind couple of days at the last High End Munich 2025, and below are the biggest launches and most exciting hi-fi products we encountered. From giant subwoofers and transparent turntables to elegant floorstanders and a surprise reveal from a 40+ year brand... these are our pick of the best from Munich 2025.

Burmester Reference Line

We'll start off with one of the more wallet-busting new launches we saw at High End, and perhaps one of the most minimalist yet striking looking designs.

Burmester unveiled a brand new range of Reference Line products, comprising the 257 turntable, the 249 preamplifier and the 259 stereo power amplifier.

Which one do you fancy? If you need a turntable, the 257 boasts an inverted magnetic main bearing, two high-torque motors and an optical sensor system for outstanding rotational accuracy.

Or, you could splash out on the mighty 259 power amplifier: it has a claimed power output of 500 watts into a four-ohm load, which rises to 1500 watt when used as a monoblock. And the 249 preamp is modular, with the option to add streaming, phono and extra analogue inputs

Whatever you pick, you won't get one for cheap. While we don't have official prices just yet, we do know that the entire set is likely to cost you roughly €300,000, so we're dealing in very high end territory here.

Cyrus 80 Series

It was a surprise to see a Cyrus product in full-width form. We're so used to see the British brand's hi-fi separates in the half-width 'shoebox' chassis since its inception, but that's all about to change with the upcoming 80 Series. Cyrus' first full-width hi-fi range consists of the 80 AMP streaming amplifier, the 80 PRE preamplifier and the 80 PWR power amplifier – and we got a first look at the new design in Munich.

While they're all full-width, the new 80 Series borrows the same modernised and smart-looking design that we've admired in the 40 Series, with the anodised aluminium build and touchscreen display screen.

We're particularly excited by the prospect of the 80 AMP (pictured above), which has BluOS streaming platform at its heart and features 150W per channel of Class A/B amplification. For keeping you connected to your music, it's also equipped with support for Tidal, Qobuz and Spotify, and has an MM/MC phono stage inside.

If the 80 Series can match the 40 Series line in terms of five-star performance, exciting times could lay ahead for Cyrus. The 80 Series will officially launch in November.

Gryphon Audio Antileon Revelation

It hasn't been long since we had the five-star Gryphon Audio Diablo 333 integrated amplifier in our test rooms, which impressed us with a staggering 333 watts of power per channel. Now that is a spectacular amplifier.

At High End Munich, we saw the unveiling of a new Gryphon amplifier to fill the hole left by the Diablo 333. Designed to celebrate the 30th anniversary of its Antileon Series and the 40th year of the company as a whole, the new Antileon Revelation power amplifier is available in both stereo and mono versions, delivering 160 and 180 watts per channel of Class A power respectively.

If that wasn't enough, two custom-wound 1500VA toroidal transformers are fitted to each 90kg enclosure, while a third independent power supply takes care of the dedicated digital control circuitry.

And the price? It's cost you a cool €38,000 / $45,500 / AU$64,995 when it's available later this year.

JBL Summit Series

Considering how many rugged Bluetooth speakers they make and the popularity of these portables, it's easy to forget that JBL has a serious history in the world of high-end hi-fi.

The JBL Summit Series of loudspeakers are certainly talking a good game. There are three new additions unveiled at the show, and we like the way these large speakers look, especially when fitted out with a rich ebony veneer with gold accents. The trio are named after Himalayan mountains: the Makalu, the Pumori and the Ama. They join the extraordinarily large Everest and five-star K2 speakers in the flagship range.

The Makalu and the Pumori are the floorstanders of the family, whereas the Ama are the ones to go for if you want standmounts in your life. We had the chance to hear what the Makalu were capable of, albeit in a less-than-ideal trade show setting, and they certainly seemed to be comfortable pumping out some rather rowdy German rock/techno fusion to a room of eager punters and journalists.

Prices range from £15,000 / $20,000 to £37,000 / $45,000, so you might have a small mountain to climb in terms of paying for them.

Fyne Audio F704SP

We've been immensely impressed with the speakers Fyne Audio has been producing in their short lifespan. We think the flagship F1-8 speakers are fantastic; and more recently, the Fyne Audio F501E bowled us over as excellent 'economy' speakers at their £1000 price point.

The new F704SP ('SP' stands for 'Special Production') are a more high-end proposition. Joining the F701SP, F702SP and F703SP models, the F704SP is positioned as the lead model in Fyne's latest F700SP range of speakers, and priced at £20,000 / $26,000 / €24,000, they're easily at home within the high-end halls of the MOC Event Center Messe München.

Aiming to replicate the experience of live music in your home, the F704SP use a 30cm IsoFlare driver which combines a 30cm multi-fibre bass/midrange cone with a 75mm titanium dome tweeter, plus a 30cm multi-fibre bass driver.

When combined with an upgraded crossover, more premium components, high-density birchwood cabinets and downward-firing port harnessing Fyne's 'BassTrax' diffuser system, they're an alluring prospect on paper.

We can't wait to hear them again.

Audiolab D7

We were super-keen to see Audiolab's latest additions to its stable of standalone DACs, the D7 and D9, as these models are set to follow in the footsteps of the original M-DAC, a five-star, multiple Award-winner that we still hold dear in our memories.

What surprised us was just how compact the Audiolab D7 DAC/headphone amp/preamp was in person, and we can see it easily fitting into many desktop surfaces – especially for laptop and headphone users who might be short on space.

It has a welcomingly petite footprint compared to the larger (and pricier) D9, the latter sporting a display screen and more advanced technology, circuitry and connectivity.

But the D9 has plenty going for it in its compact form. It uses the same ESS 32-bit DAC as the 7000A and 6000A MkII integrated amplifiers, supports up to 32-bit/768kHz PCM and DSD512 high-resolution files, and is Roon Tested.

There are multiple analogue and digital outputs crammed into the rear panel, including balanced XLR outputs and USB type B and type A ports.

Priced at £449 / AU$999 (around $600), it goes up against strong desktop-friendly rivals such as the Chord Mojo 2 and Cambridge Audio DacMagic200M.

Mark Levinson 600 Series

Mark Levinson's 600 Series of amplifiers consists of three models, the No. 626 dual-mono preamplifier, the No. 632 stereo power amplifier and the No. 631 monoblock. We've seen them in the flesh and, while we've not heard them hooked up to an actual system, they certainly look the business, especially the No. 631 mini-tower with brooding red vertical lights.

The amplifiers use Class A/B amplification, boast multiple analogue and digital connections, and are built on Mark Levinson’s proprietary Pure Path circuit philosophy that aims to deliver "uncompromising musical purity and an engaging listening experience" thanks to discrete components chosen for specific, precise functions.

Prices range from around 24,000 / €28,000 / $25,000 to £38,000 / €44,000 / $40,000, and we are seriously impressed with the build quality and aesthetic which blends an anodised aluminium chassis with silver controls and glass panels atop each unit.

Very much a 'If Batman had a sound system' kind of affair.

Dali V-16 F

It's always exciting to see what Danish brand Dali is up to. High End Munich 2025 was a relatively busy one for Dali, heralding the arrival of a swathe of new colourways for its IO-8 and IO-12 headphones as well as its flagship Kore loudspeakers, and, as we have here, a brand new subwoofer.

The Dali V-16 F is a big boy. At 53kg, it's something of a beast, employing a wide-band, low-loss design with low harmonic and non-harmonic distortion, with Dali promising that the V-16 F has plenty of precision to go with all of that power.

With 2500 watts of Class D power, the V-16 F is billed as Dali's "most powerful subwoofer yet". The new sub's 40.5cm driver is the main attraction, incorporating aluminium for the driver diaphragm for a rigid yet lightweight design.

It goes on sale in July for a whopping price tag of £4499 (around $6000 / AU$9000).

Audio-Technica AT-LPA2

Audio-Technica has a new premium turntable, and its name is the AT-LPA2. We're always excited to see a brand record player, especially from such an established brand, and it's sweetened even furtherer by the fact that it's a completely see-through design!

Based on a limited edition AT-LP2022 that commemorated the Japanese company's 60th anniversary, the AT-LPA2 features a belt-drive design, a carbon-fibre tonearm, and comes fitted with the brand's AT-OC9XEN dual moving coil cartridge. The transparent effect is thanks to the clear acrylic chassis and platter; a separate power supply is also included.

Audio-Technica was only offering listening demos through headphones at the show, so we'll have to wait until we get a sample in our test rooms to really hear what this new spinner can do.

Want one? The AT-LPA2 is available now, for £1699 / €1999.

Eversolo Play (+CD Edition)

Now here's something a little bit different. We've been dealing in what's generally been reasonably high-end gear, especially from the likes of Burmester and Gryphon, but as ever, High End Munich also attracts emerging brands targeting more budget tranches of the market, such as WiiM and Eversolo.

The new Eversolo Play is a versatile streaming amplifier that aims to offer a seemingly-endless list of functionality to rival most hi-fi brands, and for less money. The compact form houses a Class D amplifier, and AK4493 DAC chip and Eversolo's excellent streaming platform and interface, complete with support for hi-res audio, UPnP, Tidal Connect, Qobuz, Amazon Music and more.

Physical connections are impressive too, and include HDMI ARC plus optical and coaxial inputs, a sub out and a phono input. There's even a 5.5-inch touchscreen; when seeing it at the show, it seemed just as clear, responsive and delightfully packed as the Eversolo DMP-A6 music streamer that we liked using so much.

More excitingly for physical music fans, there is a CD Edition that includes a CD drive that pops out from the side.

We think that one might be rather popular, especially considering the prices. It's €699 (around £600 / $790 / AU$1200) for the standard version and €799 (around £680 / $900 / AU$1400) for the CD Edition.

Chord Electronics Ultima Phonostage

And finally, here is a product that we don't know too much about, but it makes up for it with abundance of overt styling.

Chord Electronics took the lid of the Ultima Phonostage, the new flagship phono preamplifier in its flashing Reference Ultima range.

It has a dual mono design and features the brand's Ultima technology; we've rather liked the UItima integrated and Ultima Pre 3/Ultima 6 amps, so we already have high expectations.

It supports MM and MC cartridges and you can configure the analogue inputs independently to work with up to three turntables or three tonearms.

The visual blueprint Chord's 'spaceship' aesthetic, complete with a glowing LED orb in the middle – but we were mesmerised by the two VU meters that were going full tilt during the demo.

The Ultima Phonostage will launch later this year, but we're told that the price will be around £18,000. Phew.

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The High End Munich show isn't the sort of place to admit that you still listen to your music on a primitive iPhone. Massive horn speakers aside, it's a place where headphones are taken as seriously as hi-fi, so you won't find brands such as Sennheiser, Meze or Austrian Audio powering their best wired over-ears with nothing but an iPhone 15 and some basic Spotify files.

There's serious desktop hardware around that can help bring the best out of your favourite cans, but if you still want a portable music player with proper pedigree, there's currently one name on the market dominating the competition.

Astell & Kern is currently to PMPs what Sony is to wireless headphones, leading the charge in making on-the-go something of an art form in its own right.

The Astell & Kern A&ultima SP3000 (£3799 / $3699 / AU$5499) was the brand's former high-end flagship, but now there's a new standard bearer courtesy of the big-money A&ultima SP4000.

We use A&K's players to try out the wired headphones that are worthy of a proper source, meaning we're familiar with their healthy array of chunky champions.

A PMP is also a great thing to try to test out if you're ever scampering along the floor of a busy hi-fi show; it can be tricky to gauge the performance of even the best loudspeakers given variations in noise, room material and running-in time, but with digital players, as well as headphones, it's just you and the music in your own little oasis of sound. Almost.

We've occasionally found A&K players to be a tad unresponsive when compared to the best touchscreens and interfaces offered by the likes of Samsung and Apple, but there's less of a hint of lag or ambiguity with the SP4000.

The screen itself feels precise and responsive, and while we weren't in a position to pull out an iPhone and do a like-for-like comparison, we didn't notice that frustrating feeling of vagueness or delay that can make operation feel like a chore rather than a joy.

What we would say is that the SP4000 is an absolute unit. A&K players are always large affairs, and it's one of the things we've pointed to in the past that may act as a limitation on anyone seeking hi-res sound that can be taken on the train in the back of a work rucksack.

The SP4000 is a mini behemoth, and while it feels well-made and has the sheen and allure of an appropriately premium product, you might need a bigger bag, plus a yearly gym membership, if you're planning on picking one up.

Some serious firepower

The new A&ultima SP4000 is built around A&K's advanced 'Octa' circuit architecture which "distils purest essence of audio engineering" to provide a "refined yet powerful sound that is remarkably close to perfection". We like the confidence.

The SP4000 can handle hi-res PCM files up to 32-bit/768kHz alongside DSD512 and comes equipped with 256GB of internal memory for your digital library alongside support for microSD cards up to 1.5TB. There's also wi-fi and DLNA network support, and USB digital audio output and a USB-C port for data transfer and charging.

We're listening using a pair of A&K's own in-ear headphones, so we're wary that part of the sound we experience will be imparted by the Korean brand's in-ears. However much of the resultant profile comes from the IEMs or from the player, the sound that makes its way to our ears has a distinctly "hi-fi" flavour.

How does it sound?

This is an informative reproduction, one that puts you in the picture as clearly and accurately as the most steady-handed of professional photographers.

It's a sonic character that reminds us of the authoritative and detailed nature of the established five-star A&ultima SP3000, wherein tunes have the sparkling sheen and polish of a professional player with proper pedigree.

A&K has been kind enough to install a selection of test tunes onto its latest creation. We've had quite enough of Billie Eilish and Dire Straits for one hi-fi show, thank you very much, so we decide to wake ourselves up a bit with Nirvana's Smells Like Teen Spirit.

The SP4000 feels forensic in the way that it tracks instrumental textures and the ebb and flow of rhythms, bolstering its credentials as an informative and detail-heavy performer.

Guitars are replete with bite and scratch, while Kurt Cobain is hearteningly throaty in his delivery of that irrepressibly iconic chorus. If you're looking for a player that gives you half a chance of understanding what he's actually saying, the A&K appears to be a fine candidate.

Its midrange clarity does, we say tentatively, appear to be one of the A&K's more potent strengths. We switch from one much-missed grunge icon to another, swapping out Teen Spirit for Audioslave's Like A Stone and discovering with pleasure how distinct the contrasting deliveries now sound.

Chris Cornell is less scratchy and raw than Cobain here, and his heartfelt delivery comes through as sincere and downtrodden as the track plays through.

It's those more indefinable or esoteric qualities that often go on to define greatness, and we often need more time with a product than a quick hands-on assessment can afford. The Who's Baba O'Riley is full of detail, but the sense of dramatic grandeur as things build is what separates the men from the boys.

We're wary that incredibly informative and detail-heavy players can sound off-hand or removed, so we'd like more testing time to discover whether the SP4000 can make us feel truly involved in our most adrenaline-inducing tunes.

Go big or go home

From what we've heard, the A&ultima SP4000 is an Astell & Kern portable music player through and through. It has that "hi-fi in your hand" sound that has made its predecessors and stablemates so appealing, even if we would need proper testing time to assess its deeper qualities and drawbacks.

What makes the A&ultima SP4000 notable is its size. It's a big, costly unit (prices are TBC but are set to fly north of £4000 / $4000 / AU$5500), so you'll end up with a very large, very high-end piece of kit in your back pocket.

That might be off-putting for some, but the allure of outstanding sound – if the SP4000 does turn out to be a class-leading performer – could well outweigh all other considerations.

For the right buyer, of course.

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Burmester has just refreshed its entire Reference line of products. The refreshed range comprises the 257 turntable, 249 preamplifier and 259 stereo power amplifier. The company is at pains to point out that they are all new designs that borrow nothing from the previous generation of products.

The 257 turntable is supplied with its partnering tonearm and outboard power supply. The deck features an inverted magnetic main bearing that minimises noise. The bearing shaft is made of polished ceramic and is partnered with a sintered bronze liner for the smoothest operation.

The belt-driven deck unusually features two high-torque 12v motors, and rotational accuracy is ensured by using a sophisticated optical sensor system.

Its platter uses a sandwich construction of 50 mm-thick ‘technical plastic’ and stainless steel to provide a solid foundation for the record. Other highlights include the option to add an internal phono stage; a neat solution that also has the potential for improving performance thanks to the shorter path the cartridge’s low-level signal has to travel.

Calling 249 just a preamplifier is selling it short. This all-new, fully balanced unit offers its prospective owner digital inputs as standard and the option of adding a streaming module, phono stage or extra line-level inputs.

Internally, Burmester’s engineers have worked hard to simplify signal paths and minimise interference. The amplification circuitry is three stage and fully analogue, using the company’s latest X-AMP 3 design, which is claimed to be extremely linear and low distortion in its operation.

The preamp’s external design marks a real step forward for the brand, looking cleaner and less cluttered to our eyes. It, and the partnering outboard power supply, both feature a mirrored front, while the preamp’s twin haptic rotary controls mimic the lovely feel of the company’s older, mechanical dials.

The final component in the series is the mighty 259 power amplifier. It is claimed to deliver 500 watts of power channel into a 4-ohm load in stereo mode and a whopping 1500 watts when used as a monoblock. The engineering priorities with this fully-balanced product were to deliver a low noise design with wide dynamic range, taut bass and the ability to drive difficult speakers without a hint of fatigue or aggression.

All these products are planned to appear in shops in the second half of this year. We don't have any firm prices yet, but a complete set is likely to cost around €300k.

MORE:

High End Munich 2025 highlights: streaming amplifiers, large high-end speakers and more exquisite hi-fi

Cyrus unveils 80 Series of full-width products for the first time ever

Gryphon Audio honours 30 years of its best-selling power amplifier with the brand-new Antileon Revelation

Cyrus Audio has done something it has never done before: made full-width products.

The British brand has been synonymous with its half-width chassis design, a hallmark of its identity for over four decades (see it in the '80s Cyrus One, the Cyrus 8a, the CDi...). That changes now as it has unveiled the Cyrus 80 Series of full-width products for the first time at High End Munich 2025.

Cyrus' well-regarded 40 Series of products launched in 2024 and marked a new beginning for the 40-year-old brand. The modern designs offered a fresh outlook and feel that moved the brand into the present day while still being recognisably Cyrus, thanks to that modernised half-width design. It helps also that the 40 ST streamer, 40 CD player and 40 AMP integrated all sounded fantastic for the money, gaining five stars across the board in our reviews.

Cyrus says the 80 Series is an extension of that 40 Series casework, and is said to offer "seamless integration of both 80 and 40 series products in your home audio system". The additional space in the full-width design has given the Cyrus engineering team "a much larger playground for them to really flex their design skills", as well as being able to incorporate the external power supply unit (the 40 PSU) in the 80 Series products, bringing the performance benefits with it.

Don't panic, though, says Chris Hutcheson, Head of Marketing. Cyrus isn't abandoning the half-width products they've always been attached to and many of the What Hi-Fi? team have long loved. The 80 Series is a "smart and logical expansion of the brand", says Hutcheson.

He says: “We have been and always will be renowned for our half-width product design, but the demands of the consumer are varied, and we recognise that there are some customers who prefer the full-width look and feel. The 40 series was created to reset the Cyrus brand; the 80 series is here to expand our appeal to music fans who have not considered us before purely because of the form factor of our products.”

There are three products in the 80 Series, starting with a streaming amplifier. The 80 AMP has the BluOS streaming platform at its heart, and features 150W per channel of Class A/B amplification. It also supports Tidal, Qobuz, Spotify, is Roon Ready, and has an MM/MC phono stage inside. The illuminated dials, large touchscreen panel and colour display all look rather smart.

There is an 80 PRE preamplifier, whic hhas the same BluOS networking streaming features as the AMP, and is designed to match the 80 PWR power amplifier. This model boasts Class A/B amplification rated at 200W per channel, and can also be used in mono mode, giving you 300W of bridged power.

You can see from the press photos that the full-width chassis is clearly the size of two 40 Series products, and the 40 CD player and 40 PPA phono stage can be used as part of the 80 Series, too.

The three new 80 Series products will launch in November. We're told that the price will be in the £5000 to £6000 range, putting it in direct competition with the likes of Naim, Linn and Hegel, says Cyrus.

The 40 Series' products are in the £3000-£4000 range; the 80 Series moves Cyrus further upwards in the premium hi-fi market. It's another bold move for Cyrus, and we're excited to find out if the 80 Series delivers even more of that incredibly musical, precise, punchy and entertaining sound we heard throughout the 40 Series products. Once we get over the shock of that full-width chassis, that is.

But that's apparently not the end of the surprises, either. Nick Clarke, Cyrus MD, says in the press release: "Also, this latest 'expansion' is far from the end – trust me, there’s still more to come!”

We can't begin to imagine what that could be.

MORE:

Read our Cyrus 40 ST and Cyrus 40 AMP reviews

High End Munich 2025 highlights: all the latest hi-fi news and launches

7 of the quirkiest and strangest pairs of speakers we saw at High End Munich 2025

That 'groundbreaking' new analogue product that Chord Electronics teased last week that will be launched at High End Munich 2025?

It's a phono stage.

The Ultima Phonostage.

Joining the flashing reference Ultima range, the new Phonostage is set to officially launch later this year – at which point we will get the full details of the product and final price. But we've had our first look at the new product as it was unveiled at High End Munich, and can share some initial images and specifications.

The Ultima Phonostage features an advanced dual mono design and is imbued with Chord’s Ultima technology.

It is compatible with moving magnet and moving coil cartridges, offers selectable impedance (47k with capacitance options for MM cartridges; 12ohm to 2200ohm for MC cartridges) and gain adjustments, and has individually assignable inputs so it can be used with up to three turntables or three tonearms.

There are three XLR inputs and three RCA inputs, with one output apiece. Other features include a rumble filter, clip detection and gain boost.

Of course, the Ultima Phonostage is encased in Chord Electronics' visually striking chassis and space-age aesthetic as the rest of its Ultima range of high-end electronics.

There is the glowing LED indicator in the middle, but this is flanked by two eye-catching VU meters on the front panel.

The phono stage is set to launch later this year, in black and silver finishes, with a tentative price tag of around £18,000. If true, that would make it go head-to-head with the fantastic five-star, £15,000 Vertere Calon we tested recently.

We'll bring you more information when the official details are released in a few months.

MORE:

High End Munich 2025 highlights: all the latest hi-fi news and launches

NAD launches next-gen Masters Series amplifiers

Qobuz Connect officially launches, with wide support across hi-fi brands

In what is possibly the worst-kept secret in recent hi-fi news, Qobuz Connect has officially launched at High End Munich 2025.

The long-anticipated feature joins Tidal Connect and Spotify Connect in delivering a more seamless streaming experience through your hi-fi system, along with simplified control over your Qobuz library and across devices.

Qobuz Connect "enables users to stream music directly using Qobuz to control their compatible hi-fi devices without the need for third-party applications."

We have had early access to Qobuz Connect and can confirm it behaves similarly to how it works with Tidal and Spotify. That is, all the streaming duties are handed off to the supporting hardware (e.g. a Connect-enabled streamer connected to your network) instead of being locally tied to your smart device, while the native app on your smartphone is used simply as a controller.

Previously, streaming Qobuz from your smartphone or tablet device meant using Bluetooth, AirPlay or Chromecast, or using the limited Qobuz app experience baked into a supporting hi-fi product's own app. It also meant that any incoming calls, social clips or turning your phone off would interrupt songs being streamed.

With Connect, the fetching, processing and playback of a digital stream is handled directly by the streamer, and isn't affected by how you use your smartphone. This means you can stream hi-res Qobuz files directly to the Connect-supporting streamer over your home network.

The five-star music streaming platform has a library of over 100 million tracks in high resolution (up to 24-bit/192 kHz) and lossless CD quality, and this will be fully accessible via Connect-supporting devices, with Qobuz promising an "unrivalled listening experience, whatever the device used".

Qobuz Connect also keeps the mobile app and desktop app synced up, and you can switch audio streams between connected devices at the tap of a button. For instance, your music will pick up from exactly where you left off when you switch playing from your laptop to your phone, or from your headphones to your hi-fi system.

“Qobuz Connect is a feature that has been eagerly awaited by our subscribers. We are proud to offer the most complete Connect solution on the market today, combining high resolution, app synchronisation and remote control. Our priority has been to develop a simple, intuitive interface, to facilitate the experience of all our listeners,” says Axel Destagnol, chief product officer at Qobuz.

Qobuz states that its Connect feature has been "developed in collaboration with StreamUnlimited Engineering", a technology partner to many hi-fi audio brands that helps integration into existing and new products. We expect to see Qobuz Connect enabled in a huge number of audio brands.

Qobuz Connect is available on iOS, Android, Windows and MacOS devices. At the moment, the feature is available in products from over 40 hi-fi brands, including (but not limited to): Arcam, Audiolab, dCS, Denon, Dynaudio, Eversolo, Focal, JBL Premium Audio, Lumin, Luxman, Marantz, McIntosh, Naim Audio, Rose HiFi, Rotel, Ruark Audio, WiiM and many more.

Additionally, all Denon and Marantz products with HEOS are now compatible with Qobuz Connect, and they are offering a 60-day free trial for Qobuz, too.

To use Qobuz Connect, you will need a Qobuz Studio or Sublime subscription and the feature will be enabled via over-the-air firmware updates to your hardware, at no additional cost. Naim and WiiM products were the first to get the Connect update, and other brands should follow shortly.

We will be trying out Qobuz Connect extensively in our test rooms with a variety of supported products, so stay tuned for our in-depth explainer and experience of the much-anticipated feature.

MORE:

Read our Qobuz review

Tidal Connect: what is it? Which devices support it?

High End Munich 2025: what to expect from the upcoming hi-fi show

You’re always guaranteed to see some tasty high-end hi-fi being exhibited by Mark Levinson at the High End Munich show, and this year is no different.

Say hello to the company’s brand new 600 series of amplifiers. The range consists of three models: the No. 626 preamplifier, No. 632 two-channel power amplifier (both pictured above) and, for those who want power delivered to each of their speakers by a dedicated box, the No. 631 monoblock.

Each amplifier is built on Mark Levinson’s Pure Path circuit philosophy and showcases the brand’s trademark Tectonic industrial design, which blends a machined aluminium chassis, anodised in black, with silver controls. Glass panels on each amp and signature red accents and lighting complete the striking, trademark aesthetics.

The No. 626 dual-mono preamplifier is priced at £24,000 / €28,000 / $25,000 and features Mark Levinson’s fully balanced Pure Path architecture for the analogue section.

The digital number-crunching is powered by its Precision Link III DAC, which supports up to 32-bit/384kHz PCM and native DSD through six digital inputs – AES/EBU, two coaxial digital, two optical digital, and USB-C.

Analogue connectivity comes in the shape of two balanced (XLR) and three single-ended (RCA) stereo inputs, a Pure Phono MM/MC phono stage for your turntable and a Main Drive Class A headphone amplifier for connecting a premium pair of audiophile headphones.

Inside, the No. 626 has been designed with modular isolation in mind and includes special shielding of the power supply circuit and digital source circuit from the analogue and phono circuitry.

It also uses twin power supplies and comes fitted with vibration-damped feet to keep the amp isolated.

Both the No. 632 power amplifier £30,000 / €34,000 / $30,000 and No. 631 monoblock £38,000 / €44,000 / $40,000 (pictured above) feature Class A/AB amplification, Pure Path fully balanced signal paths, and meaty toroidal power supplies.

The No. 631 uses an eye-catching floorstanding chassis which stands just under 53cm (21 inches) tall. In keeping with the rest of the series, its chassis has also been machined from aluminium and is anodised in black, featuring a silver plinth as its base.

You’ll find a glass centre panel on the front with red lighting on either side, while the top panel of the amp has a glass Core element with red accent lighting.

The Mark Levinson No. 626, No. 632 and No. 631 amplifiers will go on sale in the fourth quarter of 2025.

MORE:

High End Munich 2025 live: news and pictures direct from the high-end hi-fi show

Wharfedale's Evo 5 speaker series promises "heavenly high-end sound at refreshingly down-to-earth prices"

JBL aims high with three high-end speakers joining its flagship Summit Series

I've had a first look at the upcoming WiiM Sound smart speaker at High End Munich 2025.

WiiM is fast becoming an exciting brand to watch, with compact, affordable streamers and electronics that pack in so many features – and now the company has ventured into the world of speakers for the first time.

The samples on display at the WiiM booth are still in the development stage, so not all features are fully functional, but I was able to have a good poke around the new wireless speaker to see how it works.

It's very obvious where the design inspiration has come from – the Sound is roughly the same size and shape of the Apple HomePod, albeit perhaps a little narrower and squarer.

The top panel has a simple touch-capacitive display for playback and volume controls, with icons illuminating as you tap. The top panel is rather large, extending closer to the edge of the speaker than the HomePod 2's smaller, circular design.

The woven fabric covering feels sturdy and the sample unit on display looked smart and well-made.

The big highlight is the small, porthole-like display on the front of the WiiM Sound speaker.

WiiM has clearly beaten Apple to the punch here – the rumours of a HomePod with a screen or display have long been touted, but we're still waiting to see something materialise.

On the WiiM Sound, it's a smart window that shows app icons grouped together (not unlike on an Apple Watch... imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, after all).

The icons also offer access to your music library, internet radio, clock, settings and presets. You can tap on the apps and swipe across the screen to access different app interfaces.

This functionality wasn't fully working yet on the sample I tried at the stand – but it does work well enough when opening the music app or swiping across to get to your music queue.

When on standby mode, it displays a clock face. We hope it's a customisable one, just as we've seen on the WiiM Ultra streamer's display.

The Sound runs on WiiM's own proficient streaming platform, with the accompanying Home app offering all the settings and control.

The feature list covers Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, DLNA – but conspicuous in its absence is AirPlay.

WiiM's latest products – Ultra, Amp Pro, Amp Ultra – are also missing AirPlay, but we're not too surprised that Apple's streaming technology isn't featured in a clear rival.

You can use the WiiM remote for voice commands, too. A WiiM representative said that Alexa integration, such as with a microphone built into the smart speaker, could be in the works in the future.

At the moment, it seems that you activate Google and Amazon voice assistants via your smartphone rather than speaking directly to the speaker. We will clarify this voice control aspect once the product is finalised.

Of course, how the Sound, err, sounds remains an unknown. The HomePod 2 is a fantastic-sounding device, delivering excellent detail, natural voices, engaging dynamics and a spacious sound from its compact form. Can WiiM compete? We can't wait to find out.

Considering WiiM's trend for delivering well-thought-out products at very affordable prices, it could be a serious competitor to the £299 / $299 HomePod.

Depending on the final price, the WiiM Sound could even be a rival to more budget Amazon Alexa smart speakers, considering the WiiM's extensive hi-res streaming features.

Additionally, the WiiM Sound can be used as part of a 5.1 surround sound system. The WiiM Sound speakers were being used in conjunction with two Audio Pro wireless speakers as the front and left/right speakers, but you can configure any connected (and compatible) speakers you like using the WiiM Home app.

WiiM has already worked with Audio Pro to launch two 'WiiM Edition' models, and it shows how compact a TV or cinema set up (and a multi-room set up) can be. The whole 5.1 system could also be wireless but for connections to mains power.

The demo system at the show was being run by the new WiiM Amp Ultra streaming amplifier, which gives you even more scope to connect to streaming apps, devices and a TV. We are big fans of the Ultra streamer, so one that combines its excellent touchscreen display with an amplifier inside to make a compact, all-in-one system is hugely appealing.

I didn't get to test out much on the Amp Ultra – most were on static display – but it looks compact, smart and as seamless in use as the five-star Ultra. Let's hope it sounds good, too.

Both the WiiM Sound and WiiM Amp Ultra will go on sale later this year, with prices yet to be confirmed.

WiiM has a penchant for keeping prices reasonable, so it will be interesting to see quite how affordable the Sound and Amp Ultra will be. Watch this space.

MORE:

Read our Apple HomePod 2 review

High End Munich 2025 highlights: streaming amplifiers, large high-end speakers and more exquisite hi-fi

The all-new Amp Ultra is exactly the WiiM product we wanted next

NAD has announced two new amps in its Master Series range at High End Munich. The M33 V2 BluOS Streaming Amplifier follows the original M33 which reviewed very well indeed, while the M23 V2 Stereo Power Amplifier succeeds the original M23.

Both promise a "refined sonic performance" and "enhanced connectivity."

Much like its predecessor, the M33 V2 aims to combine audiophile sound with streaming smarts, but this time it has MQA Labs' new FOQUS and QRONO technologies for a more accurate signal conversion.

These work alongside an ESS SABRE ES9039PRO DAC and Gen 2 Purifi Eigentakt amplifier modules for more precise timing, a wider dynamic range and greater musical integrity.

NAD claims to have eliminated distortion, for a more nuanced and accurate sound.

This time around, Dirac Live Bass Control also comes as part of the package for precise subwoofer integration and optimised room response. And it has XLR pre-outs and a higher subwoofer output level – alongside BluOS multi-room streaming, Apple AirPlay 2, aptX HD Bluetooth, HDMI eARC, and support for major smart home platforms – for more connectivity options.

The M23 V2 is a similar high-value proposition to its predecessor, but now features updated Eigentakt modules for refined timing and less distortion.

There's also a new 12V trigger output with timed delay, to simplify daisy-chaining of multiple amps and preventing surge spikes, and balanced XLR and single-ended RCA inputs for more integration options.

It has bridgeable operation too, capable of doubling the output in mono mode to give it maximum system headroom. It delivers 200W per channel (8 ohms) or 700W bridged.

Both devices feature aluminium bodies with magnetic iso-point feet and precision-machined detailing. NAD claims they will work in partnership for a performance that rivals boutique brands but without the price tag.

Speaking of which, the M33 V2 costs £4999 / $5999 (around AU$10,000) and the M23 V2 £3499 / $3999 (around AU$7000). Both go on sale on 11th August.

MORE:

Check out the best stereo amplifiers around

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High End Munich 2025 is here and our team of experts is on the ground reporting live from the show.

It's already looking set to be a big year for High End, with more than 500 exhibitors and 1000 brands expected to be at the event, which runs from 15th to 18th May.

And that should mean a lot of new hi-fi products.

We will be sharing the news that matters right here, letting you get our live reactions and first impressions on the products as they're launched.

If you've spotted a new product you want us to check out or have a question about anything we've covered, make sure to drop a comment here or post in our forums, and we’ll be your eyes and ears on the ground.

See all the High End Munich 2025 news

The last High End Munich

High End Munich opens today – Thursday 15th May – and its the last ever High End in Munich.

High End is changing location and for 2026 its new home will be Vienna, Austria.

So will Munich go out in style this year? We hope so.

We've already heard about new products on show from Audiolab, Chord, iFi Audio, Klipsch, Onkyo, PMC, Qobuz, T&A and Technics. More details to follow on those.

Meet the team on the ground

We have three members of the What Hi-Fi? team out in Munich to cover the show.

First look at the WiiM Amp Ultra

Here's the new WiiM Amp Ultra on show at High End Munich.

This is a streaming amplifier that, by name at least, combines the talents of its Ultra streamer with those of its existing Amp (and Amp Pro) streaming amplifiers.

We may not have loved the Amp when our expert reviews team tested it last year, but the Ultra streamer proved, like its cheaper Pro Plus sibling, a runaway success.

If it is indeed the foundation of WiiM’s latest streaming product, and the company can build on that with decent-sounding amplification circuitry, the WiiM Amp Ultra should be a tantalising proposition that's hard to resist.

Read all about the new WiiM Amp Ultra

School's Out, reel-to-reel in?

Ah good, some silly stuff.

Despite music not being sold on reel-to-reel tapes for around 50 years, Revox has continued to make reel-to-reel machines, and they've hooked up with Alice Cooper to produce a branded version of their iconic B77 MK III recorder.

The machine, which is on display in Munich, will set you back €27,000 (£23,123 / $29,565), and comes with a master tape of Cooper's 2017 release, The Sound of A.

First look at the WiiM Sound speaker

We've already talked about the new Amp Ultra from WiiM – but there's more.

This is the company's first speaker, the WiiM Sound.

This is a pre-production model but it's a first glance at how the company's speaker could look and what it may have to offer. And yes, we think it looks a lot like the Apple HomePod, too.

The top panel has a simple touch-capacitive display for playback and volume controls, with icons illuminating as you tap it.

There's a small display on the front of the WiiM Sound, which means the company may well beat Apple to the punch here – the rumours of a HomePod with a screen or display have long been touted, but we're still waiting to see it materialise.

The Sound runs on WiiM's own proficient streaming platform, with the accompanying Home app offering all the settings and control.

The feature list covers Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, DLNA – but conspicuous in its absence is AirPlay (no surprise, as it is also missing from WiiM's other new products).

Interestingly, the WiiM Sound can be used as part of a 5.1 surround sound system. The WiiM Sound speakers were being used in conjunction two Audio Pro wireless speakers in Munich, but you can configure any connected (and compatible) speakers using the WiiM Home app.

Consider us intrigued.

Find out more in our WiiM Sound first impressions.

This turntable is nuts... Peanuts

Pro-Ject is known for its special edition turntables and its latest is possibly its coolest yet.

The Pro-Ject Peanuts Turntable celebrates the 75th anniversary of Charles M. Schulz's iconic comic strip, featuring Snoopy, Charlie Brown and the rest of the Peanuts gang.

Technically, it's a rebadged T1 BT – a Bluetooth model that we haven't reviewed, but that is closely related to the five-star Evo model (which made our list of best Bluetooth turntables).

It's all Peanuts-themed, featuring music-inspired moments from the comic strip, and even comes with an acrylic record plate in the form of Charlie Brown's head. (No wonder Snoopy often refers to him as "the round-headed kid".)

On show at High End Munich 2025, it will be available to buy in June and will cost £579 (around $760 / AU$1200).

Read more about the Pro-Ject Peanuts turntable

The ultimate high-end turntable motor?

Take a look at Wilson Benesch's dedicated poly-phase motor and power supply system, The Omega Drive.

Inside the motor drive system, poly-phase drive signals are synthesised by a microprocessor-controlled DAC module that controls each critical variable in real-time, while analogue, linear amplifiers then handle the transfer of these synthesised signals. Simple, right?

It is part of the company's GMT One System, a turntable system built from the ground-up to deliver "unprecedented levels of accuracy".

Read all about it in our original news story: Wilson Benesch's GMT One System is a turntable like no other

Crazy speakers, crazy price

It wouldn't be High End Munich without a pair of crazy Chinese speakers...

JBL aims high with three high-end speakers joining its flagship Summit Series

JBL has launched three new pairs of high-end speakers in its flagship Summit Series: Makalu, Pumori and Ama. These join the existing Everest and the five-star K2 speakers.

Like their forebears, each speaker is named after a Himalayan peak. And each promises a suitably large-scale performance, with heavily-braced cabinets, binding posts wrapped in carbon fibre and plated in rhodium.

They also boast JBL’s MultiCap crossover network, which promises to maintain purity and performance throughout the audio chain, and JBL IsoAcoustics adjustable isolation feet.

Prices range from around £14,000 to a whopping £36,000. Which is a little steep, appropriately enough.

Read more about JBL's new Summit speakers

Wharfedale's Evo 5 speaker series promises "heavenly high-end sound at refreshingly down-to-earth prices"

Succeeding the Evo 4 series, the Evo 5 range boasts updated cabinets, drivers and crossovers and new damping technology, while still offering premium technology and sound at reasonable prices.

The Evo 4.4 floorstander is a five-star, What Hi-Fi? Award winner, so we're excited to hear what the new Evo 5 range has in store for us.

Read more about Wharfedale's Evo 5 speaker range

Want to upgrade to a moving-coil cartridge? Ortofon's new MC X range could be the answer

Ortofon has released the replacement for its long-running Quintet series of moving-coil cartridges.

The Danish cartridge specialist’s new MC X range consists of four models, the MC X10 (£269), MC X20 (£429), MC X30 (£599) and range-topping MC X40 (£875).

Every model shares the same generator system and housing, with their differences coming down to the type of stylus tip. The MC X40 uses a boron cantilever instead of the aluminium one found elsewhere in the series.

Read more in our full Ortofon MC X story

Triangle's latest speakers pledge greater sonic clarity thanks to upgraded cabinets, crossovers and drivers

Triangle has unveiled its latest pair of standmount speakers, the Borea BR04.

Born out of a desire to push the limits of the five-star Borea BR03's performance benchmark, the new BR04 promise upgraded performance while maintaining the signature qualities that have helped to define Triangle's popular Borea line of speakers.

Read more in our Triangle Borea BR04 story

NAD launches next-gen Masters Series amplifiers

NAD has announced two new amps in its Master Series range.

The M33 V2 BluOS Streaming Amplifier follows the original M33 which reviewed very well indeed, while the M23 V2 Stereo Power Amplifier succeeds the original M23.

Both promise a "refined sonic performance" and "enhanced connectivity." And both feature aluminium bodies with magnetic iso-point feet and precision-machined detailing.

NAD claims they will work in partnership for a performance that rivals boutique brands but without the price tag.

Speaking of which, the M33 V2 costs £4999 / $5999 (around AU$10,000) and the M23 V2 £3499 / $3999 (around AU$7000). Both go on sale on 11th August.

Read more in our NAD M33 V2 and M23 V2 news story

Mark Levinson’s new 600 Series “redefines what’s possible from preamplifiers and amplifiers”

This is Mark Levinson's new 600 series of amplifiers. The range consists of three models: the No. 626 preamplifier, No. 632 two-channel power amplifier (both pictured above) and, for those who want power delivered to each of their speakers by a dedicated box, the No. 631 monoblock.

Each amplifier is built on Mark Levinson’s Pure Path circuit philosophy and showcases the brand’s trademark Tectonic industrial design, which blends a machined aluminium chassis, anodised in black with silver controls. Glass panels on each amp and signature red accents and lighting complete the striking, trademark aesthetics.

Of course, there's a lot more to them than just aesthetics...

Find out what in our Mark Levinson 600 series news story

Chord Electronics unveils flagship Ultima Phonostage – and we've had a first look

Joining the flashing reference Ultima range, the new Phonostage is set to officially launch later this year – at which point we will get the full details of the product and final price. But we've had our first look at the new product as it was unveiled at High End Munich, and can share some initial images and specifications.

Find out more in our Chord Electronics Ultima Phonostage news story

Qobuz Connect officially launches, with wide support across hi-fi brands

Qobuz Connect is just like Tidal Connect and Spotify Connect – it lets you stream tracks through Qobuz direct to your hi-fi, with no third-party apps required.

Just like its rivals, the streaming duties are handed off to the supporting hardware (e.g. a Connect-enabled streamer connected to your network) instead of being locally tied to your smart device, while the native app on your smartphone is used simply as a controller.

But the best news is it's been widely adopted by hi-fi brands.

Read more in our Qobuz Connect news story

Gryphon Audio honours 30 years of its best-selling power amplifier with the brand-new Antileon Revelation

To coincide with the 30th anniversary of its Antileon Series power amplifier, Gryphon Audio Designs has unveiled its fifth-generation Antileon model.

The new Antileon Revelation is the latest evolution of the Danish firm's power amplification ethos, which was first epitomised in the 1991-released DM-100, with its dual-mono design, pure Class A circuit topology, high-current output and ability to drive virtually any speaker.

That DNA has run through Gryphon’s product line ever since. The brand says the Antileon Revelation is "the finest amplifier ever to wear the Antileon nameplate".

Find out more in our Gryphon Audio Designs Antileon Revelation news story

Cyrus unveils 80 Series of full-width products for the first time ever

Cyrus Audio has done something it has never done before: made full-width products.

The British brand has been synonymous with its half-width chassis design, a hallmark of its identity for over four decades (see it in the '80s Cyrus One, the Cyrus 8a, the CDi...). That changes now as it has unveiled the Cyrus 80 Series of full-width products for the first time.

See, you're never too old to try something new.

Read more in our Cyrus 80 Series news story

Burmester launches an all-new Reference hi-fi range with one eye on the future

Burmester has just refreshed its entire Reference line of products.

The refreshed range comprises the 257 turntable, 249 preamplifier and 259 stereo power amplifier. The company is at pains to point out that they are all new designs that borrow nothing from the previous generation of products.

The 257 turntable is supplied with its partnering tonearm and outboard power supply. The deck features an inverted magnetic main bearing that minimises noise. The bearing shaft is made of polished ceramic and is partnered with a sintered bronze liner for the smoothest operation.

The belt-driven deck unusually features two high-torque 12v motors, and rotational accuracy is ensured by using a sophisticated optical sensor system.

The deck and both amps should appear in shops in the second half of this year.

Read more in our Burmester Reference news story

iFi launches 2 hi-res travel accessories to soundtrack your summer holidays

iFi has announced two new travel accessories to bring wireless hi-res tunes to your summer holidays. The Up Travel Bluetooth DAC adds the capability to an in-car or inflight entertainment system, while the Go Pod Air adds it to your in-ear monitors (IEMs).

The Go Pod Air is a smaller, more affordable version of the Go Pod which launched a couple of years ago. But the Up Travel is a new product altogether.

Read all about it in our iFi Up Travel news story

HiFi Rose teases its RS451 music streamer with HDMI eARC and AirPlay

We've caught our first glimpse of HiFi Rose's latest music streamer, the RS451.

The new model joins HiFi Rose's solid roster of established network players, and while we don't have official prices just yet, we do have enough information to keep you in the loop.

Stay in the loop with our HiFi Rose RS451 news story

The 11 most exciting hi-fi products we saw at High End Munich 2025

High End Munich has drawn to a close, and for good. Europe's biggest hi-fi show moves to Vienna next year, so it's auf wiedersehen Munich.

So what were the most exciting products we saw at Munich's last ever High End show? Join us as we run down our favourites...

Read about the 11 most exciting hi-fi products we saw at High End Munich 2025

Ortofon has just released the replacement range for its long-running and highly respected Quintet series of affordable moving-coil cartridges.

The new Ortofon MC X is a four-strong range comprising the MC X10 (£269), MC X20 (£429), MC X30 (£599) and range-topping MC X40 (£875).

We were fortunate to have a quick listen to all four models at Ortofon's offices in Denmark, and our first impressions are hugely positive. Each model offers improved detail and finesse over the step below.

To find out more, we took the opportunity to sit down with Peter Wieth Hjordt, Ortofon’s product director and the driving force behind the new models.

What Hi-Fi?: What is your role at Ortofon?

Peter Wieth Hjordt: I work on both the commercial and technical side of Ortofon, which gives me the ability to bridge those two worlds and help the company make products that the customers, distributors and retailers are actually asking for, rather than just what we think they should buy.

I also work with the engineering team, driving the development of those new products.

How did you first get started in hi-fi?

I first got interested in the early 1990s when I went into the high-end department of a local hi-fi shop. I had saved a few bucks and was ready to buy something, but I couldn’t really get a proper answer to my questions.

So, afterwards, I contacted the person in charge of the high-end section (who wasn’t in when I visited) and ultimately ended up working there.

Over the next years, I studied so that I could fully understand the technical aspects of hi-fi while progressing through numerous retail shops to distribution, and then ultimately came to Ortofon.

What are the relative merits of moving-magnet and moving-coil cartridges?

The big advantages of moving-magnet cartridges are the replaceable stylus – really good if you damage it or wear it out – and their higher output levels. They are easier to make, and the process can be automated.

The swappable stylus also means that it is easy to upgrade to the performance of models further up the range. The high output level of moving magnets also means that there is less of a demand on the partnering phono stage in terms of gain, noise levels and distortion.

Moving-coil cartridges have to be rebuilt if you damage the stylus, so it isn’t possible to repair or upgrade them in the same way. However, they have a lower moving mass, and that is critical to track the detail and dynamics of the signal in the record groove.

In terms of sound quality, provided your turntable and phono stage are good enough, moving-coil cartridges will tend to sound better.

What were the design priorities for the new MC X range?

With all the development work we have done in recent years, I knew right from the beginning that we could get better channel balance and a wider sound separation.

We could make big improvements in the magnet system as well as optimise the rubber damper (suspension) material. A lot of development has been done on rubber compounds over recent years, and I knew we could get better results.

All of this makes it possible to take performance to another level over the old Quintet range.

Stylus shape is the main differentiator between the various MC X models. Why is it so important, and what is the hierarchy?

The stylus is in contact with the sides of the record groove, not the bottom. The shape of the stylus dictates the amount of contact it makes and how accurately it can track the undulations. So, that’s why the narrower stylus profiles will usually sound better.

The most basic option is called Spherical, followed by Elliptical, both mounted on a titanium shank (that is then attached to the cantilever). The next step would be to get rid of the shank and mount the diamond directly to the cantilever, which we call ‘Nude’.

In such a design, the Elliptical diamond will be narrower in profile, giving a better sound. Fine-Line and then Shibata are next.

At the very top is a profile like our own Replicant 100, which has such a narrow shape that we haven’t found a way to make it better without turning it into a cutting head!

Cartridges are a mature technology. Where do you think improvements are possible?

It’s a tough question. There are many areas where we are focusing. We can improve the cantilever by introducing a more rigid material, such as diamond, but, of course, that is limited to only the most expensive cartridges.

Introducing a boron cantilever in an MC cartridge priced below £1000, as we have done with the new MC X40, gives some of the benefits, and I think that’s pretty magic. It allows us to deliver a high-end performance at a more affordable level.

Instead of using an extruded aluminium core and machining afterwards, making one using MIM (Metal Injection Moulding) and stainless steel, as we have with the new range... that is next level.

With this production method, new shapes and ways of designing the structure open up the possibilities. Also, refining the rubber compounds used in the cartridge suspension will make a huge difference.

What system do you have at home?

My main deck is a Technics SL-1210GR. I also have a Mark Levinson 331 power amplifier and Revel Performa F328 Be floorstanders.

I just sold my preamp so am in the market for a new one. It will be dangerous for me to go to the Munich High End show and see what is there!

What do you think the high-end Ortofon cartridge of 2050 will be?

That’s an interesting question. If we are looking at the same way of construction and sticking with the MC principle, I think we will have new, better ways of doing the magnetic system and suspension.

I’m sure there will be different materials and new alloys, as well as advanced AI simulations that help optimise the performance of every part.

MORE:

Check out the best cartridges we've tested across all budgets

Moving magnet vs moving coil cartridges: which is right for you?

High End Munich 2025: latest news, hi-fi product launches and highlights

Ortofon has released the replacement for its long-running Quintet series of moving-coil cartridges.

The Danish cartridge specialist’s new MC X range consists of four models, the MC X10 (£269), MC X20 (£429), MC X30 (£599) and range-topping MC X40 (£875).

Every model shares the same generator system and housing, with their differences coming down to the type of stylus tip. The MC X40 uses a boron cantilever instead of the aluminium one found elsewhere in the series.

Ortofon’s engineers started with a fresh sheet of paper and have worked hard to push performance standards.

The foundation of the MC X models is a new honeycomb stainless-steel core to which the generator and housing attach.

It is made using Metal Injection Moulding technology, and reminds us a little of the design used in Ortofon’s futuristic, multi-thousand-pound MC-90X moving-coil design.

Each MC X cartridge features a newly developed magnet system and hand-wound coils made of ultra-thin, high-purity silver wire.

Ortofon hand-builds every model and even makes most of the parts on site, including the rubber used for the cartridge’s suspension. This level of control ensures quality and allows the company to more easily optimise performance.

Looking at the specifications, you will find that all the models measure remarkably consistently, from the sensibly chosen output level of 0.4mV to the entirely conventional 2.0g recommended tracking force.

They aren’t particularly heavy either, at 8.6g, so they should work well in a wide range of tonearms. Electrically, a typical phono stage with an MC input loading of 100 ohms will work just fine.

This consistency reflects the cartridges' sound, too. We had a chance to compare all four in Ortofon’s listening room in Næstved, Denmark.

The company has an impressive reference system fronted by a Technics SL-1000R record player, feeding the phono input of a Mark Levinson No 523 /No 534 pre/power amplifier combination, which drives Focal Scala Utopia Evo floorstanders.

We start with the entry-level MC X10 and are surprised by just how good it sounds for the money. Of course, we aren’t familiar with the room or system, so any definitive judgments will have to wait until we can hear it in a more controlled environment, but our first impressions are hugely positive.

This cartridge sounds cleaner and more detailed than we expected, delivering the music – we used Eric Clapton’s Unplugged set – with finesse and good dynamic expression.

Changing to the MC X20, with its Nude Elliptical stylus tip (rather than the standard Elliptical tip of its cheaper sibling) brings improvements.

The MC X20 sounds more detailed, but more importantly it delivers a calmer, more mature presentation that allows us to dig deeper into the recording.

There is greater finesse here, too, and a more subtle rendering of instrumental and vocal textures. Simply put, the MC X20 gives a more grown-up and composed performance than its junior sibling, and more than justifies its price premium.

However, if your budget extends to the MC X30, you may consider making that leap. Once again, we didn’t have a huge amount of listening time, but our impressions are that this model might just be the sweet spot of the new range.

The technical change of the stylus tip to a Nude Fine-Line profile may not seem profound, but the sonic improvement that results certainly seems to be.

You’ll need a suitably talented turntable, of course, and a system that has the required transparency, but given these, it is hard to argue the value that the MC X30 brings.

Our notes mention significantly improved clarity, subtler dynamics and a greater sense of naturalness. This is a less showy performer than the more affordable cartridges in the series, but it is hard to argue against its improved insight, refinement and control.

This is the first model in the range that shifted our attention from the mechanics of hi-fi reproduction to the quality of the music being played. Indeed, anything that puts the spotlight firmly on the music and emotion gets our vote.

So, where does that leave the range-topper? In a system as capable as this, there is no doubt that the MC X40 digs even more out of the record groove. It renders a notably larger soundstage than the X30 and resolves even more detail.

The change of stylus profile to a Nude Shibata, and the cantilever material from aluminium to the more rigid Boron, certainly provides an obvious performance improvement.

While the relatively short time we spent listening to the cartridges leaves us unsure over whether it matches the ’X30 in terms of overall musical cohesion and engagement, there is no doubt that the range-topper is the more informative and even-handed performer.

It certainly paints sound with a finer brush, and we suspect that will be enough to get many people to tap the card. That said, the price gap between the two cartridges is fairly hefty.

Overall, it is fair to say that we came away from Ortofon’s demo with plenty of admiration for its new MC X range.

We are convinced that it is a proper step up from the much-respected Quintet series, and can’t wait to put the models through our comprehensive test procedure in our listening rooms.

MORE:

"A boron cantilever in a moving-coil cartridge priced below £1000... I think that’s pretty magic." Meet the driving force behind Ortofon's new MC X range

Check out the best cartridges we've tested across all budgets

Moving magnet vs moving coil cartridges: which is right for you?

Wharfedale's new Evo 5 speaker range has launched at High End Munich 2025. Succeeding the Evo 4 series, the Evo 5 range boasts updated cabinets, drivers and crossovers and new damping technology, while still offering premium technology and sound at reasonable prices.

The Evo 4.4 floorstander is a five-star, What Hi-Fi? Award winner, so we're excited to hear what the new Evo 5 range has in store for us.

The new range consists of the Evo 5.1 two-way standmount speaker, the Evo 5.2 three-way large standmounters, two three-way floorstanders (Evo 5.3 and Evo 5.4) and an Evo 5.C centre channel for home cinema setups.

The mid-price Evo range has always benefitted from more premium technology, including the use of an AMT (Air Motion Transformer) tweeter and a domed midrange driver.

In the Evo 5 range, the AMT driver is bigger, measuring 35x70mm compared with outgoing Evo 4's 35x60mm unit, while the 50mm domed midrange driver has been further developed to match the new high frequency unit.

The AMT unit features a new sound-absorbing material called SilentWeave – a cotton/felt hybrid developed specifically for the Evo 5 speakers, which helps reduce sound wave reflections from inside the cabinet.

Furthermore, another damping element in the form of a frame (called ResoFrame) is features across all drive units in the Evo 5 speakers. It is made from elastomer and looks like a "cog-like shape within the driver's front panel." The AMT tweeters have a further damping gasket between the diaphragm and front plate that minimises mechanical resonances even further for a smooth response in the lower treble.

The domed midrange driver features both the acoustic damping frame and the SilentWeave hybrid material. Put together, Wharfedale promises a "sweetly extended" and purer treble, wide dispersion, greater efficiency and clarity.

The bass and mid/bass drivers across the Evo 5 also feature dedicated new technology. Alongside the ResoFrame damping frame, a new low-mass elastomer damping ring is introduced, situated at the rear of the driver cone where it meets the surround. This aims to optimise the lower midrange, promising voices that "sound richer, more natural and more emotionally engaging," according to Wharfedale.

The crossovers have also been redesigned, with shorter paths between the components and drive units. In the three-way speakers, the circuit layout is split into two – one for treble and mid, and the other for bass – to reduce any electromagnetic interference.

Wharfedale's SLPP (Slot Loaded Profiled Port) bass reflex design has also been upgraded to fire in three directions – left, right and to the rear – in the Evo 5. This is designed to improve bass extension and integration, while also improving the uniform dispersion of air in the room – compared with the two-direction vent system in the Evo 4 – and help ensure the speakers are less fussy about placement in the room.

And finally, the cabinet of all the Evo 5 speakers have been made proportionately a little larger to account for the larger driver and revised crossovers, while also offering larger cabinet volume for deeper bass and more expansive, immersive soundstage.

The cabinet is made of layers of woods of different densities to reduce resonance, while a hybrid metal/wood plinth is at the base of every speaker (which incorporates the bass reflex vents).

The Wharfedale Evo 5 Series will be available from June in four finish options: walnut wood veneer, matt black, matt white, and a new matt grey. Prices are as follows:

Evo 5.1 standmounter: £549 / €699 / AU$1249 per pair
Evo 5.2 standmounter: £749 / €999 / AU$1749 per pair
Evo 5.3 floorstander: £1099 / €1499 / AU$2599 per pair
Evo 5.4 floorstander: £1399 / €1899 / AU$3299 per pair
Evo 5.C centre channel: £549 / €699 / AU$1249

MORE:

Read our Wharfedale Evo 4.4 review

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High End Munich 2025: the latest news, highlights and hi-fi launches

JBL has launched three new pairs of high-end speakers in its flagship Summit Series: Makalu, Pumori and Ama. Appropriately launching at High End Munich 2025, these join the existing Everest and the five-star K2 speakers.

Like their forebears, each speaker is named after a Himalayan peak. And each promises a suitably large-scale performance, with heavily-braced cabinets, binding posts wrapped in carbon fibre and plated in rhodium.

They also boast JBL’s MultiCap crossover network, which promises to maintain purity and performance throughout the audio chain, and JBL IsoAcoustics adjustable isolation feet.

Let's go climbing.

Summit Makalu

The top of the range of is Summit Makalu, named after the world’s fifth-highest mountain that's just 12 miles from Everest (the mountain, not the JBL speaker).

A three-way floorstander, the Makalu is designed to "anchor large, immersive listening spaces with deep, articulate bass and soaring midrange detail", according to JBL.

Inside are a 12-inch subwoofer and an 8-inch midrange driver that both use JBL's proprietary HC4 composite cones, alongside JBL's patented D2 compression driver and precision-moulded HDI Sonoglass horn, promising "stunning dynamics and crystal-clear imaging".

It also promises to be a looker, with a contoured cabinet with a rich ebony veneer and gold accents or high-gloss piano black with platinum detailing.

Summit Makalu cost £36,998 / $44,995 (around AU$77,000) per pair.

Summit Pumori

Mount Pumori on the Nepal-China border is known as the daughter of Everest. Its namesake is another three-way floorstander whose speciality is musical balance and purity.

It boasts a 10-inch woofer and an 8-inch midrange driver, along with the same D2 compression driver and HDI horn architecture as the Summit Makalu.

It also has a softly contoured cabinet with luxurious finishes.

Summit Pumori cost £26,998 / $29,995 (around AU$56,000) per pair.

Summit Ama

Ama Dablam is one of the Himalayas' most iconic and picturesque peaks – its name translates as 'Mother's Necklace'.

The Summit Ama speaker is a two-way standmount that's more compact than its stablemates. It offers an 8-inch HC4 cone woofer, D2 compression driver and HDI horn, and promises "exceptional clarity, control, and coherence across the frequency spectrum".

It comes with a matching steel-and-aluminium stand.

Including stands, they cost £14,998 / $19,995 (around AU$31,000) per pair.

Still, that's cheaper than the K2 speakers, which cost a cool £44,000 when we reviewed them back in 2017. We considered them one of the best speakers money can buy, praising their "spellbinding combination of dynamics, insight and finesse".

Let's hope the new trio live up to such grand heights.

MORE:

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Audio-Technica has unveiled a new premium turntable at High End Munich 2025, and it's quite the looker.

The Audio-Technica AT-LPA2 is a fully transparent design that lays bare the inner workings of the fully manual, belt-drive turntable – it certainly looks stunning.

The AT-LPA2 is based on the limited edition AT-LP2022 turntable that was made for the Japanese brand's 60th anniversary celebrations a couple of years ago, with the new full-production model featuring a new arm, cartridge and price point.

The deck features a 30mm high-density acrylic chassis and 20mm acrylic platter. Apart from delivering a striking transparent aesthetic, the material also offers "exceptional" resonance control to reduce unwanted vibrations affecting vinyl replay. We've seen transparent acrylic employed to great success in the ultra-high-end, magnificent Vertere SG-1 turntable we tested recently.

An optical sensor is also included beneath the spindle, which constantly monitors the platter rotation so that it spins at the correct speed consistently. The turntable can play 33 1/3 and 45 RPM record speeds.

Instead of the rather budget AT-VM95EBK cartridge with a Shibata stylus that was fitted on the anniversary model, the AT-LPA2 is fitted with the brand's more premium AT-OC9XEN dual moving coil cartridge.

This is attached to a newly designed straight carbon-fibre tonearm, which promises "superior tracking and stability". It allows for adjustable VTA and azimuth, includes an anti-skate mechanism as well as two different counterweights (110g and 130g) to ensure compatibility with a wide variety of cartridges, should you wish to upgrade.

The turntable is equipped with a separate power supply and control unit, ensuring that the deck itself is isolated from any noisy, unwanted electrical interference from the power supply.

The Audio-Technica AT-LPA2 is priced at £1699 / €1999 and is available from select dealers today. In comparison, the limited edition model was yours for £999 / $1200 (but is now discontinued).

Also launching is the next generation of the popular VM series of moving magnet cartridges. Collectively known as the AT-VMx series, the new lineup includes the 500x, 600x and 700x models. There are 9 cartridges in total with different styli and design variations; three cartridges in the 500x range, four in the 700x subset and two monoaural cartridges with the 600x series.

The AT-VMx is the first major update of the VM series since 2016, and it aims to offer a wide range of cartridges with usability improvements and clear progression at every price point, designed to cater to both vinyl newbies and seasoned turntable aficionados.

Available now, with prices starting from £99 / €119.

MORE:

Read our Audio-Technica Sound Burger review

High End Munich 2025: all the latest news and hi-fi launches

One-star review shockers, failing formats and a ten-way amplifier test – What Hi-Fi? saw it all in June 1995

Dali has launched its most powerful subwoofer ever, and where better than at High End Munich?

Weighing over 50kg, the V-16 F is an absolute monster of a woofer. But while it packs plenty of power (as you would expect from a sub of this size), it also has "the precision and control needed to work in any audio system context and even in small rooms", Dali says.

That's thanks to a wide-band, low-loss design with low harmonic and non-harmonic distortion, that's optimised both in and out of its primary frequency band. It also boasts ultra-low signal latency, a controlled, non-resonant, low-pass roll-off and four continuous flare reflex ports tuned to 18Hz.

But the jewel in its crown is a 16-inch driver that incorporates the largest ever Constant Surface Surround (aka CSS Technology). This has been geometrically engineered to eliminate the radiating area distortion mechanism, meaning a cleaner sound with less distortion.

The driver features a T-shaped vented pole-piece that's designed to ensure symmetrical magnetic flux distribution through the voice coil. The vent hole through that pole-piece flares at both ends to ensure turbulence-free airflow, while two Faraday rings suppress flux modulation and maintain a consistent sound.

The bass driver and voice coil use a four-layer winding on a vented ultra low-loss glass-fibre former – because this material doesn't conduct electricity, it prevents the build-up of eddy currents and minimises any breaking effects on the moving voice coil, improving dynamics.

Dali has used aluminium for the driver diaphragm, as it's rigid but light, and retains its profile even under extreme excursion. Dali claims that despite its size, it's the most rigid diaphragm ever fitted to a Dali driver.

That's the insides covered, but what about the cabinet?

Its 90-litre volume is enclosed as space-efficiently as possible, and made from 25mm thick wood composite panels with 21mm internal braces. The front panel doubles this thickness to 50mm, with the internal bracing supporting the bass driver and the four 350mm long Continuous Flare reflex ports (similar to those previously seen on the Dali Epikore 11 loudspeaker).

The 1500-watt Class-D amplifier can deliver a peak power up to 2500 watts. But it also promises to keep a "vice-like grip" of the bass driver even at extreme diaphragm excursion levels, meaning powerful and accurate bass dynamics and impeccable timing, whatever the volume.

You also get three sound modes: Cinema, Music and Boost (for extra impactful bass).

So there you have it. Dali says the V-16 F will melt into the soundscape, blending seamlessly with other speaker channels, adding bass without masking midrange clarity. Which sounds good to us.

It goes on sale in July for £4499 (around $6000 / AU$9000).

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WiiM has taken the affordable audio world by storm in recent years with its high-value streamers and amplifiers, the most compelling of which so far have been the Pro Plus and Ultra streamers. The brand has emerged as an unlikely frontrunner in the budget streaming component space, and it isn’t stopping there.

Having formerly partnered with multi-room mogul Audio Pro to dip its toes into the wireless speaker waters with two ‘WiiM Edition’ models, the company is now diving into it with its very own smart speaker.

The WiiM Sound reminds us of something, don’t you think? Indeed, its resemblance to Apple’s established HomePod is difficult to ignore, but look past that obvious design inspiration and WiiM’s knack for offering extensive features and an accessible user experience begins to surface.

The Sound is based on WiiM’s operating system, controlled by the accompanying Home app, offering owners myriad ways to stream their music. There’s support for Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect and DLNA, with Google and Alexa voice control covering the ‘smart’ in smart speaker, too.

The speaker can work in a multi-room environment with other WiiM products; two Sounds can be paired together to make a left/right stereo set-up; and home cinema integration is possible by using the speaker as a surround or centre channel in a Dolby 5.1 solution.

Room correction and EQ customisation could well be further useful in-app features, too. Not an app kind of music listener? An alternative means of playback control comes courtesy of a 1.8-inch touchscreen. This has been a much-rumoured feature for Apple’s next HomePod family member, so has WiiM beaten the tech giant to the punch?

Only time in our test room will tell us how competitive the Sound, er, sounds, of course, but its audio specs are promising, if not unique. A four-inch woofer and dual-balanced mode radiator tweeters together deliver 100 watts of “room-filling” audio, with hi-res support included all the way up to 24-bit/192kHz.

What may well be key to how competitive WiiM’s smart speaker turns out to be is its price, which will be announced later in the year.

The company’s success has largely been down to its cutthroat pricing, so we believe it’s likely the WiiM Sound will undercut the £299 / $299 / AU$479 Apple HomePod.

So what about this other ‘surprising first’? Indeed, WiiM is branching out into a second new product category this year – subwoofers. The Sub Pro's size makes it an unusual partner for something as compact as the Sound, but clearly WiiM believes the affordable sub is an opportunity market.

The Sub Pro is a 250-watt Class D design with an eight-inch driver and many of the company’s smart audio integrations – audio streaming (via wi-fi or Bluetooth) via the Home app and automatic room correction, plus an RCA input.

Again, pricing will be announced later in the year.

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Fyne Audio has announced the latest pair of high-end speakers to get the "Special Production" treatment, the F704SP. Joining the F701SP, F702SP and F703SP models, the F704SP is positioned as the lead model in Fyne's latest F700SP range of speakers.

The new floorstanders will debut at the High End Munich Show this week (officially May 15th to May 18th), promising to combine the power of the original F704 speakers with innovations drawn from the brand's even more high-end, flagship F1 Series.

Designed to replicate the experience of live music in your home, the F704SP use a 30cm IsoFlare driver which combines a 30cm multi-fibre bass/midrange cone with Fyne’s 75mm titanium dome tweeter, as well as a separate 30cm multi-fibre bass driver that takes care of the lower frequencies.

Central to the F704SP's sonic profile is an upgraded crossover network which incorporates premium components such as high-grade polypropylene capacitors and military-grade film resistors. According to Fyne, these advances "dramatically reduce compression effects and elevate detail resolution, enabling listeners to experience a richer, more lifelike musical performance".

Further, Fyne has also used cryogenic treatment on the complete crossover assembly in a bid to relax material stresses in components, maximising signal transparency and leading to improved sonic fidelity. Advanced wiring, meanwhile, teases "exceptional clarity" and efficiency, while gold-plated terminals aim to deliver "impeccable connectivity for premium audio systems".

Moving outside, the new speakers' cabinets are made using high-density European birch plywood bolstered by extensive internal bracing, leading to "unsurpassed rigidity" and less noise interference. The enclosure also incorporates Fyne's twin cavity loading system in which a downward-firing port is paired with Fyne Audio’s bespoke 'BassTrax' diffuser system to deliver a 360-degree wavefront, resulting in a broader sonic dispersion.

The new Fyne speakers are available in piano gloss black, gloss white and gloss walnut finishes, as well as a new walnut veneer. The Fyne F704SP will make their debut at this year's High End Munich showcase, priced at £20,000 / $26,000 / €24,000.

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Eversolo is fast building a reputation for making solid, innovative digital music devices, and its latest product looks to bolster that. The Eversolo Play is the brand's first streaming amplifier, and combines amplification, digital-to-analogue converter (DAC) and wireless streaming skills in one package.

Inside the Eversolo Play is an AK4493 DAC chip and Class D amplifier that, Eversolo claims, will drive bookshelf speakers "to recreate every nuanced detail". We don't have information on the power rating figures yet, but we will find out at the Play's debut at High End Munich 2025 show.

The Eversolo is decked out with streaming features, featuring support for Tidal Connect, Qobuz, Deezer, Amazon Music and TuneIn Radio. It is also Roon Ready certified.

You can also stream locally stored files on a NAS drive over the network thanks to compatibility with UPnP and WebDAV. And finding tracks should be easy thanks to Eversolo's own library management system that works across platforms.

It also boasts an impressive list of ports including HDMI ARC for connecting to a TV, optical and coaxial inputs for CD players and external streamers, a subwoofer output and phono input for hooking up a vinyl turntable.

It has multi-room talents too, so you can place one Play in each room (with speakers) and share music throughout the home.

The mobile app lets you control the Play, plus you can use your phone to analyse a room's acoustic characteristics to adjust the Play's output accordingly.

The body is a CNC construction with an aluminium alloy, to maintain structural rigidity while shielding against external electromagnetic interference. And a heatsink stops components from getting too hot to maintain optimal performance.

That screen is a sizeable 5.5 inches, and lets you control Eversolo's redesigned interface. Eversolo's super slick, user-friendly interface was a highlight during our DMP-A6 streamer review, so we're hoping that the new streaming amplifier brings more of its delightful use case and extensive features to win us over.

The Eversolo Play is also available in a CD Edition, which has a built-in Hitachi-LG CD-ROM drive. The Standard Edition is set to cost €699 (around £600 / $790 / AU$1200), while the CD Edition costs €799 (around £680 / $900 / AU$1400).

That's a rather attractive price considering most established hi-fi brands offer streaming amplifiers that cost much more than that. Our Award-winning Technics SA-C600 (with CD player) costs £769; in contrast, the WiiM Amp Pro (no CD player) is just £399.

Also at High End Munich 2025, Eversolo is showcasing its new flagship DAC Z10, a streaming transport T8 and its sister-brand Luxsin's X9 headphone amplifier and DAC.

MORE:

Read our Eversolo DMP-A6 review

These are the best music streamers around

And the best DACs

Pro-Ject is known for its special edition turntables, but its latest is possibly its most adorable yet. The Pro-Ject Peanuts Turntable celebrates the 75th anniversary of Charles M. Schulz's iconic comic strip, featuring Snoopy, Charlie Brown and the rest of the Peanuts gang.

Technically, it's a rebadged T1 BT – a Bluetooth model that we haven't reviewed, but that is closely related to the five-star Evo model (which made our list of best Bluetooth turntables). Which bodes well.

Of course, most people won't be buying this limited edition model for its audio chops alone, but for the charming artwork, which is something it has plenty of.

It's all Peanuts-themed, featuring music-inspired moments from the comic strip, and even comes with an acrylic record plate in the form of Charlie Brown's head. (No wonder Snoopy often refers to him as "the round-headed kid".)

It also has a heavy glass platter, a precision CNC-machined chassis and Pro-Ject's standard one-piece aluminium tonearm.

An Ortofon OM 10 cartridge comes as part of the package, as does a built-in phono stage as well as Bluetooth for playing to a wireless speaker or headphones.

The turntable will have its debut at High End Munich 2025 this week, but will be available to buy in June and will cost £579 (around $760 / AU$1200). Which is peanuts, considering what you get for your money.

MORE:

From AC/DC to Lamborghini: 5 special edition turntables that demand to be seen (and heard)

The best record players money can buy

And the best Bluetooth turntables

There aren't many hi-fi brands in the world that can celebrate 100 years in the business. Japanese brand Luxman joins the likes of Bang & Olufsen, Philips and (next year) Tannoy in achieving this milestone, and it is kicking off the party with three hi-fi products and a very special edition package.

First up is the P-100 Centennial, a headphone amplifier boasting fully balanced circuitry with four discrete amplifiers that can drive a variety of headphones. It promises to be the brand's "finest-ever" headphone amp, available for £9000.

The P-100 uses a new, evolved version of Luxman's long-running ODNF (Only Distortion Negative Feedback) amplifier technology, which is a high-quality feedback system that improves sound. The new version (called LIFES) has a completely reimagined circuit design and new, high-quality components – Luxman claims this allows distortion at the output to be reduced by more than half and a higher signal-to-noise ratio, resulting in a quieter amplifier and cleaner sound overall.

The P-100 is designed to drive any pair of headphones, with the standard 6.3mm connector joined by balanced 4-pin XLR and 4.4mm outputs, and even a 3-pin XLR connector when using two P-100s in parallel BTL (bridge-tied load) balanced output mode.

Also featured are an improved volume control attenuator that allows for finer adjustments, a left/right balance control, a sensitivity selector (low, medium and high) and a six-level volume limiter function to protect your headphones and hearing.

Next up is the E-07 phono preamplifier for £5500, which takes over from the stunning five-star EQ-500 phono stage we tested back in 2017. The new E-07 features "carefully selected components prioritized for supreme audio quality" that include custom-developed components that have undergone extensive listening tests and bear Luxman's stamp of approval.

The E-07 promises a high signal-to-noise ratio, with a low-noise circuit design and a chassis design that isolates the noisy power supply from the amplifier sections. The aluminium chassis is made with premium materials and features toggles and rotary switches (which we hope are as beautifully built and lovely to use as in the EQ-500 we enjoyed so much).

The chassis' rigidity is reinforced with thick copper plates and cast iron insulator feet further isolate the phono stage from unwanted external vibrations affecting vinyl replay.

The E-07 has a newly developed step-up transformer for MC cartridges, supports balanced inputs and improves left-right stereo separation. One pair of balanced XLR and two pairs of RCA inputs are included.

To fine-tune the phono stage to your particular cartridge, the E-07 offers load impedance adjustments for moving coil and moving magnet cartridges, as well as a load capacitance selector.

Extra features include a mono mode when playing mono records, a phase inversion switch for the balanced outputs, an articulator function that "defeats magnetization of the cartridge and MC transformer" and a low-cut switch that helps reduce the unwanted low-frequency effects of warped records.

And finally, there is a limited Centennial Black Edition finish for four of Luxman's "most esteemed" current products: the superb five-star L-509Z integrated amplifier, the D-07X CD/SACD player, the NT-07 network transport and the PD-151 MkII turntable.

There will only be 100 units of this special all-black finish made, but there is a catch: these Centennial Black Edition units cannot be purchased separately. They are only available to buy as a four-piece system – you want all your hi-fi to match, naturally – so if you're looking to completely overhaul your audio system, this could be the time.

You'll just have to cough up £35,000 for the lot. All Centennial products are available to buy in the UK now.

MORE:

Read our Luxman L-509Z review

dCS's new high-end music streamer offers greater versatility, a new design and promises potent performance

High End Munich 2025 preview: what to expect from the upcoming hi-fi show

Meze has announced the launch of its latest wired open-back headphones, the 105 Silva. The Romanian audio brand launched the open-back 105 AER late last year, with this year's Silva cans expanding the 105 line and promising a "rich, broad and warm soundstage".

At the heart of the new headphones is a set of 50mm dynamic drivers with a cellulose composite dome and a titanium-covered surround striving for a "crisp, engaging and detailed audio experience". Those drivers deploy a titanium-coated torus and a copper-zinc stabiliser to help bolster each membrane’s rigidity and strength, leading to a faster transient response and "pleasantly textured bass with minimal distortion".

According to their maker, the new 105 Silva's sound combines the technicalities of 109 PRO ($799 / £749 / AU$1400) with the warmth and versatility of the aforementioned 105 AER (£359 / $399 / €399), all complemented by an accurate midrange which excels with vocals and strings.

Sporting walnut earcups reinforced with a high-strength polymer, Meze claims that the 105 Silva's design is inspired by the Mid-Century Modern (around 1945–1970 according to Wikipedia), blending "vintage charm and contemporary aesthetics". The new headphones are designed to last, so that every component can be disassembled and replaced following wear or damage.

If you're desperate to see them, you'll be able to catch a glimpse of Meze's new cans when they're previewed at this year's High End Munich showcase, a good few months before their unveiling to the wider world. We don't have prices yet, but Meze promises that figures will arrive later this year, closer to the launch of the new headphones.

MORE:

Best wired headphones: the top pairs tested by our experts

These are our favourite open-back headphones

High End Munich 2025 preview: everything to expect from the yearly showcase

If you've checked out our list of the best portable music players right now, you'll have noticed that one brand is currently dominating the market. South Korean manufacturer Astell & Kern knows its way around a portable music player, returning again with a new flagship model which it hopes will continue a hot streak of Award-winning hi-res audio players.

The audio brand has a new flagship player, the A&ultima SP4000, which will make its global debut at next week’s High End Munich Show, arriving alongside two new pairs of in-ear monitors – the Luna and the XIO, both of which will launch fully later this year.

We don't have official figures yet, but we have tested Astell & Kern's previous SP3000 flagship, which launched at £3799 / $3699 / AU$5499, so we can expect the new flagship player to sport a similarly high-end price.

The A&ultima SP4000 has been constructed around A&K's advanced 'Octa' circuit architecture, distilling the "purest essence of audio engineering" to provide a "refined yet powerful sound that is remarkably close to perfection".

The hi-res player's new circuit architecture is designed so that digital signals are delivered more precisely to a single DAC without the need to distribute noise, enabling improved signal separation and processing.

Further features look to enhance the new player's sonic talents. A&K's 'New Advanced Digital Audio Remaster' technology aims to add refinement and naturalness to music by restoring lost harmonics and using more powerful upsampling. The SP4000 also incorporates an advanced circuit board in pursuit of minimal signal loss and enhanced audio quality.

The SP4000 is capable of handling hi-res PCM files up to 32-bit/768kHz alongside DSD512, and the new player comes equipped with 256GB of internal memory for your digital library, and support for microSD cards up to 1.5TB. There's also wi-fi and DLNA network support, and USB digital audio output and a USB-C port for data transfer and charging.

The SP4000 grants support for the high-quality aptX Adaptive and LDAC Bluetooth codecs for 24-bit audio playback. The player's clever 'BT Sink' function allows the SP4000 to connect to an external device via Bluetooth, and to function as a wireless DAC.

A&K's latest player offers around 10 hours of continuous playback from a single charge, with charging taking around four hours to get fully juiced. The SP4000 is crafted from stainless steel, with a PVD-coated ceramic back, and comes with a Perlinger leather case.

What about those new in-ear headphones? Astell&Kern has collaborated with established headphones manufacturer 64 Audio to produce the XIO, a 10-driver IEM featuring an isobaric cone-to-magnet driver configuration. Housed in a stainless steel shell with a black coating, the monitor "combines technical sophistication with a rugged, luxurious finish".

Also arriving are the Luna, a new set of IEMs developed in-house by Astell&Kern. The Luna boast a full-range single micro planar magnetic driver, as well as hi-fi grade silver-coated and copper cables and an included 4.4mm balanced plug.

The new flagship SP4000 portable music player will go on sale this summer, with pricing to be confirmed. We'll let you know as soon as we have official figures. Both pairs of IEMs will be officially unveiled in Q3 of 2025, with more information set to land next week at Munich. Once we get it, we'll update you on prices and availability.

MORE:

These are our favourite portable music players around

8 tracks we've been using to test in the What Hi-Fi? listening rooms this month

High End Munich 2025 preview: what to expect from the upcoming hi-fi show

Don't be confused by the name: dCS's latest launch is a music streamer. The new high-end Lina DAC X arrives to round out dCS's established Lina line, adding versatility to the established Lina DAC (also a music streamer, tested at £12,500 / $13,650 / AU$22,000) but with greater flexibility and a revamped full-width design.

The Lina DAC X uses the same core technology as the original model, but with the addition of a rotary volume control, a new remote handset and the option to connect CD/SACD transports.

Like its established stablemate, the new DAC X is capable of handling hi-res PCM files up to 24-bit/384kHz alongside DSD128. Sonically, dCS promises "exceptional clarity and detail retrieval" from its latest music streamer, teasing "a natural and deeply musical sound" aided by the brand's 'Ring DAC' conversion system and unique digital processing platform.

The Lina DAC X supports streaming from platforms such as Tidal, Qobuz and Spotify, as well as music management software such as Roon and Audirvana. There's support for AirPlay 2, Internet Radio and UPnP streaming, meaning it will work with compatible NAS devices, laptops and hard drives on the same network. Sadly, however, there's no Bluetooth or Chromecast on board.

The new model offers balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA outputs alongside coaxial, optical and USB (Type B and Type A) digital inputs. You can connect a TV via Toslink, or hook up a CD transport if you want to get your shiny discs spinning.

The Lina DAC X is housed within a machined aluminium chassis designed to enhance its sonic performance by minimising unwanted distortion. It's wider than the compact Lina DAC, measuring 44cm across rather than 36cm.

The new music streamer has also been designed to be consistently upgradable thanks to its flexible built-in architecture, allowing for further upgrades and features to be added later down the line.

The original Lina DAC was a five-star performer when we tested it back in 2023 – we'd like to think that the new X-rated version can live up to such a legacy. The dCS Lina DAC X is available to order now for £13,500 / $15,500 with shipping starting in June 2025.

MORE:

Check out our list of the best music streamers

8 tracks we've been using to test in the What Hi-Fi? listening rooms this month

High End Munich 2025 preview: what to expect from the upcoming hi-fi show

Today marks Day 2 of the High End Munich show!

It's the last time Europe's biggest hi-fi trade show takes place in Munich (the show moves to Vienna next year), and it's going out with a splash. There are over 500 exhibitors and 1000 brands showcasing the latest and greatest audio products throughout the week. The show started on Thursday, 15th May and ends on Sunday 18th.

The What Hi-Fi? team are on the ground at the MOC Event Center Messe München to bring you all the latest hi-fi news and launches, while raising a stein (or two!) to the venue's last hurrah.

We've already seen multiple launches from some of the biggest hi-fi brands out there, including high-end amplifiers from Mark Levinson, Audiolab's new DACs, a high-end streamer from dCS, a new phono stage from Chord Electronics, and a special Charlie Brown turntable from Pro-Ject. Scroll down for all the key news and highlights.

We'll be bringing you exclusive product news, hands-on images, first impressions and more insights from the event, so keep an eye on the website, our Instagram and Facebook channels for exclusive photos and videos from the show floor.

High End Munich 2025: latest news

Latest news and what to expect

Audiolab
Audiolab has started things off with a bang, announcing two new standalone DACs – the D7 (£499) and pricier D9 (£1099) – that are descendants of the much-loved, well-regarded Audiolab M-DAC. The D7 (pictured above) and D9 are packed with new technologies and features.
Read the full Audiolab D7 and D9 story

Audiovector
The Danish speaker company will be demoing its new flagship R10 Arreté floorstanders, which cost a cool £127,5000 / $165,000 / €147,500 per pair. We've already had a first look and listen to these new floorstanders, and you'll get a chance to hear them yourselves at the show.
I listened to Audiovector's flagship floorstanders, and they're an incredibly fun way to spend a small fortune

Auralic
Auralic will be unveiling its new Aquila X3 streaming media processor at Munich, which promises "a cutting-edge feature set and true modular design, offering users unmatched flexibility and upgradability." The X3 will be on demo to showcase Auralic's LightningCast technology that is said to be "revolutionising high-resolution streaming".

Audio-Technica
There's a new flagship turntable in town. Audio-Technica has launched the AT-LPA2 (pictured above), with chassis and platter made of clear acrylic to achieve that striking transparent look. It comes fitted with the AT-OC9XEN dual moving coil cartridge, has a separate power supply unit, and is yours for £1699 / €1999.
Read the Audio-Technica LPA2 story

Advance Paris
The French brand will be launching a number of new products at the show, details of which are under wraps for now. But if you like the look of the beefy A12 Classic integrated with VU meters, keep an eye out for its new releases.

Astell & Kern
A&K has a brand new flagship portable music player – the A&ultima SP4000 – which is packed with more ways of playing high-resolution music than you would think was possible from a portable device. We don't have official pricing yet, but the previous five-star SP3000 flagship cost £3799 / $3699 / AU$5499, so expect a similarly lofty price.

Burmester
Not content with one product launch at High End Munich, Burmester has refreshed its entire Reference line of products. This sees the arrival of the 257 turntable, 249 preamplifier and 259 stereo power amplifier, which are all brand new designs and share nothing from their predecessors.
Read the Burmester story

Chord Electronics
Chord teased a new flagship product for its Ultima Reference range, and we now know it's the company's flagship Ultima Phonostage (pictured above). We don't have a price at this stage, but it was on display at Munich High End together with some initial specifications.
Read the Chord Ultima Phonostage story

Cyrus Audio
Cyrus has dropped some huge news at High End 2025 with the launch of its first-ever full-width products. The new 80 Series features casework which, according to Cyrus, is simply an extension of that used for its 40 Series. Besides giving its rengineers more room to work in, the new chassis also allows the company to accommodate its external power supply (the 40PSU) in 80 Series products.
Read the Cyrus Audio story

Dali
Dali has brought the bass to High End 2025 with the V-15F, its most powerful subwoofer yet. Weighing over 50kg, it's a bit of a beast with a huge 16-inch driver and no fewer than four continuous flare reflex ports. A serious speaker for stereo and AV use.
Read the Dali V-15F story

dCS
The new Lina DAC X music streamer launched earlier this month and we hope to have a peek of the new £13,500 / $15,500 player at the show. We were impressed with the Lina DAC (five stars), so have high hopes for this evolved step up.
Read the dCS Lina DAC X story

Electrocompaniet
Electrocompaniet will be launching a new product called the EC 5.0, a fully analogue preamplifier, at the show on Friday 16th May.

Elipson
The French brand will be showing off three very different speakers at High End Munich. First up are the eye-catching, globular Planet L Performance speakers, which will be on demo. Also on show are a new version of the Prestige Facet II bookshelf speakers and an updated Legacy range of speakers.

Eversolo
The Eversolo Play streaming amplifier is a new product from the brand that we're keen to see first-hand. It combines extensive streaming features with a Class D amplifier in its compact box, yours for €699. There's also a version with a CD player built-in for €799 – that's a potent combination of talents for a modern do-it-all system!
Read the full Eversolo Play story

Fyne Audio
A new addition to its F700SP line-up will be unveiled at Munich. The F704SP gets the 'Special Production" treatment, with IsoFlare driver technology and innovations drawn from the brand's flagship F1 Series. Price? £20,000 / $26,000 / €24,000 per pair.
Read the Fyne F704SP story

Genelec
Finnish audio brand Genelec will have its mammoth five-way 8381A speakers on demo at the show in a piano black finish. Alongside that are smaller Genelec The One three-way bookshelf speakers that come in a variety of colourful finishes.

Gryphon Audio
2025 marks the 30th year of Gryphon's Antileon Series power amplifier and at High End Munich 2025 the company has launched its fifth-generation version: Antileon Revelation. As with all Gryphon power amps, both stereo and mono versions are available, delivering 160 and 180 watts per channel (RMS) of Class A power, respectively.

Read the Gryphon Audio story

IsoAcoustics
Known for its isolation products, IsoAcoustics will be showcasing two new product ranges: the GAIA Neo and GAIA Titan Neo acoustic isolation feet. Designed to be more user-friendly and flexible than before, thanks to height adjustment and simplified installation.

iFi Audio
iFi has launched the UP Travel Bluetooth DAC – a compact transmitter and receiver that offers hi-res Bluetooth from in-car audio and in-flight entertainment systems to your devices, removing the need for cables and adapters. A 3.5mm connector, 10-hour battery and support for aptX Adaptive and LDAC codecs.

JBL
JBL's flagship, high-end Summit series of loudspeakers has gained three new models, all named after mountains. Joining the giant Everest and K2 models are the smaller-but-still-quite-large Makalu and Pumori floorstanders and Ama standmounter. They start at £14,998 / $19,995 per pair. Ambitious. Read the JBL Summit speakers story

Klipsch
The American speaker brand will have one of its latest flagship horn speakers – the La Scala AL6 – on demo throughout the show, alongside its Klipsch Ojas collaboration speakers. Over at the Motorworld hotel next door, Klipsch's Flexus 300 (the first ever soundbar with Dirac Live) and Reference Premiere speakers will be on show.
Read the Klipschorn AK7 & La Scala AL6 story

Luxman
Celebrating a monumental 100 years, high-end Japanese brand Luxman has launched the P-100 Centennial headphone amplifier and E-07 phono preamp, both of which we expect will be on show.
Read the Luxman Centennial story

Mark Levinson
Mark Levinson has unveiled a whole new range of high-end amplifiers. Its 600 series comprises the No. 626 preamplifier, No. 632 two-channel power amplifier and No. 631 monoblock tower. With prices starting at £24,000 / €28,000 / $25,000 for the No. 626 this is a trio made for serious hi-fi systems.
Read the Mark Levinson 600 series story

Meze Audio
Meze Audio will be showcasing its open-back POET headphones at the show, which launched earlier this year at £1850 / $2000 / €2000. Also making their debut at the show are the new open-back 105 Silva – official price and launch later in the year.
Read the Meze 105 Silva story

Musical Fidelity
We first saw Musical Fidelity's new midrange B1 series of hi-fi separates at the Bristol Hi-Fi Show earlier this year. The B1 xi integrated amplifier and B1c CD player are both on display at Munich, too.
Read the Musical Fidelity B1 range story

NAD
NAD has taken the wraps off two new amps for its Master Series range: the M33 V2 BluOS Streaming Amplifier (£4999 / $5999) and M23 V2 Stereo Power Amplifier (£3499 / $3999).
Read the NAD story

Nagaoka
The Japanese cartridge brand is celebrating its 85th anniversary with a brand new flagship cartridge. The Nagaoka MP-700 promises "exceptional detail retrieval from vinyl grooves" and is yours for £1149 / $1399.
Read the Nagaoka MP-700 story

Onkyo
We're excited to see Onkyo's Icon series at the show, which marks the brand's return to hi-fi after many years of absence. The Icon includes a streaming integrated amplifier, a network preamplifier and a power amplifier, and they certainly look smart from the pictures we've seen so far.

PMC
PMC has confirmed that it will be demoing its new Prophecy range of speakers, which includes one pair of standmounters, three pairs of floorstanders and a centre speaker, with prices ranging from £2275 / €2775 to £8975 / €10,945.

Pro-Ject
Pro-Ject has unveiled a Peanuts-themed record player – to coincide with comic strip's 75th anniversary – and Charlie Brown's round head on the platter just looks adorable. Previous years saw the launch of the ultra-cool Metallica turntable, the beautiful Pink Floyd one, and the lovely Yellow Submarine deck.
Read the Pro-Ject Peanuts record player story

Qobuz
Finally, the long-awaited Qobuz Connect feature has launched at High End 2025. In line with Tidal Connect and Spotify Connect, Qobuz's version will hopefully bring a more seamless streaming experience to your hi-fi system and a simpler way of controlling your Qobuz music library across devices.
Read the Qobuz Connect story

Sennheiser
Head to the Sennheiser booth and try out its "immersive mirror box", which offers a short "multi-sensory light and sound experience, followed by visual snippets with behind-the-scenes insights." We're excited to find out what this experience entails.

T+A
A new streaming integrated amplifier called Symphonia will be on demo, paired with the Talis S 330 floorstanding speakers. Visitors will also get their first look at a new E Series receiver concept running the latest T+A OS user interface – both are currently in development.

TAD
The high-end Japanese brand will be showcasing its ultra high-end TAD-ME1TX standmount speakers, which boast "meticulous engineering and superior materials", with the price tag starting at a wallet-busting £17,500 / $18,200 / €17,300 per pair.

Technics
While we don't have any indication that Technics will be unveiling something brand new at the show, the legendary Japanese brand is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, so expect to see their latest launches – SL-1300G turntable and EAH-AZ100 wireless earbuds (both five stars) – on display.

Wharfedale
We've seen a new range of speakers from Wharfedale at High End 2025. Evo 5 replaces the well-received Evo 4 line and boasts five different models with updated cabinets, drivers and crossovers and new damping technology. Prices start at £549 / €699 / AU$1249.
Read the Wharfedale Evo 5 story

WiiM
WiiM had a big High End Munich last year, launching the WiiM Ultra (five stars) and WiiM Amp Pro (currently being tested). Munich 2025 will be similarly significant thanks to the launch two new product types: the HomePod-looking WiiM Sound smart speaker and the WiiM Sub Pro subwoofer. We're also excited to see the new WiiM Amp Ultra streaming amplifier (pictured above), which combines the Ultra's touchscreen display unit with 100W of amplification, along with plenty of streaming features and connectivity.
Read the WiiM Sound story
Read the WiiM Amp Ultra story

You can see the full list of brands exhibiting this year.

MORE:

Revisit the highlights from last year's High End Munich 2024

8 tracks we've been using to test in the What Hi-Fi? listening rooms this month

The rise of small, complete hi-fi systems that are more accessible for newcomers is a great direction for the industry

The best music streamers across all budgets

Chord Electronics is set to unveil a "groundbreaking new reference-level analogue device" at High End Munich 2025.

The British hi-fi brand has spent previous show years unveiling plenty of new products and innovations – Ultima Integrated in 2023, Suzi pre/power concept in 2024 – and this year it will be adding another high-end analogue product to its flagship Ultima Reference range.

We've tested the one-step-down range's Ultima Pre 3/ Ultima 6 power amplifier combination and Ultima Integrated amplifier (both received five stars), so we're looking forward to what's in store for its even-higher-end Reference range.

The new Ultima Reference product is set to become the flagship within its category, although we are still in the dark about what type of product this will be. The current products in the Ultima Reference range are a preamplifier and a mono power amp; could an integrated model be in store? Whatever it is, Chord is hyping it up as a "showstopper" for the final High End Munich this year (the show moves to Vienna from next year).

We'll find out in person during the product's debut on 15th May (the first day of the High End Munich show), with founder and owner John Franks on hand throughout the day to divulge "insights into the core technologies and innovations" of the new product he has designed.

According to the teaser press release: "This expansion underscores Chord Electronics' commitment to analogue innovation for hi-fi enthusiasts, while simultaneously enhancing performance for its pro audio clientele, including numerous leading global studios."

The new Chord Electronics product will officially launch later in the year, and we'll bring you the full details – including first images and price – once we're on the ground at High End Munich in a couple of weeks. Stay tuned!

MORE:

Read our Chord Ultima Integrated review

And our Chord Ultima Pre 3/Ultima 6 review

The original Audiolab M-DAC launched back in 2011, and soon picked up a slew of What Hi-Fi? Awards and remains fondly remembered by the review team. It was followed by the M-DAC+ in 2016, which also earned five stars. And now Audiolab has launched two new DACs that are direct descendants of the OG M-DAC: meet the D7 and D9.

Hailed as the next generation of Audiolab standalone DACs, they are said to build upon the same blueprint as the M-DAC, but honed over several generations of technical development.

Excited? We certainly are.

D7: a compact DAC with plenty to like

The Audiolab D7 is the cheaper of the two. It's a fair bit smaller than the D9, but combines DAC, preamplifier and headphone amp functionality.

It is built around the ES9038Q2M – the same 32-bit Sabre DAC chip also found in Audiolab’s 7000A and 6000A MkII integrated amplifiers. Audiolab has been using ESS Technology's chips since the original M-DAC, and claims to have more experience of implementing these tricky-to-incorporate components than any other manufacturer.

Audiolab claims its proprietary circuitry makes the most of ESS Technology’s HyperStream II architecture and Time Domain Jitter Eliminator, resulting in ultra-low noise and a high dynamic range. Audiolab also uses its own clock and power supply circuitry, alongside a Class A post-DAC active filter.

In terms of hi-res audio, the D7 can handle PCM files up to 32-bit/768kHz and up to DSD512 over USB. It's compatible with MQA and is certified as Roon Tested.

You can connect PCs, Macs and other devices using the USB Type B ports, and USB drives using the USB Type A. You also get four digital inputs – two optical and two coaxial – and Bluetooth with support for the aptX HD codec.

You can upsample digital audio data to 352.8kHz or 384kHz, and there are five DAC reconstruction filter settings so you can adjust the sound to suit the source material. Given the downright iffy quality of some digital files, that could be a very useful feature.

Outputs include analogue (balanced XLR and single-ended RCA) and digital (optical and coaxial). And there's a 6.35mm socket for plugging in wired headphones.

The D7 should fit seamlessly into your setup thanks to the option of fixed or variable modes with the analogue outputs. The fixed mode connects to integrated amplifiers and preamps with those partner devices controlling the volume, while the variable mode uses the D7's volume control through a power amp or powered speakers.

Of course, Audiolab is keen to stress the D7's sound quality, which we can't vouch for until we have tested it. But the physical layout of the device's circuitry should protect the audio signal from interference, accompanied by low-noise power supplies for all critical stages fed by an offboard PSU.

It certainly sounds like a lot of DAC for £449 / AU$999 (around $600).

D9: bigger, bolder, better

The Audiolab D9 has a lot in common with Audiolab's flagship 9000 Series hi-fi components, with a more premium build quality, features and sound performance than the D7.

It's very similar to the Award-winning Audiolab 9000N music streamer, but with Bluetooth in place of the network streaming functionality.

It is powered by ESS Technology's high-end ES9038PRO chip, which incorporates eight channels (up from the D7's two). Audiolab claims this further eliminates noise and distortion, and combined with its proprietary circuitry, master clock and Class A post-DAC filter, delivers "remarkable sonic clarity and breathtaking dynamics".

It has the same hi-res chops as the D7, playing all manner of formats, including FLAC, ALAC, AIFF, APE and WAV, as well as compressed legacy formats. It also shares other features of the D7, including MQA decoding, upsampling and Roon Tested certification.

Its circuitry is "significantly elevated", according to Audiolab, with its post-DAC analogue section including top-grade components and differential balanced architecture for a purer signal. There is also an ultra-low-noise toroidal transformer for consistent, clean power.

Audiolab has used its extensive experience working with ESS's chips to employ multiple discrete ultra-low-noise regulators to provide power separately to the left and right channels for each stage of the digital-to-analogue conversion process.

And it has the same connections as the D7, as well as an additional AES3/EBU digital input. Its Bluetooth also supports Sony's LDAC codec.

Inside is the same headphone-amplifier circuitry as in the D7, which Audiolab claims delivers a "spacious, detailed and dynamic performance" with even more challenging headphones, including both dynamic and planar.

The Audiolab D9 costs £1099 / AU$2299 (around $1460).

Both new DACs will be on show at High End Munich 2025 in a couple of weeks. Stay tuned for our reviews in due course.

MORE:

Read our Audiolab M-DAC review

And our Audiolab M-DAC+ review

Check out the best DACs around

Japanese cartridge brand Nagaoka is celebrating its 85th anniversary this year with a brand new flagship model, called the Nagaoka MP-700. It sits at the top of its long-running MP line of cartridges, and will be launched officially at the High End Munich show next month (15th to 18th May).

Nagaoka started in 1940 as a maker of precision parts for clocks and watches, then moved on to fine jewellery before embarking on stylus tips and cartridge manufacturing. Its mid-range MP-200 cartridge impressed us so much with its all-round performance that it won a What Hi-Fi? Award for the best cartridge over £250.

The new flagship MP-700 cartridge is designed to deliver "ever more refined and accurate sound reproduction, bringing listeners closer to the original performance."

The MP in the name stands for Moving Permalloy, a variation on the conventional moving-magnet cartridge design. Here, the MP design includes a lightweight permalloy piece attached to the cantilever, thereby 'significantly' reducing mass, and allowing more freedom and precision in the way the stylus moves.

The MP-700 features a boron cantilever and a micro-ridge nude diamond stylus measuring 0.12 x 0.3 mil, which promises "exceptional detail retrieval from vinyl grooves". A newly integrated suspension wire in the pivot system further helps with stability, separation and clarity across all frequencies.

The shielded case and cartridge frame are made from ultra-duralumin (a copper-aluminium alloy), which is further treated with a triple layer of nickel plating, black tin plating and an insulating coating – all of which aims to protect it against static interference, heat, wear and tear, and ensure the exterior’s longevity.

As a flagship product, this cartridge won't come cheap when it becomes available in May. The Nagaoka MP-700 will be available for £1149 / $1399, while the cartridge with headshell (MP-700H) costs £1249 / $1499. The replacement stylus JN-P700 will cost you £599 / $789. Let's hope its promise of delivering "accurate representation of treble, bass tones and timbre for a more vivid and lifelike listening experience" comes true.

MORE:

Read our Nagaoka MP-200 review

Our guide to the best cartridges you can buy

Moving magnet vs moving coil cartridges: which is right for you?

Welcome to the first entry into our weekly Rewind news digest for February 2025, where we once again detail the top hi-fi and home cinema news to break over the past seven days.

January ended as it began with a flurry of activity in the worlds of home cinema and hi-fi, with everything from new Philips OLED TVs to premium amps from Musical Fidelity breaking ground.

Here’s what you need to know.

Music Fidelity has a new integrated amp

Kicking off this week’s list is the new Music Fidelity Nu-Vista 600.2 integrated amp. We first saw this beast of an amp at High End Munich last year. But last week the hi-fi brand finally confirmed its UK arrival. Specifically, you can get it now in black or silver for £7999 in the UK and €8999 in Europe.

For those that missed the original announcement, the 600.2 is designed to offer “reference level” performance and comes with some serious hardware to help deliver on this goal. The Class A tube amp packs four Nu-Vista valves and four output transistors per channel. It can also deliver 160 watts per channel into 8 ohms, which is rather impressive and left our reviewers keen to get it in for testing.

Read the full story: Musical Fidelity's integrated amp strives for a sweet, powerful sound thanks to its "reference-level" tech

We reviewed a really big TCL TV

100-inch TVs are the hot ticket item every home cinema brand seems to be pushing at the moment, and last week our reviewers got in on the action. Specifically, we delivered our final verdict on TCL’s giant, 98-inch Q9BK Mini LED TV.

Thankfully, during testing we found the set’s giant dimensions aren’t the only interesting thing about it. During our checks the set impressed, offering incredible max brightness levels, good contrast and solid colours. Add to this its stellar gaming specifications and it became an easy four star recommendation. The only slight niggle stopping it securing that final star, is a slight issue with its black level, which is a little grey for our liking.

Read our full TCL 98Q9BK review

Philips launched some new OLEDs

Philips unveiled its 2025 range of TVs last week, which is headlined by a nifty new OLED950. As the name would suggest, this is an OLED set designed to go head-to-head with the LG G5 and Panasonic Z95B, which launched earlier in January at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES 2025) in Las Vegas. The TV comes with completely new hardware, including a 4th Generation OLED panel. This looks like the same tech used on its rivals and promises to let the set offer much higher peak brightness levels and better colour volume than its predecessor.

Read the full story: Philips unveils its 2025 Ambilight OLED TVs with substantial brightness upgrades and AI aplenty

We reviewed Dali’s standmount speakers

Finally, our reviewers finished testing the Dali Epikore 3 standmount speakers last week. These are an interesting, premium-looking set of stereo speakers built on the same foundation as the brand’s other Kore speakers – which first started appearing in 2022.

During testing we found there’s plenty to like. Paired with our standard reference set-up, the Epikore 3 delivered a cohesive, authoritative performance with excellent levels of detail and expansive, accurate stereo imaging. We just wish their low end was a little more articulate and better defined, which is why they couldn’t quite nab that final star from our reviewers.

Read our full Dali Epikore 3 review

MORE:

These are the best OLED TVs we’ve reviewed

Our experts rate the best bookshelf speakers

Check out our picks of the best stereo amps

Q Acoustics' 3000 range of speakers is one of its most popular, not just for its affordable pricing, but, historically, for offering an incredibly refined, dynamic and musical performance that far belies its budget price point, alongside an easy-to-accommodate nature no matter your room or home audio kit. Across the speakers we have tested from the previous 3000 and 3000i generations (which boast five-star and Award-winning models), we have found the speakers to be unfussy with partnering equipment and positioning, and delivering "sensational" value for money with their hugely enjoyable performance.

It has been six years since the last series was launched and the new third-generation Q Acoustics 3000c series, unveiled at High End Munich 2024, promises quite a lot in terms of new technology and performance, not to mention a price bump throughout. 

We had our first look at the new entry-level series at the High End show and listened to a brief demo of two models at the launch, too. Here are our initial impressions.

Price

The Q Acoustics 3000c is the brand's new entry-level range – the former 1000 and 2000 series are long gone. It consists of three standmount speakers, one pair of floorstanding speakers and a centre channel. The full range will be available to buy in August 2024.

It's worth mentioning the impact that factors such as inflation, the rising cost of materials and supply-chain intricacies have had on hi-fi products in general in the past few years. When the original Q Acoustics 3000 range launched in 2015, the cheapest standmounter model cost £140; this rose to £199 in the second-gen 3000i range in 2018.

It's no surprise that the price of the new 3000c models has also risen in the six years since the last generation, but compared with the rest of the market today, they are still very sensible. The prices are as follows:

– Q Acoustics 3010c bookshelf: £329 / €399 / $399
– Q Acoustics 3020c standmounter: £399 / €499 / $499
– Q Acoustics 3030c large standmounter: £499 / €649 / $649
– Q Acoustics 3050c floorstander: £899 / €1199 / $1199
– Q Acoustics 3090c centre channel: £299 / €399 / $399

What has changed from the previous generations is that there is a third standmounter model and no new subwoofer. All speakers use the same 22m tweeter, and the three standmounts use, in increasing order, 10mm, 12mm and 14.2mm mid/bass drivers, while the floorstander uses two 14.2mm drivers. The 3090c centre channel has two 10mm drivers flanking the tweeter.

If you want to form a 5.1 surround sound package, Q Acoustics recommends the existing 3060S or QB12 subwoofers depending on the combination.

At this price, rivals include the Award-winning Wharfedale Diamonds (12.1 standmounter at £249 / $399 and 12.3 floorstander at £499 / $798) and the Elac Debut 2.0 range (£279 / $330 for the B5.2 standmounter). However, a new Elac Debut 3.0 range has also been announced at Munich 2024, with full prices still to be confirmed.

Build & design

Central to the 3000c's updates is the use of the Continuous Curved Cone (or C3), a new driver technology that Q Acoustics developed and introduced in the more premium 5000 series last year. It combines the advantages of a flared cone with a straight-edge cone for the midrange or mid/bass drivers, while hoping to eliminate the disadvantages of either design. We have found this new driver to perform well so far, as proved in our five-star reviews of the Q Acoustics 5040 and 5050 floorstanders. 

The new speakers are designed to deliver "wonderfully smooth, broad dispersion" thanks to this new C3 driver and the hermetically sealed tweeter. Both these technologies are used across all models in the 3000c range, as well as improvements to the Point-to-Point bracing, which helps to quieten the cabinet and deliver better stereo imaging.

During the launch presentation, brand director Alex Munro said that, instead of the room having an impact on the speakers, "the speakers have an impact on the room, and the speakers continue to give whatever we want [them] to give no matter the room they are in." The claim is that the C3 driver lets you place these speakers closer to walls, so here's hoping that fuss-free quality we loved so much in previous 3000-series generations returns here.

“It's all about the bass, to quote Meghan Trainor.” That's not something we expected to hear Munro say during the launch; but he gamely follows up by saying that special care has been taken to get ample low-frequency performance from fairly compact (albeit rather deep) cabinets. The C3 driver's design aims to offer improved bass quality while integrating better with the rest of the frequencies. The floorstanding 3050c model has a Helmholtz Pressure Equaliser tube loading system – first used in the flagship Concept 500 speakers – which aims to minimise the build-up of standing waves in the cabinet, resulting in better frequency response as well as lower distortion levels.

In terms of visual design, the speakers carry on the seamless, minimalist look as before, with rounded corners and no fixings or screw-heads visible on the fascia. The metallic trim around the drivers is now a neater one-piece bezel, and the 3050c has new stabiliser feet that are made from a single aluminium casting, and attached to the cabinet, allowing users to access and adjust the fixings from above more easily.

The speakers come in four finishes: the two new Pin Oak and Claro Walnut veneers, and classic Satin Black or Satin White.

Sound

The mid-sized 3020c standmount speakers and the 3050c floorstanders were the two speakers played during the demo at the High End show to give an overview of the range. In both cases, the speakers were powered by the Cambridge Audio CXA81 integrated amplifier with the Cambridge Audio CXN (V2) streamer as the source –both products we know very well. However, a trade-show environment, especially the exhibition rooms the speakers are in, is no substitute for a dedicated listening room, so all our first impressions of sound are just that: initial impressions based on a few minutes of playtime. More concrete judgements are reserved until we can get the new speakers into What Hi-Fi?'s own test rooms.

First up is the 3020c standmounts. With U by Felix Raymon is played through the system and we are treated to a big sound from a small cabinet. A quality we have always lauded Q Acoustics for is how solid and authoritative its speakers can sound, and the low-end bass notes in this demonstration sound solid and forthright, with a good heft of muscular power. The sound from the standmounters fills the large demo room pretty well, though we get the impression that these models will suit smaller rooms more easily. The playlist switches to Suara Dunia by Indonesian artist Sandrayati and the delicate vocals come through cleanly – there's lots of clarity, detail and airiness in the sound.

Next, we move over to the bigger 3050c floorstanders, and immediately there is a greater sense of ease and dynamism. With the indie-folk Bug Like An Angel by Mitski now playing, the 3050c is clearly more at home performing in this large room. The larger speakers offer more space for songs to breathe in, and sound more open, too. There is a good sense of rolling rhythm to the opening guitar strums, while the voices feel natural and easy to our ears. Where the smaller 3020c cabinet felt as though it was straining to fill the room, the 3050c sounds more free and easy-going. It seems to deliver better, more subtle dynamics to our ears, and we find ourselves having fun listening to the song. The chorus of multiple vocals and layered harmonics sounds detailed and textured, and fills the room with vertical scale as well as width.

A switch to Very Heaven by Elbow shows off the 3050c's ability to deliver taut, punchy rhythms. The start and finish of notes sound snappy and attacking, and the driving basslines come across as tuneful and shapely. There is body and variation in each note, even in our initial listen. Of course, how these speakers compare with the best-in-class rivals remains to be seen, and we are also keen to find out if both models perform better in a more natural listening environment than an exhibition floor. We're also curious to know if the sonic shift we encountered in the new 5000 series – with the need for careful partnering compared with previous generations' unfussy nature – comes through in this new 3000c series too.

Early verdict

Our first encounter with the new Q Acoustics 3000c range is promising. The speakers look good and feature trickle-down technology from step-up speaker ranges that have impressed us with their performances. And even in the few short minutes of demo time, they sounded pretty great. The 3050c floorstanders with the Cambridge Audio electronics was a very listenable combination, and that's always a promising start. It left us wanting to listen more, and we can't wait to run our playlists through the new speakers once we get them into our test rooms in a couple of months. 

If Q Acoustics can continue the trajectory it has achieved with the 5000 series and improve upon the legacy of the much-lauded 3000 series for outright value for money, then it might be on to another success story.

MORE:

Read our previous-gen Q Acoustics 3020i review

And our most recent Q Acoustics 5050 review

Our guide to the best budget hi-fi speakers on the market now

Check out all the news and highlights from High End Munich 2024

When Burmester said it had something special lined up at the start of its demo at High End Munich 2024, it wasn’t kidding. Little did I know, but a legend was about to be brought back from the dead before my eyes.

But first, a bit of scene-setting. For those who haven’t been to Munich High End, it’s an audiophile’s dream. One of the best parts of the show is walking around and every so often taking a few minutes to listen to one of the systems being demoed at the show.

There must be hundreds of different set-ups on display – virtually every room you stumble into has music playing either on headphones or speakers – and before you know it, you’re in your listening groove and the whole day has flown by.

And there really is a system for everyone at the show from relatively affordable set-ups (at least by the standards of some of the brands there) to absolutely mind-blowing combinations that can cost a million or two.

Burmester brought the goods

In 2024, my personal highlight came courtesy of Burmester and its demo room. The German high-end hi-fi giant always has a significant presence at the show, and this year was no exception, with the company showcasing its brand new BX100 floorstanding speakers.

In the flesh, they look stunning, whether you’re lucky enough to be able to opt for one of the standard finishes (such as white, matte black or gloss black) at €75,700 per pair, or you can stretch that budget to €80,000 and one of the special paint options.

They are four-way speakers with a front-facing midrange driver, woofer, and two side-mounted woofers. An AMT (Air-Motion-Transformer) tweeter is mounted within its own dedicated, isolated section, which looks like an ‘X’.

The BX100 were driven by quite a collection of Burmester electronics and sources. The system comprised the 111 Music Centre (£14,500 / $55,000), which was ably assisted by the company’s 218 power amplifiers (£34,6000 / $50,000 each). The other source on display was Burmester’s 175 (approx €40,000 / $60,000) reference turntable.

I sat down and was introduced to the set-up by a Burmester representative who played five tracks to give the small audience a flavour of what it was capable of. It was a textbook demonstration with each one aimed at highlighting the strengths of the speakers. So far, so Munich.

Long live the King

But it was the sixth and final track that blew me away. Our Burmester host switched playback duties from the 111 Music Centre to the 175 turntable and announced he had something special to play for us.

It was a record, but not just any old record – a direct-cut disc, created using a master tape of a recording of Fever by the King himself, Elvis Presley. 

And wow. From the first bass note and finger snap, I was captivated. The system oozed class and sophistication out of every polished pore. The sense of immersion was next-level and closing my eyes it felt like the King was giving us a private performance in his blue suede shoes.

The recording was very simple, but this just highlighted how good the system and speakers were at painting a believable picture. There was no room for error and Burmester didn’t miss a beat. The set-up created a fantastic atmosphere. The lack of background noise in the track helped give an unbelievable amount of space around the different elements. In turn, this gave the track a next-level feeling of intimacy and it felt like you were right there in the recording studio.

It peeled back the layers of detail in Elvis' voice and the finger clicks with impressive precision. The track’s swaggering bassline bounced along keeping the rhythm flowing. My fingers and feet couldn’t help but tap along in time.

Okay, so the stereo imaging was slightly trickier to get a feel for because I was sat behind several bodies that disrupted the sound waves on their way to my ears. However, I spent about 25 minutes in the demo, which left me wanting another 25 minutes. In fact, I could have stayed there all day listening to tracks from my own personal playlist. And that’s all you can ask for from any hi-fi system at any level, right?

MORE:

7 of the best hi-fi separates at High End Munich 2024

7 weird and wonderful pieces of hi-fi we saw at High End Munich 2024

9 of the best stereo speakers at High End Munich 2024

How to build the perfect hi-fi system

Last week was the High End Munich show in Germany where numerous big-name brands unveiled a wealth of cool looking hi-fi. Thankfully our team was on the ground reporting live from the event making it quick and easy for us to create this week’s Rewind news summary!

But pay careful attention: while most of the headlines may have focused on hi-fi, there were also a few big developments in the world of home cinema over the past seven days.

Here’s what you need to know.

Q Acoustics resurrects its 3000 series

Q Acoustics has a strong track record creating top value home cinema and hi-fi speaker packages. This was showcased a mere week ago when we awarded the Q Acoustics 5050 floorstanders five stars and specifically highlighted their stellar value for money as a reason. We were happy to see Q Acoustics unveil its step down new 3000c series of speakers, which are even cheaper, at Munich as a result. 

Read the full story: Q Acoustics 3000c is the entry-level speaker range we've been waiting six years for

TCL proves itself to be a performance-per-pound champ

Last week we delivered our definitive verdict on the TCL 85C805K. While it’s hard to describe it as “cheap”, our testing showed the giant 85-inch, Mini LED set is stellar value and actually outperforms many of the more expensive sets this size we have reviewed recently. Highlights include great contrast and an incredibly high maximum brightness. This, plus its strong HDR performance and wealth of gaming features, make it an easy recommendation.

Read our full TCL 85C805K review

WiiM levels up its hardware

Last week one of our readers' favourite affordable hi-fi brands, WiiM, lifted the lid on two new products. Specifically, it showed off new upgraded versions of its WiiM Ultra streamer and WiiM Amp Pro at Munich High End. The new streamer is interesting as it a colour touchscreen input alongside new hardware upgrades, including a new DAC. Meanwhile, the WiiM Ultra is a tweaked version of the original we reviewed last year with minor cosmetic and hardware changes, which were apparently based on customer feedback.

Read the full story: WiiM Ultra and WiiM Amp Pro are updated, versatile, multi-tasking streaming units

Tannoy brings back a 1950s hi-fi classic

Iconic, and newly resurrected, hi-fi brand Tannoy showed of a new line of Autograph 12 speakers. This is a classic product line which the firm originally launched in 1954. The speakers have a retro look but include new internal hardware headlined by an updated version of the 12-inch drive unit used on the original. We haven’t had a chance to listen to the speakers yet, but they certainly piqued our team’s interest at the High End show based on looks and pedigree alone.

Read the full story: Tannoy Autograph 12 speakers pay tribute to iconic driver 70 years after the originals   

Fyne Audio launches a new tweeter 

Fyne launched its new SuperTrax tweeter alongside a dedicated new cable at Munich. The tweeter is set to make its debut on the Scottish audio powerhouse’s new Vintage Classic Gold SP floorstanding speakers. It is being billed by Fyne as a revolutionary step in its ongoing quest to deliver audio “exactly as the artist intended”.

Read more: Fyne's Special Production speakers promise class-leading technologies in a more affordable package

Astell & Kern’s latest portable player looks set to take the fight to Sony

On top of all the speaker reveals, Astell & Kern used Munich as the launch pad for its new Activo P1 player. The new unit is part of Astell and Kern’s subsidiary brand, Activo, and a direct successor to the CT10 portable music player. We didn’t get a chance to try it at the show, but, based on its specification, it looks set to take on the equally affordable Sony NW-A306 which we reviewed last year. 

Read the full story: Astell & Kern takes on the Sony Walkman with all-new Activo brand and P1 player

Sonus Faber launches some “entry level” speakers

Rounding out the speaker news for this week’s Rewind column, Sonus Faber launched its Sonetto G2 speakers at Munich. It is pitching them as entry level, but we have put that statement in quotation marks – for us, the new speakers’ £1150 starting price means they are still a little premium to justify that label. That aside, the speakers look very interesting, with the line-up including two standmount speakers, three floorstanders, a centre channel and a wall-mounted speaker. Each will include the brand's flagship driver technology which makes them a pretty enticing proposition, and one that we would love to check out in our test rooms when they come out later this year.

Read the full story: Sonus Faber brings flagship driver technology to stylish Sonetto G2 speakers

Did we mention High End Munich?

If you have made it this far and still haven’t quenched your thirst for knowledge, you can get a longer breakdown of all the news from High End Munich in our show guide!

Read more: High End Munich 2024 news and highlights: Focal, Pro-Ject, Chord and more

MORE:

These are the best speakers we have reviewed

The best TVs tried and tested

Check out our picks of the best portable music players

Never has the world of hi-fi separates seemed so wide-ranging and variable, both in design and price. At the High End Munich 2024 show this weekend, we spotted a dazzling variety of amplifiers, CD players, streamers and turntable products that impressed and tempted us.

What set this year's High End show apart from previous years is that it no longer feels the preserve of the mind-bogglingly expensive and ostentatious. Of course, impressively weird and wonderful hi-fi kit does still dominate the show, but the products we got most excited about from this year's launches include genuinely affordable, real-world-use electronics from the likes of Mission, WiiM and Pro-Ject.

Of course, that doesn't mean we weren't also salivating at the sight of Vertere's new innovation or at Quad reviving one of its iconic 60s-era electronics, whose space-age retro visuals look incredibly appealing. Without further ado, here's a list of our favourite hi-fi separates from High End Munich.

Mission 778CDT transport & 778S streamer

We’re already looking forward to Mission’s new additions to the 778 series that are set to launch this autumn. The 778CDT CD transport and 778S music streamer previewed at Munich are designed to match the very capable and likeable 778X integrated amp, and while details aren’t confirmed, the sturdy half-width chassis design, crisp screen and promise of most popular streaming methods (in the case of the 778S) are enough to whet our appetite. 

More appealingly, this promises the kind of compact hi-fi separates system that would fit in a normal-sized home without breaking the bank, especially if the new components remain close to the very reasonable £549 price of the 778X integrated.

Read the full story: Mission's 778 series CD transport and music streamer could be half-width hi-fi heroes

Quad 33/303 pre/power amplifier

We know even less about this retro-tastic Quad pre-power combo, but look at how gorgeous it looks.

Teased at Munich to see how visitors respond to the design, the Quad 33 pre and 303 power amplifiers are revivals of the iconic 1976 pre/power combo. It is inspired by the success of parent company IAG’s other retro-modern products (such as the Wharfedale Linton, Mission 770) and will likely have modern circuitry that is tuned to deliver a sonic character close to the original’s.

The appearance isn’t 100 per cent finalised, but we spy a headphone output on the preamp which the original didn’t. The pairing is expected to cost around £2500-£3000, but final details will be confirmed at the autumn launch. We do hope they keep the striking orange lights and accents to mirror the original design.

WiiM Ultra music streamer

We already know this is going to be a popular one. The WiiM Ultra is designed to be a step up over the winningly affordable Pro Plus music streamer, with more connections and features packed into its petite dimensions than seems possible. 

We had a short play at the show, and the touchscreen display is responsive to use – you swipe across the screen to get different views showing full album artwork, a now playing screen with track and sampling rate information, the playlist queue – while the home menu button takes you back to the menu and sources. The volume dial worked responsively as well during our twiddle. It has a reassuringly solid feel (especially for this price), while the aluminium-and-plastic-clad body strikes a good balance between smart and functional. Price? About $329 / AU$599.

Read the full story: WiiM Ultra and WiiM Amp Pro are updated, versatile, multi-tasking streaming units

NAD C 379 integrated amplifier

It's easy to get your head turned by all the extravagant, shiny and intricate hi-fi kit at the High End Munich show. But it would be a shame to judge a book by its cover and ignore the rather plain-looking but actually very versatile NAD C 379. Yes, it's a basic black aluminium box we've seen before, but under its hood lies 80 watts of Class D amplification and a wealth of connectivity including digital and analogue inputs from HDMI ARC to a phono stage. 

But its party trick is two module expansion slots at the back, where you can upgrade the amp with, say, BluOS network streaming with Dirac room correction and/or any emerging AV technologies as they come along. This level of versatility and future-proofing is certainly attractive and negates the need for multiple boxes or for the product you bought to be obsolete in just a couple of years. NAD says that this Modular Design Construction tech allows the C 379 amp to grow alongside the owner, maybe even encourage them to hand it down to the next generation to be fitted with The Next Big Thing in hi-fi tech. For £899, it’s a pretty good deal.

Read the full story: NAD reveals flexible, future-proofed C 379 amplifier ahead of High End Munich show

Pro-Ject Debut Evo 2 turntable

We see some of the most stunning turntables ever created at the show – from Transrotor's multi-storeyed decks to AVM's RGB colour-changing Rotation spinners – but it’s Project’s new Debut Evo 2 turntable that we kept getting drawn to, thanks to its attention-grabbing display of all the finishes on offer, from bright yellow to sophisticated dark green to a rather gorgeous new wine red shade. While many turntable brands offer a choice of finishes, we applaud Pro-Ject for offering such a wide variety of colourful hues and making the vinyl experience look more fun, appealing and accessible. 

The Evo 2 deck uses Project’s own Pick It MM Evo cartridge, has an 8-6in tonearm with new sapphire bearings, and can be yours for a fairly modest €699. We’re already wondering which finish will look best in our listening room…

Read the full story: Pro-Ject's eye-catching deck is here to put the colour back into your records

Musical Fidelity Nu-Vista 600.2 integrated amp

Musical Fidelity has recently updated its flagship Nu-Vista range, with the 800.2 integrated amplifier boasting tube valves, mammoth 330W of power into 8 ohms and a hulking big chassis that acts as a Faraday cage to protect the internals from magnetic interference. 

There is now a smaller sibling launched at Munich: the Nu-Vista 600.2 integrated amplifier, which sports 300 watts of power into 4 ohms, ample analogue connectivity (line-level RCA and balanced XLR) and comes in a similarly bulky but impressive chassis with VU meters on the front panel. It is set to cost €9000, which is only slightly less expensive than its bigger brother's €11,990 price tag.

Vertere Calon phono stage

Look, this is the High End show after all, and no list would be complete without something outrageously expensive. The selection here has been fairly modest – well, relatively, considering the show's more illustrious exhibitors – but now it's time for Vertere Acoustics to end this list with a showstopper.

The Calon MM/MC is a carefully considered product, from its power supply to the dual mono construction. The four-layer amplification boards are packed with high-quality components chosen for their most accurate and musical properties, and the signal path from cartridge output to RIAA equalisation is unusual, but designed to "preserve the detail and dynamics inherent in the signal." There is ample adjustability for your chosen cartridge, too. And just look how beautifully neat the internals are.

It costs £15,500 / $19,995. Yes, just the phono stage. That might sound bonkers, but considering founder/designer Touraj Moghaddam's career highlights (which include the Award-winning DG-1S turntable and five-star Dark Sabre cartridge to the esteemed Roksan Xerxes), we imagine he's on to something special once again. Time to start saving up.

MORE:

9 of the best stereo speakers at High End Munich 2024

7 weird and wonderful pieces of hi-fi we saw at High End Munich 2024

Read all the news and highlights from our High End Munich 2024 show coverage

The main point of High End Munich is to showcase the best and boldest designs that the hi-fi world has to offer, along with several launches to indicate a brand's future trajectory. Brands big and small compete for the attentions and affections of punters from across the globe, who drawn into the Event Center Messe Munich's orbit by the pull of the very best in the hi-fi and audio business on display.

What also draws punters and brands in, respectively, is the chance to glimpse at or exhibit some of the strangest, most outlandish and downright daring designs currently being cooked up inside the research and development rooms and brilliant engineering minds from across the globe. From massive horns to supercharged speakers and a modular amp called Suzi, this is the weirdest and most wonderful hi-fi kit that the 2024 Munich show had to offer. 

IXoost car component speakers 

"The sound of a 12-cylinder engine must be listened to as if it were a symphony" is the quotation from legendary automotive titan Enzo Ferrari that takes pride of place on iXoost's rather dazzling website. The Italian brand may have taken the quote slightly too literally though, as they've decided that the best way of making speakers is to reappropriate elements of luxury motors in a bid to blend style, speed and sound in some of the most stunning packages we saw across this year's expo.

Highlights of the display included a circular wireless speaker made using a Pirelli tyre, a rather awesome repurposed pair of original Lamborghini Huracán Tecnica exhausts plus hexagonal carbon fibre grille and, perhaps most eye-popping of all, a £30,000 speaker which uses the front panel of a Mercedes AMG performance car to quite dazzling visual effect.

Oh, and if you want something more portable, they also make Bluetooth speakers out of racing helmets. It's the ideal gift for the man who'll buy anything!

Chord Suzi modular amplifier

We were absolutely fascinated by the rather sweetly named Chord Suzi concept when it (or perhaps she) was teased in the lead up to the show, and that interest hasn't diminished after having seen the ingenious module showcased at this year's High End Munich expo. 

The above pictures will give you a great sense of what the Suzi is and does, but to put it in plain English, it's a preamplifier and power amplifier system that uses Ultima-derived technology (see the brand's flagship Ultima Pre 3/Ultima 6) and is the size of a chunky paperback book.

Here's the clever bit. If you want to add digital and streaming capabilities to the analogue Suzi system, you can combine them with the Award-winning Chord Hugo 2 DAC and/or the 2go streamer thanks to Suzi's modular designs. It all fits together like Lego, albeit a smidge more expensive and a lot more impressive. We imagine it will deliver a pretty decent sound too, knowing Chord's pedigree.

ESD Cranes horn loudspeakers

If there was one brand at High End Munich that stood out for sheer off-the-wall levels of lunacy, it has to be ESD, and while we'll get to their whopping Super Dragon setup later down the list, be warned that these aren't even close to the strangest-looking speakers the Chinese brand makes.

They are certainly odd, though, with some of our team comparing them to something from a Looney Tunes cartoon thanks to that huge, all-consuming horn tweeter. They sounded rather nice, though, and with a precision-machined aluminium cabinet combined with foiled beryllium diaphragms, the Cranes might be far more serious propositions than their rather goofy looks suggest.

Line Magnetic valve amplifiers

There's nothing like a good valve amplifier to whet an audiophile's appetite. If you're into this sort of thing (and many people are), that sort of industrial, almost steampunk aesthetic that you get from a proper vacuum system draws the eye like little else. We saw quite a few of them at the show, including some rather snazzy multi-coloured examples from lesser-known Greek brand Hart, but these Line Magnetic dazzlers really caught our eye. 

Line Magnetic was showcasing a number of valve models at this year's event, including the handsome LM-845 Premium unit and the equally attractive LM-805IA integrated amp, both of which looked resplendent in their glossy piano-black finishes.

Stein Music TopLine Bob L floorstanders

Ridiculously oversized horn drivers were very much the thing at High End Munich 2024, and while the Stein Music TopLine Bob L's jumbo rims were miraculously beaten for size by some of the truly mammoth offerings at this year's event (hello to Avant Garde and Aeris Cerat), few were as eye-catching or as colourful. 

Resplendent in what we're going to term 'toffee apple red', those mammoth circular horns do rather draw the eye, but if you can move past what appear to be two King Kong-sized doughnuts, each speaker packs an integrated, DSP-controlled active subwoofer alongside 1500 watts of amplifier power. Oh, and they'll likely set you back around $200,000 if you're willing to splash out on a pair of floorstanders that could clash with the decor in your front room. Unless you have the perfectly decorated front room to match, of course.

ESD Super Dragon horn loudspeakers  

This one's a biggie, and we don't just mean in terms of size. 

Accompanied by a small arsenal of amplification units and an array of smaller floorstanders, the colossal ESD Super Dragon speakers were assuredly one of Munich's highlights for anyone who delights in big horns at prices that make your eyes bleed. Retailing at a cool €811,111, the gargantuan Super Dragons are aptly named in that not only are truly terrifying to behold, they'll burn a hole through your savings quicker than Smaug eviscerating his entire hoard of golden treasure.

They certainly went loud and proud, although a rather odd version of the German national anthem, revamped with lyrics that would make a Eurovision contestant cringe, didn't necessarily make us hungry to hear more. Maybe some Imagine Dragons would have been more appropriate.

Metaxas & Sins Papillon reel-to-reel tape deck

While sound is paramount, we have absolutely no problem with audio brands choosing to prioritise style as much as, perhaps more, than substance. Hundreds of manufacturers are pursuing the best sound possible from carefully constructed cabinets and exquisitely engineered drive units and circuits, so it's nice to see a brand throw every sensible engineering manual out the window and just do something crazy.

And boy has Metaxas & Sins gone down that road. Melding bizarre designs with fully functioning hi-fi functionality, we can't think of anything that even came close to the Netherlands-based brand's utterly bewildering array of demo models. From the intricate mechanical ridiculousness of that yellow Papillon reel-to-reel tape player to the handsomely garish Opus preamp, it was enough to give a person a migraine, albeit in a rather charming way.

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We had a chance to get a hands-on review of the Focal Hadenys at Munich 2024 

Fiio is getting in on the vinyl revival. The Chinese brand more well known for its array of digital-based products such as hi-res players, DACs and all-in-one desktop systems unveiled the Fiio TT13 turntable at the High End Munich 2024. 

The TT13 is fully automatic in operation, with stop, start and repeat functions, alongside an automatic lift mechanism. You can control all these elements with pleasingly big buttons on the deck, that feel of solid quality and react swiftly when pressed. The sample we saw at the show was still unfinished; we're told the final version will have a sixth button that will let you change the RPM speed electronically. We're told the font on the labels for each button will be smaller and subtler, too. From our brief play with this early sample on the show floor, the automatic actions all worked smoothly.

You'll also spot that there's a pairing button – that's right, the TT13 is a Bluetooth turntable as well, supporting the aptX HD codec so you can stream your records to compatible wireless speakers and headphones. There is also a built-in phono stage, but unlike the ones we've seen in Cambridge Audio Alva TT V2, Dual CS 618Q and Audio Technica AT-LPW50BTRW, it's not switchable. This presumably means you can't bypass the deck's internal phono preamp to use an external one. Fiio clearly expects its new record player to be used with active or powered speakers, such as its own SP3/SP5 desktop speakers, as opposed to a more traditional separates set up.

The TT13 is a belt-drive design with a sleek aluminium build throughout the plinth and tonearm, and it will come fitted with the Audio-Technica AT3600L moving magnet cartridge. A slimline remote control will accompany the deck for playback/operation controls, too.

There are neat LED highlights for the logo and around the platter, which light up green when the tonearm moves towards the record and are blue when on standby.

Available in a couple of months, the Fiio TT13 turntable is set to cost around £299/€300.

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If you're a fan of luxurious over-ear headphones, the arrival of a new pair of Focal cans always feels like a bit of a moment. Focal has a strong history in the world of high-end speakers, but the brand's recent form on the wearables side (see 2022's five-star Utopia (2022) open-backs and the sublime wireless Bathys) is what has us rubbing our hands in anticipation of something special.

That something special could come via the new open-backed Hadenys headphones. Unveiled officially at this year's High End Munich show, the new wired over-ears arrive alongside the slightly cheaper, but no less handsome, closed-back Azurys as Focal looks to bring its high-end offering a little closer to some semblance of affordability, but still very much on the premium side.

Given their pedigree, we jumped at the chance to get some hands-on time with the new Focal Hadenys headphones, and while our listening time was limited, we certainly left the show with some rather firm impressions stamped on our minds.  

Price 

The Focal Hadenys cost £599 / €699 / $699, while their closed-back Azurys counterparts (also unveiled at Munich) are a tad cheaper at £499 / €549 / $549. For reference, the five-star Focal Bathys wireless headphones that these new headphones take design and technology inspiration from retail at £699 / $799, but this is still premium territory in which the new wired cans are operating. 

At this price, the Focal Hadenys has some strong audiophile-level competition from the likes of Beyerdynamic and Grado. The Hadenys are flanked at either end of the price scale by Beyerdynamic's Amiron wired cans (now available for around £400/$429) and the excellent Grado RS1x headphones at £719 / $750.

Build and design 

If Focal's particular aesthetic ethos floats your proverbial boat, you'll likely be delighted with the new Hadenys as a pair of headphones to wear, touch and simply enjoy being around. Brown doesn't necessarily conjure images of glamour and excess in the same way that many showier shades may, yet the open-backed Hadenys might have you rethinking your attitude towards the most neglected crayon in the carton. Classy and refined with a bit of flashy edge, this is French style in the palm of your hand (or clamped over your head).

Focal's classic honeycomb grille naturally returns, and while that, plus the headphones' large size, gives them something of an industrial aesthetic, our experience of actually wearing the Hadenys wasn't one marred by discomfort or a sense that they would wear us down over time. Headphones for wearing on the tube? Possibly not. Headphones for enjoying your best tunes in the comfort of your home? Quite possibly. 

The Hadenys feature the same 40mm aluminium and magnesium drivers as found in the Bathys wireless over-ears, with a specially designed ‘M’-shaped dome which Focal has promised will delight wearers with a "detailed, warm and dynamic sound". The new cans come with a carry case, although we didn't catch a glimpse of that at Munich, as well as a 1.8m mini-jack cable and a 6.3mm jack adapter.

A leather and woven fabric headband complements those signature exterior grilles alongside genuinely pleasing memory foam earpads, the latter of which offered a smooth yet firm consistency with just the right amount of tactile resistance. Again, we require more time to find out what the Hadenys would be like to live with daily, so take these impressions with a pinch of salt at this stage. 20 minutes of comfort doesn't necessarily feel the same after two hours, say.

Sound 

We'll qualify everything we say at this point by making a few major caveats about our demo with the Focal's Hadenys over-ears. Not only was our time with the new cans limited at the show floor, we'll also confess that the background noise of keen punters and some rather overzealous speakers flexing their sonic muscles occasionally intruded upon our listening pleasure. The open-back nature means you won't always benefit from a noiseless cocoon in which to enjoy these headphones in blissful solitude, but these weren't exactly optimal testing conditions. That's hi-fi shows for you. 

If anything, though, that makes our current, if tentative, positive impressions of the Hadenys even more encouraging. Even amid the background clamour we were struck by just how clear, clean and spacious these open-backs were capable of sounding. Nuanced instrumental textures immediately stood out thanks to a great dose of precision and clarity, be it the sharp clang of a metal cymbal or the raspy, almost smokey texture of a bluesy trumpet. The wired cans illuminated instruments with intense clarity, allowing textures to shine within what felt like a refined and uncluttered soundscape. 

Well-organised EDM and dance tracks fared particularly well. If you're familiar with the work of famed house DJ deadmau5, you'll know that his music relies less on punchy emotional dynamics and more on a necessity for organising layered rhymic patterns with a feeling of propulsion, spaciousness and organisational precision. As we played through a selection of deadmau5's mid-period bangers, the Focal headphones showcased their clear abilities by incorporating the aforementioned elements slickly, cleanly and without a hint of strain during our demo. 

The Naim Uniti Atom Headphone Edition amp into which the Hadenys demo pair were plugged settled on The Prodigy's Firestarter as their next sonic sampler, a recording which can sound just a little harsh at the top end when combined with an overly enthusiastic pair of headphones. The Focals delivered those electronic screeches with adequate ferocity, and while we wouldn't say they highlighted or accented the sharpness of such textures, they certainly never shied away from them either. Neither, in fact, did they neglect those all-important lower registers, providing plenty of bass oomph to give the iconic rave track plenty of depth and dimensionality at both ends.

What we're interested to hear is just how dynamically adept these stylish headphones are, as while it felt easy to pick out detail within a spacious soundscape, we'll need to put the Focals against its similarly priced rivals to assess their dynamic capabilities. The Hadenys hooked onto the various textures of Chet Baker's Alone Together, but we need more time and better testing conditions to make a more definitive assessment in this department, especially in terms of how the Focals deal with those musical swells, peaks and decays that make blues such a tricky genre to get right.

Early verdict 

A pair of headphones that looks the part and comes from a company enjoying a pretty impressive hot streak can tend to write their own script before a single note has been played, but the new Focal Hadenys, on paper, do seem to have a lot going for them.

What we've heard thus far has, though, been encouraging. Even during our restricted listening window on the show floor, we found the Hadenys headphones to be crisp and clean sounding, with plenty of detail and a snappy sense of rhythmic drive. Assessing those extra elements that add to any product's sense of je ne sais quoi will require more dedicated testing time, not to mention finding out if they truly live up to the premium price tag, but many of the key ingredients do seem to be there on first inspection.

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Who says affordable hi-fi separates are dead? Mission's 778X stereo amplifier surprised us last year not just with its relatively refreshingly sensible £549/$549 price tag, but also with its hugely enjoyable, balanced sound and good connectivity from its space-saving half-width design.

And this five-star integrated is now joined by the new additions to the 778 family. The Mission 7778CDT CD transport and 778S music streamer have been unveiled at the High End Munich 2024 show. The official launch for these new Mission separates is in autumn, so we have to wait a bit longer for the full specifications and pricing, But we have seen both products in the flesh (well, on the show floor) and there are a few details we can share now.

Firstly, both share the same half-width chassis and visual language of the 778X amp, while the 778CDT transport is matched to partner with the stereo amp's internal DAC. There are basic buttons for playback and controls and a simple but clear display screen. 

The 778S streamer has the same display and a headphone port at the front panel, and is set to have all the popular streaming services and features expected of a modern network audio player. 

We assume essentials such as Bluetooth and Tidal Connect to be on the menu alongside other wi-fi-supported protocols, but whether it uses the same DTS Play-Fi streaming platform as its sister brand Audiolab's 6000N Play and 7000N Play streamers remains to be seen.

Both units were on static display so we'll have to wait a few more months to get full review samples before we can get a taste of how they will sound.

When it comes to pricing, we expect – and hope – both the new CD transport and streamer will be roughly around the same level as the amplifier. Either way, we are very much looking forward to the full 778 series reveal and hearing them in action in our test rooms.

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Vertere Acoustics has introduced the high-end Calon phono stage at High End Munich. The name Calon means 'heart' in Welsh, which is quite a poetic name for an electronic component that can make or break the performance of a vinyl-playing system.

The Calon is a carefully considered moving magnet/moving coil unit that takes a fresh look at how a phono preamplifier should be designed. It is dual-mono in construction to ensure that the signal path for each channel is identical, with extensive care taken over the power supply arrangement and its shielding. The amplification boards are sophisticated four-layer gold-plated circuits packed full of high-quality components. Vertere hasn't just crammed them full of 'big name' audiophile parts, rather it has used its extensive experience to choose the components that give the most accurate and musical results.

The signal path is unusual too. The cartridge's tiny output first enters a user-adjustable gain stage that offers 0dB, +10dB and +20dB options. The idea is that the low-level cartridge output is amplified before any equalisation takes place in a bid to preserve the detail and dynamics inherent in the signal. 

The RIAA equalisation is then done with a hybrid circuit where the low frequencies are handled actively and the higher ones equalised passively. Vertere has found that this approach gives the most accurate results. The fully equalised signal then passes through another user-adjustable gain stage (0dB, +2dB, +4dB, +6dB and +8dB) before being routed to the single-ended and balanced outputs.

The company is particularly proud of how it has implemented the switchable subsonic filter, claiming it to be pretty much inaudible and having almost no measurable effects above 20Hz. The advantage of such a filter is that it removes subsonic noise, reducing the additional strain on the partnering amplifier and speakers. There is also a 180-degree  phase switch that can compensate for albums recorded out of absolute phase. 

As expected, there is plenty of adjustability here. The Calon offers a gain range of 45 - 73dB with capacitance from 100pF to 1uF and impedance ranging from 100 Ohms to 47 kOhms. That should be enough to cope with just about any cartridge on the market.

The Calon's casework looks beautifully finished and is made of non-magnetic (Austenitic) stainless steel, which provides shielding without suffering from eddy currents and other magnetic issues steel would bring. The small control dials are made of highly polished stainless steel. There are two finishes available: silver and black.

All this quality costs a fair bit, as you can imagine, although you may not have guessed the eyebrow-raising price of £15,500 / $19,995 for the Vertere Acoustics Calon when it goes on sale in July 2024. 

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I listened to the £1900 Meridian Ellipse wireless speaker – and you should too

Go big or go home is the name of the game for PMC at High End Munich 2024. The show is, predictably and rightly, full to the rafters with rooms playing two-channel stereo speakers. There are plenty of new speakers, some old ones, lots of big ones and the occasional small one, but nothing quite like what PMC has built in a cavernous room tucked into one corner of the Event Center Messe Munich. 

Hosting a Dolby Atmos Music explainer and album playback by renowned spatial audio musician Steven Wilson, PMC has hauled together 21 speakers in an epic 11.4.6 configuration, plus the necessary lumps of metal to hold it all together. 

The system will deliver 48,000 watts of power – if that sounds excessive for a demo room that's because it is (in a good way) – and promises frequencies down to 15hz, which is probably why they've been told to do their thing a long way away from everybody else.

At the front of the room are the monstrous, flagship PMC BB6-XBD-A floorstanders as left, centre and right channels, alongside BST subwoofers (just the four) and Ci Series surrounds. The complete system, should you have a spare barn awaiting conversion into a mini concert hall, can be yours for €300,000. And it's all being fed the original source material, for the highest quality audio in Dolby Atmos.

But if the system is otherworldly, the real point is to remind hi-fi fans (and loyalists) that spatial audio is very much here and available, and well worth giving more than a passing glance. As Steven Wilson points out, all of this year's Grammy-winning records and the vast majority of the top-selling albums at any given time, are also available in spatial audio. While this isn't news to anyone with their ear to the ground, it's a necessary reminder for purists who resist attempts to be guided away from two-channel music. Maybe you should give it a try (again)?

Interestingly, Wilson is adamant that Blu-ray is the best way to experience spatial audio, though we'd imagine most people are more likely to be tempted by seeing the offerings on streaming services such as Tidal or Apple Music. As he remarks, while it isn't the real deal, you can get increasingly impressive renditions from the best Dolby Atmos soundbars and even headphones, so it can be within reach of all of us.

But back in fantasy land, we're treated to a couple of all-too-brief renditions of what this system can do (PMC is also running feature-length demonstrations throughout the show). And first, comes the conflict. While I wouldn't classify myself as a purist, it is fair to say I've settled in my preference for two-channel music to be delivered in, well, two channels. Wilson plays us Sinead O'Conner's Nothing Compares 2 U, first in its original form, before it seamlessly merges into multichannel and appears all around us, using all of those 21 speakers.

It's easy to resist change and my instinct, while being impressed by the technical aspect of what I was hearing from the system, was to think, "Actually I was quite enjoying it in stereo, thank you very much". And this is the time-honoured response from many music lovers. But the extent to which voices and instruments surround you, immersing you in the middle of the action, is unarguable, not to mention the level of detail, power and emotion conveyed by the system. If I'd had a warm, overpriced beer in my hand, I really could have been at a live music venue. 

Next up was Wilson's piece, Staircase, and... wow. Sounding utterly at home on this system, the track easily moved around the room, finding every frequency on offer and entertaining our ears from all angles. As I let Peak Prog wash all over me, it dawned on me it would be extremely easy to convince someone that this is the future of music. And maybe, it is? But of course, the €300,000 system was helping; clarity, agility and power in spades.

Wilson was an eloquent and honest advocate for spatial audio. And, a testament to his demonstration and this staggering system, the main thought in my mind as I left the demo was: I must listen to some more Dolby Atmos Music (even if I stick to the new releases rather than the remasters). Take this as your reminder to do the same.

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High End 2024 news and highlights

High End Munich 2024 is coming to a close, and despite what the name suggests, our team on the ground has found a wealth of surprisingly affordable hi-fi on the showroom floor.

But, with most of it yet to pass through our listening rooms, and more than a few questionable items having made their debut at the show, knowing which products are worth your attention can be tricky. Here, to help you find the diamond in the rough, we have created this guide detailing the top affordable hi-fi we’ve seen at the show and are excited about.

The Meze Alba 

Meze lifted the lid on its surprisingly affordable new Alba in-ear headphones at High End, and from what we have seen they could be a cracking option for hi-fi fans on a more realistic budget. 

The Alba was unveiled alongside the more premium 105 AER open-back, over-ear headphones and a new white finish alternative for the brand's flagship planar magnetic headphones. 

Set to launch later this year, they will cost around £150/€150 (we are chasing Meze for the final retail price). That may sound expensive for non-hi-fi fans, but when you consider its other cabled in-ears, the Advar, retails for £649/$699 and the flagship Empyrean II costs £2749/$2999, it doesn't seem quite so steep.

For your cash, the brand is promising you will be treated to “the unmistakable Meze sound: a neutral sound profile with an added touch of warmth." As an added bonus, the headphones are also bundled with a USB-C adapter with a built in DAC, which will be a welcome bonus for people who want to use them with their phone. 

Hopefully, we’ll get to hear how they perform in the real world and our listening rooms soon.

The Q Acoustics 3000c series

Q Acoustics has a strong record of developing great-value speakers. Look at our best speakers and best surround sound package buying guides and you will see plenty of examples. 

At Munich, the company has clear plans to keep this trend alive, with the unveiling of its new 3000c line of speakers. The new line includes three standmount models in increasing sizes, one floorstanding pair and a centre channel for creating a home cinema package. Pricing for the smallest stereo speaker option starts at £329/$399, which makes them a reasonably affordable option for people just starting their hi-fi journey.

Q Acoustics also has some pretty bold aspirations for the new speakers, saying to our writers on the ground that the line will offer “a sonic performance and high-quality design and build way beyond its class."

Sadly we didn't get a chance to listen to them at the show, but on paper there’s enough there to get us excited. The headline feature is the inclusion of the same Continuous Curved Cone (C3) midrange/bass driver as the five-star 5050 and 5040. If they can replicate even a smidgen of what makes those speakers great, then they could easily earn a place in our best budget speakers guide when they launch later this year.

The only slight downside is that, despite being cheap, as pointed out by many of you our lovely readers, they are a lot more expensive than past 3000 series speakers. 

The Elac Debut 3.0 

German brand Elac also launched a new line of affordable speakers at Munich lifting the lid on its new Debut 3.0 line. The series is set to include two sizes of two-way bookshelf speakers, two sizes of three-way floorstanders, two centre channel options and an upward firing Atmos speaker. Unlike Q Acoustics’ 3000c line we don’t currently have pricing for every speaker, but what we do know paints a pretty picture, with the various options floating between €219-€399 per speaker.

The price is pretty good when you look at the Debut 3.0 line’s specification and Elac’s strong record of creating great-sounding, affordable speakers. Highlights include the use of a new 25mm aluminium-dome tweeter, which will work with the same aramid-fibre woofers used in the previous version. Considering how much we love the firm’s older Debut B5.2 we can’t help but get a little excited about the new Debut 3.0. Here’s hoping they deliver the goods when we get them in for review.

The WiiM Ultra and WiiM Amp Pro 

WiiM is rapidly becoming a favourite among our readers, with our forums and social channels being flooded with questions about its products. Which is why we were very happy to see it unveil not one, but two new products at High End Munich. 

Specifically, it unveiled its new WiiM Ultra streamer and Amp Pro. The streamer is a completely different beast to the firm’s older, Award-winning WiiM Pro Plus. The new model has a reworked design which includes a lovely touchscreen display and  an upgraded DAC, which can handle hi-res audio files up to 32-bit/384kHz PCM and DSD512.

Meanwhile, the Amp Pro is a tweaked version of the original, that addresses “user feedback”. Key changes include unspecified upgrades to its internal circuits and minor cosmetic changes. Outside of this, it features a Class D amplifier that outputs 60W per channel into 8 ohms, and file resolution support up to 32-bit/384kHz. 

WiiM has confirmed that the Ultra will cost $329 / AU$599, while the WiiM Amp Pro will retail at $369 / AU$699 when they launch in Q3 this year.

The Activo P1

Astell & Kern unveiled a new Activo P1 portable music player at Munich High End. Activo is a subsidiary of Astell & Kern dedicated to more affordable hardware. The P1 is a successor to the older Activo CT10. 

Pricing hasn’t been announced, but based on the older model we are expecting it to be cheaper than anything in Astel & Kern’s main portfolio; which means it should be less than the SR35, which retails for £799 / $799 / AU$1299.

If we're right, then, based on its specifications, it will be a direct rival to the Sony NW-A306 we reviewed and gave four stars to last year. Key stats include a quoted 20-hour battery life, support for 32-bit/384kHz PCM and DSD256 audio files and 4.1-inch touch-screen input.

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I'll be honest with you, I went into the Meridian demo room at High End Munich expecting to kick back and enjoy the DSP9. Yes, they launched at the show last year, but there's never a bad time to sit down and hear a pair of trademark Meridian speakers. But instead, I was greeted by something that's not just much smaller, but also much shinier: the brand-new Meridian Ellipse wireless speaker.

This is the company's first wireless speaker system and promises to utilise the company's Digital Signal Processing technology to deliver a satisfyingly hi-fi sound – befitting of a high-end audio show – from a relatively tiny package. And it's fair to say, based on the demonstration I enjoyed, it delivers. 

When you're at a trade show full of speakers and systems worth 100s of thousands of pounds, it's almost unnerving to be sat back ready to listen to a wireless speaker. This is the sort of product that, regardless of the brand name, plenty of people wandering around this show wouldn't dream of bringing into their homes. Proper hi-fi? No chance. But for the rest of us, enlightened by what's now possible, why not see what an esteemed audio company, known for delivering class-leading audio processing, can deliver from a diminutive cabinet? 

Inside it's a simple, front-facing 2.1-driver design, each with amplification, with the clever stuff taken care of by Meridian's DSP and the work done by the company's 'Extreme Engineering Programme', which also covers the big-boy speakers. 

Designed and built in the UK, it's the first Meridian speaker to feature the latest R2 electronics platform, which is a compact version of the R1 electronics platform, and it includes the same signal-enhancing developments found in the DSP8000XE and DSP9 floorstanding speakers.

You also get Meridian’s brand-new and updateable high-end streaming platform, which gives you access to AirPlay, Bluetooth and Chromecast via the Meridian control app, as well as Tidal Connect and Spotify Connect. Round the back you will find a USB-C for wired playback of 192 kHz/24-bit audio, plus a 3.5mm analogue connection, digital optical for connecting to a TV, and an Ethernet port. 

Once I got past the resemblance to a B&W Zeppelin, it was easy to be impressed by the scale of the sound on offer. Trade show stands are no place to pass judgement with any certainty, but a few familiar test tracks sounded far more authoritative and detailed than a speaker this size might be expected to deliver, with songs successfully freeing themselves from the constraints of the meagre dimensions. Was that bass coming from the Ellipse? Or was that the expensive system in the room next door? It can often be hard to tell. Either way, I was enjoying myself. 

But all this clever Meridian trickery comes at a price. The Ellipse is set to cost around £1900 (€2500, US$3000). Now that's a small number for High End Munich but it's a big number for a compact wireless speaker. Will that performance ultimately justify the price? Well, until we get our hands on one for a full review, that's why you really do need to try and hear one for yourself. It's a lot of money, but you may be surprised...

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High End Munich news and highlights

If there is one time of year to circle on your hi-fi calendar, it’s May. That is the month when High End Munich tends to happen and all that is wonderful in the world of hi-fi comes together under one roof at the MOC Event Center.

Normally, there is no shortage of interesting product launches to attend and 2024 was no different. The show not only gives us an idea of the general trends that are happening in the industry but also of what might be coming through our test rooms in the next few months.

And there were a few new speakers that certainly caught the eye. Of course, many boasted eye-wateringly high price tags – this is the High End show after all – but there were others that we would consider within reach and that we’ll hopefully be reviewing over the next twelve months. Here are our highlights…

Burmester BX100

There always seems to be something new and shiny on the Burmester stand at High End Munich and the brand did not disappoint with its stunning-looking BX100 speakers. These four-way floorstanders boast a freestanding AMT tweeter whose silhouette looks like an ‘X’. The speakers cost €75,700 for the standard finishes and go up to €80,000 if you opt for the special paint.

Canton Reference Alpha

Canton’s new Reference Alpha range of high-end speakers showed plenty of sparkle thanks to their diamond-coated midrange membrane and tweeter. The range consists of two striking looking floorstanders, the Reference Alpha 2 (€40,000) and its big brother, the Reference Alpha 1 (€60,000).

Dali Rubikore

Dali used Munich High End to launch another range of speakers that borrow from its tech-heavy, £70,000 flagship Kore floorstanders. Rubikore is its name, and it features five models ranging from the bookshelf Rubikore 2 up to the Floorstanding Rubikore 8. The Rubikore Cinema model even includes a rotatable hybrid tweeter so it can be positioned horizontally or vertically.

Dali’s new Rubikore speaker range packs flagship tech in five new models

Elac Debut 3.0

It’s always exciting to see the successor to a What Hi-Fi? Award-winner, and that’s exactly what we found over on the Elac stand at High End Munich. A new Debut 3.0 range is on its way later this year, which includes a DB5.3 bookshelf speaker (price tbc) which looks set to replace the Debut B5.2 which won a What Hi-fi? Award in 2023 for ‘Best standmount speaker under £300’. The range spans seven new models in total.

Elac updates its Award-winning Debut range with seven new speakers

Epos ES28N

Epos has made quite the comeback since the brand was resurrected in 2022. We were huge fans of the ES14N standmounters (we gave them five stars during testing) and now the company has its own floorstanding model, the ES28N (€8000), due out in Q4 this year. On display at Munich in a rather fetching green finish, these three-way speakers feature the same tweeter used in the standmounter, the mid-range driver from the company’s smaller ES7N standmounter and bass drivers shared with the ES14N but with a revised membrane and surround.

Fyne Audio Vintage Classic Gold SP Series

Besides a new SuperTrax tweeter, Fyne Audio also unveiled its Vintage Classic Gold SP speakers. The range slots between its Vintage Classic Series and the higher-end Vintage Series. They keep the Classic series' rectangular cabinet shape and feature the company’s trademark IsoFlare drivers (available in 8in, 10in and 15in sizes) which use an improved neodymium tweeter. The company has also revised its BassTrax 360 degree porting system for improved low frequencies.

Fyne's Special Production speakers promise class-leading technologies in a more affordable package

Goldmund Asteria

High-end Swiss brand Goldmund was showcasing its high-end active speaker series, which consists of Asteria, Rhea and Theia models. We spent a few moments listening to Asteria, which is the entry-level model of the range and comes in a at a cool £89,000 / $95,000 (excl. VAT). This speaker is powered by integrated versions of the company’s Telos amplifier, delivering 600 watts in total.

Goldmund's trio of high-end active speakers combine legendary looks with Herculean prices

Q Acoustics 3000c

Six years is a long time to wait for anything, but that’s exactly how long it’s taken Q Acoustics to launch the third generation of its affordable loudspeaker range. The 3000c series comprises five models: three bookshelf/standmount models, one floorstander and a centre channel. Prices start at £329 / $399. One key design highlight is the Continuous Curved Cone (C3) midrange/bass driver, which was first introduced in the step-up Q Acoustics 5000 series.

Q Acoustics 3000c is the entry-level speaker range we've been waiting six years for

• Read our hands-on review of the Q Acoustics 3000c series

Sonus Faber Sonetto G2

Italian maestro Sonus Faber launched its new Sonetto G2 range consisting of seven models with two standmount speakers, three floorstanders, a centre channel and a wall-mounted speaker. The line-up features new driver technology derived from the flagship, £700k / $700k Suprema speaker system along with updated concrete base, reflect duct tech and a sleek new design.

Sonus Faber brings flagship driver technology to stylish Sonetto G2 speakers

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Arcam takes the fight to Naim with two new all-in-one music streaming systems

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Arcam created a bit of a stir when its new-look Radia Series of hi-fi separates launched in October last year. The range brought a fresh new design language for the brand and it got off to an absolute flyer with the A5 and A15 amplifiers and CD5 CD player all getting five stars at the hands of our review team.

And now at High End Munich 2024, the British company has taken the wraps of not one but three new additions to the range.

First up we have a pair of premium all-in-one music streaming systems set to give Naim’s Uniti range a run for its money. Both the Arcam SA45 (pictured above, £4499 / €4999) and SA35 (£2999 / €3499) feature Class G amplification, high-res audio support and run off Arcam’s latest streaming platform. They also include a switchable MC/MM phono stage for connecting a turntable and an HDMI ARC socket for hooking up a compatible TV.

You can even take advantage of a two-way aptX Adaptive Bluetooth module which allows you to stream music directly to the system or from the system to compatible wireless headphones.

The SA45 is the more powerful of the two streamers (180 watts vs 120 watts per channel into 8 ohms) and has a larger 8.8in high-resolution display versus the 6.5in display found on the SA35 (above). Both models support Bluetooth 5.2 and Dirac Live Room Correction; you get a mic and remote in the box to help with room calibration.

Not content with two new launches, the third new product to surface at High End Munich is the company’s flagship standalone music streamer, the ST25 (£1499 / €1799). Arcam claims it builds on the success of its ST60 model (which we gave five stars) and adds a new platform for digital audio and streaming, a redesigned power supply and an upgraded user interface.

The ST25 (above) features a 6.5in high-resolution display and connects to your home network via Arcam’s Radia set-up app. And you can take your pick from streaming options that include Apple Airplay, Google Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, and Roon.

Interested? Well, the only bad news is that you’ve got a slight wait ahead as the Arcam SA45, SA35 and ST25 only go on sale in September. The plus side, of course, is it gives you more time to start saving!

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Romanian headphone brand Meze Audio has unveiled a trio of headphone treats at High End Munich. 

First up is a pair of in-ear wired headphones called Alba, which not only comes with a 3.5mm to USB-C adaptor, but is also the most affordable headphone in Meze's line-up now, hovering around the £150/€150 mark (exact pricing is yet to be confirmed). Previously Meze has released the high-end Advar in-ears (£649/$699), while its most affordable cans until now have been the £189/$$199 99 Neo over-ears.

Recognising that Meze's headphones tend to be way beyond most customers' budgets (the flagship Empyrean II cost £2749/$2999), the Alba in-ears are designed to be a more accessible initial introduction to Meze, and are ideal for those who listen to music on the go, with a DAC or hi-res music players.

Hence the USB-C adaptor, which means you can connect the Alba to any music player with a USB-C connection, whether that's a digital audio player or your smartphone (like the iPhone 15). This custom-made adaptor has a built-in DAC that ensures high-quality immersive listening no matter what your source. We've asked for more details on the DAC and the sampling rates supported – we'll update this story once we have more information. 

The Alba in-ears promise "the unmistakable Meze sound: a neutral sound profile with an added touch of warmth", says founder and lead designer Antonio Meze. The Alba (which means "the first light" in Romanian) has a similar design to the Advar, but the shells of the cheaper in-ears have an iridescent colour finish reminiscent of pearl, while more cost-effective zinc alloy and anodized aluminium parts are used to offer a resilient yet still high-quality build for the price.

Also revealed is a new pair of open-back over-ear headphones, called 105 AER. Designed for "those who would rather work from a garden than a cubicle," as founder Antonio Meze puts it, the new model aims to deliver "a more refined, airy and neutral sound signature" thanks to the open-back design. A spring steel headband covered in polyurethane leather material and plush ABS PC earpads are used, and Meze states the 105 AER are different from the existing 109 Pro in "all aspects" apart from the headband system. Additional details and pricing are TBC.

And finally, there is a striking new white finish alternative for the brand's flagship planar magnetic headphones. Called "The White Empyrean", this special white finish bucks the trend of Meze's usual moody, dark aesthetic for a lighter look. Don't get too excited though, this is a very limited edition model that can only be bought exclusively through the brand's official German distributor... 

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Pro-Ject brought the colour to this year's High End Munich expo. The established audio brand took this year's event as a chance to showcase a variety of its coveted turntables, both established and brand new, including the never-before-seen Pro-Ject Debut Evo 2 deck. 

• Read the full details from the official launch: Pro-Ject's Debut Evo 2 is a stylish, updated turntable with technology borrowed from Award-winning model

Following on as the sequel to the original Debut Carbon Evo turntable, the colourful spinner comes with a number of important improvements and features which, says Pro-Ject, offer unparalleled value and quality at what is a relatively reasonable price point. The belt-driven deck comes equipped with Pro-Ject's own moving magnet Evo cartridge plus an 8.6-inch carbon tonearm with sapphire bearings, which has been streamlined for greater tracking precision and audio reproduction. 

The new deck's rather handsome chassis is constructed using resonance-resistant MDF. It incorporates a damped aluminium platter for greater stability and less noise or unwanted vibrations that could affect your vinyl's sonic fidelity. The belt-driven player is capable of playing at 33.33 and 45 rpm speeds via an electronic switch. 

Pro-Ject's colourful new deck comes equipped with a phono output that boasts gold-plated sockets, as well as a dust cover, felt mat and power supply all included in the box. You're not short on colour options, either, with Pro-Ject offering a choice of white, black, yellow, blue, green or wine red satin finishes alongside red, white or black gloss exteriors. If you want to go for a more natural look, there is also a classic walnut skin.

Whichever finish you go for, the new Pro-Ject Debut Evo 2 turntable is priced at €699, although further prices are pending. We'll keep you updated as soon as we have more information on the exciting new player. 

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Sennheiser has been busy in 2024 and has already launched several new wireless headphones, including the five-star Momentum True Wireless 4. 

At High End Munich 2024, the company has unveiled yet another new pair. The HD 620S are a new addition to Sennheiser’s much-loved HD 600 range, but instead of being open-backed, which has been the norm for this range, they are actually a closed-back design.

They use a custom-tuned 42mm driver made at Sennheiser’s transducer base in Tullamore, Ireland. The company claims a “modern, airy signature that balances honesty with deep and articulate bass.”

With the HD 620S, Sennheiser has attempted to isolate the listener but still maintain some of the character of open-backed headphones. They use an angled baffle for improved airflow and to mimic the behaviour of open-backed designs without the boxy sound you can get from closed-back alternatives.

The design also features a metal-reinforced headband and earcup housings with a steel plate on the outside which manages internal reflections in an attempt to keep the sound signal as pure as possible.

In the box you get a storage pouch and they also come with a 3.5mm jack attached and 6.3mm adapter. An optional 4.4mm balanced cable will be released later this summer.

The Sennheiser HD 620S are available to pre-order now and start shipping on June 6th for £300 / €350.

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