Munich Excessive Finish 2024 ended on the Might twelfth, so we’re a little bit late at getting our present report up, however there was a lot to see and listen to that it’s taken us a little bit of time to compile our ideas.
Excessive Finish has turn out to be the present for audio manufacturers to indicate their wares, changing into the CES for audio merchandise as manufacturers come from everywhere in the world to launch their newest merchandise.
We had been there to absorb the sights and sounds of the MOC occasion centre in Munich, and right here is the weirdest, wildest, and most great audio gear we noticed at Excessive Finish 2024.
Aeries Cerat
Let’s begin with a speaker system that summed up how bizarre, wild, and great Excessive Finish might be. The Contendo II is from Greek audio firm Aeries Cerat and has, so far as we are able to inform, been out for a few years; however seeing it up shut is a sight to behold.
This three-way horn system appears to be like completely ridiculous, with some components of the system taller than a human being in an area that’s nearer in measurement to a convention room than your normal front room. It fetches a worth effectively over €1million and sounds fabulously pure when you’ve stopped gawping on the measurement of the horn audio system.
ESD Acoustics
We’re sticking with the theme of horn audio system, particularly horn audio system that seem like they may shoot an individual from one facet of the room to the opposite.
ESD Acoustics (who label themselves as “probably the greatest audio hi-fi producers” on their web site) had its Tremendous Dragon system on present, and whereas not as ornate in look because the Contendo II, it was nonetheless stupendous in measurement.
How did they sound? Properly, those that had been sitting gave the impression to be listening with reverence, whereas we noticed a video from one other journalist that confirmed somebody kneeling and bowing in entrance of the system. It’ll value you only a snip at €811,111.
Closing
After a string of inexpensive, mainstream efforts, Japanese headphone model Closing previewed their newest high-end headphone within the X8000. As per traditional from Closing’s dearer fashions, it’s bold headphone that reaches for the celebs.
It’s designed to be ultra-lightweight for a pair of wired headphones (solely 220g), snug to put on (whether or not you’re male or feminine) with its distinctive trying headband; in addition to newly designed diaphragm for the 50mm drivers.
These headphones have taken inspiration from the springs in watches to the connecting cables utilized by supercomputers. If there have been a pair of headphones you could possibly name ‘area age’ when it comes to design, the Closing X8000 would match that label.
They’re attributable to go on sale This fall 2024 for round €5000.
Q Acoustics
British hi-fi model Q Acoustics introduced its new 3000c sequence of loudspeakers on the present, appearing as an inexpensive entry-point into its line-up. Incorporating expertise that’s trickled down from its 5000 line-up and M40 audio system, a short take heed to them in Munich confirmed that they’re a refined line-up of loudspeakers which are very a lot within the Q Acoustics’ mould.
Loewe
Loewe are finest identified for his or her TVs and soundbars however that’s all set to vary in 2024, marked by their first look at Munich Excessive Finish.
They’re bringing out two pairs of hi-fi loudspeakers although the title escapes us in the mean time. One is a floorstanding unit and the opposite is a standmount, with each that includes AMT tweeter and fancy trying woofers (though these seem like simply dynamic drivers).
No phrase but on pricing or launch date, however we do know that Loewe will construct all of the audio system on-site in Germany.
DALI
DALI’s Rubikore audio system attracts inspiration from its KORE sequence, that includes 5 completely different fashions that enable homeowners to configure it for hi-fi or dwelling cinema listening.
Although they give the impression of being acquainted, every thing inside is new – the drivers, crossovers, ports and so on. The demo session we heard revealed a musical sounding efficiency with a wonderful sense of advantageous element, quick response, and a well-judged efficiency whether or not enjoying quietly or loud. A speaker sequence to control when they launch in June 2024.
Professional-Ject
Professional-Ject Audio Methods had a reasonably giant area in certainly one of MOC’s halls, and proper on the centre of it was its new EVO 2 turntable which, at the least within the context of the promotional supplies, regarded bloody nice.
Changing the unique EVO, the EVO 2 will arrive in a variety of colors, is ready to play information at 33.3, 48, and 78RPM (through digital velocity change), and comes with the Decide It MM Evo cartridge. In any other case there’s not rather more data to half given the EVO 2 debuted at Excessive Finish.
FiiO
Sticking with turntables, FiiO exhibited the TT13 automated turntable. It modifications color relying on its operation mode, helps Bluetooth streaming, options an Audio Technica cartridge, and after spending a couple of minutes in its presence, it’s quite simple for customers to function with simply the contact of a button getting your document up and working.
That’s all we all know in regards to the TT13, apart from a mooted launch date of July 2024.
Clearaudio
An up to date model of Clearaudio’s Assertion V2 turntable (which first launched in 2016) is incoming for 2024. It’s constructed out of aluminium, chrome steel, and bullet proof wooden (sure, bullet proof wooden); and helps 33.3, 48, and 78RPM speeds with the press of a button (or two).
Contemplating the earlier mannequin was priced at almost £100,000, you’ll be able to anticipate this one to be in an identical realm of expense.
WiiM
We bought a more in-depth take a look at WiiM’s new streaming amp and streamer at Excessive Finish, however for extra in-depth particulars on specs and worth, you’ll be able to learn this article over right here.
Focal
Focal had two headphones on the present with the Hadenys and Azurys, and you may learn extra about them over right here. We hope to go extra in-depth with our first impressions in hands-on with the previous.
Goldmund
Swiss audio model Goldmund had the Asteria lively wi-fi speaker on present at Excessive Finish, and in comparison with the large horn audio system on the present, this speaker exuded a extra swish and minimalist presence.
Powered by 600W of energy from its built-in Telos amplifier, the Swiss model say the intention is to ship a “spectrum of crystal-clear and correct” sound, with the speaker’s DSP aiding this effort with its help for 24-bit/96kHz audio. Weighing 70kg every, the audio system are delivered in a flight case. Not solely do they give the impression of being trendy, they’re delivered with pizazz too.
Marten
Swedish model Marten had been displaying the Coltrane Quintet, which regarded like the kind of rockets folks imagined they’d be again within the Twenties. A four-war bass reflex floorstanding, the Coltrane Quintet contains a customized pure diamond tweeter, customized pure beryllium excessive midrange unit, a customized convex carbon fibre mid-bass unit in addition to a Aluminium sandwich bass unit.
The cupboard is 25% greater than the unique for higher low bass response, whereas additionally being extra inflexible to manage resonances inside the speaker. There are seven finishes to select from, which embody piano gold and matte oak.
Quad
Not a lot data to put in writing about right here, apart from to say Quad revealed its new 303 energy amplifier and the 33 preamplifier on the present. All will probably be revealed at an unspecified level sooner or later…
Sonical
The kind of contraption that you simply’d must see to consider it. Sonical have give you what might be finest described as sequence of modules that may be hooked up the scarf of your headphones. You possibly can swap these out for various modules however the configuration we noticed comprised of a DAC, transmitter and the Remora Professional module that permits you obtain apps/plugins.
You possibly can flip your wired headphones into wi-fi ones, or reasonably than obtain apps to your cellphone, obtain them straight to the module. Our concern is that it’ll make headphones look a) even greater and b) it’ll make you look a bit daft, however it’s an fascinating idea.
Stein Music
Extra trendy trying horn audio system had been supplied by Stein Music’s TopLine sequence, which consisted of the amusingly named Bob L, Bob M, and Bob XL.
They function DSP managed lively subwoofers for the low frequencies, whereas the mids and highs are managed passively for a “cohesive sound profile”. The diaphragms are handled with carbon composite with prime quality crossovers for low distortion and excessive constancy efficiency. They are often partnered with amplifiers ranging from 30 watts, which suggests they’re pretty straightforward to drive.