Unveiled at High End Munich 2025: Eleven Groundbreaking Audio Technologies That Set the Pace
Munich Bids Adieu to High End Show with a Flourish
The High End Munich 2025 has taken its final bow, moving its enormous hi-fi spectacle to Vienna next year. Known for debuting the biggest launches from the industry's heavyweights, High End Munich 2025 did not disappoint, unveiling a feast of audio products to tickle the taste buds and trigger a twinge of budget anxiety.
Flaunting its name, many of the new hi-fi products at the show had mind-boggling price tags, with five- and six-figure sums becoming the norm. However, pockets don't always need to be hefty to feel a thrill, and there were several products with real-world pricing that left us as exhilarated as the flagship pieces with the wow factor.
Our crew braved the crowded halls at the last High End Munich 2025, bringing you a roundup of the most intriguing releases and eye-catching hi-fi products we stumbled upon. From imposing subwoofers and transparent turntables to elegantly stylish floorstanders, here are the standouts from Munich 2025.
Burmester Reference Line
We kick off with one of the pricier new enticements from High End: the Burmester Reference Line. Donning a minimalist yet striking design, the collection includes the 257 turntable, 249 preamplifier, and the 259 stereo power amplifier.
Stdick your fancy on a turntable? The 257 comes equipped with an inverted magnetic main bearing, two high-torque motors, and an optical sensor system for impeccable rotational accuracy. On the other hand, if you've got deeper pockets, you might want to splurge on the mighty 259 power amplifier. This behemoth boasts a mind-blowing 500 watts per channel when dealing with a 4-ohm load, soaring to an astonishing 1500 watts when used as a monoblock. The 249 preamp is also a modular gem, offering the option to add streaming, phono, and additional analogue inputs.
The entire set won't come cheap, with official prices yet to be revealed, but we can tell you that it'll give your wallet a solid punch. Approximately €300,000 is what you can expect to lay down for the full set, making it abundantly clear that we're dipping into the high-end playing field.
Cyrus 80 Series
A surprise from the British brand, we rarely see the Cyrus team showcasing full-width hi-fi products outside their signature half-width 'shoebox' chassis. This is all set to change with the upcoming 80 Series, which includes the 80 AMP streaming amplifier, 80 PRE preamplifier, and the 80 PWR power amplifier.
Borrowing the same modern and intelligent design that we've adored in the 40 Series, the 80 Series dons an anodized aluminum build and touchscreen display. We are particularly smitten with the prospect of the 80 AMP, which features BluOS platform at its core and offers 150 watts per channel of Class A/B amplification. This devilishly charming beast is also fitted with support for Tidal, Qobuz, Spotify, and houses an MM/MC phono stage within.
If the 80 Series can replicate the five-star performance of the 40 Series, exciting times surely lie ahead for Cyrus. The 80 Series will officially launch in November.
Gryphon Audio Antileon Revelation
It hasn't been long since we bid farewell to the five-star Gryphon Audio Diablo 333 integrated amplifier, which impressed us with an astounding 333 watts of power per channel. Now, Gryphon Audio has unveiled its replacement for the Diablo 333: the Antileon Revelation power amplifier, created to celebrate the Antileon Series' 30th anniversary and marking 40 years of the company.
The Antileon Revelation power amplifier is available in both stereo and mono versions, belting out 160 and 180 watts of Class A power respectively. If that's not enough, two custom-wound 1500VA toroidal transformers are fitted into each 90kg enclosure, while a dedicated third power supply handles the digital control circuitry.
Swallow your coins and wait till later this year to indulge in the Revelation for a cool €38,000/$45,500/AU$64,995.
JBL Summit Series
Considering the countless rugged Bluetooth speakers JBL releases and the popularity of these portable audio devices, it's easy to forget that this classic audio brand boasts a rich history in high-end hi-fi. The JBL Summit Series of speakers are making a big statement, with three new additions unveiled at the show. Catch our eye with an elegant ebony veneer with gold accents, the Summit Series' 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.
Despite their striking appearance, prices range from £15,000/$20,000 to £37,000/$45,000, making this a costly mountain expedition indeed.
Fyne Audio F704SP
Since its inception, Fyne Audio has earned a reputation for producing impressive speakers in a short span of time. We raved about the flagship F1-8 speakers, and more recently, the Fyne Audio F501E priced at £1000 was a winner in our books.
The new F704SP are a more high-end offering, joining Fyne's F701SP, F702SP, and F703SP models. Positioned as the lead model in the brand's latest F700SP range of speakers, the F704SP is a serious investment, priced at £20,000/$26,000/€24,000.
Aiming to capture the essence of live music, the F704SP employs a 30cm IsoFlare driver that combines a 30cm multi-fibre bass/midrange cone with a 75mm titanium dome tweeter, along with a 30cm multi-fibre bass driver. Fitted with an upgraded crossover, premium components, high-density birchwood cabinets, and a downward-firing port harnessing Fyne's BassTrax diffuser system, the F704SP is an alluring proposition that we can't wait to revisit.
Audiolab D7
We couldn't wait to set our sights on the latest additions to Audiolab's stable of standalone DACs, the D7 and D9, as they are poised to follow in the footsteps of the legendary M-DAC. What astonished us was the diminutive size of the D7, a compact form that can easily fit into most desktop surfaces, making it a desirable option for laptop and headphone users with minimal space.
The D7 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. The range of connectivity options is impressive as well, with multiple analog and digital outputs, including balanced XLR outputs, USB Type B and Type A ports, and HDMI ARC.
Priced at £449/$600, the D7 goes head-to-head with strong competitors such as the Chord Mojo 2 and Cambridge Audio DacMagic200M.
Mark Levinson 600 Series
Mark Levinson's 600 Series consists of three amplifiers – No. 626 dual-mono preamplifier, No. 632 stereo power amplifier, and the No. 631 monoblock. Admiring their sleek design in the flesh, we haven't heard them hooked up to a system yet, but we are duly impressed by the build quality and aesthetic.
Utilizing Class A/B amplification, boasting multiple analogue and digital connections, and built upon Mark Levinson's proprietary Pure Path circuit philosophy, the 600 Series aims to deliver an unparalleled musical experience. With prices varying from around £24,000/€28,000/$25,000 to £38,000/€44,000/$40,000, these amplifiers exude the air of a Batman-worthy sound system.
Dali V-16 F
Always on the lookout for Danish brand Dali's innovations, High End Munich 2025 was a busy event for the brand, launching a swathe of new colorways for its IO-8 and IO-12 headphones, its flagship KORE loudspeakers, and a brand-new subwoofer.
The Dali V-16 F is a heavyweight. At 53kg, it's a hefty sub with a wide-band, low-loss design, low harmonic, and non-harmonic distortion, promising outstanding precision in addition to its ample power. With 2500 watts of Class D power, the V-16 F claims to be Dali's most powerful subwoofer to date. The sub's 40.5cm driver is Dali's latest innovation, employing aluminium for the driver diaphragm for improved rigidity and lighter weight.
Available for £4499, around $6000, or AU$9000, the V-16 F hits stores in July.
Audio-Technica AT-LPA2
Audio-Technica unveiled a premium turntable with a transparent design at High End Munich: the AT-LPA2. Taking inspiration from a limited edition AT-LP2022 commemorating the brand's 60th anniversary, the AT-LPA2 showcases a belt-drive design, a carbon-fibre tonearm, and comes fitted with Audio-Technica's AT-OC9XEN dual moving coil cartridge.
Featuring a clear acrylic chassis and platter, the AT-LPA2 offers a see-through treat for the eyes. Audio-Technica was only conducting listening demos through headphones at the show, so we're eagerly awaiting a chance to hear this new spinner in action when it reaches our test rooms.
If you're anxious to own one, the AT-LPA2 is available now for £1699/€1999.
Eversolo Play (+CD Edition)
High End Munich 2025 was also home to several emerging brands targeting more budget-friendly segments of the market. One example is the Eversolo Play, a versatile streaming amplifier that offers an extensive range of functionality to rival that of many hi-fi brands.
The Eversolo Play's compact form houses a Class D amplifier, an AK4493 DAC chip, and Eversolo's excellent streaming platform and interface, complete with support for high-res audio, UPnP, Tidal Connect, Qobuz, Amazon Music, and more.
Physical connections are also generous, with options ranging from HDMI ARC and optical inputs to balanced XLR outputs, a subout, and a phono input. A 5.5-inch touchscreen adds to the appeal, and the CD Edition features a cleverly designed CD drive that can pop out when needed.
Priced at €699/£600/$790/AU$1200 for the standard version and €799/£680/$900/AU$1400 for the CD Edition, the Eversolo Play presents an alluring prospect for budget-conscious audiophiles.
Chord Electronics Ultima Phonostage
We couldn't help but take notice of the Chord Electronics Ultima Phonostage, the brand's new flagship phono preamplifier. Unveiled with a dual-mono design and featuring Chord's Ultima technology, this beauty supports both MM and MC cartridges and allows the independent configuration of the analogue inputs for up to three turntables or three tonearms.
While the visuals scream spaceship aesthetic, what held our attention were the two VU meters that were running wild during the demo. The Ultima Phonostage will launch later this year, with a rumored price tag of around £18,000.
- The Burmester Reference Line, donning a minimalist yet striking design, includes the 257 turntable, 249 preamplifier, and the 259 stereo power amplifier, and is one of the pricier new enticements from High End 2025.
- The new Cyrus 80 Series, with a modern and intelligent design, includes the 80 AMP streaming amplifier, 80 PRE preamplifier, and the 80 PWR power amplifier, marking a change in the brand's approach to full-width hi-fi products.
- Gryphon Audio has unveiled the Antileon Revelation power amplifier, celebrated as the 30th anniversary of the Antileon Series and marking 40 years of the company.
- The JBL Summit Series, named after Himalayan mountains, are making a big statement with three new additions boasting an elegant ebony veneer with gold accents, joining the extraordinarily large Everest and five-star K2 speakers in the flagship range.
- The Fyne Audio F704SP, positioned as the lead model in the brand's latest F700SP range of speakers, employs a 30cm IsoFlare driver that combines a 30cm multi-fibre bass/midrange cone with a 75mm titanium dome tweeter, along with a 30cm multi-fibre bass driver.
- Audiolab's D7 DAC, the latest addition to its stable, 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.
- The Mark Levinson 600 Series consists of three amplifiers – No. 626 dual-mono preamplifier, No. 632 stereo power amplifier, and the No. 631 monoblock – and aims to deliver an unparalleled musical experience.
- Dali's V-16 F subwoofer, with a wide-band, low-loss design, low harmonic, and non-harmonic distortion, promises outstanding precision and boasts 2500 watts of Class D power, making it Dali's most powerful subwoofer to date.
- The Audio-Technica AT-LPA2 presents a see-through treat for the eyes with its clear acrylic chassis and platter, and features a belt-drive design, a carbon-fibre tonearm, and Audio-Technica's AT-OC9XEN dual moving coil cartridge.
- The Eversolo Play, a versatile streaming amplifier, offers an extensive range of functionality with its compact form, Class D amplifier, AK4493 DAC chip, and Eversolo's excellent streaming platform, making it an alluring prospect for budget-conscious audiophiles.
