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
