High End Munich 2025 was exactly what we expected—packed halls, wild prototypes, and plenty of gear with price tags that make your credit card flinch. But beyond the glam and polish, this year's show had a clear theme: practicality. Instead of chasing specs for the sake of it, the most interesting products focused on solving real problems, simplifying setups, and even bringing back old formats in clever ways.
We combed through the highlights and found many standouts that represent where high-end audio is really headed. Here's our rundown.
WiiM rolled into Munich with three new products—the Amp Ultra, WiiM Sound, and Sub Pro—that feel like a direct shot at Sonos and Apple. It’s a complete modular system: Amp Ultra is a streaming amp with HDMI ARC and Dirac Live, WiiM Sound is a smart all-in-one speaker, and Sub Pro adds low-end punch.
Instead of just going bigger or fancier, WiiM leaned into smart integration, home-friendly design, and real performance chops. It’s a pretty compelling pitch for anyone trying to upgrade without getting lost in a maze of cables and components. Read more.
These speakers are huge. We’re talking over 100 pounds each. But Fyne Audio’s F704SP floorstanders aren’t just about brawn—they're surprisingly approachable. Thanks to a coaxial IsoFlare driver, they deliver wide, even sound without needing a perfectly treated room.
They’re designed to fill space but not overwhelm it, both visually and acoustically. So if you’re ready for serious gear but still want something that plays nice with your living room, these might be worth a listen. Read more.
Eversolo showed up at High End Munich 2025 with a full rack of new gear—and it’s clear the brand has its sights set on streamlining hi-fi systems. Leading the pack is the Eversolo Play, an all-in-one streaming amplifier that combines digital decoding, music streaming, and speaker power into one sleek box. It even comes in a version with a built-in CD player for those still spinning discs.
But that’s not all Eversolo had on hand. The company also unveiled a new flagship DAC called the Z10, a dedicated T8 digital transport, and a headphone-focused DAC/amp from sister brand Luxsin, the X9. Read more.
Meze Audio went to High End Munich 2025 with something new for headphone enthusiasts: the 105 Silva. This latest open-back model joins the company’s growing lineup of dynamic headphones and blends classic design elements with updated driver technology. With a focus on vocal and string performance, the Silva is designed to deliver a detailed, midrange-forward sound that sits between Meze’s earlier 105 AER and 109 Pro models.
Alongside the headphones, Meze is also introducing the Ultra Cable—an accessory built from high-purity silver and aimed at listeners who want to take their audio setup a step further. Read more.
Shanling went retro with its EC Zero T CD player, but gave it a modern twist. Inside, you’ll find an R2R ladder DAC and a tube output stage—a combo designed to deliver warm, rich sound.
But it’s not just about CDs. The player also supports USB, coaxial, and Bluetooth inputs, so it doubles as a modern DAC for your whole system. It's old-school charm with new-school flexibility. Read more.
Here’s the big news: Astell&Kern’s new SP4000 runs full Android. That means you can install Spotify, Qobuz, Apple Music—whatever streaming service you like.
It still has the company’s signature design, top-tier DACs, and amp tuning, but the open OS means you’re no longer limited to pre-installed apps. It finally feels like a true digital hub you can tailor to your habits. Read more.
iFi’s two latest portable products—the GO pod Air earbuds and the UP Travel USB DAC—aim to bring serious sound to casual situations.
The earbuds prioritize sound over noise canceling, while the UP Travel gives laptops and phones a big sonic upgrade with high-res codec support like LDAC and aptX Adaptive. If you travel a lot and still want great audio, these are worth a look. Read more.
Rather than a full redesign, NAD focused on smart updates to two fan favorites. The M33 V2 integrated amp now includes a better DAC, refined phono input, and snappier touchscreen. The M23 V2 power amp gets improved efficiency and cooling.
It’s all about making things work better in the real world, not just chasing numbers. Owners of the originals may not need to upgrade, but new buyers get a more refined experience. Read more.
If you were wandering the halls of High End Munich 2025 and felt the floor vibrating, there’s a good chance you were near the SVS booth. The Ohio-based brand rolled into Germany with two full demo rooms, debuting its new Ultra Evolution speakers and R|Evolution subwoofers to the international crowd for the first time.
Between the stacked subs, immersive surround system, and a stereo setup featuring gear from McIntosh and Marantz, SVS made it clear this wasn’t a casual showcase. It was a full-on audio experience—one part listening lab, one part selfie magnet, and all about showing what their gear can do in a real-world setting. Read more.
JBL has just expanded its high-end Summit Series with three new loudspeakers—Makalu, Pumori, and Ama—each named after a Himalayan mountain and designed to make a statement in both sound and style.
While the mountain-themed names might sound poetic, there’s a very technical story behind each model. From large, floorstanding designs built for big rooms to a more compact standmount option, all three speakers share the same focus on high-performance drivers, detailed craftsmanship, and materials engineered to reduce distortion and resonance. Read more.
Mark Levinson showed off its latest 600 Series amps, and they look a bit different—in a good way. These new models are more rack-friendly, lower profile, and easier to integrate into a modern system.
The sound signature remains true to the brand, but the new design opens the door for more installations and cleaner setups. Read more.
The LPA2 turntable is one of the most visually subtle pieces at the show. With a fully transparent acrylic body, it practically disappears into your shelf.
But under the hood, it’s a serious vinyl spinner—belt-drive, aluminum platter, and a solid AT cartridge. It’s ideal for someone who wants a turntable that sounds good but doesn’t scream “I’m a turntable!” from across the room. Read more.
DALI’s latest subwoofer isn’t exactly what you’d call subtle. Unveiled at High End Munich 2025, the V-16 F is a 53-kilo, 16-inch monster built to deliver the kind of bass that you feel as much as you hear, and maybe even a little more than your neighbors would like.
But it’s not just about brute force. With up to 2500 watts of power under the hood and some clever engineering to keep distortion in check, the V-16 F is designed to sound just as good in a small living room as it does in a purpose-built home theater. This sub wants to go deep—but stay in control while doing it. Read more.
Yes, a cassette boombox made the list. But the GB-001 from We Are Rewind is more than a nostalgia trip. It plays tapes, streams over Bluetooth, and even has a guitar input.
It’s quirky, yes. But it’s also fun and surprisingly useful. For fans of retro formats or anyone just looking for something different, this was one of the most talked-about oddballs at the show. Read more.
High End Munich 2025 had all the glitz and glamour you’d expect, but the most interesting products were the ones that just made sense. From all-in-one streamers and wireless amps to CD players with tubes and cassette boomboxes that double as mini studios, this year was less about flash and more about function.
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