I’m just back from the High End Munich show – the annual event where some of the world’s best audio equipment is on display in the large glass exhibition centre. Across the course of four days, hi-fi distributors, journalists, and the public visit to hear the latest and greatest equipment. 

I arrived in Munich on a Lufthansa flight primarily occupied by UK people and we received our customary welcome at German passport control – mostly empty cabins. This year, the authorities had dreamt up a new pain for us non-EU folk – a trainee on the gates to handle us all. Thank you for that one!

Travel in Munich was a breeze for the rest of the time, as I used the extensive fleet of electric scooters that can be found around the city. It’s certainly a sight to see most of the hi-fi industry arrive at the show each morning on their scooters – it’s a smiling, silent swarm as everyone whizzes up to the entrance. You can’t beat a scooter ride in the sun to start the day.

Most of my time in Munich was spent talking with journalists and publishers to explore promotional opportunities for my clients. However, I did get an opportunity to visit some of the exhibitors and to see what they were displaying.

Nordost’s room was as busy as ever and one of its features was a large glass display cabinet that showcased many of the company’s products. Most of us couldn’t take our eyes off the Purple Flare 3 cables. If you want to make a statement, these are what you need in your system. Prince would have loved them.

The titans of Canadian audio, MOON were displaying their award-winning 641 integrated amplifier and 681 network player/DAC combination. Both are part of MOON’s premium North Collection. The 641 is the system’s centrepiece, combining a preamplifier and power amplifier in a single unit. The MOON 681 delivers a seamless experience when paired with the 641, offering easy access to music libraries and online streaming services. Control is supplied by the wonderfully engineered BRM-1 intelligent remote unit.

VPI had a host of turntables in different rooms. The extraordinary Vanquish wowed the crowd with its size and performance – both of which make a real statement. One deck that I was particularly interested in was the new Model One that was unveiled at the show for the first time. The attention to detail in its construction really sets it apart from the competition. It should be available in the UK in a few months.

Audiovector were displaying their new reference loudspeaker, the R10 Arreté, in a striking Birdseye Maple finish. I’d not seen a speaker in this finish before; it really is something different. You should check it out to see what you think. Also on display were limited edition models of the Trapeze Ri speaker in Italian Walnut and Birds Eye Maple. There are only thirty pairs of each available – every speaker has a unique serial number engraved in a metal plate on the back.

In the past, I’ve complained about how exhibitors at the show all play the same old tunes: Floyd, Robert Plant, Diana Krall, etc. All great – but just too familiar to my ears. However, be careful what you wish for: this year, I heard crazy Euro-house music being blasted out in nearly every room. One major exception was in the Audiovector room, as they were playing a sea shanty from Pirates of the Caribbean to striking effect. I guess it’s a case of from the sublime to the…

I’ve been visiting this show for over a decade, and it has been fascinating to witness the change in hi-fi during this time. Streaming has really developed to become a stable and lossless option, amplification has become clearer and sharper, and the design and finish of loudspeakers has become a thing of true beauty. Importantly, the energy consumption and heat production of products has dramatically reduced – one can now walk into most rooms at the show without breaking out in a sweat. 

This year’s show was probably the best I’ve experienced, and it’s just as well, as next year the show is moving to Vienna – so it was good to have a high end to Munich.

Leaving Germany was as difficult as arriving – again, an undermanned passport control for non-EU people. This one featured an extensive queue which sucked away over thirty minutes of my life and left me running for my plane. 

Arriving in London was amusing. At passport control it was nice to see that the e-gates were available for both UK passport holders and our friends from EU countries to use. It’s reassuring to see that sometimes we can be the grown-ups.

As I said, next year’s High End show will be in Vienna. The exhibition hall in Munich is being demolished and BMW will take over the land. The hi-fi crowd will be saying goodbye to Spargel and Helles in Munich and hello to Wiener Schnitzel and Gruner Veltliner in Vienna.

I wonder what music the exhibitors will be playing at High End Vienna? Who will be brave enough to play Ultravox or Billy Joel? I’m certainly expecting/hoping to hear Anton Karas’ Harry Lime Theme. That should really put some systems to the test.

As a Third Man fan, I’m looking forward to checking out some of the locations from the film, and especially to taking a ride on the Riesenrad. And, of course, I’m looking forward to seeing the world’s best hi-fi – I’ve heard that there are some great products on the way for 2026. 

I hope that this article has tempted you to visit the High End in 2026 and that I’ll see you there.

Matt Tasker, May 2025