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Munich is unlike no other Hi-Fi Show, except maybe the Polish show run my our friend Adam (Elberoth). But even his show doesn’t quite reach the magnitude of Munich High End.
Visiting this fine city and attending this incredible show is something that should be on the bucket list of every respected audiophile. Rather than read what some ill informed knuckleheads on other forums spout, I encourage you to attend not only the excellent American audio shows, but at least once in your life, go to Munich and attend High End.
What makes Munich special are so many things. First, it’s a great, clean, historical city. Second, the MOC is large enough to hold any and all manufacturers, big or small. There are three entire floors spread across 3 buildings, with multiple hallways in each with rooms that are by my estimation at least 20 x 30, maybe 25 x 35 and many which are a lot larger. Third, you will have the opportunity to listen to the best of the best from so many brands setup by the manufacturers themselves. They go all out. This is THEIR show. Rather than just read about brands, you will experience brands. There are those that poo-poo show environments and instead would rather read the opinions of others. I would argue that shows give you the opportunity to hear so many brands without much memory loss. The audio memory is a fickle thing.
Now, without further delay, here are my best rooms:
Top 10:
MBL 101 XTreme
- what more can be said that hasn’t already? HiFi Systems are a window looking into life. Live music is life. MBL gets you as close to this live music which is life.
Magico M2/Soulution/Kronos
- from the first setup day (Tuesday), this room consistently sounded outstanding. By far a much better pairing/combination.
Magico M6/Soulution
- once again, a magnificent room. Very musical and dynamic and really showed what these speakers can do with good fast power.
MSB/Magico M6
- despite early difficulties with hotel power (there wasn’t any in this room), the team got this room dialed in quickly and hearing these amps for the first time was an incredible experience. The SN floor is so low that music just floats and appears from nowhere. This creates such a 3D soundstage. Aside from that, the amps have no coloration or flaws. Only dynamics and natural music flows.
Alsyvox
- the relatively new kid on the block pulled no punches bringing their best to Hi-Fi Deluxe (the other show). If you want the Symphony in your room, few others can provide it like the Alysvox’s top System or the MBL 101 xtremes.
Lansche - when arguably one of the best tweeters in the business is combined with big drivers in a big cabinet, you get an amazing speaker that can fill even the big rooms in Munich.
LyraVox - this active speaker never failed to impress. Offering a big 3D sound that made everyone stop and think twice about the possibilities of active speakers.
VAC/Von Schweikert/Artesania/Acoustic Signature - the big VS Ultra 9’a provided the 3D and the VAC provided the organic richness and musicality. What more can you say? It was the best I heard this combo.
Gryphon - the Trident II/Mephisto Monos and Ethos CD player, in a canned 3 song demo was very impressive. Delivering the punch and dynamics you would expect from such a power house combo.
Honorable Mention:
Magico M2/Constellation
DynAudio/Audionet
Wilson/Spectral/MIT
Marten/CH
Stein Music
Vimberg/Lumin
Kawero/Audio Note Kagrua’s
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Visiting this fine city and attending this incredible show is something that should be on the bucket list of every respected audiophile. Rather than read what some ill informed knuckleheads on other forums spout, I encourage you to attend not only the excellent American audio shows, but at least once in your life, go to Munich and attend High End.
What makes Munich special are so many things. First, it’s a great, clean, historical city. Second, the MOC is large enough to hold any and all manufacturers, big or small. There are three entire floors spread across 3 buildings, with multiple hallways in each with rooms that are by my estimation at least 20 x 30, maybe 25 x 35 and many which are a lot larger. Third, you will have the opportunity to listen to the best of the best from so many brands setup by the manufacturers themselves. They go all out. This is THEIR show. Rather than just read about brands, you will experience brands. There are those that poo-poo show environments and instead would rather read the opinions of others. I would argue that shows give you the opportunity to hear so many brands without much memory loss. The audio memory is a fickle thing.
Now, without further delay, here are my best rooms:
Top 10:
MBL 101 XTreme
- what more can be said that hasn’t already? HiFi Systems are a window looking into life. Live music is life. MBL gets you as close to this live music which is life.
Magico M2/Soulution/Kronos
- from the first setup day (Tuesday), this room consistently sounded outstanding. By far a much better pairing/combination.
Magico M6/Soulution
- once again, a magnificent room. Very musical and dynamic and really showed what these speakers can do with good fast power.
MSB/Magico M6
- despite early difficulties with hotel power (there wasn’t any in this room), the team got this room dialed in quickly and hearing these amps for the first time was an incredible experience. The SN floor is so low that music just floats and appears from nowhere. This creates such a 3D soundstage. Aside from that, the amps have no coloration or flaws. Only dynamics and natural music flows.
Alsyvox
- the relatively new kid on the block pulled no punches bringing their best to Hi-Fi Deluxe (the other show). If you want the Symphony in your room, few others can provide it like the Alysvox’s top System or the MBL 101 xtremes.
Lansche - when arguably one of the best tweeters in the business is combined with big drivers in a big cabinet, you get an amazing speaker that can fill even the big rooms in Munich.
LyraVox - this active speaker never failed to impress. Offering a big 3D sound that made everyone stop and think twice about the possibilities of active speakers.
VAC/Von Schweikert/Artesania/Acoustic Signature - the big VS Ultra 9’a provided the 3D and the VAC provided the organic richness and musicality. What more can you say? It was the best I heard this combo.
Gryphon - the Trident II/Mephisto Monos and Ethos CD player, in a canned 3 song demo was very impressive. Delivering the punch and dynamics you would expect from such a power house combo.
Honorable Mention:
Magico M2/Constellation
DynAudio/Audionet
Wilson/Spectral/MIT
Marten/CH
Stein Music
Vimberg/Lumin
Kawero/Audio Note Kagrua’s
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
