The High End Munich 2024 trade fair took place between Thursday, May 9 and Sunday, May 12 in Bavaria. Like every year, manufacturers took the opportunity to unveil new products. Among the hi-fi brands present, Elipson, Argon Audio, FiiO, Q Acoustics and Dali had some superb surprises in store for visitors.
Elipson adds to its Horus range
Naturally, the French specialist was present at the Munich event. This year, Elipson took advantage of High End to present its new Elipson Horus 6 ATM Atmos speaker to the public. Its dimensions are perfectly suited to the floorstanding speakers in the range, the Elipson Horus 11F, and the Elipson Horus 6B bookshelf speakers. They reproduce the vertical effects of Dolby Atmos and DTS:X tracks by reflection off the ceiling. However, thanks to the integration of a notch on the back of the speaker, the Elipson Horus 6 ATM Atmos can be wall-mounted and transformed into a surround speaker.
Already presented to the public at the last PAVS, the vintage Elipson 402 Tribute speakers were back in the spotlight. Audiophile after audiophile observed the Supravox 6.5″ paper pulp midbass driver. The latter is paired with a 1.1″ dome tweeter with rear damping chamber. These drivers are housed in a silica-filled resin cabinet. In the Elipson listening room, it sat alongside the original model, designed in the 1970s, as well as the latest Elipson W35Xi connected speaker.
FiiO showcases its new products in Europe
A few weeks after the launch of the FiiO SP3 PC speakers, the Chinese brand is now offering its desktop speakers in a larger format with the FiiO SP5. Still adorned with a ribbed aluminum cabinet, they caught the eye of visitors to High End 2024. The manufacturer is one of the most active players on the market. The company took advantage of the show to present its new products to European audiophiles. The FiiO SP5 desktop speakers were paired with the new FiiO TT13 direct-drive turntable.
The Bluetooth version of the FiiO SP3 was also on display. Combined with the FiiO R9 network player, the FiiO SP3BT attracted many visitors. These desktop speakers feature an 80-watt amplification system and Bluetooth controller.
Argon Audio presents the Forte A5 WiFi
This is a new generation of active speakers based on the successful Argon Audio Forte A5 MK2. As a result, the Argon Audio Forte A5 WiFi differs from the first generation with the integration of AirPlay 2 and Chromecast protocols for wireless streaming. They can play high-resolution files at up to 24-bit/96kHz, and are also equipped with an HDMI ARC port, making them a true plug-and-play solution for enhancing TV sound. The midbass driver measures 5″ in diameter, and the amplification remains unchanged: 80 watts per driver, for a total of 2 x 160 watts. They will be available soon at €799 per pair.
In addition to these new active speakers, Argon Audio used the High End Munich 2024 exhibition to present the Malmö Sub 6 subwoofer. Ultra-compact, it features a 6″ driver. It’s an ideal solution for small spaces, or for adding depth to desktop speakers such as the Argon Audio Forte A5 MK2. The Sub 6 should be available in June for €249.
Q Acoustics 3000c range
Last year, the British manufacturer presented its Q Acoustics 5000 range. For the 2024 trade fair, the new Q Acoustics 3000c range was unveiled to visitors. It includes five models: the Q Acoustics 3090c center speaker (€399), the Q Acoustics 3010c (€399), 3020c (€499) and 3030c (€649) bookshelf speakers, as well as the Q Acoustics 3050c floorstanding speaker (€1,199).
This new Q Acoustics 3000c range adopts C3 Continuous Curved Cone technology. This structure maximizes bass response while improving midrange precision and control. Harmonic distortion is also reduced, for more accurate sound.
The five speakers in the Q Acoustics 3000c range benefit from a thick cabinet with numerous internal reinforcements and P2P (Point to Point) bracing. This connects the speaker enclosure at several key points, stiffening the structure to eliminate low-frequency vibrations. The Q Acoustics 3050c floorstanding speaker also features Helmholtz resonators to absorb and balance pressure differences and resonance inside the cabinet. The entire range will be available in August.
The new Dali Rubikore range
The Danish manufacturer took advantage of High End 2024 to unveil its new Dali Rubikore range. Five models are available: two floorstanding speakers called Dali Rubikore 8 and Dali Rubikore 6, the Dali Rubikore 2 bookshelf speaker, the Dali Rubikore On-Wall architectural speaker, and the Dali Rubikore Cinema LCR front-channel speaker.
Backed by more than 40 years of expertise, Dali continues to use the SMC (Soft Magnetic Compound) driver technology proven on the Dali Opticon and Dali Epicon ranges and the excellent Dali Epikore 11 speaker. This new Dali Rubikore range also incorporates a Clarity cone in its midbass drivers and woofers, promising a more realistic and natural listening experience. A new filter is also included, helping to optimize signal restitution. Finally, the low-loss dome tweeter maximizes high-frequency diffusion for clearer, more precise highs. Announced for June 2024, the new Dali Rubikore range is the successor to the Dali Rubicon series.
Sonus Faber Sonetto G2
At Sonus Faber, it’s the Sonetto range that’s getting a makeover this year. The Italian brand unveiled a new generation of this exceptional series. Presented alongside the Lumina speakers, the Sonetto G2 range comprises three floorstanding speakers, two bookshelf speakers, a center speaker and an on-wall speaker. These new iterations keep the DAD tweeter and Voice of Sonus Faber driver.
