High End 2019 Final Report: Linking Technology and Music Up-Close
The 2019 High End show at the MOC München event complex (May 9 - 12, 2019), promoted by the High End Society, was once again a huge success, with a continuously increasing number of exhibitors (+ 3.8%), more visitors in total (+ 6.5%), more trade visitors from 72 countries (+ 8.6%), and most important, a high level of satisfaction among all participants. For trade visitors, it was one of the world's most significant events in the audio industry, for the public it was a unique world of experiences.
DTS Play-Fi Now Supports AirPlay 2 and “Works with HomePod”
DTS, a wholly owned subsidiary of Xperi Corporation, announced the availability of AirPlay 2 wireless streaming in select DTS Play-Fi products. AirPlay 2 support is now available on the McIntosh RS200 and Arcam rPlay, with additional products to be announced this year. The integration allows AirPlay 2 to work in conjunction with Amazon Alexa and DTS Play-Fi for an integrated multi-assistant control experience, and creating new possibilities for multi-room streaming.
Chord Electronics Ultima Amplifier Technology Expands with Ultima 2 and Ultima 3 Mono Power Amplifiers
Three decades in development, John Franks’ next-generation Ultima amplifier technology filters down into two new mono power amplifiers, the Ultima 2 and Ultima 3, part of Chord Electronics’ ongoing 30th-anniversary celebrations. First unveiled in October 2018, the new Ultima amplifier topology, to date exclusive to the range-topping £30,000 Ultima power amp, is now more affordable than ever, with the two new mono power amps sharing the same Chord Electronics DNA.
Futuresource Market Report Highlights New Exciting Opportunities for Hearables
Futuresource Consulting has recently published its Hearables Market Report, reviewing the market size, competitive landscape, technology drivers and future trends in this new product category. Simon Forrest, Principal Technology Analyst at Futuresource discusses new monetization opportunities in the untethered hearable segment and those resulting from the new “over the counter” hearing aid category, opening up the sector to many new entrants not least the mainstream headphones companies.
New Mark Levinson 5000 Series Integrated Amplifiers and Integrated Streaming SACD Player and DAC
Harman introduced the latest products from its Luxury Audio Group at the High End 2019 show in Munich. Following a repositioning of the division, announced at the end of 2018, Harman is now focusing on launching new products. In the Mark Levinson brand, Harman introduced two integrated amplifiers from the Mark Levinson 5000 series, the Nº5805 and Nº5802. And in a world premiere, Mark Levinson revealed the Nº5101 integrated player, streamer and DAC.
Harman's Luxury Audio Division Introduces Flagship Lexicon SL-1 High-End Adaptive Speaker
During the 2019 High End Show in Munich, Germany, Harman unveiled the new controllable Lexicon SoundSteer SL-1 loudspeaker system, using 66 drivers arranged in a 360-degree configuration, and 46 discrete amplifier channels with a music output of 1,300 watts. Truly, a smart speaker on steroids, the SL-1 combines all the latest innovations in advanced beam steering technology.
Neutrik Fights Product Piracy and Announces Initiatives to Protect Its Patents and Trademarks
At the 2019 Prolight+Sound show in Frankfurt, Neutrik went on a determined offensive against product piracy. Following Neutrik’s request, police seized numerous products that clearly violate intellectual property rights. Moreover, extensive warnings to cease and desist have also been sent to the companies concerned and further legal action has already been launched by the famous manufacturer of professional connector products for audio and video.
Warwick Acoustics Introduces APERIO Flagship Electrostatic Headphone System
Warwick Acoustics, the company behind the multi-award-winning Sonoma Model One electrostatic headphones has launched the APERIO, its new flagship integrated headphone system. Launched at the 2019 High End show in Munich, Germany, the APERIO headphone system introduces the unique Balanced-Drive High Precision Electrostatic Laminate (BD-HPEL), which takes Warwick's original HPEL to a whole new level, complemented with a completely new electronics unit where nothing is missing. The whole system costs US $24,000 but sounds like a million dollars.
Melco Introduces Intelligent Music Library in Collaboration with SongKong
Responding to the frustrations of many owners of digital music libraries to find and quickly play music in large and varied music collections, Melco introduced a new powerful music search/metadata software incorporating MinimServer's Intelligent Browsing with SongKong metadata within Melco hardware. The solution, introduced at the 2019 High End show in Munich, breaks free from the constraints of the physical CD that was used to rip music into Melco's servers, now offering metadata integration matching users' search and intentions.
Naim Introduces Much Improved 2nd Generation Mu-so Integrated Music Streaming System
Naim Audio has launched the 2nd Generation of its Mu-so wireless music system. Mu-so 2nd Generation evolves the iconic styling of its predecessor, combining dramatically improved performance, features and functionalities under the already familiar luxury aluminum casing design. From high-resolution streaming to AirPlay 2 support, from multiroom music to TV sound with room compensation, the British hi-fi specialist updates in all aspects this unique all-in-one wireless system.