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ESSENTIAL HIGH END MUNICH 2024 – KUDOS AUDIO AT MOTORWORLD

Essential High End Munich 2024 is a series of promotional articles about the HiFi brands you really need to visit at the show. Read on for more about their philosophy, their products, what they are bringing to Munich and, of course, where they will be…in this case exhibiting at the show opposite the MOC at MotorWorld.

KUDOS AUDIO TO OFFICIALLY LAUNCH SIGAO DRIVE AT MOTORWORLD, MUNICH.

Back in February, at Bristol HiFi Show 2024, Kudos Audio announced the upcoming release of a brand new, exciting product. That product is SIGAO DRIVE – an unpowered external crossover situated in front of the amplifiers in the audio signal chain, that works with any Kudos loudspeaker, and virtually any amplifier brand you wish to use.

Now, Kudos Audio is heading to Munich for Europe’s biggest audio showcase. From MotorWorld, an incredible space just across the street from the MOC, we’ll officially launch SIGAO DRIVE, our brand new breed of crossover never before seen in mainstream HiFi. And we’d love you to come and join us!

KUDOS AUDIO AT MOTORWORLD

Throughout Munich High End 2024 from 9th – 12 May, you’ll find Kudos Audio (along with a number of other high profile audio brands) at MotorWorld Munich – a remarkable facility located directly opposite High End’s main premises at The MOC.

For the launch of SIGAO DRIVE, MotorWorld is a fitting venue. We’ll be literally surrounded by some of the best examples of precision engineering in the world. MotorWorld displays a litany of vehicles both classic and modern, all of which represent a relentless pursuit of motoring perfection. It’s this same pursuit for engineering perfection that has driven us to create SIGAO DRIVE – a product built from the ground up to facilitate the finest possible audio experience with Kudos loudspeakers.

From the Hans Joachim Suite on the First Floor, we’ll offer attendees the opportunity to see and hear our SIGAO DRIVE external crossover as part of a jaw-dropping sound system. Alongside the SIGAO DRIVE, we’ll have an Innuos server, Linn Klimax DSM streamer, Chord Ultima Pre 3 preamplifier and three Chord Ultima 5 power amplifiers. HiFi support will come from the Quadraspire Sunoko Vent, all cabling and power will come from AudioQuest, and a pair of flagship Kudos Audio Titan 808 Loudspeakers will complete a truly formidable listening experience.

We like to think of MotorWorld as your Munich High End after-show. When you find yourself needing a break from the hustle and bustle of the MOC, you can step across the street and join us for a drink, a chat, and a listen to our groundbreaking new product from the comfort of an absolutely stunning space.

MotorWorld will be open until 7pm each evening, and entry is free of charge.

And we won’t be alone! MotorWorld will be playing host to a range of other audio brands. Our friends at Vertere Acoustics will be just upstairs in the Walter Rohrl Suite, Kii Audio, AVM, and Zuma Array will have displays on site, and many affiliate brands will be represented throughout the exhibits including FM Acoustics, PMC Loudspeakers, and more.

Now, let’s take a closer look at Kudos Audio’s star of the show, and dive into why we believe SIGAO DRIVE makes MotorWorld worth a visit in and of itself.

INTRODUCING SIGAO DRIVE

Here at Kudos Audio, we have been vocal, long-time champions of ‘active listening’, believing it to represent the best way to experience Kudos loudspeakers. Yet even in the best active systems, there remains a significant roadblock on our route to audio perfection. However well designed, the required high-quality DC power supplies in active systems add noise and distortions to the signal, which inevitably mean deviations from neutrality. These deviations are especially obvious in an active system, due to its incredibly high resolution.

We were convinced that there was a better, more efficient route to the many benefits of active listening. And so we asked ourselves a question. What if we could create a crossover that allowed the power amplifiers to directly grip the drivers of the loudspeaker, without needing a power supply?

AND SO SIGAO DRIVE WAS BORN

SIGAO DRIVE represents a new generation of crossover. Neither traditionally active nor truly passive, SIGAO DRIVE is an external crossover with no power supply, situated in front of the power amplifiers in the audio signal chain – taking the place of a traditional, active crossover.

SIGAO DRIVE transcends the performance of traditional active crossovers with our loudspeakers. And for the first time, it makes Kudos loudspeakers in active configuration compatible with virtually any audio brand on the market.

Creating an unpowered crossover technologically capable of sitting in front of the amplifiers was no easy feat. It would take innovative, out of the box thinking, and some of the best minds in high end audio. To make this concept a reality, we partnered with two of HiFi’s most revered engineers – ex-Naim Audio CEO Trevor Wilson, and ex-Naim Audio Technical Director, Roy George. Both Trevor and Roy fully embraced our philosophy of masterful simplicity – a methodology that is present in every aspect of SIGAO DRIVE’s design.

SIGAO Drive ensures the best possible experience with Kudos loudspeakers – we believe it to represent the absolute pinnacle of Kudos listening.

ACTIVE LISTENING, SIMPLIFIED

As mentioned above, SIGAO DRIVE features no power supply, whilst sitting in the position of traditional active crossover within the signal chain. This is achieved using new, extremely high quality inductors and a unique PCB design, allowing SIGAO DRIVE to deliver a firmer grip on both the power amplifier and the loudspeaker driver than its conventional passive or active counterparts. The result? A whole new level of Kudos excellence that truly needs to be heard to be believed.

INFINITE COMPATIBILITY

Until now, Kudos loudspeakers in active configuration have only been compatible with a select handful of audio brands. With SIGAO DRIVE, that’s changing. SIGAO DRIVE is designed so that the amplifier output loading of the crossover can be adjusted to match the technical requirements of virtually any amplifier combination. It means SIGAO DRIVE opens up near a near-infinite option of electronics brands with any Kudos loudspeaker you choose to use.

When you purchase SIGAO DRIVE, each unit will be supplied custom-fitted with the correct plugs for both your Kudos loudspeakers, and your chosen power amplifiers. And when you change your speakers or amplifiers, you don’t need to worry about swapping out your crossover. All you’ll have to do is swap out the plugs!

EXPERIENCE KUDOS AT ITS BEST

Designing and building our own, in-house crossover gave us the opportunity to ask a new, tantalising question of ourselves – how can we take listening with Kudos to a whole new level of sonic excellence?

Simply put, SIGAO DRIVE is the only external crossover that’s been designed from the ground up to get the very best from Kudos loudspeakers. Its form-first, masterfully simple methodology represents the very same exacting philosophy found throughout the entire Kudos product line.

By ensuring the output of the amplifier is directly connected to the voice coil of the loudspeaker, the benefits of active configuration are preserved – but by removing the need for a power supply, a new level of noise reduction and sonic clarity is achieved. We believe this represents the very best way to experience Kudos – opening up a wholly unique, and fundamentally better Kudos Audio experience than ever before.

See us in Munich!

Where: Hans Joachim Suite, MotorWorld, Munich (directly opposite the MOC)

When: 9th – 12th May 2024

Times: 10am – 7pm daily

Entry: Free of charge

Keep up to date with all our High End Munich 2024 coverage here