There’s always loads of press events at the High End Show in Munich and this year was no exception. Here’s the ones we managed to get to in an absolutely hectic schedule. To make life easier for readers we’ve split the article into eleven pages. There are LOADS of pics for you to enjoy! This report includes Dynaudio, Muraudio, Burmester, Auralic, AVM, Wharfedale, KEF, PMC, Harman, Goldmund and Monitor Audio. 

Dynaudio 

Munich is always hectic and this year was no different for Lin and myself and so we were up bright and early to make sure we arrived on time for the first press conference of the day (of many) and the launch of Danish brand Dynaudio’s brand-new 40th anniversary speaker – the Special Forty. Special Forty is a two way standmounter and features:

A brand-new tweeter: the 28mm Esotar Forty, exclusive to this model

A specially optimised, all-new 17cm woofer

Classic Dynaudio first-order crossover topology

Two high-gloss finishes: Grey Birch and Red Birch

The Special Forty’s new tweeter and woofer both have extended frequency ranges to improve integration between them. The Esotar Forty’s tweeter design means it can play down to the upper midrange – around 1000Hz – without adverse effects. It includes a precision-coated soft-dome diaphragm, ultra-powerful magnet, optimised airflow and Dynaudio’s signature ferrofluid-damped aluminium voice-coil.

The woofer, which the company claim to be their best 17cm model yet, can handle frequencies up to 4000Hz thanks to the company’s proprietary Magnesium Silicate Polymer (MSP) material and geometrically optimised one- piece moulded cone design. This uses the centre of the cone to reproduce midrange frequencies by coupling it directly to the voice-coil.

Dynaudio’s engineers have taken great care to ensure this frequency overlap happens in the drivers themselves, rather than correcting or tweaking the signal in the crossover.

The crossover is derived from classic Dynaudio first-order topology – something the company has been continuously refining for decades. Select high-grade components and Dynaudio’s 40 years of design experience have made it incredibly refined.

The AirFlow Basket, which holds the driver motor securely in place in the cabinet without transferring unwanted vibration, has specially shaped aerodynamic ribs to reduce internal reflections and help improve air move behind the cone without compromising the basket’s stiffness or stability.

The woofer’s hybrid magnet system sits inside the voice-coil rather than outside, in order to better immerse the voice-coil’s aluminium wire in magnetic flux for more power and better efficiency. The magnetic energy is supplied by a powerful neodymium magnet, while a gentler ferrite magnet controls its direction to where it’s needed most: around the coil.

The two exclusive finishes in the form of high-gloss Grey Birch and Red Birch lacquers which certainly highlighted the grain of the wood beautifully.

Frequency response (+/- 3dB): 41Hz – 23kHz

Impedance: 6 ohms

Sensitivity: 86dB (2.83V/1m)

Crossover: Two-way, first-order topology

Dimensions (W x H x D): 19.8 x 36 x 30.7cm

The Special Forty will go on-sale in June for €2999 per pair.