HIGH END VIENNA


What about headphones?! Over in the World of Headphones area, Dan Clark Audio introduced its new Aeon Core planar magnetic headphones. The Aeon Core succeeds the Aeon 2 and serves as the new entry point to the DCA range. The price is TBA. At the other end of the headphone spectrum,


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The JBL Everest represents the pinnacle of JBL’s ultra- premium “Summit Series” of high-end loudspeakers


JBL responded with the latest Summit Series models. The Summit Everest and Summit K2 continue the company’s tradition of large- format horn loudspeakers, incorporating new compression driver technologies and composite cone materials. Summit Everest is an imposing 3.5-way floorstander built around a newly engineered mid/high-frequency system and custom large- format Sonoglass High-Definition Imaging horn. The stablemate K2 is much the same only in


a slightly more manageable form factor. Pricing is suitably lofty, with £71,998 per pair for the K2 and £139,998 for the Everest. Ruark Audio reflected another growing trend - high-end all-in-one music consoles. Its new R710 Music Console, available in Fused Walnut veneer or Satin Charcoal lacquer, combines a 200W-per-channel Class-D amplifier with extensive streaming support, high-res audio playback, and a large 6.8-inch colour display. An integrated CD player and built-in moving magnet phono stage cater to the renewed popularity of CDs and vinyl. HDMI ARC/eARC connectivity also allows the console to serve as a TV audio system, alongside multiroom functionality, and Bluetooth. It’ll sell for £2,199.


Ruark R710


Cambridge Audio countered with the £3,499 Evo 300. This all-in-one combines streaming, with 300 W amplification and uses an ESS Sabre DAC, capable of 32-bit/768kHz PCM and DSD512 via USB. Streaming is handled by Cambridge’s StreamMagic Gen 4 platform. Connectivity includes HDMI eARC, analogue


and balanced XLR stereo inputs, a built-in moving-magnet phono stage, Bluetooth 5.4 with aptX HD, speaker A/B outputs, a 6.35mm headphone


socket, preamp output


subwoofer output. In a similar vein, DALI unveiled VEGA,


retro audio outfit We Are Rewind launched its Freddie wireless headphones (EQ-002) designed to complement the WE-001 series of personal cassette players. Inspired by classic 1980s portable headphones, Freddie is a light 66g and offers Bluetooth 6 connectivity alongside traditional wired listening. At £43, it was one of the most accessible products launched at the show. Taking a different tack, PMC used Vienna to emphasise its pro audio roots, by building a replica of its own mixing studios in London, to demonstrate the role it plays at the heart of music production. Throughout the show, PMC opened the doors to ‘PMC Studio Vienna’, a complete, studio-grade environment that placed visitors in the same acoustic and technical setting used to create music and film sound.


and its


own premium single enclosure. Available in Dark Oak and Natural Oak finishes, this system features ten custom-designed drive units, including 25mm soft-dome tweeters and bass- midrange drivers arranged in a back-to-back configuration, to combat cabinet resonance. Power comes from eight 50-watt amplifier channels delivering a total of 400 W. New Adaptive Stereo Enhancement technology creates a wide, room-filling soundstage from a single speaker, while Adaptive Orientation Adjustment automatically optimises performance whether the unit is positioned horizontally, vertically, freestanding or wall-mounted. VEGA also runs the BluOS multiroom


platform, offering high-resolution streaming alongside support for all key music streaming services. Connectivity includes HDMI, optical and analogue inputs, USB audio and Bluetooth. It looks beautiful, and I was sold on the precision-engineered tactile volume wheel. VEGA launches in September, priced at £2,599.


The space hosted leading engineers, artists, industry figures as well as demonstrations of the flagship fenestria loudspeakers. Sessions included contributions from Grammy Award winner Steve Genewick, Maurice Patist, president of PMC USA, and Miles Showell, a master of vinyl mastering. I dropped in on one, and it was fascinating.


Descending back into the halls one final time, one conclusion seemed unavoidable. The move to Vienna has worked.


The city has given High End a fresh start, an impressive venue and room to grow. More importantly, the exhibition itself reflects an industry that


remains remarkably inventive,


whether you’re trying to sell £43 headphones or £140,000 loudspeakers. I’m already looking forward to next year’s Viennese waltz.


Cambridge Audio’s Evo 300


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