The Backes & Müller Jubilé follows a long tradition of flagship loudspeakers that were technologically far ahead. As a companion in the industry for over 40 years, I was subconsciously aware of this, but it only really became clear to me when I was researching the LowBeats History story for …

A few years ago, Karl-Heinz Fink acquired the Epos brand – once a star in the British hi-fi firmament. And little by little, the well-known developer is bringing this brand back to life – with loudspeakers. After the two compact speakers ES-14N and ES-7N, the Essen-based company is now launching …

You drive and drive and drive. And drive. And at some point, when you think you’ve reached the end of the world (at least the end of the European Union), the Slovakian town of Prešov appears – 800 kilometers east of Dresden and 150 kilometers west of Ukraine. I had …

When Karl-Heinz Fink launches a new loudspeaker, you should listen up. The well-traveled developer has already delighted us with a number of audiophile delicacies – just think of the impressive Borg, which is still LowBeats reference. But now the master has outdone himself with the small Epos ES-7N. It sounds …

Ole Klifoth has always had a passion for hi-fi. Although he wasn’t actually an engineer, he gradually got to grips with the subject and founded Audiovector in 1979. One of his first professional speakers was the Trapez – a very unusual speaker in many respects, with a large bass and …

The Mono-Octave MRE 220 and the large Jubilee Monos have long been part of the Baden-based tube specialist’s range. But for this year’s HIGH END in Munich, both models were thoroughly revised once again – which was also reflected in their names: the MRE 220 became the Octave MRE 220 …

This article creates a new genre at LowBeats: the on-site listening test. With these articles we want to gain an assessment of particularly expensive (or heavy) components that we don’t bring into our listening room – precisely because they are too expensive, too heavy or both – but which are …

iFi Audio recently introduced its GO Bar Kensei. According to the catalog, the iFi GO Bar Kensei combines Japanese swordsmanship with state-of-the-art audio technology. In short, it is the world’s first ultra-portable digital-to-analog converter / headphone amplifier with K2HD technology. That’s the keyword: K2HD technology. It was originally developed by …

We know Progressiv Audio as a manufacturer of outstanding sounding loudspeakers and amplifiers; PA boss Ralf Koenen simply knows what he is doing. But now he has looked outside the signal chain and, with the Progressive Audio Power Station 1KW, a power conditioner that is as clever as it is …

The Octave V70 Class A attempts a special balancing act: it wants to be an integrated amplifier that combines the precision of the transistor with the tonal beauty of the tube and the Class A circuit. It has succeeded quite well… The tube specialist Octave has created its own league …

To speak of a true wave is certainly an exaggeration. Nevertheless, it should be noted that there is a constant trend towards well-made retro loudspeakers. The new LS 3/5a models with all their derivatives and successors are certainly the best and best-known example of this. Now the larger LS 5/9 …

The Peak Consult Sonora is just a 2-way design in floor standing speaker format. But everything about it is so consistently realized that its basic virtues make it one of the best that LowBeats has ever played. The story starts back in 1996 and I’m probably doing company founder Per …

We have already tested several Mach One models from Spatial Europe and were thoroughly impressed by the open baffles. But in the fall, Mach-One boss Robert Andorf contacted us with complete euphoria. After months of research, he achieved an epoch-making breakthrough. So we were even more excited and immediately ordered …

Visiting the MSM studios in Munich has become a nice habit for me. Every 6 – 8 weeks, studio manager Stefan Bock invites guests to Theresienstraße in Munich to present an outstandingly produced album with 3D sound in small or very small groups. As a reminder, MSM Studios is one …

50 years of Backes & Müller: In the 70s, 80s and 90s of the last century, there was hardly a name in German (loudspeaker) hi-fi that fascinated fans more than that of Backes & Müller: The active speakers from the Saarbrücken-based loudspeaker manufacturer had a virtual subscription to the reference …