Canton’s Reference series is entering its fourth generation, which the Hessians have given the suffix “2023” for the sake of better differentiation. Each of these generations had something special. However, the current 2023 series immediately catches the eye with its particularly high level of living space friendliness: Many curves create …

These days, Berlin’s flagship high-end manufacturer Burmester is always good for a surprise. On the electronics side, they present power amplifiers and amplifiers (e.g. 218 and 232) that make the competition pale with envy, and on the loudspeaker side, with the B28, a representative of the 15,000 euro league that …

I have been following the history of Piega since its beginnings. And of course, as a proven ribbon fan, I was very pleased that the Swiss (at least in the tweeter) consistently applied this principle. I was almost electrified when company co-founder and developer Kurt Scheuch came around the corner …

When we had the Lyravox Karlsson in our listening room for a few weeks, the small active monitor (now called Karlsson Monolith) instantly won the hearts of all LowBeats ‘ colleagues. So much precision, resolution and joy of playing is rare, especially when packaged so attractively – in noble, rock-hard …

A test that was long overdue. The SPL Director Mk2 has been in the editorial office for a good six months now and has proven itself in the shadow of the impressive SPL mono power amp blocks called Performer m1000 has quietly earned the position of a preamp reference. Even …

Quiz question: What do the British loudspeaker manufacturers Rogers, Spendor, Harbeth, KEF, Chartwell; RAM, Goodmans, Stirling Broadcast and Falcon Acoustics have in common? Answer: They all manufactured (or still manufacture) the BBC compact speaker legend LS 3/5a under license. The number of current successors is almost unmanageable. And now, with …

The studio professional SPL Labs is currently shaking up the hi-fi scene. Its components from the so-called Professional Fidelity (ProFi) line combine high hi-fi ambitions with decades of experience in the studio sector. However, while the Rhinelanders have so far occupied niches with their professional components, they are now challenging …

Can an integrated amplifier for 20,000 euros excite many HIFi fans? You would think: no. But wrong. The Westend Audio Monaco is currently enjoying an astonishing triumph. Its secret: amazingly precise tube sound plus an individual, perfect surface finish. LowBeats tested the dream amplifier – and probably won’t be giving …