Advice request - My first hifi system - 2025 RELEASES

[Premier]

Hallo Community,

I am still doing research for my first setup.

A few premises to start with:

- I can only pull the trigger once and I want to be happy with my purchase for a long time.

- I am also aware that I cannot (and do not want to) wait for the "day of the never" to buy in the hope of finding the perfect best-buy at the cheapest possible price with the latest cutting-edge technology.

Having said that, I know that in mid-May there will be the "High-End" fair in Munich, which, as far as I have been told, is more focused on top-of-the-range equipment. However, I do know that last year the Wiim Ultra was presented on this occasion. This leads me to believe that there may be news on the affordable electronics front.

Few days ago, the fair in Bristol took place, and some new releases were presented.

Based on your experience, before buy, should I first see what happens in Munich?

Is anyone aware of any news that we already know will be released during 2025?

Thanks

 

[JeremyFife]

Don't wait, or you will never get a system!

Be careful about newly released models: there is danger in being an early adopter as you become the person who finds all the unknown problems. Let someone else test new models for a good 6 months before you join in.

Is there something specific that you are waiting for, or is this just FOMO?

My view - don't wait, just get a system now

 

[terryforsythe]

Based on your experience, before buy, should I first see what happens in Munich?

No. My recommendation is to choose components that have been reviewed with thorough objective measurment data. Typically, it takes a while for such reviews to come out after a product has been released. For reviews with a wealth of objective measurement data look here at ASR, at Erin's Audio Corner and at Audioholics. There may be others, but those are the ones that I am mostly familiar with.

It is worthwile to learn what the measurements mean, unless you already are thoroughly familiar with them. Start here:

Audio Science Review

Technical Reviews, Discussions and Measurements of Audio Products. This video channel is an adjunct to Audio Science Review website which contains the same.

www.youtube.com

and here:

Understanding the Measurements

In this series I discuss the different data sets I provide in my reviews and explain what they each mean and how they are important to you.

www.youtube.com

Don't rely on subjective reviews for sound characteristics! Sometimes they are all over the place. What one reviewer prefers may be different than what another reviewer prefers, and it may be that neither correlate with your preferences. With objective measurement data, you have something to truly compare. But, with that, you need to determine your personal preferences and your budget.

If you can hear the equipment in person, that helps to understand what you like and don't like, but the way speakers sound in a show room will be different than how they sound in your room. The room in which the speakers are placed arguably is the most important aspect with regard to the audio system performance.

 

[Mikig]

I understand that we are talking about money, so no one likes to spend and then see something new come out that is within their reach.
But you have to make a choice, otherwise you will only get a lot of words and no music.

There are hundreds of us, maybe thousands, we have built our systems over time, reading, listening, going to shops and fairs.
It is normal, something new will always come out, but think that only a small part of the new releases represents a real change or improvement compared to the existing ones. The rest are the countless releases, which change in color, shape, name, equipment, but the substance is always the same...
it is like for cars: every year a small restyling comes out, some minor updates, some special versions, but the totally new model appears every 5/7 years...

if you want to listen to music you have to have a system: then over time you will have the opportunity to learn, and therefore update and modify...

 

[Doodski]

Order of operations:
Buy speakers first
Buy a $~80-$150 DAC if you need a DAC.
Select your amplifier.
Select your peripherals.
Don't blow money on fancy schmancy expensive cables.

 

[thehague]

Order of operations:
Buy speakers first
Buy a $~80-$150 DAC if you need a DAC.
Select your amplifier.
Select your peripherals.
Don't blow money on fancy schmancy expensive cables.

“if you need a DAC”…you will . If you want to go cheap but excellent: SMSL PS200 - or the even cheaper SU-1.

 

[Liberal Democracy]

Hallo Community,

I am still doing research for my first setup.

A few premises to start with:

- I can only pull the trigger once and I want to be happy with my purchase for a long time.

- I am also aware that I cannot (and do not want to) wait for the "day of the never" to buy in the hope of finding the perfect best-buy at the cheapest possible price with the latest cutting-edge technology.

Having said that, I know that in mid-May there will be the "High-End" fair in Munich, which, as far as I have been told, is more focused on top-of-the-range equipment. However, I do know that last year the Wiim Ultra was presented on this occasion. This leads me to believe that there may be news on the affordable electronics front.

Few days ago, the fair in Bristol took place, and some new releases were presented.

Based on your experience, before buy, should I first see what happens in Munich?

Is anyone aware of any news that we already know will be released during 2025?

Thanks

I'd not worry about Munich hifi show , unless your going . Then yes , I'd wait , as actually seeing and hearing that much gear in one place is a rare treat and will be informative.

Keep researching , I personally would focus on the speakers you want , what suits your space , performs well and you like the look of.

Your priorities in terms of hifi purchase will be personal . I hope you enjoy looking around, try to absorb some of the technical information as it pertains to Amirm ( and other folks ) objective measurements. That would be a wise move , assuming of course you haven't already. A little effort there will be well rewarded imo

Have fun !

 

[Premier]

Don't wait, or you will never get a system!

Be careful about newly released models: there is danger in being an early adopter as you become the person who finds all the unknown problems. Let someone else test new models for a good 6 months before you join in.

Is there something specific that you are waiting for, or is this just FOMO?

My view - don't wait, just get a system now

It is not FOMO.
I expect that there might be new releases with technological transfers from the premium series to the entry-levels, hence at cheaper prices
Additionally, I do not exclude updates on some models already on the market since 4-5 years.

I am a newbie. I've realized that there are many things I still do not know. I want to acquire additional knowledge and "listening experience", in order to buy with much more awareness.

 

[Premier]

No. My recommendation is to choose components that have been reviewed with thorough objective measurment data. Typically, it takes a while for such reviews to come out after a product has been released. For reviews with a wealth of objective measurement data look here at ASR, at Erin's Audio Corner and at Audioholics. There may be others, but those are the ones that I am mostly familiar with.

It is worthwile to learn what the measurements mean, unless you already are thoroughly familiar with them. Start here:

Audio Science Review

Technical Reviews, Discussions and Measurements of Audio Products. This video channel is an adjunct to Audio Science Review website which contains the same.

www.youtube.com

and here:

Understanding the Measurements

In this series I discuss the different data sets I provide in my reviews and explain what they each mean and how they are important to you.

www.youtube.com

Don't rely on subjective reviews for sound characteristics! Sometimes they are all over the place. What one reviewer prefers may be different than what another reviewer prefers, and it may be that neither correlate with your preferences. With objective measurement data, you have something to truly compare. But, with that, you need to determine your personal preferences and your budget.

If you can hear the equipment in person, that helps to understand what you like and don't like, but the way speakers sound in a show room will be different than how they sound in your room. The room in which the speakers are placed arguably is the most important aspect with regard to the audio system performance.

I agree. I have an idea on what my preference can be.

Yesterday I listened 4 combos: M10v3 and Atom Units with KEF Q7 Meta and Dali Opticon 6 MKII - Not impressed at all. Given the limited budget, I am ready for compromises but not any cost. I will not buy just for the "sake of".

 

[Premier]

I understand that we are talking about money, so no one likes to spend and then see something new come out that is within their reach.
But you have to make a choice, otherwise you will only get a lot of words and no music.

There are hundreds of us, maybe thousands, we have built our systems over time, reading, listening, going to shops and fairs.
It is normal, something new will always come out, but think that only a small part of the new releases represents a real change or improvement compared to the existing ones. The rest are the countless releases, which change in color, shape, name, equipment, but the substance is always the same...
it is like for cars: every year a small restyling comes out, some minor updates, some special versions, but the totally new model appears every 5/7 years...

if you want to listen to music you have to have a system: then over time you will have the opportunity to learn, and therefore update and modify...

I partially agree with you. I am searching for the solution I can be already satisfied with, without putting to much attention on every single technological development and saving money to spend for the most updated device.

 

[terryforsythe]

Yesterday I listened 4 combos: M10v3 and Atom Units with KEF Q7 Meta and Dali Opticon 6 MKII - Not impressed at all. Given the limited budget, I am ready for compromises but not any cost. I will not buy just for the "sake of".

Take note of what you liked and what you didn't like about those speakers. If you can find objective measurement data on them, then take a look at the data to see if you can identify what it is that you liked and did not like. (The KEF Q7 Meta is pretty new, and I have not yet seen their objective measurement data, and I have not seen any on the Dali Opticon).

You might go to the following link and select "Passive Tower/Floorstanding Speakers:". That lists scores for variouis speakers in different price classes. That may give you an indication of some speakers to give a listen.

Passive Speaker Recommendations for USA (by @sweetchaos)

I'm constantly asked which speakers to purchase...so, here you go! :D This guide is for PASSIVE speakers. For ACTIVE speakers go here. Click on the "Spoiler" buttons below to expand each section. Readme: Legend: Never Buy This Brand: Passive Bookshelf Speakers: Passive...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Also, have you considered active speakers? They provide a lot of bang for the buck. I like them, but some people don't. Here is a link with scores based on the objective measurements:

Active Speaker Recommendations for USA (by @sweetchaos)

I'm constantly asked which speakers to purchase...so, here you go! :D This guide is for ACTIVE speakers. For PASSIVE speakers go here. Click on the "Spoiler" buttons below to expand each section. Readme: Legend: Active Speakers (aka Studio Monitors): Bookshelf speakers (when turned 90deg)...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[Premier]

Despite my uneducated/untrained ears, I could appreciate the combo NAD/KEF when Vivaldi-Summer-Presto was played. With closed eyes I could experience the stereophonic effect and imagine the sound stage. This is what I expect from a hifi system and would pay for. I also liked the combo Naim/KEF for the melodious "musicality" (whatever this means) of a femal vocal jazz song (do not remeber the title). KEF did not convinced me too much for with rock (Bon Jovi, Living on a prayer). I found the Dali Opticon 6 MK2, which is apparently pretty popular for the "musicality", too smooth and gentle in mids and trebles, in my opinion more as background speaker for lounge music.

 

[terryforsythe]

KEF did not convinced me too much for with rock

The KEF Concerto Q Meta has highs that are a little too recessed for my preference. The estimated in-room response looks fairly linear, but the slope downward is a little more than I like. I suspect the larger Q Meta series speakers are using the same concentric driver, and this will exhibit similar characteristics. Perhaps that is what you heard?

As a comparison, here is the KEF R5 Meta. As you can see in the graph, the speaker is voiced to be a little bit brighter:

 

[mcdn]

In 2025 it would be crazy to buy a system without DSP, which in practice means one of the MiniDSP Flex series or more likely one of the WiiM options. That plus some decent active speakers and a sub means you are sorted. Or an amp and passives if you prefer.

Either way, nothing new is coming on the tech front. Amps are solved, DACs are solved, and speakers are limited by physics. You might see more options on the DSP front, but there are no significant new DSP chips released recently so probably not new tech, just more products using it.

 

[Jim Taylor]

I want to be happy with my purchase for a long time.

Your happiness (or preference) is personal and unique to you. There is no way for us to understand it the way you do. Whereas accuracy (or the lack thereof) is measurable with instruments, happiness is not.

should I first see what happens in Munich?

Other than a few horn-loaded systems, I've never heard anything at either a show or at a dealer that sounded the same in my house. I know (knew) many other people who bought speakers based on what they heard at dealers or shows, and immediately complained when they got them home.

To a large extent, room acoustics determine the "sound" of a speaker. Even if you could get exhibitors or dealers to play a file or CD with which you are familiar (many won't), it wouldn't solve the problem.

There are only two solutions: either learn to like accuracy (even with DSP) or consign yourself to years and years of trial and error. I chose accuracy, and I'm happy.

 

[JSmith]

Few days ago, the fair in Bristol took place, and some new releases were presented.

Based on your experience, before buy, should I first see what happens in Munich?

Is anyone aware of any news that we already know will be released during 2025?

When new models and releases come out, they are always at the full RRP often for a while. Can be better to get a good deal on the prior model, assuming no major performance differences.


JSmith