Sound Liaison at High End Munich 2025: Notes from the Field
Each year, High End Munich draws together those of us who are deeply invested in the craft of sound. This May (15th-18th), I’ll once again attend the show, not out of tradition, but out of a continued need to learn, observe, and evaluate where we are heading as a profession and as listeners.
Also this year, I’ll be making the trip with Harry van Dalen and Michael van Polen from Rhapsody. Our shared interest in high-fidelity sound and honest reproduction makes the visit both practical and meaningful.
Harry and Michael tuning a speaker system at HEM 2024.
Why HEM Remains Relevant
At Sound Liaison, we focus on capturing musical performances in a way that preserves their natural dynamics and space. High End Munich remains one of the few places where you can witness how playback technology evolves in real time. It's not about novelty, but about refinement. The rise of high-resolution formats such as DXD and DSD continues to impact not only how we record but also how those recordings are reproduced.
I’m interested in what these formats offer when approached with restraint and clarity, qualities that align closely with our One-Mic philosophy.
Presentation on One-Mic Recording in the Linkwitz Room
I’ll be giving a talk on our One-Mic Recording method in the Linkwitz Room, where the LX521 loudspeakers will be in use. These speakers are known for their transparency and imaging—useful traits when evaluating recordings made with minimal intervention.
One-mic recording is a method that prioritizes interaction, space, and performance. A single stereo microphone, placed correctly in a good room, can capture something close to what the musicians themselves hear. There are no layers, no artificial space added after the fact. The goal is coherence—not perfection.
One-Mic Recording Award Presentation
On Saturday, May 17, I’ll be presenting the One-Mic Recording Award, also in the Linkwitz Room. This isn’t a marketing exercise. It’s a way to recognize efforts, by young engineers, that manage to let the music speak without dressing it up too much.
This kind of work is becoming rarer in an era of overproduction. So it feels right to acknowledge those keeping it alive.
Focus Points at This Year’s Show
As always, I’ll be listening with specific intentions. I’m especially interested in:
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Continued evolution of DXD and DSD
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Improvements in digital-to-analog conversion
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Speaker and headphone designs that emphasize clarity over coloration
I’ll also be talking with other engineers and manufacturers. These conversations often yield more than any product demo can.
Meeting in Munich
If you're attending High End Munich and want to connect, I’ll be in and around the Linkwitz Room for much of the show. You can also contact me via info@soundliaison.com.
Whether you're curious about the One-Mic approach or just want to talk about recording in a more honest way, I welcome the exchange.
Final Thoughts
For me, this trip is part of an ongoing process of refining what we do at Sound Liaison. It’s not about trends or chasing gear. It’s about staying aware of how small decisions in recording and playback can lead to meaningful listening experiences.
I’ll share any useful insights or findings during and after the show.
Frans de Rond
Sound Liaison
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