From ambition to emotion at High End Munich 2025
There’s no quiet way to launch a speaker like Coltrane Supreme Extreme. Which is why we brought it to Munich. We set up in Room F119 with a static display of Coltrane Supreme Extreme and a full demo system built around its smaller sibling, Coltrane Quintet Extreme. If you can call a four-way carbon fibre speaker with diamond and beryllium drivers “smaller”.
“Transparency was excellent, timbres natural and convincing, and the bass colour both accurate and deeply impressive. Coltrane Quintet Extreme loudspeakers… bring it home and plug it in.”
These were, without question, the most ambitious loudspeakers we’ve ever built. Everything about them — from the materials to the crossover to the hand-assembled cabinets — pushes our craft to its absolute limits. And we wanted the space to reflect that. Minimal, focused, no distractions. Because when you go all in on design and performance, the sound has to speak for itself.
And it did. People stayed. Listened. Some even stayed again. The response was very personal. We heard words like alive, unforgettable, honest. That’s what we were aiming for. Ambition means nothing if it doesn’t move you.
We had brilliant support from Audia Flight, MSB, Innuos, TechDAS, DS Audio, Jorma and Artesanía Audio — all working together to get the best from the system.
“I have always found Marten speakers to sound fantastic and these are no different, excellent timing and impeccable detail."
F120 — with Jorma
Just next door in Room F120, we joined forces with our sister company Jorma to present a very different system — one built around Parker Quintet Diamond Edition. This room had its own kind of ambition: simplicity and synergy. It was warm, open, effortlessly detailed — the kind of system that didn’t just impress, but invited you in.
F210 — with IsoAcoustics
Room F210 took a more focused approach. IsoAcoustics set up an A/B demo using Parker Quintet Diamond Edition, comparing the speaker with and without Marten Isolators. It was a considered, insightful setup — less spectacle, more substance. The difference was immediate, and it sparked some of the best conversations we had all week. It showed how detail and nuance can stir just as much feeling as scale.
F122 — with Audia Flight
In Room F122, we collaborated with Audia Flight, who built their full reference system around Mingus Septet Statement Edition. The pairing was clean and confident — expressive but grounded. Audia Flight’s electronics gave Mingus real presence and drive, making the whole system feel remarkably physical. There was energy in the room — a kind of low-key exhilaration.
F214 — with Esoteric
Room F214 was all about precision. Esoteric powered Mingus Quintet 2 Statement Edition, and the result was an intensely focused sound. Every detail landed with clarity and purpose. It was a system that showed how deep control can still feel human — never cold, just honest.
“The synergy with Esoteric is really impressive, so [we'll] keep on using this for our shows”
F106 — with Innuos
In Room F106, Innuos used Coltrane Quintet Statement Edition to show their new flagship server and streamer, Nazaré. It was a contemporary, minimalist setup — a great match for the speaker’s neutral character and revealing nature. In a show filled with extremes, this room quietly stood out.
And finally, in Atrium 3, we placed a second static display of Coltrane Supreme Extreme. No system. No sound. Just the object itself. The space itself was far from quiet — full of people moving between rooms and conversation in every direction — but the display still managed to create a moment of pause. A chance to take in the craftsmanship and scale without distraction.
From the boldest design we’ve ever attempted to the quietest, most intimate moments of listening, this year’s show captured exactly what we strive for: technical ambition with emotional depth. Thanks to everyone who visited, asked questions, took a seat, or just let the music do its work. We’re still thinking about it.
A huge thank you to our team — both those on the ground in Munich and everyone back home who helped with months of planning, design and preparation. This show wouldn’t have happened without you.