If this shot of the upstairs exhibit area looks familiar, it's really not. High End 2008 has expanded significantly, and this is an area that has been opened up at the Munich Order Center (MOC) to accommodate the ever-increasing number of exhibitors at this outstanding event.

Mike Latvis of Harmonic Resolution Systems (HRS) is shown with his new S1 ($1100-$1300 USD) isolation base on the right, along with the well-known reference M3 ($1800-$2500 USD) on the left. Both models fit into the new SXR audio stand that, according to Mike, can be configured every which way a customer might want. [www.avisolation.com]

Making products décor-friendly is a top priority among high-end manufacturers these days. Gryphon Audio showed how the Atlantis loudspeaker (25,000 €/pair) could be made to adapt cosmetically to simple surroundings -- that's gray leather on the side panel, and it matches the seat of the chair. Alternatively, Gryphon had another far more interesting option on the other side of the room.

Then there was Ascendo and the System ZF3 loudspeaker decked out in gold -- real gold! No,we didn't believe it at first either, but then we saw a sample of the 20K gold "sheet" that's affixed to outside and had a short lesson on how it's applied. According to Jürgen Scheuring, the company's main designer, the gold-clad System ZF3 has no set price and it's only offered in markets where such luxury goods can be afforded. [www.ascendo.de]

We covered the Finite Elemente display at last year’s High End show, so when we arrived this year we we were told all about the newest version of the Modul loudspeaker -- we guess it wasn't quite finished last year. It now features a more powerful 1000W internal bass amplifier and upgraded woofer drivers. Shown in the optional Indian Apple finish, it retails for 20,000 €/pair.

Dr. Joseph D'Appolito is now the chief designer at Snell and is responsible for the $50,000 USD/pair Illusion loudspeaker that was first shown at CEDIA Expo 2007 and was also on display here in Munich.

A bunch of speakers feeling imprisoned by the show's walls and making a break for freedom? Nope. They're just part speaker-manufacturer Swans' rather interesting outdoor-indoor display.

Philip O'Hanlon (left) just flew in from the United States to look around Munich. Philip's US-based company, On a Higher Note, distributes brands such as Luxman and Vivid. Of course, among his first words were, "Have you seen anything interesting?" We told him to go read our show report.