aune's higher end

Where does the high in high-end end? In the wake of HighEnd Munich 2025, one might wonder indeed. Thus far aune of China have positioned themselves with products below €1'000/ea. In Munich they teased two new models, the AR9000 flagship open-backed dynamic headphone; and 12wpc A17 amp with 40'000µF filter capacitance, 50/100mA class A bias options and Muses R2R volume.

I use their 'lower' AR5000, SR7000 and S17 Pro Evo siblings which all ace their friendly ask. Now brand fans are aching over what prices will attach to the new crop when they drop. That these are more ambitious efforts is apparent to all. That flagging down a real ship not lifeboat must demand a far stiffer ticket should be just as. The question on people's minds eyeing these novelties is how much more aune will ask.

My guess is ~€1'500 each. In high-end terms that doesn't even get us into the ritzy 'hood never mind within eyesight of its HQ. In aune terms however, more than doubling their previous ask would be a big bold move to signal two inbound admirals, not mere captains at sea. That's what a maritime flagship used to signify after all. The navy's boss was aboard. Will the AR9000 and A17 be boss in their respective sectors? Time will tell. Until then the betting lines are open on the fiscal positioning. I'm not worried. Having reviewed three aune products, each was value. I very much doubt the same team would abandon focus and go berserk just because elsewhere Munich showed how to…