Loudspeakers

Felix Koslowski, Acoustic Engineer at Burmester’s Berlin headquarters, explains that a significant part of the weight of the B38 floorstander stems from its custom plinth. ‘The floor panel and housing are so rigidly constructed and well-damped that only marginal vibrations are transmitted. We achieve this by designing the floor panel as a sandwich construction made of 10mm aluminium, 3mm POM (polyoxymethylene) and 30mm steel – a 43mm thick composite that weighs over 13kg per speaker.’

Reinforcing the cabinet is also key to securing the B38’s large side-firing bass driver, of which Koslowski reveals the company has no ‘hard and fast rules’ around positioning. ‘In most cases’, he says, ‘it is more advantageous to direct the side-firing woofers inwards, which can often improve imaging. Alternatively, if there is furniture between the speakers or the room dimensions and shape are not standard, then the B38 can benefit from being placed with the side woofers firing outwards’. Burmester believes the customer is always right, so ‘try it out and enjoy!’

As for what comes next from Burmester, its 232 Integrated Amplifier, which introduces a new DAC module and was first announced in 2023 at the High End Munich show, is readying to arrive at dealers. Other products, meanwhile, are in ‘advanced stages of development’. Teases Koslowski, ‘It may be beneficial to visit the Burmester booth in Munich at High End 2024, where there may well be further information on this…’.