Burmester Audiosysteme

Active

Country: Germany (DE)
Founded: 1977
HQ: Berlin, Germany
Employees: ~50

Indexes

Amplifiers CD Players Cables & Accessories Car Audio Streamers Turntables

Overview

Burmester Audiosysteme is a German high-end audio manufacturer specializing in amplifiers, CD players, cables, car audio systems, streamers, and turntables. Known for its presence in both home hi-fi and premium automotive sound systems integrated with brands like Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi, it occupies a niche in the luxury audio market. The company maintains independence while partnering with automakers for engineered in-car audio solutions.

History

Founded in 1977 by Dieter Burmester in Berlin, Germany, as a high-end audio specialist. Expanded into automotive audio in the 2010s with partnerships including Porsche and Mercedes-Benz. Remains family-owned and independent, focusing on precision engineering for both home and car systems.

Product Lines

Product Line	Positioning	Price Range
Home Amplifiers	High-end integrated and power amplifiers	$10,000 - $100,000+
CD Players & Digital Sources	Reference-grade disc players and streamers	$20,000 - $50,000
Car Audio Systems	OEM high-end surround sound for luxury vehicles	$5,000 - $15,000 (as option)
Turntables	Precision analog playback systems	$15,000 - $40,000
Cables & Accessories	Custom high-fidelity interconnects and speakers	$500 - $5,000

Manufacturing

Products are manufactured in-house at the Berlin headquarters, emphasizing handcrafted assembly and proprietary engineering. Automotive systems are custom-developed in collaboration with carmakers but built to Burmester specifications in Germany.

Notable Products

Burmester 808 Mk5 - Reference preamplifier known for ultra-low noise floor and modular design.
Phase 3 Loudspeakers - Floorstanding speakers with advanced driver technology for home audio.
High-End 4D Surround Sound - 31-speaker, 1750W system for Mercedes-Benz vehicles with 3D/4D audio.
15-Speaker System - Compact high-end car audio used in Porsche and Mercedes models.
232 Integrated Amplifier - High-power amp praised for musicality in home setups.

Reputation

Enthusiasts and professionals regard Burmester for exceptional clarity, treble detail, and build quality, particularly in car audio where systems score high for vocals and instrumentals¹²³⁴. Automotive implementations receive praise as top-tier but some note bass lacks deepest extension compared to rivals²³. Home hi-fi products are highly valued yet debated for price-to-performance against competitors like Accuphase⁶. Overall, positioned as a premium independent brand with strong engineering focus⁴⁵.

Sources (6)