Warwick Acoustics Debuts APERIO GSE at Munich High End

This special-edition APERIO represents a unique collaboration between Warwick Acoustics and UK-based reviewer and tuning specialist GoldenSound, known for his measured yet passionate take on high-end headphone performance. The result, the company says, is a refined reinterpretation of what was already considered by some to be one of the finest headphone systems available today.

Warwick Acoustics describes the GSE as a “new perspective on a revered product” — one shaped by GoldenSound’s critical ears and months of tuning work in conjunction with Warwick’s R&D team. After an extended audition period with the original APERIO, GoldenSound proposed subtle tuning refinements based on his personal taste and listening experience. Warwick Acoustics was intrigued enough to prototype his version and carry out blind testing, which, according to the company, revealed a new interpretation of the APERIO that offered different aspects of musical performances in even greater clarity and emotional impact.

The collaboration continued from there, culminating in a system that was previewed at CanJam SoCal and CanJam Dallas in late 2024. With many listeners reportedly preferring the GSE tuning over the original when auditioned side by side, Warwick Acoustics moved forward with bringing the product to market — debuting it officially this week in Munich (Hall 1, Stand D06).

While the underlying electrostatic platform remains the same, the GSE introduces key updates. At its core are Warwick’s latest second-generation BD-HPEL (Balanced Drive High Precision Electrostatic Laminate) drivers. These operate at an unusually high 1800V bias — more than three times (yes three times!) that of most electrostatic headphones — a technical choice that Warwick says contributes to increased micro-detail, dynamic control, and a more transparent window into the original recording.

The sonic character, however, is what sets the GSE apart. The tuning was carried out by ear, but with Warwick’s stated goal of grounding every adjustment in scientific understanding and objective measurement. Starting from the original APERIO’s near-Diffuse Field HRTF baseline, careful alterations were made to enhance soundstage perception, tonal timbre, and bass presentation. The result, according to Warwick, is a sound that balances technical accuracy with subjective listening pleasure — bringing emotional connection to the forefront without compromising on the reference-level neutrality the APERIO is known for.

In addition to tuning changes, the accompanying amplifier/DAC unit receives a complete internal rework of both the analogue and digital signal paths. Warwick highlights the system’s analogue-first approach, maintaining a pure, unprocessed signal path for vinyl and external DAC users. At the same time, the internal DAC remains highly capable, offering flexibility for those who want a single-box electrostatic system without compromising on fidelity.

The APERIO GSE is proudly engineered and hand-assembled in the UK. Warwick Acoustics, whose electrostatic technologies have also been integrated into luxury automotive interiors, says the GSE is a product of both its cutting-edge manufacturing capability and its commitment to audiophile innovation. By combining Warwick’s electrostatic expertise with GoldenSound’s ear for detail and musical nuance, the GSE aims to offer a uniquely expressive and immersive listening experience — still rooted in technical precision, but now with a more personal touch.

The Warwick Acoustics APERIO GoldenSound Signature Edition is available now with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $US38,000. Visitors to High End Munich 2025 can experience it firsthand in Hall 1, Stand D06.

For more information please visit Warrick Acoustics