History and Launch ramp up:
FINAL had a successful US launch at the AXPONA 2024 with the full model line up on demonstration with Coda 16 and Coda 8 Class A amplification. M35 did not make it due to crate damage at the UPS warehouse in Netherlands
FINAL's 35th anniversary flagship, the M35 debuted in June 24 at THE SHOW in Costa mesa, California to high acclaims! Check out all the fun YouTube videos online with some extremely dynamic demos including the RAP music demo track on request by Audiophile Junkie.
The M35 has been the most popular model thus far in the US, followed by M12, both Full Range Electrostats. Production of the M35 did not start until December 24 due to FINAL moving to a bigger production facility while refining the prototypes of the elegantly designed complex Aluminum extrusion side frame profiles. These extremely rigid lightweight aluminum profiles combined with the acrylic panels are the reason why the M35s are the ligthest Full Range Electrostatic speakers in the market.
For perspective, @ 66lbs each, the flagship M35 @ 82 inches tall and 26 inches wide is only 10 lbs heavier than Magnepan's smallest floor stander, the LRS @ 56 lbs!
M35 was particularly suited to the listening tastes and preferences of the American market audiophiles with the ability to play any kind of music with resolution, authority and dynamics.
Many of the current FINAL owners in the US market are introverted and not particularly active on the forums unlike some of us!
M35 was launched in Europe this spring with great success, the owner / founder of VITUS Audio has a pair in White (Dustin
) as well as Siltech!
Many of the current EU owners of the M15 and M12 are upgrading to the M35, as they auditioned the M35s at launch events through out EU.
There are some useful observations and lessons to be learnt from the differences between the EU market and the US market which I will elaborate further,
It was unfortunate that the launch of the M35 was affected by the TRUMP TARIFF DRAMA,
Some of the crates had been opened by CUSTOMS to inspect for CHINA MADE parts seeking the opportunity to apply additional tariffs while giving us the excuse of searching for Fentanyl. The electronics boxes including transformer PCB wiring had been moved and abused, in the process damaging the speaker sets. Damaged customer shipments had to be replaced at our cost with no recourse from Customs! FINAL had meetings with UPS to resolve these issues with customs which added to the delays in shipments. The shipments had to be held until agreements were reached. The strategy is working now and we have not had any issues with Customs for the last several shipments since June 25.
Thankfully, many are saying that THE END IS NEAR for Trump Tariffs!
, Wine or Beer!